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New Zealand/Questions Answered by Expert Bruce Fraser
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Tramping in Routeburn | 10/28/2011 |
| Q: My husband and i are planning to do a tramping in Routeburn track in March next year. As we do not ... A: I am sorry to report that it is not possible to do what you describe because helicopter landings are ... | |
| Hiking the Routeburn track end Oct - Start Nov | 9/8/2011 |
| Q: My partner and i are planning to hike the Routeburn track this coming October (starting the walk on ... A: The winter snows were late but but we had a big snowfall about three weeks ago. Now snow levels are ... | |
| Kayak rental | 7/11/2011 |
| Q: Is it possible to hire a kayak for the day on Milford Sound or are guided trips the only option? I ... A: Correct, there is no company here presently offering just kayak hire without a guided trip. Your ... | |
| Travel in July- Climate conditions for my elderly parents | 6/11/2011 |
| Q: I have planned on a vacation with my parents who are aged 60 and 67 from India in the last week of ... A: In Christchurch the temperatures may be -5C overnight and up to +15C in the day. Most days will be ... | |
| DOC huts / campsites Doubtful Sound | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: Are there any Dock huts and / or campsites adjacent to the water in Doubtful sound? A: There are two DOC huts, The Gut (6 bunks) and Deas Cove (10 bunks), well out towards the ocean end ... | |
| driving from Christchuch to east coast and to Fox Grazier | 11/22/2010 |
| Q: I am willing to revisit New Zealand after I ahve been there 43 years ago during April but this time ... A: It's not likely that there will be snow at that time. If there is, grit will be spread in the road ... | |
| Queensland to Milford Sound | 11/9/2010 |
| Q: How long should it take to drive a medium size rental car from Queensland to Milford Sound? How ... A: I'm sure you mean Queenstown. Don't, I repeat, don't, try to drive to Milford Sound from ... | |
| Driving at the end of June. | 5/24/2010 |
| Q: A group of 5 are wanting to drive from Christchurch to Queens town. We would like to visit Franz ... A: 1.Is its safe to drive during this period; is there a high risk of coming across Black ice along ... | |
| Advice required | 3/10/2010 |
| Q: I'll be touring the north island and the south island from the first week of june to the 3rd week of ... A: The cars you have mentioned will be OK for all those roads. You won't need 4WD. In the South ... | |
| Temperatures in April/May and Birding | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: I'm planning on visiting NZ in the next couple of months, but unable to make specific plans yet. ... A: To answer the temperature question I need to know where you plan to go. NZ has a hot end and a cold ... | |
| Lake Manapouri Camping | 2/2/2010 |
| Q: My partner and I are planning on hiring some kayaks and exploring Lake Manapouri for a couple of ... A: yes, camping is allowed anywhere, although you'll already see from the map that much of Lake ... | |
| NZ in July | 1/24/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I are looking to visit Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns) and NZ over a ... A: Yes, your time is short and you won't see everything but you'll still have a good time. Try to ... | |
| What defines Mr & Mrs Smith's Eagle Nest as the perfect escape and why? | 1/8/2010 |
| Q: What defines Mr & Mrs Smith's Eagle Nest as the perfect escape and why? A: Greetings Isabella "A luxurious estate set atop a private peninsula overlooking New Zealand's Bay ... | |
| milford sound | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: . i'm planning to do milford sound's big track in 27 march 2010. i would like to know how the ... A: camping is not allowed. The terrain off the track is very steep and during storms the rain is very ... | |
| milford sound | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: . i'm planning to do milford sound's big track in 27 march 2010. i would like to know how the ... A: To help me understand your question can you please tell me - 1/ Do you plan to walk the Milford ... | |
| Routeburn avalanche danger | 11/6/2009 |
| Q: We're booked to do the Routeburn on the 20-22 November. (It will be my 4th time, though the last was ... A: here are two interesting stories in today's local paper about the Routeburn for your enjoyment and ... | |
| Glacier Hikes | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: I'm planning on being at Franz Joseph Glacier in mid November. Do you think the heli-hike or full ... A: Franz Josef Glacier - I would recommend the helihike. It goes much further up the mountain and you ... | |
| milford track in october | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: With plenty of meteorlogical experience, predicting the weather for at least the trek and a day or ... A: Make your plan but come prepared with Plans B and C as well. I would suggest the Routeburn or ... | |
| south island drive holiday | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: my wife, son (13 months) and i are planning to drive from Wellington through Christchurch and onto ... A: It's unlikely you will have any problems on main highways. These are kept clear of snow and grit ... | |
| Arthurs Pass/Lewis Pass mid June | 5/3/2009 |
| Q: Back again Bruce.. I am trying to plan the road trip - need your advise please. Around 20 June we ... A: This is outside my field really. The weather will certainly be cold in June but I don't think the ... | |
| cruise - Milford and Doubtful | 5/1/2009 |
| Q: ..will be in Queenstown area late June...I am trying to find out more on line - about cruising ... A: The largest company that does cruises on both fiords is Real Journeys. Their main site is at ... | |
| South Island in May | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: I am planning to be in South Island (Nelson-Greymouth-Franz Joseph-Queenstown-Milford ... A: 1. Ten days will be just enough. More time would be better. You would be best to hire a car or ... | |
| winter driving new zealand | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: am spending 3 weeks in NZ from 20.8-10.7. Planning to drive from Christchurch to Dunedin, Te ... A: the best route is Christchurch-Dunedin-Balclutha-Catlins (that's SE coastal South Island, very ... | |
| June-2009-Winter Travel | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: Bruce, Thanks for your time. My wife and I (30's) are planning a trip in June or August for 14-17 ... A: your plan sounds fine. There should be plenty of accommodation at most places, probably at ... | |
| Milford Track in September | 2/20/2009 |
| Q: My son and I are aiming to walk the Milford track late September. We've read plenty of warnings ... A: I can confirm the warnings you have already had. The Milford track is never formally closed but in ... | |
| South Island Tracks | 7/12/2008 |
| Q: Bruce, We are planning to travel around the South Island starting the end of November until the ... A: The weather is less reliable early in the season but the flowers are better then. Otherwise there's ... | |
| Winter hiking/trekking | 7/9/2008 |
| Q: Sir, I'm thinking about doing some hiking/trekking around Queenstown (Milford/Routeburn etc) towards ... A: The huts are not compulsory. Camping is allowed in most places in national parks. Two exceptions ... | |
| Winter hiking/trekking | 7/7/2008 |
| Q: Sir, I'm thinking about doing some hiking/trekking around Queenstown (Milford/Routeburn etc) towards ... A: No reason not to do this if you prepare well. Access to the Milford Track is difficult in winter as ... | |
| N.Z. tramping | 4/4/2008 |
| Q: I would like to tramp all over the south Island.The Milford track,the routeburn ... A: The places you mention will all yield great experiences and your plan sounds great. My answer only ... | |
| driving in winter | 3/20/2008 |
| Q: I will be visiting New Zealand for about a week next june 29th . I will be hiring a car and have ... A: You should be just fine. The main winter hazard is ice in shaded places early in the morning. Most ... | |
| Milford Track and fear of heights | 11/5/2007 |
| Q: slippery rock-strewn tracks with a big drop on the side - I once fell off a track like this in ... A: I don't think the Milford Track is for you. While there's nowhere you are actually at risk of ... | |
| Queenstown in November | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: We start and end our trip in Queenstown. We have 21 days in November. The plan is to arrive ... A: Lots of travellers face the "wrong side of the road" problem and seem to manage. I'm sure you can ... | |
| Best time to hike Fiordland | 3/23/2007 |
| Q: I was wondering when the best time is to hike in Fiordland. My girlfriend and I are planning on ... A: Sorry for the delay, your question didn't reach me for some reason. AllExperts sent me a hurry-up ... | |
| father son trip to NZ | 1/6/2007 |
| Q: Sir, I am planning a High school graduation trip for me and my Dad. I am looking at going to New ... A: You need to find out more about NZ! Try the Lonely Planet travel guide site for a start. ... | |
| milford v doubtful | 10/16/2006 |
| Q: Ps Best boat co milford sound and doubtful A: I have taken clients on all 4 of the Milford companies and they are equally good. If you can, go on ... | |
| milford v doubtful | 10/16/2006 |
| Q: Want to stay in Te Aneu to visit either Doubtful or Milford attracted by more peaceful exp of Dful ... A: If possible visit both. They are very different experiences; spectacular country in both cases. ... | |
| Mountain Driving | 9/19/2006 |
| Q: Bruce. That is in fact very helpful. I am assuming, from looking at maps, that Christchurch to Te ... A: Christchurch to Queenstown shouldn't be difficult but there is a lakeside road section between ... | |
| Mountain Driving | 9/18/2006 |
| Q: My husband will be in NZ from 13 Feb to 6 March 2007. We arrive in Christchurch and leave from ... A: Depends how serious the vertigo is. I would say it will present quite a problem, as the three major ... | |
| travelling around | 1/23/2006 |
| Q: I'm going to NZ on 29 Jan with my boyfriend. I am wondering could you recomend me some nice, not ... A: In fiordland I can recommend Mavora Lakes for gentle scenic kayaking. Camping is allowed there and ... | |
| travel in Australia & New Zealand | 12/13/2005 |
| Q: My husband & I want to travel for about 3 weeks through Australia & New Zealand from mid-April to ... A: I can help with only a small part of your query. In the southern part of New Zealand, you should ... | |
| South Island Trip Planning - April 2006 | 10/12/2005 |
| Q: I am travelling with my wife and 2 sons, aged 9 and 11, to Christchurch at the start of April 2006. ... A: I can only really advise about Fiordland and the nearby area, but I do agree about the TranzAlpine ... | |
| travelling in nz | 9/20/2005 |
| Q: What would b your top ten destinations? Any local advice that other people dont get to see would be ... A: My answer is limited to Fiordland, really, but check out the NZ Department of Conservation's website ... | |
| Our upcoming trip! | 4/5/2005 |
| Q: You are so lucky to live in NZ! Anyhow, I digress... we are re-visiting NZ after a superb trip last ... A: The easy part of your query is - yes, alter your trip to fit in Stewart Island. It will be a ... | |
| trekking in April and going between islands | 2/15/2005 |
| Q: Dave! We're finalizing our plans on an April 22nd-May 25th trip to NZ and plan to fly in to ... A: Bruce here. If you mean the Milford Track, the season ends in late April so you may be too late. ... | |
| Doubtful Sound | 1/21/2005 |
| Q: Could you possibly tell me whether it is possible to kayak into Doubtful Sound from Manapouri and if ... A: The brief, serious answer to the first part of your question is, no, because there is a 670m ... | |
| South Island West Coast | 1/4/2005 |
| Q: We are going to NZ in April and planing to drive from Queenstown to Nelson, probably stopping at Fox ... A: I don't know enough to give a full answer. Check out the Lonely Planet site for more info. Great ... | |
| Winter driving | 11/3/2004 |
| Q: I will be visiting New Zealand for about a month next July/August. I will be hiring a car and have ... A: The Te Anau-Milford road is a mountain highway and demands attention at any time. In the winter it ... | |
| how to book stays and begin trekking | 8/27/2004 |
| Q: I am 19 years old from brunswick, maine and will be travelling to new zealand on october 15 with my ... A: There are a lot of good backpacker hostels in NZ, and the favourite references are NZ Lonely Planet ... | |
| Norwegian influence | 7/30/2004 |
| Q: Mr. Frasier, How great is the Norwegian influence on New Zealand? Are there any est. on how many ... A: Many Scandinavians migrated to New Zealand. The best known centre of Scandinavian culture is the ... | |
| Road trip | 12/12/2003 |
| Q: We are flying into Queenstown 26th dec, staying 12 nights in the area then flying back out, 7th jan. ... A: sorry about the delay; lightning struck my computer . . . Driving around the sounds: You can only ... | |
| What to do in TeAnau and Queensland | 10/16/2003 |
| Q: We are traveling to New Zealand in the latter part of Oct, early Nov. We are renting a campervan ... A: The Milford Track probably won't be safe for walking in October/early Nov, as there's been heavy ... | |
| Milford Cruises | 10/10/2003 |
| Q: I'm torn between the overnight cruises the Mariner and the other I think is the Wander. There seems ... A: It's all to do with the standard of the cabins, the company tells me. The Mariner cruise has twin ... | |
| hiking and camping on south island | 9/23/2003 |
| Q: What an interesting service this is! My husband and I work for the National Park Service in the ... A: Sorry about the delay, I was away. You are exactly right. There are plenty of other walks. The DoC ... | |
| Hi, I've got a bit of a problem... | 7/12/2003 |
| Q: I've got a bit of a problem with my prospective visit to New Zealand. On January 6 and 7 we will be ... A: I can see things are getting grim in your household. People don't want to answer your question ... | |
New Zealand
Answers by Expert:
Bruce Fraser
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
About: Fiordland, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, hiking in Southern South Island. General travel questions about Te Anau, Manapouri, Milford Sound.
Experience
I have hiked and lived in Fiordland most of my life. I own a guided walk/hike business in Te Anau, Fiordland.
Organizations
Royal New Zealand Forest and Bird Protection Society, Greenpeace, Fiordland Tramping Club.
Publications
Southland Times daily newspaper
Private publications, New Zealand Wildlife Service
Education/Credentials
B. Sc (Hons, Botany)
M. Appl. Sci (Entomology)
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