General Discussions

[Baggers]

Yeah, got to be very careful of those map projections.

I don't know how many times I've had work associates tell me they are going to NZ, usually to arrive in Wellington, spend the day and then drive from Wellington to Auckland leaving at the end of the next business day. On a world map or globe it looks like Melb to Albury, 3 ~ 4 hrs, but it's more like Melb to Canberra and takes about 7hrs.

7 hours is full on! I did this drive in early 2015 from Wellington to Auckland on my Pat Malone and it took about 8 1/2 hours (I do Melbourne to Canberra in about 6 1/2 hrs) and I can assure you I was not conservative with the accelerator... no 110kmph zones, nothing over 100. Absolutely amazing scenery. Just as well as I was into the scenery and amazing variety of landscapes because it's mostly single lanes which really slows you down!!! However, the Kiwis do something that most of us don't ...if they're slowing up traffic -- towing a caravan etc -- they will actually pull over to allow traffic to pass. Well mannered drivers for sure.

I went up highway (**cough**giggle**) 1 and 32 on the way up and came back 1 all the way and stayed a night in Taupo (next to Lake Taupo which is stunning... not far from Rotorua).

On the South Island Mrs Baggers and I did the drive from Picton to Lake Tekapo. Magnificent... drove through the partial rebuild of Christchurch -- 2015 -- and stayed the night and yep, big shake woke us late that night though it might have been... nuh, won't go there. Such a pretty city, straight out of England!!!. Lake Tekapo is a mesmerising colour - brilliant turquoise.

I would live in Picton in a heartbeat or Wellington if it didn't shake so damn much.