Dero and I have decided we want to go to NZ, see the South Island, seals, Millford Sound etc, but aren't too sure on a lot of things. We are thinking, maybe fly over, hire a 4 man motorhome for a couple of weeks and see where we end up. We don't know anything about the caravaning side to NZ. Do any of you know if there's free camping spots, like here, or if its caravan parks only? Would we be better off just staying in motels, and forgetting about the motorhome? We don't know anything about snow either, so I guess we would have to go soon. We would appreciate any suggestion or advice anyone could give us. Cheers Dellie
_wombat_ said
11:17 PM Jan 27, 2011
Only thing I can help you with is the snow, it's usually white
DellieMay said
11:21 PM Jan 27, 2011
Oh Boy Wombat!!!!!!!!!! You are begging for trouble, aren't yoy? LOL. Couldn't help yourself huh?
Cheers Dellie
brickies said
11:48 PM Jan 27, 2011
What time of the year are you going we were there for the month of May 5 years ago hire a 6 berth for two of us yet to find a free camp maybe they may have some sort of camps book . If we were doing it again would hire a car and motel motor home not cheap, cooler months are very short days to cold to go outside after dark don't meet many people , also we drove down the west side and not up the west side has most people do has we were given a tip to do that it work well for sightseeing , so much to see but only do one Island at a time Air fare so cheap now also it may have changed but desiel was the way to go but check that out
DellieMay said
12:00 AM Jan 28, 2011
Thanks brickies. That's the sort of info, I'm chasing. Will have to look into maybe motel way, and maybe a hire car. I'm hoping to meet lots of people, as I love to learn about different ways of life. Hadn't thought about the short daylight hours tho.
Thanks Dellie
_wombat_ said
08:09 AM Jan 28, 2011
today's exchange rate is $1.28
Happywanderer said
09:24 AM Jan 28, 2011
My sister and family went over about Oct/Nov. There was 4 of them. They hired a car and stayed in motels. Flew into Chch, went down to Queenstown, did all the touristy things there, then up to the top of the SI before driving back to ChCh and flying home. Were gone for about 10 or 12 days.
It was very cold and in all photos they were all wrapped up well.
Gerty Dancer said
09:32 AM Jan 28, 2011
Hi Dellie May, we have been considering doing something similar, but havent done much research yet. I've checked hire-campervans on the internet, prices vary hugely. Dont know how it would compare with the cost of motels, but if you were in motels you would have to eat out all the time and its a lot cheaper if you can make some of your meals in your campervan. We've been told Milford sound is a must.
Will await comments from people who have been, and thanks!
ozi2 said
10:50 AM Jan 28, 2011
DellieMay wrote:
Dero and I have decided we want to go to NZ, see the South Island, seals, Millford Sound etc, but aren't too sure on a lot of things. We are thinking, maybe fly over, hire a 4 man motorhome for a couple of weeks and see where we end up. We don't know anything about the caravaning side to NZ. Do any of you know if there's free camping spots, like here, or if its caravan parks only? Would we be better off just staying in motels, and forgetting about the motorhome? We don't know anything about snow either, so I guess we would have to go soon. We would appreciate any suggestion or advice anyone could give us. Cheers Dellie
Hi Dellie May, I have done the South island, arriving Christchurch and hiring a VW long wheelbase diesel camper and then touring the island. I had never driven a big vehicle before but the adjustment is soon made, just a little bit of care needs to be taken until you have a feel for the van and its length etc. They are easy to drive and sport manual or auto gearboxes. Diesel is reasonable even with the diesel fuel tax that you must pay. We found the caravan parks to be very good, at the time(2008) they were around $32+ AUD but the exchange rate is in your favour if you do your currency exchange outside the airport. If you do book a camper try to get some confirmation by e mail rather than phone that the van will be avail for pickup at THE AGREED TIME! I say this because we lost hours on arrival due to the van companies , attitude to customers..........and there are many arriving at the same time! Personally we found the camper our preferred option to car/motel as home was always with us etc and lots of nice spots to pull into and relax just a matter of looking out for them; sorry no GPS points that I can give you, but a gps would be handy if you have purchased NZ maps. We found there was a game we could play during our tour called "spot the kiwi"they are a rather rare species mainly found these days in Australia Their jobs are filled with all the back packers touring, lots of lovely Irish/Scottish kids enjoying life to the max. It truly is a beautiful country that is well worth seeing..........but it can get cold. Have a wonderful trip, cheers, Ozi2
Ditto Gerty Dancers comment regarding Milford Sound.......it is a magical place. If your budget can run to it I would recommend a light aircraft flight to the Sound over the alps.......stunning. Our luck was in the day we did it; a German tourist hired a chopper and offered us a free flight back to Queenstown, landing on the glacier enroute made for a lifetime memory. Dont forget your midge repellant!
-- Edited by ozi2 on Friday 28th of January 2011 10:56:11 AM
stan747 said
11:00 AM Jan 28, 2011
Hi Dellie May,
Just back from spending 2 weeks in the north island. Found it a little expensive, car hire $800, average motel $120 per night although you could get cheaper shopping around. Eating out cost up to $30 each per meal. The second week we bought from supermarkets and did our own breakfasts and most evening meals in the the motel room, most of them have kitchenettes.
We didn't see any free camp areas and actually commented on the lack of facilities for campers and caraveners , there just wern't any.
On the plus side, its a beautiful country to visit with plenty to do and phtographs to take, the scenery is breathtaking. Get GPS in your hire car and motel and hotel guide books, this saves a lot of time when looking for somewhere to stay and helps you plan your day. The exchange rate is very good at the moment so this will reduse costs.
We had a wonderfull time over there and would certainly go back again.
Enjoy.
Stan and Pat
NZ South Island is great. Very cold in winter best in motels etc. summer and late summer the rv is a great idea. From Christchurch to the west coast and down to Lake Wanaka is a great trip. very few C/ps but there are plenty of beach fronts to camp. Watch out for sand flies. Haarst pass and Fox glacia are worth the trip. From Wanaka to Queenstown and then to Dunedin, great and then up the coast back to Christchurch can be a great trip. Fuel is very expensive. We worked it out the RV cost a little extra overall compared to motels etc. but you have the convenience of cuppa and toilets ertc.
Patto44 said
05:32 PM Jan 28, 2011
Hi Dellie, Been to NZ about 7 times and always used Motels. They usually have a kitchenette in the room, and we buy cereal etc. for breakfast and also go to the supermarket and buy a lamb chop or similar for tea with salad etc or get hot chips. One memorable meal was fresh salmon from the 'farm' with fresh bread and salad back at the motel. They have great chinese takeaway reasonably cheap, too. Motels cost about $nz90 per night unless you want 5*, but this is in the 'shoulder' season. Google various motels for an idea of cost. The South Island is fabulous and by the best for scenery. The roads are mostly narrow and winding so you can't average high speeds (less than 80kph) and larger campers are a little restricted because of the roads.
We hired a car from Apex (www.apexrentals.co.nz) and found them very resonable and helpful. You don't really need GPS as there is not many roads where you can get lost. If you need more info PM me. Cheers Patto
justcruisin01 said
09:13 PM Jan 28, 2011
Hi Dellie, we were over there a few years back & done a coach tour of the south isl, for a week, then went to the nth isl as well & family picked us up from there. However the coach trip was very very good, stayed in motels with breaky & dinner supplied, ate like a king & didnt realy need lunch LOL. It was all arranged by the coach company & very well done, pick up & return to the air port, never had to pick up your luggage for a week.
Looked at the motor homes & caravan parks , fuel etc & this was by far the cheaper way to go at the time, no regreats.
PS; this was a limited time trip.
DellieMay said
10:29 PM Jan 28, 2011
Wow, You guys....Thanks so much for the info. It'll take me a bit to sort thru. This will be Dero's first trip outside of Australia, so I really want to make it as stress free as I can for him, and figured NZ was the place to go. Will definately check each idea out, and probably bore you all with the progress. Thanks.
Dellie
Gerty Dancer said
08:42 AM Jan 29, 2011
Not boring, Dellie May! We have tons of "food for thought" now too... thanks everybody!
We would appreciate any suggestion or advice anyone could give us.
Cheers Dellie
Will await comments from people who have been, and thanks!
Ditto Gerty Dancers comment regarding Milford Sound.......it is a magical place. If your budget can run to it I would recommend a light aircraft flight to the Sound over the alps.......stunning. Our luck was in the day we did it; a German tourist hired a chopper and offered us a free flight back to Queenstown, landing on the glacier enroute made for a lifetime memory. Dont forget your midge repellant!
-- Edited by ozi2 on Friday 28th of January 2011 10:56:11 AM
Been to NZ about 7 times and always used Motels. They usually have a kitchenette in the room, and we buy cereal etc. for breakfast and also go to the supermarket and buy a lamb chop or similar for tea with salad etc or get hot chips.
One memorable meal was fresh salmon from the 'farm' with fresh bread and salad back at the motel.
They have great chinese takeaway reasonably cheap, too.
Motels cost about $nz90 per night unless you want 5*, but this is in the 'shoulder' season. Google various motels for an idea of cost.
The South Island is fabulous and by the best for scenery. The roads are mostly narrow and winding so you can't average high speeds (less than 80kph) and larger campers are a little restricted because of the roads.
We hired a car from Apex (www.apexrentals.co.nz)
and found them very resonable and helpful. You don't really need GPS as there is not many roads where you can get lost.
If you need more info PM me.
Cheers
Patto
However the coach trip was very very good, stayed in motels with breaky & dinner supplied, ate like a king & didnt realy need lunch LOL. It was all arranged by the coach company & very well done, pick up & return to the air port, never had to pick up your luggage for a week.
Looked at the motor homes & caravan parks , fuel etc & this was by far the cheaper way to go at the time, no regreats.
PS; this was a limited time trip.