Hello Woody,
We did both islands in the late 70s in a very basic Bedford motorhome but we had a 1 year old with us, so it was convenient. We were first in bed & first out of the camps next day!
A few years ago we did just the South Island & joined the Youth Hostel Association. It was the best! I can highly recommend this group.The hostels were in the towns (generally in the main streets), had parking, were very cheap & far better than motels. Only once did we have to share a bathroom. Where they didn't have a hostel, they had affiliates.
We hired a small car (the NZ version of the Toyota Yaros, but was a sedan with a boot). When I made contact with them they (YHA) said they had members aged from 14 to 91 years old! I'd guess you're somewhere in that range.
I had checked getting a M/Home but the insurance costs were sky-high.
All the best.
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
We did 28 days 12 years ago , Hired a motorhome found it great to not have to look food somewhere to eat all the time , Unpack and repack suit cases everyday and give you freedom to go and stay were you want . I think we save a lot by feeding oursleves
South Island due to fantastic scienery I would consider motorhome . You can stop almost anywhere beside a nice river bank etc . That you don't get in hotels . Either way . You will really enjoy it down there .
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 28th of April 2017 08:53:29 AM
We have holidayed both across the North Island and the South Island. Do the maths and its far cheaper to hire a basic Corolla and stay in Caravan Park Cabins.
Petrol price was just over $2 a litre. I would rather fill up the Corolla fuel tank than a Camper one.
We also found a lot of the roads narrow and frequent tight bends. Much easier in a car.
When we priced it a small car was $38 a day. A small camper was $150 plus. Most cabins we stayed in were around $90-$95 a night.
You will truly find the scenery breath taking which ever you choose. A beautiful place and the locals so friendly. Enjoy......
Diesel fuel is a lot cheaper than unleaded , That would be something to kept in mind , Motorhome are dearer than small car but you can free camp at time provide all your meals , Which over 28 days eating out can add up and a big problem finding some where to eat all the time , And living out of a suitcase can be a pain and you need to look at what lifestyle to want to have while in NZ, I fond no problem driving a motorhome on NZ road it's like everywhere you drive to the conditions .
28 days will give you time to have a great look around the 'mainland' - the South Island. Campervan/motor home is the way to go. In October its shoulder season in NZ and for a 28 day booking you should be able to get a reasonable deal on a hire.... Hotel and motel accommodation is getting expensive, diesel is running at $1.35 a litre - 91 unleaded $2.30 ish. As others have said plenty of freedom camping spot available.
Woody,
With the Youth Hostels, we had our main meal in the middle of the day when we were out & about while the evening meal was quite basic eg Cup-of-Soup & toast, etc. The hostels are all provided with kitchen facilities & were constantly amazed how well fed the younger backpackers were (their parents need not have worried about them starving in a foreign land). Our trip was quite inexpensive & the economy of our car was amazing. I told the hire company that I thought it was making fuel!
The dearest hostel we stayed in was at Invercargill (then $48 a night for a couple & the rooms were enormous). As an equivalent at the same time Aussie costs were over $80 a night. From there, we went over to Stewart Island - a quite interesting place but it was the staging point to Ulva Island where all introduced pests have been eliminated.
Do the Kiwis a favour & buy an item made from possum fur.
Trips - Consider doing the Doubtful Sound trip - Milford is great but the Doubtful trip takes in two large waterways (Lake Manapouri & Doubtful Sound), a bus trip over a thin peninsula to get to the sound & on return, a trip to the power station something like a mile underground! We were there not long after a severe earthquake that hit the southern part of NZ - the power station did not feel anything. It's also interesting being on a large bus doing a well rehearsed multi-point turn to get out!
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
We travelled in a small campervan a few years ago, it's very doable like this. After our trip was over, we met someone who had done the same and got to "camp" for free some nights simply walking into restaurants or pubs with a decent carpark and asking the owners if they would let them park the van for the night if they bought dinner there. I wished we had thought of this as apparently many said yes and they saved quite a bit of money this way, since they would've had dinner there regardless! That's if you don't fancy cooking of course. Otherwise we cooked in the van, or in the campsites' kitchens, though these were often too crowded, but I don't think you'll have this problem in October so much. Have fun!
We have done both islands twice, the South Island 3 times and always used the hire car/motel option. We preferred the car as we believed it would be a little easier to find parking in the towns and getting around on some of the secondary roads but we saw plenty of motorhomes out there. The last time we went over we used About New Zealand Car Rentals as they were a lot cheaper than some of the bigger names like Avis and Hertz with both daily rates and insurances. On a previous trip we tried sharing a car with 2 very good friends to save some money - I wouldn't recommend it as a way of improving your friendship. You need at times to be able to have a break away from each other especially when deciding what you want to do each day maybe you just decide to do your own thing and meet up again for happy hour. Also agree with davtan we found cabins were often a lot better option than motels being both cheaper and also having kitchen facilities where you can prepare your own meals if you want. Whatever method you choose to travel you will really enjoy the South Island - (take plenty of insect repellent as the midges and sandflies are horrendous especially on the west coast or around any forrested area).
Just remember that although diesel might be cheap at the pump but you still need to buy RUC (road user charge) check the web site: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/licensing-rego/road-user-charges/
Thanks .We will have 2 cars (or m/home) as they have a family commitment .
But that gives us a few ideas. Now dr google time.
Thanks again for your replys
Re hiring cars - we visited both island and at each hired from "rent a dent" or "rent a wreck" hire places. They were about 10-15 years old and about half regular car rental rates....one even came with a litre bottle of oil in the boot! For accomodation we just used motels/cabins - they have signs out front with the rates.
