I am heading over to the 'land of the long white cloud' in January 2011. It has been a great passion of mine for a long time, and I have been looking forward to going for quite sometime. A lot of people ask me why new Zealand and I simple say it is a home from home, or it is the farthest you can get from home before you start coming back again - live in UK. I love the outdoors and nature and New Zealand ticks all the boxes for me. I plan on staying for two months through summer and into the beginning of Autumn, which I think would be the best time to go. I am travelling with my brother to Australia and then visiting some family members, then will head over to new Zealand from there: First Question What is the best way to get from Australia to New Zealand? I am backpacking whilst out in New Zealand and taking camera equipment with me as I am a keen photographer, hoping to extend my portfolio. I purely want to go there as it is everything I want from a holiday, not lazing about in a hotel etc, although this isn't wrong just not my cup of tea. I am 18 and looking for somewhere to explore, travel, take part in activities, fish, swim, hike, cycle, sky dive, ski, drive, photograph, witness Maori culture, nature, wildlife, flora fauna etc etc. I plan on landing in Wellington and then working my way down to the south Island. However, I do not want to plan it as such. second question: What is the best way of getting around new Zealand and planning your days? I suppose it depends on the weather and what is available at the time, but i have looked through brochures, austravel books on package deals consisting of activities I want to take part in, but they are very pricey, IU just want to get up and go, walk around find something to do then do it. Independence is the key and I do not want to be stuck with a large group for a long time, as most packages consist of a few weeks together. I do not mind this, but wanted to know the difficulties I would be facing - if any - if I were to leave it until I am there. Obviously i will research the areas I plan on going. Also, I want to explore off the beaten track, find small areas you could camp for the night perhaps or experience new zealand in a different way. I prefer to South Island after researching but would happily see both islands and witness the differences. I love animals and nature, so any wildlife sanctuaries or tours would be great. Third question Where are some great places or well known areas that are a 'must see'? Also, any other information is great and much appreciated, such as travelling times to different areas, how to get around, boat, car, plane, walk, where to go, who to talk to hostels etc, where to work for money if needed - WOOFERS - how much money to take - bearing in mind I will not be splashing out just traveling and looking after myself. What details I need to bring, hiring cars, bikes etc, where to fish, where to stay, where to meet Maori culture. Any info is great. Thanks James Girdler
Other - New Zealand - 6 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Wow, sure sounds like you have a great trip planned! For car hire I highly recommend Lynx Car Hire, they have very good rates https://www.cartrawler.com/res/affiliate/?client=242770#quote
2 :
hire a camper van! It is an amazing experience!
3 :
No doubt if I was in your place then hiring a good big car would certainly be on my platter. But you need to select this type of car carefully as it should have too much miles on it and should be proper condition. From my very own personal experience I can suggest you that you hire car from either mentioned below. Both these car rental sites offer variety of cars that to cheap rates and very good service to go with. http://www.newzealandcarsrental.com/ http://www.australiarentcar.com/ Both these car rental sites provide services round the globe.
4 :
In NZ , it's all off the beaten track. Rental car and camping equipment. If you must have a campervan, pull over to let people pass. It's a pretty small country and you can find all 'that' at the airport, failing that, just start driving, North or South it's all good.
5 :
Plenty of trans-Tasman flights. Pick the cheapest and many tourists fly into Auckland, out of Christchurch. Weather is good at that time of year - later on, you should do the cooler South Island first. Rental cars are easy - I get a older model which could be $25 a day. Check out what happens for a rental crossing Cook Strait, sometimes you can drop off and pick up on the other side and if you have to return to the same place, With 2 months, you might pick up a old car for about 2 grand and flicking it on at the end. Cheaper but riskier if it blows up or you can't sell it. Check out trademe.co.nz for cars. Other alternatives is a bus which does a set route and you get on and off - fine but limited on the outdoors front. Must sees for me - Bay of Islands, Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Waitomo, Taupo, Taranaki, Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Mt Cook, Queenstown, West Coast. Hit a couple of National Parks - Mt Aspiring, Abel Tasman. Outdoors - Tongariro Crossing, Central Otago Rail Trail, Hump Track, Taranaki round the Mountain, kayaking in the sea at Abel Tasman or river on the Whanganui. Work - try orchards around Hawkes Bay, Nelson for seasonal work
6 :
I really need to get my NZ itinerary planning business up and running, don't I? With five visits I think I can really help you. however as that is not what yahoo answers is for, here are some hints: - you don't need a package, just a hire car; if you were there for longer I would suggest buying a car but it's not worth it for two months. Car plus hostel is cheaper than camper van - and a lot warmer and more sociable! Bring passport, driving licence, travel insurance. - you don't have time to work with only two months, WWOOF generally wants at least a week's stay in each place. - 'free camping' is gradually being outlawed throughout NZ because of the mess that is being left. Campgrounds cost around $20-$30 a night, if you are on your own I'd stick to the BBH hostels, where a dorm bed is around $25 a night and you get all the bedding, kitchen kit etc. www.bbh.co.nz for info and ratings; stick to the smaller hostels. Avoid the BASE chain unless you are a party animal. Book ahead in January when the Kiwis are also on holiday, and in February for popular places. That said, there's usually a hostel bed somewhere for one person. - food costs about the same as UK, more in smaller places. Petrol around 80p a litre equivalent when I was last there. - driving takes longer than you think; look on the NZ AA site for a distance/time calculator and always add a bit. For instance, Te Anau to Milford Sound is at least two hours. - you need a fishing licence for NZ. - do as much walking as possible; all the information on the Department of Conservation website. - NZ does not actually have that much wildlife, there is only one native mammal (the bat) and the birds have been decimated by the import of possums, rabbits and stoats. There is a Kiwi sanctuary in Hokitika and a bird park in Te Anau, as well as some bigger places. Best bet is to go walking alone, stay clear of the shouting tourists who won't see anything and the robins, fantails and riflemen will come to you if you are quiet. - must sees; check out '101 must dos for Kiwis' for ideas. enjoy. Can you stay longer?
