Travel Answers

Hi everyone. I intend to do a trip from Christchurch to Queenstown for bout 8 days in the first week of June. I've never travelled on my own (solo-virgin!) and I'm hoping to meet up with people who have done so or intend to travel during the same time as me for a drink or even a day trip. At this stage I have no idea if I'm planning to rent a campervan and drive down (winter roads??) or grab a bus tix and book into a backpackers where ever I end up for the day. Would love to hear some ideas/suggestions.. cheers!

We're on a cruise this coming January to NZ. One of the port will be Akaroa and I have selected 2 possible excursions. The first excursion is a drop off to Christchurch and we're are pretty much on our own to explore for about 5 hrs. The second posibble excursion is described below. Not really knowing this area of Banks Peninsula, is this a worthwhile excursion in-place of exploring Christchurch on our own (not all that interested in sheep shearing only because we will have seen this activity while in Melbourne. Board your motorcoach and set off skirting the many bays and coves bordering historic Akaroa Harbour. The Banks Peninsula was formed by three massive volcanic eruptions occurring millennia ago. The peninsula's two main harbors - Akaroa and Lyttleton - are the exploded remains of shield volcanoes. (The peninsula was named in honor of Sir Joseph Banks, the famed botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage of discovery.) Drive to Manderley Farm, an historic homestead on the shores of Lake Forsyth. The farmhouse, built of handsawn native totara wood, dates to 1876. The 750-acre farm is renowned for both its fine Merino sheep and its champion sheepdogs. Enjoy tea poolside in the landscaped gardens, and then observe a demonstration of herding skills featuring the farm's prized collies. There is also free time to browse the gift shop for New Zealand woolens and crafts. Board your coach and continue through the town of Little River en route to Gebbies Pass and Governors Bay. Enjoy views of Lyttleton Harbour. Pass the Arts-and-Crafts-style Sign of the Kiwi. In 1909, New Zealand MP Harry Ell began pushing construction of a Summit Road through the Port hills. This toll road eventually featured four roadhouses offering food and refreshment. The Sign of the Kiwi is one of the most famous of these roadhouses. Continue to the Sign of the Takahe, the other renowned Ell roadhouse. Built of stone, the Tudor-style inn offers sweeping views of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps. Your return route travels through Tai Tapu and along the shores of Lakes Ellesmere and Forsyth back to Little River. Continue to Hilltop, a scenic overlook perched atop the rim of the caldera forming Akaroa Harbor. Descend to the harbor and your ship.

Im going to have xmas day at a friends in christchurch but after that im not sure what to do. Are there any events on, are all the shops open, are they are any nice walks to do ? Is there anyone else in the same boat who would like to travel with me?

Hi, i am coming over to christchurch in october time, and will be looking at getting a casual bar job, just to settle in and meet some New people, if anyone knows of any local pub/bars/restaurants etc , that would be fab. Also any other information about christchurch, general living costs, how it compares to other cities. Or simply of any tips and ideas for travelling around that you have! Whats the general life style like? Any feedback would be hugely hugely appreciated, as im only 19, and moving from all my comforts to experience life on the other side of the world! :D thank you x rose

I've sent an email requesting a booking for the Hanmer Connection shuttle from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs. Their website lists the stop location as "Canterbury Museum - Rolleston Ave". Is that likely to be correct or is it likely to have moved post earthquake? I know I can ask the company but I'd like to organise where to stay the night before this evening.... Any suggestions of mid cost (i.e. a step or so above backpacker hostel) to stay for one night near to whereever the bus leaves from at 9am would be good :-)

We are planning to visit Christchurch in the later part of the year. How is the traffic conditions around the Botanic Gardens on Saturdays? Is congestion a norm, and if so, are there certain peak hours to avoid? My accomodation is in Cashmere Heights. To travel to the airport, is it best to use SH73 and SH1, therefore avoiding the city centre? Thanks.

My husband and I will be flying into Christchurch to start our holiday over 5/4 - 15/4. and driving on to Franz Josef glacier. We have never been to Christchurch so we thought to spend a few hours there. Is there anything much we can see or is most still closed because of the earthquake? Things we were interested in... Arts Center, Christchurch Art Gallery, and Dux de Lux for a beer. I am assuming Worchester and Cathedral Square our off limits still? Sadly we know the Church has been or will be demolished :(

Hi, My husband and I are planning to fly to Christchurch in July and spend 3/4 days in Methven going skiing at Mt Hutt. After this I want to extend our holiday for another 4/5 nights and fly home from Christchurch. So, any suggestions of where to go, what to see etc? We wont have a car. I was thinking we would spend at least our last 2 nights in Christchurch but am not sure what else is worth doing in winter. Thanks!

Our flight will arrive at CHC at around 22:20. The hotel we booked is Dorset House. Can we （2 couples) take Bus 29 to somewhere near Dorset street? Is it too late to take a bus at the time( say 22:30 to 23:00) ? Thanks

Hi All, I saw some bad comment in the forum abt the Jucy Campervan Hire on the stress free insurance coverage. Is there any other better reputation Campervan Hire Companies in NZ? 4 of us will be reaching Christchurch on 4 May 2012. We would like to look for the campervan abt the size of Jucy Condo (slightly bigger than a MPV). Any ideas to share? Thanks. Regards, Aodreen

Hi All, Total 4 of us (2 couples) will reach Christchurch on 4 May. We are from Malaysia. My friends are interested to rend a Jucy Condo (Campervan) and drive along South NZ. Our target destination are: Mt Cook, Omarama, Wanaka, Queenstown, Oamaru, Christchurch & Akaroa. I need help on the questions below. 1) Do we need any special licence to drive Campervan? Can we drive with just normal car driving licence? 2) We never drive campervan before. My friend did drive MPV, will there be any problem for us to operate the campervan? 3) Is there any campervan parking lot ard the destination that we plan to go as stated above? 4) I heard that the road from Wanaka to Queenstown & Christchurch to Akaroa is quite tough to drive. Is this true? Really appreciate for your help. Thanks. Regards, Aodreen

What are the current gasoline / diesel prices in N.Z ? Eddy

Hi, I am going to Christchurch at the end of Feb. Just wondering how the situation is right now, after the earthquake ? Thanks, Eddy

I rent a car in NZ from Jucy (http://www.jucy.co.nz/ ). I brought their stress free insurance （i thought it is full cover insurance). Unfortunately, I failed to stop at a giveway and crash the car. And I was charged as careless drive. Jucy told me that the insurance become void because I was charged. Meanwhile, the 3rd part insurance company also wanted our insurance company (jucy) to pay the car repairing fee, and Jucy put it to me as contract become void. here is the term: jucy.co.nz/vehicles/pdfs/car....... they say I breached the term 9(d): The hirer should not: Operate the vehicle or permit it to be operated in breach of the Transport Act 1962, the Traffic Regulations 1976 or any other Act, regulations or by laws relating to road traffic. Even worse, Jucy directly charge me using my credit i gave them before without any permission or authorization. Is that legal? I am not familiar with NZ. But in my country, in this case, the insurance company should pay everything. I feel i was cheated. Any people can help and tell me what to do now? Shall I hire a lawyer?

Unfortunately the main library website says it is closed due to the quake. Does anyone know an alternative place in Christchurch to do private study or browse newspapers and magazines etc? Thanks!

Hi I am 24years old, female from England. Flying over from Australia to Christchurch on Saturday 10th September 2011 I will be traveling for 6weeks heading up towards Aucklands. I am looking to join other travellers or willing to hire a campervan/car with other travellers. Please let me know if anyone is interested and has a similar plan. Hardesh

Hi my partner and I are arriving into CHCH from Australia in 2 weeks to help with the rebuild, Could someone please tell me where we should live, we like shops,cafes,resturants and love the water of course so want to be close to where it all happens or where there is a night life, love markets etc as well. We are working in central city for the rebuild so would want something close by but still where there are more than 2 cafes/resturants to go to. As much info would really be of help. Regards Louise

Hello, My partner and I are arriving in Christchurch and traveling the South Island from 23 July for about 11 days. I am from the US and have never been to NZ but my partner has been to Queenstown for a holiday. We are renting a car, but we are not sure whether or not we should do the full loop and end back in Christchurch, or just travel down the West coast and end in Queenstown...is it worth traveling down the East coast? What are the main highlights? We are not too fussed to go to Dunedin, but don't want to miss out if there are beautiful sites/activities along the way. Our main highlights will be Fox Glacier ice climbing (1 night/1 day) and skiing/boarding in Queenstown (approx 4 days), Milford Sound (1 night/1 day) Any thoughts would be very much appreciated! Thanks so much, Rebecca

Hi, Would like to know if I can get a prepaid data plan in Christchurch. If yes, pls let me know where I can get the sim card. Thanks in advance! Cheers, Nora

I arrive Sat afternoon 2 July and depart on a tour Monday 4 July. Any tips on what to do in the day and a half I'm in town. Staying at Jailhouse.Sat afternoon wouldn't mind just chilling out in a good sports pub and Sunday catching whatever sites which are accessible. Cheers, Mnutsy

HI all, We (4 pax)planning to travel to NZ coming October. We will touch down in Christchurch airport at 11.30pm night. We have booked a backpacker room in city centre. I need some info to consider whether to take bus or cab at this time. 1)Is there any bus services available after 12.30am midnight..? is yes how much is the fare to reach to the city centre..? 2)How much it will cost if we get a cab to city centre? is there any surcharge applicable since it is midnight.? Is it 1 cab enough for 4 pax together with luggage? 3)Will the cab fare cheaper if we book earlier or its the as walk in?? 4)If we get a cab from Christchurch city centre to the Airport(during our departure from NZ) as early as 5am, how much it will cost? again is there any surcharge applicable? Sincerely appreciated if anyone could give some info. Many thanks Yuva

HI all, am travelling in 2 weeks back to the beautiful south island. I usually spend 5 days R&R in CC before heading off. Am I able to visit the museum at the moment.? Was hoping to wander the Gardens as usual and have had trouble finding out if I can access green areas. Also is latamir Sq still off limits to public. thanks

My father and I will be arriving in Christchurch on May 5th around 2PM. It'll be our first time in New Zealand and we'll be spending 5 days there. I'm having a difficult time planning our trip because of the earthquake. I want to go to Akaroa but all the coaches seem to have departed by the time we arrive. Maybe we could stay the night in the city and take the first bus/train out to somewhere else the next morning? Is it safe to stay the night in Christchurch? I read that most of the areas in the city are not opened but it is hard to imagine how things are from just reading. I don't know what other options we have. I've checked bus schedules (nakedbus & Intercity) and most of them depart early in the morning. I haven't decided where to go yet; maybe Akaroa or/and Kaikoura, mainly for sightseeing, nothing too adventurous. I would really appreciate any help and suggestions.

Hi My colleague is lucky enough to have tickets for the quarter final in Christchurch on Saturday 8 October, but it appears that most of the hotel accommodation has already been block booked. Does anyone have any recommendations for comfortable, affordable and convenient accommodation that might still be available? Thanks and regards Cathy

Hi guys, I am newbie here. I will fly to Christchurch this July on my own and reach at there around midnight time. So wonder any hostel that is reasonable price and clean to overnight few days at there before to get a farm job there? Any places can recommend where can i find a farm job at Christchurch or somewhere else? By the way, i got my WHV and will stay at there up to 6 months. Any suggestions and opinion will be great help to me. Thanks. Felson

Hi I am planning a 12 day south island round tour from Christchurch. I want to go for good quality local car rental cos (and avoid relatively expensive internaltional cos. like avis, budget, thrifty etc). Budget is nzd 45 to nzd 55 rental per day for compact car. I have shortlisted these companies, and would like user revies on same : 1. Omega car rentlas 2. Ace rentals 3. Pegasus Any alternate suggestions and tips are welcome (eg is GPS recommended?). Thanks Bhaskar

Hi, Thinking of visiting NZ's South Island in May. Is this a good season for visiting... I have pretty bad reactions to mosquitos and black fly bites so want to avoid the peak season. Also I'm assuming that this is a decent time to visit for fall colors? Thanks! Tom

Hello, my husband and I (early 30s) are planning a trip to NZ in March and could really use some suggestions! We fly into Christchurch (from Syd) on a Sunday afternoon and fly out of Queenstown the following Saturday afternoon. We had planned on renting a car. So, we will have 5 full days and 2 half days. I am looking for some advice on which route to take: the west costal route or the inland route? We are looking for the best scenery. We definitely plan on taking a boat trip to Milford Sound and if we go the west coast route will hike on the glaciers. I just read great things about both routes (with Lake Takapo and Mt. Cook compared to the glaciers) and feel torn. Any recommendations, pro/cons of both routes would be GREATLY appreciated!!

My wife and I will be going to New Zealand early next year and I'm wondering what the status of repairs is in Christchurch. Are the places that visitors go to open? I've tried looking at the local paper online but it isn't of any help answering this kind of question. Thanks.

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this forum and am hoping to get some advice from fellow travelers! We visit New Zealand on late December for 8 days. Flying in and out of Christchurch, with a campervan for 7 nights. Not sure really of an itenary, but we are definitely going to Kaikoura on the first night. Hoping to go on a tour to see the Wales. Any of you recommend it?? After that we've been thinking about heading north for a few days around Picton, Malborough, Nelson etc. Having never been before we don't know if this is a good idea or not. Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks for reading. :)