New Zealand Travel Forum

Hi,
This is my first time going NZ. I'll be in NZ alone or maybe with a friend for about 3 to 6 months probably travelling all the way from North to the South Island on a sighseeing trip. I hope to take in all the sights that is available in NZ. Since its going to be a long time, can anyone recommend whether I should buy or rent a car/campervan as an option. What about accomodation, where would be value for money accomodation that I can stay and move around? I would appreciate any help on this matter.

We cannot see where you are from which is a pity. In Australia there are often deals with fly/drive advertised through "FLIGHT CENTRE" which can be useful.

Also what kind of travel are you looking for, comfatable/basic/or what?, What kind of accomodation? What age group are you?

Do you have any particular interests?

Its very hard to help without knowing this sort of thing, especially if there any sort of budget constraints. Are you looking to work to supplement your travel?

All these and many other factors can influence any reply given.

So give us more info if you can and we will try to help you with answers.

Oh!..I'm from Singapore. Basic is the word. Basic transport and basic accomodation so that I can be with the nature. I'll probably bring a laptop to keep myself company so that I can keep in touch with the world. I'm 40 years young and leading a sporty life. Of course, budget constraints as I do not intend to work in NZ so any suggestions should be value for money as possible. Is that all you need to know?

That all helps. Now to some ideas for you...

Basic transport in NZ is by coach (bus). Excellent discounts if you reserve far enough in advance.

Tale a look at:
http://www.intercity.co.nz/
and
http://www.newmanscoach.co.nz/

Very good budget hotels, hostels and camping facilities (with bungalows/huts/campervans).

Some sources:
http://budgetmotelchain.com.au/
http://www.discovernewzealand.com/new-zealand-accommodation.aspx

To do:
Get some ideas here and then use the links:
http://www.discovernewzealand.com/new-zealand-tourist-attractions.aspx

For me, the highlight of my trip was swimming with the dolphins in Kaikoura and the Milford Track day walk from Te Anau. Full details on my NZ travel pages.

Whether or not you should rent a car/campervan will depend a lot on the time of year and the route. In winter the roads can be closed due to snow.

Have fun! I fell in love with NZ!

Hey there. We travelled NZ south Island in 2007 and though it was only for 2 weeks we hired a sleeper van and stayed in holiday parks. Driving your way around is the best way because you can go where you want, when you want.

The hire company was

http://www.escaperentals.co.nz/

But there is also

http://www.wicked-campers.co.nz/

They are basic but comfortable.

Holiday parks range from $20-35NZD per night and whilst I am not sure if it is legal there are many who camp by lakes and beaches so that is an option for odd nights to save some money.

Cheers
Col & Sue

Hey there. We travelled NZ south Island in 2007 and though it was only for 2 weeks we hired a sleeper van and stayed in holiday parks. Driving your way around is the best way because you can go where you want, when you want.

The hire company was

http://www.escaperentals.co.nz/

But there is also

http://www.wicked-campers.co.nz/

They are basic but comfortable.

Holiday parks range from $20-35NZD per night and whilst I am not sure if it is legal there are many who camp by lakes and beaches so that is an option for odd nights to save some money.

Cheers
Col & Sue

Thanks Col & Sue,
I was informed by some forummers that staying in backpackers lodge also cost around $20 - 35NZD. Cost being the same, what are the pros and cons of staying in a holiday park vs backpackers lodge like BBH?

Thanks Col & Sue,
I was informed by some forummers that staying in backpackers lodge also cost around $20 - 35NZD. Cost being the same, what are the pros and cons of staying in a holiday park vs backpackers lodge like BBH?

We have never done the backpacker accommodation. But what we can say is that all but 1 of the holiday parks we stayed at had 1st class facilities. Good kitchens, hot showers, laundries and the locations are great. Some with amazing views, like Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park and Aspiring Campervan Park in Wanaka.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would definately do it again.

If you are interested I can list all the parks we stayed at with web addresses as well.

Col

If you stay for such a long time you should absolutely buy a car. This is straight forward in NZ.

Often budget car rental companies sell cars. You also find ads at the blackboard in hostels and backpacker travel centres. When you resell the car you often get about the same price that you invested at the start.

With some car rental companies you can make deals. They sell you the car/van and guarantee to buy it back. Would just be a bit difficult if you pick up the vehicle in Auckland and want to get rid of it in Christchurch.

I know of many backpackers who bought a car in the NZ$ 1000 range and had no problem. A friend of mine had a problem with such a car. But if you calculate that renting a car costs you about this price for a month you would not lose a lot. It would just be a little hassle to reorganise your things and get a new car.

Many BBH hostels are good value for money. They also offer single rooms, so you do not have to sleep in bunk rooms.

http://www.bbh.co.nz/

If you do not want to stay at hostels with a lot of partying choose the ones with high ratings, they are normally the quieter ones. Also the average age of the travellers you meet there is higher.

Hi Col,
Yes, pls do.

Hi Kakapo,
Thanks for your suggestions on hostels. Yes, I definitely want quiet and nice stay, no partying for sure. What kind of ratings are you referring to? nad how do i tell whether what rating is considered high?

I saw campervans being advertised for sale at NZD5000 and lesser. Are these ok buys and what do I need to watch out for when buying a campervan?

Ok here we go :-)

We arrived in Christchurch and stayed at the Airport Gateway Motor Lodge. Close to airport. We also stayed there on our last night before flying home. A pleasant stay.

http://www.airportgateway.co.nz/


In Kaikoura we stayed at The Alpine Pacific Holiday Park.

http://www.alpine-pacific.co.nz/


In Hokitika we stayed at The Hokitika Holiday Park. This was the worst place we stayed. It was very plain and the facilities were ordinary.

http://www.hokitika.com/holidaypark/


At Franz Josef we stayed at Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park

http://www.top10.co.nz/parks/Franz%20Josef/FranzJosef.html


In Wanaka we stayed at Aspiring Campervan Park

http://www.campervanpark.co.nz/


In Te Anau (Fiordland) we stayed at Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park

http://www.teanau.info/


And in Queenstown we stayed at Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

http://www.holidaypark.net.nz/


Let me know if you need any other info.

Cheers
Col

I am not sure if a $ 5000 campervan is a good deal. Such cheap vans often are just the shell, so do not include all the furnishings, bed, etc. I have had the kids of friends here who had bought such a campervan, they slept on the floor of the van, and boxes and everything flew around in the van. They were very happy when I offered them to take a shower in our house and a bed for the night... But I also met an English couple who had organised their van quite well, and attached all boxes somewhere. But it was not what I would consider as comfortable travelling. If you want a nice and comfortable campervan you have to rent with Escape, Jucy, or whatever company you choose - but this would always cost you more than buy a cheap car, resell it later, and stay at hostels.

Correct, a powered site on a campground costs $ 30 to 40.

The BBH hostels cost indeed $ 30 to 40 if you want a single room with shared facilities.

The big difference to a campground is that you sleep in a real bed in a real house and do not have to walk through mud and dirt to the showers and toilet in case of bad weather, as you would have to do if you stay at a campground (holiday park) with a van. And you do not only meet other travellers in the kitchen and lounge but often really nice owners who can give you tips about local activities.

I once stayed at such a high rated BBH hostel in Omarama (Buscot Station).

The rating system is from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score. The rating itself is in per cent. So a hostel above 80% is good. Buscot Station, for example, has 85%.

If you apply for a BBH card you can get discounts and other special deals.