NZ car hire/things to do

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carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Thursday 19th November 2015
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Folks,

Flying to Auckland on Sunday. Arrive Mon and then have 4 days in Auckland before flight to Christchurch for my remaining 10 days.

I've been advised that Auckland is boring, therefore am looking to do a trip for my time in the North. Rotorua easy to do?

Also want to plan activities for South Island. I have some free accommodation but would like to go mountain biking or similar.

Lastly, is it best to book car hire on the Net or just turn up? It seems to make sense to hire a car for a few days to see surf in the North and the rates seem good, however I've not looked into excesses and the like..

Ta,

Sam

mazdajason

1,113 posts

171 months

Thursday 19th November 2015
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Sam, pop this into the NZ forum too. I had a PHer's wife set me up with car rental for the 1st week of my 4 weeks in NZ last year.
Rotorua is a few hours drive, Taupo a bit further again. Plenty in both cities to do. If you fancy a beach head to Mount Maunganui or Whangamata but I can't comment on anywhere further north than Auckland.
Sky tower is good for a meal at night.
Have a great trip!

C0ffin D0dger

3,440 posts

144 months

Thursday 19th November 2015
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Extend you stay wink We had four weeks in NZ with a camper van spending time in both the north and south islands, wasn't long enough.

My wife was really keen for us to go to the Bay of Islands whilst on the north island, unfortunately we didn't make it, combined with the other places we wanted to visit it turned out to be too far to drive from Wellington where the ferry arrives. We went to the Coromandel peninsula instead which was also stunning. Rotorua and Taupo are certainly possible from Auckland. Just be aware that the distances may not seem to bad but all the roads are single carriageway, and generally very windy and hilly. That said in a car rather than a van you'll probably make better progress.

For the south island not a bad idea to head towards Queenstown, this is the adrenaline junkie HQ for NZ so you'll find places for mountain biking etc. The Shotover jet boat ride is well worth doing if you've never been on one before. So much else to see and do that you'll easily eat up your 10 days.

As for car hire, you'll always get a much cheaper deal booking in advance. Turning up on the day and expecting to get something is not a good idea, they may not have anything left or may only have luxury or 4x4 vehicles that you'll have to pay much more for. As for the excesses, you can take out a separate policy to cover those, costs about £30 for the duration which is much better than what the hire companies may charge you, can be upwards of £20 a day for there own excess waiver. See here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-...

audidoody

8,595 posts

255 months

Thursday 19th November 2015
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Auckland (I spent a few years there) is as boring or as interesting as you want it to be.

For four days:

1. Wander around the War Memorial Museum
2. Go for a sail on an America's Cup yacht (from Viaduct Basin)
3. Spend a day at any number of beaches in the Eastern Suburbs (Mission Bay, St Heliers)
4. Take a day trip to Waiheke Island for more great beaches and restaurants
5. Visit Sky Tower and jump off it (attached to a rope!)


Rotorua is a three-hour drive. Arrive around midday. Visit the geysers and boiling mud pools etc. Drive back late afternoon.

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Friday 20th November 2015
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Thanks folks, that seems to make sense. I'd love to spend more time there but I'm on a round the world long term trip and in the past 4 months have burnt through far more of my savings that I was intending to... I have a feeling NZ will burn a fair bit of e remaining budget if I stay for a while!

I'll get car hire booked, it seems very cheap on the Internet sites I've seen and also saves me having to transfer to/from Auckland whilst I'm there!

But first, Friday and Saturday night in Bangkok hehe

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Friday 20th November 2015
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carreauchompeur said:
Folks,

Flying to Auckland on Sunday. Arrive Mon and then have 4 days in Auckland before flight to Christchurch for my remaining 10 days.

I've been advised that Auckland is boring, therefore am looking to do a trip for my time in the North. Rotorua easy to do?

Also want to plan activities for South Island. I have some free accommodation but would like to go mountain biking or similar.

Lastly, is it best to book car hire on the Net or just turn up? It seems to make sense to hire a car for a few days to see surf in the North and the rates seem good, however I've not looked into excesses and the like..

Ta,

Sam
Hi Sam,

You will love NZ, take it easy on the roads they are fun but you will almost certainly find a copper or two, they can zap you even coming the other way. Plenty of fun twisty roads.

Auckland is a OK city but NZ isnt about cities, really depends what you want to do but..

Muriwai/Piha on the west coast is a nice day trip out rugged coastal area very scenic

You can day trip or overnight to Rotorua (about 3 hrs drive), thermal pools, redwood forest, craters of the moon etc.

I would consider a loop, auckland, rotovegas, taupo/central back through waitomo.

  • but the best and biggest range of riding is rotorua
South island -

Give me a shout if you want to go ride in chc!

best route for a trip is
chc -> tekapo (church, lupins, lakes)
tekapo -> mt cook ( large rocky mountain thing)
mt cook -> wanaka ( awesome scenery)
Wanaka -> QT (fergburger)
QT - Milford via te anau day trip (Milford sound)
QT-> fox/franz via wanaka/hawea and haast valley ( scenery, glaciers, helecopters)
fox/franz -> arthurs pass ( uh scenery!)
then back to chc (beer)

heaps to see but you might want to cut that down and spend more time in each spot esp if you are riding.

MTB :
Rotorua is mecca for things 2 wheeled, shuttle service
Chc has a good trail network, mixed between flat and easy/flowy and hilly/rocky technical and DH
QT/wanaka has heaps of trails of all sorts and a gondola at QT for gravity fed
west s island coast has heaps of great back country trails you can get into depending how much riding you want and how independent you are
I can hook you up with more trail info and places to find buddies if you like


RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Friday 20th November 2015
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I'm actually out on a group ride 29th from chc to castle hill Hogs back trail if you are around then

Condi

17,088 posts

170 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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RobDickinson said:
best route for a trip is
chc -> tekapo (church, lupins, lakes)
tekapo -> mt cook ( large rocky mountain thing)
mt cook -> wanaka ( awesome scenery)
Wanaka -> QT (fergburger)
QT - Milford via te anau day trip (Milford sound)
QT-> fox/franz via wanaka/hawea and haast valley ( scenery, glaciers, helecopters)
fox/franz -> arthurs pass ( uh scenery!)
then back to chc (beer)
Would agree with all that, having done exactly the same thing albeit in reverse.

Although, Methven gorge is worth seeing if you have a few minuets, in fact, Mehtven in general is nice and Mt Hutt too. Drive up in summer if you can and you get a nice view of the plains. Instead of going to Ashburton, go inland a bit and take the 77/72 rather than the 1. If you have your own car drive the road outside QT which goes down.. erm.. thinggy gorge as well. Its closed to hire cars, but probably the best few miles of road Ive ever driven. Seriously dodgy bridge at the end and just hope you dont meet a bus coming the other way!

Fergburger is over-rated. QT itself is fantastic. The west coast is beautiful, dont forget to stop at a deserted beach and have a bbq with some driftwood.


cannondale

210 posts

191 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
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I have to agree with Condi, in regards to Fergburger. I work just across the road from them and the queue outside is what brings people in, out of curiosity, it's not the burgers which are average at best.

If you come into Queenstown you won't be short of things to do. It will depend on how lazy or active you want to be. I would highly recommend going up on the gondola for the view and a few shots on the luge. I've not been on any of the local jet boats but apparently the Dart River jet boat is the best pick but it's a good half day from what I understand. There's a ton of other activities to keep you occupied. Best coffee in town can be found in Vudu.

Would highly recommend websites like Grab-one and wotif for some decent deals around NZ.


RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Sunday 22nd November 2015
quotequote all
Aye I dont actually like fergburger but it seems the hilite of a QT trip for most :/

And the gorge is rakaia gorge (outside of methven), its pretty and worth a detour.

otherwise swing inland at Rakaia town from the 1 instead of going further on through ashburton as thats even more dull.


and the other place I think is skippers canyon, a good fun drive but I have only done it in competent 4WD tho seen campervans in there :O


I've done shotover jet, fast and good fun but more like a rollercoaster ride.

Also done Dart river jetboat, more of a cruise ( with jetboating spinnies etc) but I enjoyed more. You can make a day of that by jetboating up and rafting down which is supposed to be great

Edited by RobDickinson on Sunday 22 November 23:55

Condi

17,088 posts

170 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
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Yeah sorry, rakaia gorge is near Methven and you're right, its Skippers Canyon near QT.


Did skippers in a 1993 Ford Laser and 4 up in the car. Later learnt the funny feel when braking was a cracked disk and still makes me cold to think what would have happened had the disk broken and jammed in the pad. But an awesome drive, the scenery is great and not many people go there.

Gren

1,947 posts

251 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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RobDickinson said:
best route for a trip is
chc -> tekapo (church, lupins, lakes)
tekapo -> mt cook ( large rocky mountain thing)
mt cook -> wanaka ( awesome scenery)
Wanaka -> QT (fergburger)
QT - Milford via te anau day trip (Milford sound)
QT-> fox/franz via wanaka/hawea and haast valley ( scenery, glaciers, helecopters)
fox/franz -> arthurs pass ( uh scenery!)
then back to chc (beer)
Have done a loop of the south island in a camper van a couple of times and this gets most of the good stuff in. If you have time then the only other areas I'd be looking at would be the Abel Tasmen for walking and sea kayaking - it's a fair drive out of the way though and you really need 2-3 days there. A detour to Blenheim for a bit of a wine tour is always on our itinery but then it is on the way to/from Picton for the ferry so it would be rude not to! Whale watching in Kaikura was on our last trip but was called off due to weather so never got to see how good it was.

Mountain biking in Hamner Springs too (left the wife in the spa) which is across one of the passes - I think it's one further north of Arthurs. Not up to same level as Rotorua and not as 'gnarly' as Queenstown but a decent afternoon of singletrack is easily found. Bike hire places will give you a map.

alfaman

6,416 posts

233 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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I've done 3 trips to NZ - about 4 months in all. Robs route suggestion is bang on.

To add: some reasonable single track about 10 mins drive from QT towards Glenorchy - on a small hill. Next to the lake.

Also a really good long circular route starting north of QT - bypasses Ben Lomond and back east along above a river where some of the rafting goes.

And if u like day hikes : Ben Lomond above QT. Mt Alfred at Glenorchy .

Day hike up the Routeburn and back ( to the divide )

At national park: day hike up to Mueller hut is fantastic ( bit rough)

And in Milford : lake Marion , and Gertrude Saddle. And the walk up to key summit/ views toward Routeburn .

Arthur's pass: avalanche peak : awesome views. When not pissing with rain smile

Edited by alfaman on Tuesday 24th November 15:34

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
quotequote all
Gren said:
Mountain biking in Hamner Springs too (left the wife in the spa) which is across one of the passes - I think it's one further north of Arthurs. Not up to same level as Rotorua and not as 'gnarly' as Queenstown but a decent afternoon of singletrack is easily found. Bike hire places will give you a map.
Hamner is an awesome place to go for a ride.

As said the bike hire shop has trail maps (which change reasonably regularly. A good mix of easy forest tracks, good XC and a longer loop (jacks/jollies pass) for an all dayer. I've stayed there the weekend a fair few times (its on the way to Lewis pass a spectacular drive). Also the hotpools make a nice trip after a day riding.

kaikoura whale watch is OK, very commercial and you are in big boats , not the typical kiwi experience for me.


Love golden bay/Abel Tasman area heaps to do there but quite out of the way for a 10 day tour, same as the Catlins, great place but not often visited.

If you want a LOT of mountainbiking get the Kennet guide book its all you will need.

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
quotequote all
Hi folks,

Sorry- Just checked back in on this. Some great suggestions. Thanks guys!

I hired a car in the end because the rates were too good not to, £45 for three days in a Mitsu Lancer. I'm currently in Rotovegas- I drove straight down from Auckland and I need to drive back up in the morning to catch my lunchtime flight to CHCH.

Rotorua is amazing, so good I decided to spend the whole time here. Just drove around the lakes and did some kayaking on my first day, and then today I saw Wai-o-Tapu in the morning then hired a hardtail for 2hrs (Pretty much my energy limit anyway!) for an amazing shred around the Redwood forest. So many brilliant, technical runs, best mountain biking I've done in ages.

I'm trying to find a decent campervan deal from Christchurch and failing at the moment, cheapest I've seen so far is 120 bucks a day. Only really want a van with a mattress in it, nothing fancy but the thought of wandering round for a week seeing where I pitch up is very attractive.

Will see where we get to- Probably staying with a mate in CHCH for a day or so then heading out for some countryside fun, again.

Why haven't I been to NZ before... And why did I miss doing the year's working holiday before I turned 30?!?!

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
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Have a look at spaceship or wicked campers

cheddar

4,637 posts

173 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
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carreauchompeur said:
Cheapest campervan I've seen so far is 120 bucks a day. Only really want a van with a mattress in it
Hire a cheap estate car and buy a $40 foam matress scratchchin

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

253 months

Wednesday 25th November 2015
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I have one you can borrow Heh

carreauchompeur

Original Poster:

17,830 posts

203 months

Thursday 26th November 2015
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cheddar said:
Hire a cheap estate car and buy a $40 foam matress scratchchin
Think I might have a solution, possible van to borrow smile

peter tdci

1,753 posts

149 months

Friday 27th November 2015
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Please post an update when you get back! Any tips or advice from your trip would be appreciated - by me, at least!

I'm planning a trip to NZ in March/April next year and will arrive in Auckland to meet up with a friend who is living there. I'll have a bit more time - I'll be out of the UK for about 4 weeks, but haven't worked out yet how much time I'll spend in NZ. Still thinking about stop overs on the way there and/or back.