Visiting April 2026
Discussion
We are coming to NZ in April '26 and are at the planning stages of our tour of both islands. We will fly to Auckland for the north island leg then fly to Christchurch for the southern island. I have some questions that I hope someone can answer :-
1. Tomtom maps, are they any good in NZ?
2. It appears that Hobbiton and Milford Sound tours etc are already getting booked up, is that right ?
3. We are thinking of hiring a car rather than a motorhome. Is accommodation at motels and hostels likely be busy and need pre-booking or is a motorhome recommended, especially for the south island ?
4. Any difference in accommodation availability between the two islands ?
We are aware of the time needed and have allowed 10 days for the north island and 15 days for the south. We have planned a route that hits the key tourist spots so will probably be predictable by any NZ resident!!
Any info and or tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
1. Tomtom maps, are they any good in NZ?
2. It appears that Hobbiton and Milford Sound tours etc are already getting booked up, is that right ?
3. We are thinking of hiring a car rather than a motorhome. Is accommodation at motels and hostels likely be busy and need pre-booking or is a motorhome recommended, especially for the south island ?
4. Any difference in accommodation availability between the two islands ?
We are aware of the time needed and have allowed 10 days for the north island and 15 days for the south. We have planned a route that hits the key tourist spots so will probably be predictable by any NZ resident!!
Any info and or tips would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
A quick web search suggests that Tomtom Maps is OK for NZ, but possibly a bit out of date, with incorrect speed limits in places and missing traffic cameras. We use Google Maps when we need to and have found it to be generally very good. Note that whatever form of transport you choose, speed limits are rigorously enforced when police are on the road, and by mobile unmarked camera units. Permanent cameras are often not sign posted either.
Motorhomes are very popular with tourists, less so with locals. They can be large and are generally slower than day-to-day traffic, especially on some of the narrower, twisty and hilly routes that you will no doubt cover. Parking for motorhomes is not always straightforward or available where you want as well. As Mark says above, do not underestimate how long it can take to get from point A to point B in NZ.
Google Maps times are generally reasonably realistic for tourists, especially as you'll want to stop to look at things along the way. Some of the drives are just spectacular (e.g. Volcanic Plateau, Bay of Islands, Coromandel Peninsula in the north; Kaikoura Coast, Westland, Milford Sound, Mt Cook Region, Central Otago in the South).
April is not a bad time to visit. Weather should be reasonably settled, but the few days either side of Easter will be packed with local holidaymakers wherever you go.
Quality of accommodation varies hugely, depending on how much you want to spend. Generally speaking, you can get a pretty good indication from motel/hotel/B&B web pages and reviews. I think it would be well worth your while to book ahead, especially if you are here over Easter.
Yes - some attractions do book out well in advance. However, if you are prepared to be flexible, there are usually slots available for all but the very high demand attractions. Excellent walks are on offer at many locations free of charge if you are not averse to a bit of exercise.
Hope that is useful. If you have any questions, just ask.
Motorhomes are very popular with tourists, less so with locals. They can be large and are generally slower than day-to-day traffic, especially on some of the narrower, twisty and hilly routes that you will no doubt cover. Parking for motorhomes is not always straightforward or available where you want as well. As Mark says above, do not underestimate how long it can take to get from point A to point B in NZ.
Google Maps times are generally reasonably realistic for tourists, especially as you'll want to stop to look at things along the way. Some of the drives are just spectacular (e.g. Volcanic Plateau, Bay of Islands, Coromandel Peninsula in the north; Kaikoura Coast, Westland, Milford Sound, Mt Cook Region, Central Otago in the South).
April is not a bad time to visit. Weather should be reasonably settled, but the few days either side of Easter will be packed with local holidaymakers wherever you go.
Quality of accommodation varies hugely, depending on how much you want to spend. Generally speaking, you can get a pretty good indication from motel/hotel/B&B web pages and reviews. I think it would be well worth your while to book ahead, especially if you are here over Easter.
Yes - some attractions do book out well in advance. However, if you are prepared to be flexible, there are usually slots available for all but the very high demand attractions. Excellent walks are on offer at many locations free of charge if you are not averse to a bit of exercise.
Hope that is useful. If you have any questions, just ask.
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