New Zealand - Driving Holiday

New Zealand - Driving Holiday

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bad company

Original Poster:

18,484 posts

265 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Mrs BC and I are thinking of flying to NZ in January. We will probably fly to and from Aukland and head off from there. We have 4 weeks available.

Has anybody here toured NZ?

cheddar

4,637 posts

173 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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You can do pretty much the whole lot in 4 weeks.

Get straight out of Auckland and head North, quick whizz up to Cape Reinga then back down to the beaches of the Coromandel for a day or 3, then south to Lake Taupo and onto Wellington, cross over the ferry to Picton, then Nelson and Able Tasman national park. Take the West Coast road South, miss out on Christchurch - it's a khazi since the quakes - do Wanaka and Queenstown then Milford Sound (only if the weather's good) and, if you can, then leave the car in Queenstown and fly back to Auckland.

January is VERY busy in holiday destinations as everyone is off work, accomodation prices are higher and it's sometimes difficult to get a room, February would be MUCH better and still peak summer, that way you don't have to book in advance and you'll have complete flexibility

Kenty

5,029 posts

174 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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We are returning beginning of Feb, it's a great time to go. 4 weeks is a good length of time to go. You will need at least two/three days to get body clock right before driving - seriously, you cannot drive after flying straight down there. You really need to book hotels/motels in advance as it is very busy. Book each one directly after finding them on tripadvisor,for two days so you get to see the area you have driven to. Drive about 200/250 miles a day - it takes a little longer there as roads not quite so good - not much dual carriage way. You can book a hire car (apex I think) that does north and south islands so you can cross with same car on the ferry and finish your trip in Christchurch - Emirates fly to both.
Best is, Coromandel, Rotorua,White Island, Blenheim, Queenstown, Wanaka, doubtful sound, Christchurch, trans alpine rail trip.

cheddar

4,637 posts

173 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
Kenty said:
Best is Blenheim, Christchurch.
confusedconfusedconfusedconfusedconfused

witko999

629 posts

207 months

Monday 24th July 2017
quotequote all
cheddar said:
You can do pretty much the whole lot in 4 weeks.

Get straight out of Auckland and head North, quick whizz up to Cape Reinga then back down to the beaches of the Coromandel for a day or 3, then south to Lake Taupo and onto Wellington, cross over the ferry to Picton, then Nelson and Able Tasman national park. Take the West Coast road South, miss out on Christchurch - it's a khazi since the quakes - do Wanaka and Queenstown then Milford Sound (only if the weather's good) and, if you can, then leave the car in Queenstown and fly back to Auckland.
That's not really doing the whole lot to be honest.

For 4 weeks I'd be tempted to just do the south island, heading south on the west coast road as Cheddar suggests. It's really a stunning drive down that way. From the Queenstown area I'd head up towards Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook, and then I'd probably take the road across Arthurs Pass back to the west coast. It's really stunning mountain scenery in those areas.

The North Island is also nice, but the driving scenery is less stunning (although still amazing). The Coromandel was probably my highlight although it depends on what you're into.

TheGuru

744 posts

100 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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cheddar said:
Get straight out of Auckland and head North, quick whizz up to Cape Reinga then back down to the beaches of the Coromandel for a day or 3, then south to Lake Taupo
I would spend a couple of days in Auckland to get over the jetlag, Waiheke/Rangitoto and other islands, West coast beaches (Piha, Whatipu), the viaduct, Auckland Museum, Cornwall Park, couple of good restaurants etc.

Not straight to Taupo, Rotorua is a good stop.

But yeah, Auckland can be a bit like Europe in August in early January, it's quiet and some smaller restaurants/cafes are not open



Edited by TheGuru on Wednesday 26th July 08:30

nitrodave

1,262 posts

137 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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We did this 18 months ago as part of our honeymoon for 4 weeks. Flew into Auckland then straight onto a domestic flight down to Christchurch where we picked up a motorhome.

Spent a week and a half touring the south Island from Christchurch up and the rest on the north island. As we had a self contained motorhome we could camp in loads of places. Have a read up on freedom camping. It was so easy and a of fun, although bloody expensive, especially as we'd spent the month prior to that in Bolivia which was super cheap.

Ferry from south to north was easy and then we flew out of Auckland at the end of our trip. It's a well trodden path but let me know if you want an itinerary and I'll try find what we did in that time.

I'd recommend a bit more time inthe north as there seems to be more to do and it's a bit more interesting. At least I tough so. Really enjoyed Wellington and would have liked to spend a bit more time there, but otherwise felt we split our time across both Islands fairly

C0ffin D0dger

3,440 posts

144 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Consider a campervan, that's what we did, means you get to stay at some out of the way places sitting under the stars enjoying a beer.

We got invited over for a friends wedding many years ago so decided to make a proper holiday out of it with 4 weeks of touring. Landed in Christchurch (South Island) had a couple of nights in a hotel to get over the jet lag and have a look round Christchurch, then picked up the van. Toured both Sound and North Islands taking the campervan over on the ferry midway through the break. Main thing to appreciate is that whilst the distances between places may not look far there are no dual carriageways, the roads are very hilly and windy, and you can often be stuck behind something like a coach for miles on end.

mikal83

5,340 posts

251 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Looking to piggyback this thread and also ask advice and read whats been given to the OP.
3 yrs ago we bought a mazda campervan in OZ and toured for 3 months, selling it for a $450 loss, (bought for $7250). You can wildcamp all over the place in OZ its easy and we loved it. Now its NZ's turn, but we figured 2 months starting late Jan early Feb. Into Auckland and then fly str8 to the south. Now it becomes 1 way or t'other. Either buy a "reasonable" car and and B & B it up/ferry/up and sell it on by auction in Auckland, or spend more and buy a campervan again. renting is going to be mega $$$$$ so that's out and a mixture of wild and campsites would suit us. Any one else done that?????
Cheers Mike

Kenty

5,029 posts

174 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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cheddar said:
confusedconfusedconfusedconfusedconfused
oops, meant Napier not Blenheim sorry! with the art deco buildings and wineries we loved it there.
Christchurch for learning about the recovery from the earthquake, the trans alpine train and we had friends there that showed us around!
Car/motels vs Motorhome
Car hire for £50 a day including ferry crossing and different city drop off didn't seem too bad.
We have booked hotels and motels at around £85-£100 night

Motorhomes will be £20 night average in the campgrounds, hire is around £140/day for mid-range - Britz), higher fuel costs and NZ is cracking down on Wild camping i believe. Also unbelievably impracticable, packing everything just to go into town for a meal etc.

rossub

4,400 posts

189 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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nitrodave said:
I'd recommend a bit more time in the north as there seems to be more to do and it's a bit more interesting. At least I tough so.
I'd say the complete opposite. I'd do 1/3rd North and 2/3rds South.

I was there for 4 weeks and hired an Apex car as recommended above. Route I took was:

North Island:

Couple of days in Auckland, down the West side to - Waitomo - Wellington


South Island:

St Arnaud - Greymouth - Franz Josef - Wanaka - Queenstown - Te Anau (Milford & Doubtful Sound) - Gore - Cromwell - Mount Cook - Arthurs Pass - Hamner Springs - Kaikoura


North Island:

Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua - Coromandel - Auckland


Favourites not to miss: Mount Cook, Queenstown, Wanaka, Franz Josef, Kaikoura

rossub

4,400 posts

189 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Also totally agree about Motorhomes being impractical - everywhere you want to go, you've no choice but to take the big lump with you.

djc206

12,250 posts

124 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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We did three weeks there:

Auckland- not sure why everyone is so down on it, the food there is amazing, try the Depot eatery near the base of the sky tower. A couple of nights to get over the jet lag and some good wine and food will get you set up

Bay of Islands- my aunt was getting married in the area so we spent a few nights there. We were in Paihia and got the ferry across to Russell for dinner. Fantastic seafood. Also went up to Kerikeri for a day.

Long drive to Rotorua. Unless there's something you particularly want to do there don't bother planning much time there

Hobbiton because the gf wanted to

Lake Taupo - didn't stop for long

Napier - wine country, Art Deco town. Loved the place will definitely be going back

Flew to Wellington, should have driven- lovely place, amazing food again. Try the Ortega Fish shack.

Joined an organised tour from that point travelling around the South Island. Usual stuff- Abel Tasman (beautiful), Fox glacier, whale watching in Kaikoura, Wanaka, Queenstown for drinking and extreme sports (fun place), Milford Sound ended in Christchurch which I would give a miss as had been said already.

We're planning on going back in 2019 combining it with a bit of an Oz tour and will be flying to Auckland, down to Napier, Wellington, Queenstown then home.

The South Island is more spectacular but the North Island appeals more to me for the quality of its restaurants and the fact that there are people there.





rossub

4,400 posts

189 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
djc206 said:
The South Island is more spectacular but the North Island appeals more to me for the quality of its restaurants and the fact that there are people there.
I guess that's why I prefer the South Island - not fussed about food and I can't be arsed with people hehe

Was quite happy with several McDonalds or Pizza evening meals along the way.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
mikal83 said:
Looking to piggyback this thread and also ask advice and read whats been given to the OP.
3 yrs ago we bought a mazda campervan in OZ and toured for 3 months, selling it for a $450 loss, (bought for $7250). You can wildcamp all over the place in OZ its easy and we loved it. Now its NZ's turn, but we figured 2 months starting late Jan early Feb. Into Auckland and then fly str8 to the south. Now it becomes 1 way or t'other. Either buy a "reasonable" car and and B & B it up/ferry/up and sell it on by auction in Auckland, or spend more and buy a campervan again. renting is going to be mega $$$$$ so that's out and a mixture of wild and campsites would suit us. Any one else done that?????
Cheers Mike
Yeah we did that albeit back in 2005. Bought a pop top van from a dealer in Christchurch, spent over three months touring then sold it in Auckland for a 500 loss. Result.

Amazing time and should have spent longer really as we had to skip a fair amount of North island after we used up two months on south island.

djc206

12,250 posts

124 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
rossub said:
I guess that's why I prefer the South Island - not fussed about food and I can't be arsed with people hehe

Was quite happy with several McDonalds or Pizza evening meals along the way.
McDonald's in NZ? You heathen haha. Crayfish in Kaikoura are good OP.

I dread to think how much I ate and spent on eating in our 3 weeks. Every time we went out I said to my girlfriend just one course this evening I'm not particularly hungry, 3 courses and 2 bottles of wine later I'd fall into bed promising myself that the next day would be different. I've travelled a fair bit and I've never been anywhere as good for food. I'm a big seafood fan which helps.

rossub

4,400 posts

189 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
There's worse - our first meal in NZ was breakfast in Denny's, just down from the Sky Tower Hotel where we were staying. 5 star accommodation with a fast food brekkie - win hehe

cheddar

4,637 posts

173 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
djc206 said:
Crayfish in Kaikoura are good OP.
Not an easy place to get to though. The road's still closed since the quakes, reopening is scheduled for the end of the year but no guarantee.

Freedom camping is becoming more restricted after too much abuse by too many so check before you plan to roam NZ without a a care.

The good news is that, unlike many spoilt holiday destinations, rural South Island is the same place it was 30 years ago, lightly trafficked, stunning scenery and great roads.

djc206

12,250 posts

124 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
rossub said:
There's worse - our first meal in NZ was breakfast in Denny's, just down from the Sky Tower Hotel where we were staying. 5 star accommodation with a fast food brekkie - win hehe
Oh dear god. We stayed in the SkyCity Grand near the tower and within 50 yards you've got Depot, MASU (the manager knows his stuff about wine and saki) and the Federal delicatessen.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
quotequote all
rossub said:
Also totally agree about Motorhomes being impractical - everywhere you want to go, you've no choice but to take the big lump with you.
Yeah but there's a happy medium. Something like a Hiace or Bongo is ideal.