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First time in NZ for solo traveller

Oceania » New Zealand
Topic Type: Help

Heading down to NZ from London for just over a month in Feb/ Mar 2009 - looking for tips on places not to miss, accomodation, transport etc

Wimbledon

Ian
Post Count: 4

Msg: #1 59 weeks ago, November 11th 2008

Hello

I'm a mid 30s traveller on a career break and looking to travel solo around NZ for just over a month in Feb/ Mar 2009. Just wondering if people had any recommendations for:

Places not to miss
Time to be spent in major cities e.g. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch etc
Accomodations [open to hostels and reasonably priced hotels]
Transport [am I too old for say Magic Bus?]
Meeting fellow travellers in late 20s/ 30s

Thanks in advance

takahe

CL
Post Count: 16

Msg: #2 59 weeks ago, November 12th 2008

> Places not to miss

North Island: Thermal areas around Rotorua, Taupo, and volcanoes - Tongariro NP.
South Island: Alps; Glaciers, Mt. Cook, Queenstown, Fiordland.
and whatever other national parks you can fit in.

> Time to be spent in major cities e.g. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch etc

Not much. They'll probably keep you interested for a day or two, but you don't
fly half way round the world to see them. Think of them as a rest stop, not a
destination.

> Accomodations [open to hostels and reasonably priced hotels]

Plenty of hostels, campgrounds, motels etc. Full-service hotels less common outside
major destinations, and pricey. In Feb/March, it's worth trying to call ahead for
reservations, especially in popular places.

> Transport [am I too old for say Magic Bus?]

Buses will require patience - limited schedules, don't stop everywhere etc. Compare cost
and convenience with a cheap car rental. Of the buses, kiwi experience probably has the
worst (or best, depending on perspective) reputation for rowdy partying teenagers; magic
and stray should be more civilized.

> Meeting fellow travellers in late 20s/ 30s

buses... hostels... bars... not my scene. :-).

soppy

sop
Post Count: 3

Msg: #3 58 weeks ago, November 21st 2008

Hi Ian,

Am in my early 30's on a career break too - intending to be in NZ by end of Jan, beginning of feb......

Looking to meet up with interesting fun people whilst out there -
am torn between doing the stray / magic bus thing or a guided tour... seems more flexible to get a bus and take it from there..

let me know your plans

stacey

sylviee

Sylvia Loo
Post Count: 1

Msg: #4 49 weeks ago, January 20th 2009

Hello!

I am going on a first lone adventure trip to NZ in April.
Have read up quite abit but 've not done much planning yet.

Will u guys still be around come April?

Lynharris

Carolyn Harris
Post Count: 5

Msg: #5 49 weeks ago, January 21st 2009

I lived in NZ for six US winters in an RV. ( I just kept the same one, stored it on a kiwi farm for $16. a month and flew back each year) You might want to buy one if you're staying a month. You can freedom camp and save a lot of money. If you rent or buy a car, you can stay in the rooms at the Holiday Parks etc. They have kitchen facilities so you can save money on meals. They're also a great way to meet people.

I've also rented cars and used motels. Don't take a tour, you'll meet more people and see more things if you travel by car or movan.

I have a blog on here and just posted about traveling with limited mobility. I pretty much cover the basics-- how to save money and where to stay. I have another blog, traveling newzealand on blogger and I'm up in Northland now. Just posted on the Tutukaka coast and the Poor Knights.

I liked the North Island best since my home is in the Cascade Mountains and it's pretty much like the South Island. I have something listed back in one of my posts about an organization where you can find people to meet in the town you're visiting. If you need any information, you can emil me: <snip>

Lyn

[Edited: 09:33 - Jo Trouble - Email address removed. Please contact via TravelBlog profile page.]

Jo Trouble

Jo McCarthy
Post Count: 3167

Msg: #6 49 weeks ago, January 21st 2009

Hi all,

If case any of you (obviously not Lyn) decide to buy a vehicle;

backpackerboard.co.nz has some good general info on buying cars.

carfair.co.nz and trademe.co.nz are a couple of sites to check out. Also look at noticeboards in hostels.

Have a great time over there :-)

Lynharris

Carolyn Harris
Post Count: 5

Msg: #7 49 weeks ago, January 22nd 2009

On my other blog, Traveling New Zealand, I seem to get a lot of questions about rentals.
Thanks for the tip, I'll check out those sites. I've also heard TransferCar is easy to work with-- they're rental relocators.
The hostel bulletin boards in C.C., Wellington & Auackland sometimes have cars for sale-- usually someone heading home.l
Budget Backpacker (BBH) has a good forum. They're also a good way to find someone traveling your way. If you can't find BBH, the link's on my other blog. They're kind of picky about leaving links in here and they just get deleted.
Right now, I'm trying to find out if there's public transportation between Whangarei and Tutukaka. If anybody knows, please drop the info in.
Lyn

Jo Trouble

Jo McCarthy
Post Count: 3167

Msg: #8 49 weeks ago, January 22nd 2009

Hi Carolyn,

We only delete links if they are just blatant advertising for the poster, and not relevant to the topic.
Budget Backpacker Hostels New Zealand :-)

Lynharris

Carolyn Harris
Post Count: 5

Msg: #9 49 weeks ago, January 23rd 2009

Thanks. I wasn't quite sure about your policy.
Lyn

Hawley

Holly
Post Count: 2

Msg: #10 48 weeks ago, January 29th 2009

I too am going solo to NZ and OZ Feb/Mar I am also 30 and haven't really done any planning yet. Would love to get some more ideas on where the best spots to go are and where to stay. I'm a bit nervous and scared being a single woman going alone, so saftey is a big issue with me. The purpose of my trip is mainly for vacation, however, while I am there I would like to check out some cities that are potential spots to move too and work in. Although vacation is still #1 priority incase things back home change and I decide not to move down.

Any advice for a single female traveller would be great. I'm planning to go for about 4 weeks.

Jo Trouble

Jo McCarthy
Post Count: 3167

Msg: #11 48 weeks ago, January 29th 2009

Hi Holly,

Welcome to TravelBlog.

Here's a couple of sites worth checking regarding work/accomodation (with a more permanent stay in mind);
TradeMe.co.nz
Seek.co.nz

What sort of things are you interested in? Outdoor, beaches, museums, big cities etc.

Lynharris

Carolyn Harris
Post Count: 5

Msg: #12 48 weeks ago, January 29th 2009

Hawley:
I've been over there solo several times. It's always easier with two so one can drive and one can read the map and yell "you passed it." Other than worrying about pulling out in the wrong lane, I never worried about my safety.
I was digging around looking for info today and found a backpacker board on the Auckland Backpacker.co.nz site that listed jobs.
Lyn

Hawley

Holly
Post Count: 2

Msg: #13 48 weeks ago, January 30th 2009

I'm interested in the outdoors. I do like beaches, but not to sit around and tan. To relax and unwind for a short time, sure, but I'm a sports kind of girl. I prefer to stay active. I'm not a fan of big cities. They are ok to visit every now and then, but I prefer to stay out of them. Museums, not really into... I like zoos... I also like to sit an relax over a nice glass of wine now and then too. Pubs are good. Night clubs, I do like to dance, but not really my thing to do every weekend.

Thanks for the sites. I will look at them.

Any cities/areas I should avoid going to alone?

Lynharris

Carolyn Harris
Post Count: 5

Msg: #14 48 weeks ago, January 30th 2009

You'll like the Bay of Islands. I was a single-handed sailor for many years, but never got that far. I daysailed with other women in the Bay. If you like sailing, find the Opua Yacht Club or the one in Whangarei. They'll invite you to a pot luck. These aren't fancy like some of the yacht clubs in the states. They have good showers, friendly people, etc. I just did a post on my other blog, Traveling New Zealand about the Opua and sailing around there.
You can dig around on the beaches for shell fish. There's nothing going to bite you in NZ, so poke around where you want.
I never worried about safety when I was in Auckland, but I never roamed the downtown streets alone after the bars closed.
Why don't you contact one of the sites and find somebody that's a Kiwi ahead of time to share rides with or show you their local town. I've never found a Kiwi that wasn't friendly.
Lyn

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