Driving Tour in April/May. NEED HELP!!!!

My mom and I are taking a driving tour of New Zealand. We will be there for 3 weeks and 2 days. We're arriving mid April.

15 years ago, March 24th 2009 No: 1 Msg: #66851 Delete Edit

Ashley and Nancy
Ashley and Nancy

B Posts: 4

***********More time in South or North Island? How much time in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland? Where else? What should we not miss? Any festivals, fairs, etc.we should not miss? Can anyone suggest an itinerary for the South or North Island or both?*************

Change cars when crossing to North Island, or keep same car? Which is cheaper? Easy to get one after crossing? Recommend certain car rental agency? Need GPS.

Money. We were told no travelers’ checks no? Credit card & cash, only?

Advance reservations at Bed and Breakfasts?

Wireless internet where?

Cell phone coverage where? (We have Verizon...)

Warm clothes 4/13 to 5/8? Sweatshirts? Raincoats?

Anything in particular to bring?

Electricity buy adaptor here (US) or there? (AC is 230-240 volts/50 hertz.).

Laundry facilities at most Bed and Breakfast or commercial?

Specific questions for Christchurch
good Bed and Breakfast near town centre?
what not to miss
cash for tram/shuttles?
should we stay in Christchurch & do Banks Peninsula in one day? two?

WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE US!!!!
Thank you!!!!!

Ashley
Reply to this

15 years ago, March 24th 2009 No: 2 Msg: #66867 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

Hi Ashley,

Welcome to TravelBlog.

Wow, lots of questions :-)

Rental cars - my guess is it would be cheaper to leave the car at the ferry crossing and pick another one up at the other side. Also, excuse me for asking, but are you over 21? You might have problems getting yourself on the contract as a driver if not.

Money - you should still be able to cash travellers cheques, at least in the larger cities. Either way, they were still definitely being sold when I was home last Christmas.

Advance reservations - the new school term starts Mon 27 April, so depending on where you are considering staying it would probably be worth booking ahead for that first part.

Wireless internet - quite a few places have it, but some at least will charge. Worth keeping internet access in mind when looking at accomodation. I can give you internet cafe info for Auckland if you want it.

Cell phone coverage - I haven't heard of the carrier you mentioned. Does it take a sim card? My suggestion would be to get a prepay sim card in NZ. The packs cost $25-30 but include some credit.
Also, I'm a huge fan of skype, and highly recommend buying skypeout credit which will allow you to make cheap calls from any computer with skype downloaded. I call overseas cell phones from my laptop even and don't look at how much it costs cos it's so cheap.

Warm clothes - yes, but bring layers and a good raincoat. It'll be autumn/fall when you're here. Depending on where you go the weather can be quite unpredictable, but just be prepared and you'll still have a great time.

Converter/adapter - either way you'll need them, so it won't really matter where you get them. NZ only takes the 2 or 3 flat pin plugs.

Laundry - most hostels have laundry facilities, I would imagine B&b do too. Should be coin laundries in most cities.

Can't help much with Christchurch sorry :-)

National Parks

Reply to this

15 years ago, March 24th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #66870 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

Just to add, I personally think 3 weeks to try and cover both islands is rushed.

I am reluctant to recommend one island over the other (I'm from Auckland originally), because there are sooo many nice places in both - but if you're arriving into Christchurch ( just a guess from your comment above) I would suggest concentrating most of your time doing a circuit of the south island. Most of the national parks are in the SI.

Reply to this

15 years ago, March 24th 2009 No: 4 Msg: #66903 Delete Edit

Ashley and Nancy
Ashley and Nancy

B Posts: 4

you were very, VERY helpful!! Thank you so much!!!!

We would concentrate mostly on the south island except that we're flying out of Auckland early May so we'll eventually have to reach that.

And fyi I am 22 (23 in June) so that's perfect! 😊

Thanks again!! Reply to this

15 years ago, March 30th 2009 No: 5 Msg: #67530 Delete Edit

ElAustraliano
Paul Morrison

B Posts: 308

You will love New Zealand.Wether you keep the same rental or not YOU MUST do the Ferry crossing between the Nth n Sth.Most awe inspiring thing I've done.Only thing that comes close is Ushuaia in Argentina.
If you ring Automobile Assosiation of New Zealand they will happily send you "accomadation guides" for both Isles.These are 2 novel size books that I found invaluable.From Bakpakers to 5star.

Reply to this

15 years ago, April 9th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #68835 Delete Edit

T Rev
Trevor Knowles

B Posts: 32

Hi Ashley..a day trip to Banks Peninsular is certainly doable..Akaroa is lovely..nice vineyard going out and some great views around the harbour. Its about 90mins away..road is bit twisty but hey thats NZ. Parts of SI will get snow but high up in the Alps.

Id allow 2 weeks for SI ..down to Dunedin, queenstown, milford sound and then up west coast over to Hanmer springs..nice hot pools and up to kaikoura and Picton..duck over to Nelson as well.and then move to NI and go from Welly up to Napier and over to Rotorua via Taupo.

If u ride mountainbikes there are some great tracks around the place..incl railtrails.

www.aa.co.nz has guides on line for things to see and places to stay. Reply to this

15 years ago, April 9th 2009 No: 7 Msg: #68839 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

Welly = Wellington (The capital, bottom of the North Island) :-) Reply to this

15 years ago, April 10th 2009 No: 8 Msg: #69037 Delete Edit

T Rev
Trevor Knowles

B Posts: 32

oops..my bad. Reply to this

15 years ago, April 10th 2009 No: 9 Msg: #69070 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

No prob Trevor, I was just translating ;-)

I refer to places as Welly, The Naki etc when I'm talking to fellow Kiwis. Reply to this

15 years ago, April 10th 2009 No: 10 Msg: #69071 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

Ashley - here's a bit more info on Christchurch. Reply to this

15 years ago, April 10th 2009 No: 11 Msg: #69086 Delete Edit

ElAustraliano
Paul Morrison

B Posts: 308

The West Coast of North Land is a beautiful part of the world and a well kept secret.No buses travel West from Kaitia or Nth from Daggerville so its mostly friendly locals that you will meet on the ferry to Rawani or in Opononni.
3 weeks is better than nothing but it isn't time to see much.In 4months I still missed heaps Reply to this

Welcome to the Travel Forums

Driving Tour in April/May. NEED HELP!!!!