New Zealand self drive.

S

Sid Rixon IV

Head Pro
Joined
Jul 22, 2013
Messages
1,146
Visit site
I've just started exploring this possibility for January 2014.
It's initially a bit overwhelming what with choices of stopovers there and back and the plethora of companies who "facilitate" whatever you choose and who suggest routes and organise accommodation.
On the other hand I know of people who have used a TA to get there then, armed with laptop and an internet connection, booked their journey several days ahead at a time according to their whim.
I can even include 5/7 days driving around East Coast Oz on the way out.
At the moment I'm thinking North Island by car, South Island by Motor Home.

Has any one had experience of such a trip?
Any advice/tips?
 
Sid Rixon IV said:
I've just started exploring this possibility for January 2014.
It's initially a bit overwhelming what with choices of stopovers there and back and the plethora of companies who "facilitate" whatever you choose and who suggest routes and organise accommodation.
On the other hand I know of people who have used a TA to get there then, armed with laptop and an internet connection, booked their journey several days ahead at a time according to their whim.
I can even include 5/7 days driving around East Coast Oz on the way out.
At the moment I'm thinking North Island by car, South Island by Motor Home.

Has any one had experience of such a trip?
Any advice/tips?
Click to expand...

OK - any tips on a fortnight in Blackpool instead??
 
Last edited:
I did this a few years ago. Booked the flight myself, picked up a little hire car at the airport and spent three weeks driving round north island, with a brief hop to south island.

Really easy to do. Easy driving, just don't be in a rush. Don't try and fit too much in else you spend all day in the car and miss wonderful little places like Raglan. We stayed in "youth" hostels. Brilliant condition, though Rotorua's wasn't quite as good as it was such a backpacker hotspot, cheap, and fantastically helpful people. We booked the first few nights before we travelled, then did a few days ahead. We went out of peak season though.
 
Hi

I did a self drive around NZ a few years ago. But my memory is not what it was, and even then it was rubbish. But I remember starting in Auckland and driving throughout the north island down to Queensland in the south island. On the way we visited Napier, Rotorua, Tongariro national park, a few other places I've forgotten and the magnificently names Wanaka. There's the best cinema in the world there http://www.paradiso.net.nz/

It's a pretty spectacular country with fabulous beaches, magnificent mountains and everything in between. It's kind of like Scotland on steroids. Enjoy, it will be a great trip.

And I am afraid at the time I didn't play much golf so didn't get a round in. But you know you must visit here http://www.capekidnappers.com/ ;)

Sorry about Blackpool, I genuinely have not been.
 
Sid Rixon IV said:
I've just started exploring this possibility for January 2014.
I can even include 5/7 days driving around East Coast Oz on the way out.
At the moment I'm thinking North Island by car, South Island by Motor Home.

Has any one had experience of such a trip?
Any advice/tips?
Click to expand...

Can't advise on the Oz section, though that could well be worth doing!

NZ really depends on how you want to balance seeing loads of things with being knackered by driving relatively long distances on A/B-road quality roads.

Your North/South split seems pretty reasonable - though why not Motor Home (Maui Van?) both Islands?. Can't see the point of spending huge amounts taking vehicle across Cook Strait!

Bay of Islands should definitely be on the agenda as should Napier/Hastings Rotorua and Taupo imo. Auckland City is 'best avoided' imo except for harbour and islands. Tauranga/Bay of Plenty could be worthwhile depending on time.

I'd personally try to start South Island leg in Nelson. Flying from Wellington to Nelson would take you over Marlborough Sounds which can be the best way to see them. Nelson Area is worth exploring/relaxing,

Then it's a couple of decisions about what route to take. You could go Nelson-Blenheim-Kaikoura-Christchurch, then Geraldine-Lakes-Queenstown-Milford-Haast-Glaciers-Greymouth-Westport-Nelson

Or Nelson-Westport-Greymouth-Haast-Milford-Queenstown-Lakes etc to Christchurch

Or even skip the quite tedious Nelson-Blenheim-Kaikoura-Christchurch section and end up in Christchurch. And You could get to Greymouth from Christchurch and go anti-Clockwise to Haast, Milford etc, but would miss out on some wonderful scenery and drive would be quite tedious imo.

Kaikoura has some 'special' treats - Whale watching and swimming with Dolphins if you are into that. And, if available, Crayfish taste better than Lobster imo!

West Coast is renowned for Sandflies - not quite a thick as Midges but more persistent - so make sure you have some repellant - Deet based works best I believe.

So decide how you want to divide your time up.

And forget eating Lamb. The Fish is fabulous!

Enjoy!

And here's the proper suggestion for this Forum:

Kauri Cliffs
Gulf Harbour
Titirangi
Cape Kidnappers
Waireki
Kinloch
Paraparaumu Beach
Clearwater
Terrace Downs
Jacks Point
Millbrook
 
Foxholer is pretty much spot on there :)

If you want to have a chat drop us a pm as we lived there for nearly six years only coming back in Feb this year.

We went on Honeymoon in Dec 06 and the only things we booked were the flights with Cathy Pacific and the first night in Auckland and last night just outside there and a hire car from Omega in Christchurch.
Flew down to Christchurch, picked up hire car and then did tour of South Island down the East coast to catch up with friends in Southland, over to Milford, Queesntown, Glaciers , Muchesion (Family ) Blenheim and then Nelson.Just rolled into town and found somewhere to stay, no worries.

Would go via Tekapo next time and if get a chance take in Hanmer and Akaroa ( not a lot to see in Christchurch now unless you're into building and demolition, since the shakes!)
I'd suggest going in Feb, long school Summer hols over so less crowded and weather still awesome.

Played golf 8 times in 16 days with hire clubs at every course and made most welcome, Kiwis are very laid back, She'll be right ;)
Played at
Rawhiti (Christchurch )
Methven
St Andrews (Timaru )
Arrowtown
Wanaka
Westport
Greenacres ( Nelson )
Formosa (Auckland )

The driving is a doddle, just watch your speed ( vry hot on speeding ) and Always fill up with petrol when you can.

:cool::cool:
 
Last edited:
Sid Rixon IV said:
Many thanks for all suggestions so far.
So much to take in for a never to be repeated opportunity.
Click to expand...

Key question is 'How long do you have' as that will govern how long you spend in each island and how much of the South Island loop you can do.

Meant to add that if you are an Adrenalin junkie, the Queenstown is an interesting place. It's possible to Jet Boat up the Shotover River, Bungee Jump off the bridge and White Water Raft down it. If that doesn'r satisfy you, then running across Lake Wakitupu in a clear ball and Para Sailing back might fill out the day! There'll probably be several mad things that have been invented there too!
 
Once again thanks.
We have as much time as we can afford.
We're looking at late Jan 2014 so all replies here are being bookmarked.
None of the suggestions above are out of the question Foxholer.
We're both 63 but for our 60th we jumped from a plane at 15,000'
(freefall 10,000, para 5,000')
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top