New Zealand or Bust

“I would like to do what you are doing but I know what a killer the flights are, even if one does a layover, because then you have two consecutive night flights.”


We are trying to negate this by flying Business Class ( Emirates ) flatbed . Time will tell if it’s money well spent 💡
We did a Hong Kong layover last time and it just ended up being two lots of jet lag .
 
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This was NOT how the brochures sold Doubtful Sound 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
However was still the most fantastic boat trip I’ve ever been on 👍
 
nicholsong said:
[I wrote this post before and lost it but here goes again]

Great country for the outdoor life.

I have been 3 times, travelling both through Far East and through Los Angeles. Which route are you using, which airline?

I am another one voting for Russel and Bay of Islands, which would give you the experience of the sub-tropical part. I think you would have to do it in the first days of your 10 days on N. Island, even then it would be a stretch to get your ferry unless the booking is flexible.

I was not impressed with Wellington(known as Windy Wet), so would not plan much time there, but it has some good restaurants.

As an alternative to campsites there are lots of chalets to rent in nice spots, for a stop for a 'wash 'n brush up', which have a living area incl. kitchen facilities and usually a garden or deck for sitting out. Call in at one for a look-see early on to see whether that would suit you for the odd night.

Beware that there are some parishes that vote to be alcohol-free, no pubs no sales. My girlfriend lived in one in Auckland but I do not know how widespread they are. Food in general - keep well-stocked as in country areas shopping can be patchy and local shops expensive.

I would like to do what you are doing but I know what a killer the flights are, even if one does a layover, because then you have two consecutive night flights.

I had decided to move there but although I had enough points for their visa requirements from my 2 qualifications and sufficient funds, but no age points being >50, not enough to qualify then, but requirements have since changed. I gave up.

Martin you and Jen should have a great time.

Meanwhile Happy Christmas to you both, from Basia and Geoff.
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Hi Geoff

We are going out premium economy with 3 nights in Singapore with Singapore airlines, the Singapore to Aukland leg is New Zealand airlines, coming back we are direct business class, seems like we might have to make time for the Bay of islands, maybe we can fit it in at the end or possibly move the ferry depending how quickly we get around South island, anyway Happy Christmas to you and Basia and happy house hunting.
 
Some great suggestions, don't forget Marine Drive at Wellington - so good that we turned round and went back again. The Gallipoli exhibition at Wellington Museum shouldn't be missed.

We'll be back in November, as part of our round the world trip.

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“I would like to do what you are doing but I know what a killer the flights are, even if one does a layover, because then you have two consecutive night flights.”

I don't get the people who do a couple of hours stopover then on the next flight. On our last trip, we spent six nights in Singapore on the way out and three nights on the way back - Premium economy out and business back.
 
We went Emirates Business Class on a direct booking offer that included a weekend in Dubai, staying at Atlantis on the Palm. Then a hop to Sydney for a few days, onto Auckland, drove around NZ then flew into Brisbane for 2 days to see family, then up to Singapore to revisit where I was brought up, we had my late mother with us, for 5 days, back to Dubai and home. The more sectors the cheaper it was. It was in their winter. We used Mecure group hotels mostly through a travel company used at work when I was based in Oz many years ago.
 
PaddyM said:
View attachment 992789

This was NOT how the brochures sold Doubtful Sound 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
However was still the most fantastic boat trip I’ve ever been on 👍
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I did the trip on a better day and it is still the most memorable and beautiful place I have visited on this planet.
IMG_0653.webp

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I recommend Heading to Hawkes Bay via Taupo once you are bored with Rotavegas. Amazing wine, food and if you time it right the Art Deco weekend should not be missed.

Then down to Wellington.

South Island Central Otago, Dunedin & Queenstown or Wanaker are worth a visit along with the Sounds.

If you can managed an overnight trip on Milford or Doubtful sounds that is also worth while.
 
funflair said:
Hi Jock

The explanation was to be on the coast side of the road for a photo etc, I understand it is against the law to pull over and park facing oncoming traffic.
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Definitely keep the coast on your left as we did on both North and South Islands.

Try Kaikora it’s beautiful, as you approach there you will be looking down on the town and worth a stop.
You can swim with Dolphins there or go Whale watching.

I can’t remember where we went glow worm watching but it was free, that was after we’d paid at a commercial place 🙄

There’s so much to see it’s ridiculous and they love motorhomes there.

If you get to Queenstown you can get a fergburger, best burger you will ever have.
Then you can do a bungee jump from the bridge where it all started 😊

I could write pages about where and what to do but personally I would stay on NZMCA sites, National Parks or Wild Camp with the wild life.

Main thing is enjoy 😊
 
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bladerunner said:
My daughter is out there at the moment in a hired PVC.
Her polar steps look great
So far:

Picked up van in Auckland
Coromandel \Driving creek railway into native forest - 1200 yr old Kuari tree
Cathedral cove
Jurassic park hot springs
Karan
Hobbiton
Blackwater rafting through waitomo glowworm caves
Ruakari bushwalk
Omanawa falls
Orakei korako thermal pools
Lake Taupo mauro carving
Mount doom tangariro hike
Wellington cable car
Orca Whales in Kaikoura
Abel Tasman national park - coquille bay
Whahariki beach
Nelson lakes
Pancake rocks
Hokitika gorge
Quad biking
Hooker valley walk to mount cook
Lake Tekapo
Lake Hawea
Roy's peak
Wine tasting Gibbston Valley
Cycling Arrowtown
Queenstown luges
Milford sound boat trip
Doubtful sound



She is heading towards my brother in South Island

Will return after Fiji, Cook Islands, Japan, Galapagos and South America

Bay of islands and 90 mile beach


tough life eh?
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All of these plus my favourite the Franz Josef Glacier with it's green Kia mountain parrots.
When I was there I felt like I was in Jurassic Park, it was really moody. Would love to go back.
I was staying and touring with my cousins, there's nothing like local knowledge (y)
 
Would love to do this trip, but the cost of Moho rental seems really high. Especially as you still have to pay for the sites. Is it possible to do rent a car and stay in low cost accommodation along the way?
 
TheMachMan said:
Would love to do this trip, but the cost of Moho rental seems really high. Especially as you still have to pay for the sites. Is it possible to do rent a car and stay in low cost accommodation along the way?
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Yes it's possible. With the internet it wouldn't be too difficult, certainly much cheaper. Would be a lot of fun making an itinerary for such a trip (y)

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Wee Bold Davy said:
Yes it's possible. With the internet it wouldn't be too difficult, certainly much cheaper. Would be a lot of fun making an itinerary for such a trip (y)
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Bit too rigid for me and doesn’t really allow for “improvising”
We stopped where we wanted to have lunch, even in wine vineyards by the grapes 😊
 
You have had some interesting suggestions here. I thought the NZMCA didn’t allow overseas visitors to join the club, but you have certainly done the right thing getting in with them because they have excellent parks around the country, all for the equivalent of £2.50 pp pn. They’re not flashy, just water, dump stations, rubbish and recycle bins and, if you’re lucky, a shed with a book exchange. No EHU.
Almost every town has a public dump station with a separate potable water tap so you should never be caught short!
The NZMCA app has lots of places to wild camp and also private POPs - Park-over Properties. The latter will be a good way to meet locals who, on the whole, will want to share their local knowledge and recommend places to visit that might be off the beaten track. They are not like CLs and rarely have facilities. Racecourses and A&P showgrounds are also listed on the App and these sometimes have toilets, EHU and even a washing machine. The racecourse at Blenheim (Waterlea) may be a good place to stay after you get off the ferry at Picton. The horses are exercised every morning right in front of your van, sometimes very early in the morning!
Be aware that some rental companies don’t allow you to use gravel roads, but if you can go on gravel roads, don’t be afraid to do so because generally speaking they are in good condition, easy to negotiate and lead to remoter places. The one draw back is that the dust gets everywhere inside the van!
One area that nobody seems to have mentioned in the posts above is The Catlins, in the far south east of the South Island. It’s a route that takes you through beautiful native bush with lots of stops for bush walks leading to waterfalls, at least 2 or 3 viewpoints of the sandy bays, an interesting free “museum” of Heath Robinson-style gadgets and some “Hicksville” country towns. If you do The Catlins I highly recommend you wildcamp at a remote beach called Purakaunui. It is my favourite wildcamping spot where you will park on grass, surrounded by sheep, just steps from a golden sandy beach where flocks of Royal Spoonbills gather, New Zealand fur seals bask and it’s safe to swim in the sea. It’s a Department of Conservation camp, very rustic, no EHU, long drop toilets and water. You have to reach it via 10kms of gravel road but it is bliss when you get there. Levelling blocks would be useful if you can get some with the hire van.
A word on Wellington. Even if you are not a fan of museums, I think a visit to our national museum, Te Papa, is very worthwhile. Several people on here have mentioned the Gallipoli exhibition and there’s also an earthquake simulator. Take the Cable Car up from Lambton Quay for fantastic views, and then walk back down via the Botanical Gardens. If you stay at the NZMCA Park at Plimmerton you can walk a short distance to the train station to get into the city. If you take the van there is motorhome parking at Te Papa that’s convenient for the city centre but it’s quite expensive.
You will need insect repellant. We have tiny black flies, called Sandflies, that give you a nasty nip that itches for days afterwards.
Re. Kitting out your rental van, I recommend trying the Op Shops, or charity shops as you would call them.
I could go on and on, but I’ve got a glass of Bucks Fizz waiting for me.
If you have any questions, no matter how simple, please ask or DM.
And, thank you for choosing to come to little old New Zealannd. We know it’s a long way, but we sure do appreciate your dollars! 🤑
 
KiwiKampers said:
You have had some interesting suggestions here. I thought the NZMCA didn’t allow overseas visitors to join the club, but you have certainly done the right thing getting in with them because they have excellent parks around the country, all for the equivalent of £2.50 pp pn. They’re not flashy, just water, dump stations, rubbish and recycle bins and, if you’re lucky, a shed with a book exchange. No EHU.
Almost every town has a public dump station with a separate potable water tap so you should never be caught short!
The NZMCA app has lots of places to wild camp and also private POPs - Park-over Properties. The latter will be a good way to meet locals who, on the whole, will want to share their local knowledge and recommend places to visit that might be off the beaten track. They are not like CLs and rarely have facilities. Racecourses and A&P showgrounds are also listed on the App and these sometimes have toilets, EHU and even a washing machine. The racecourse at Blenheim (Waterlea) may be a good place to stay after you get off the ferry at Picton. The horses are exercised every morning right in front of your van, sometimes very early in the morning!
Be aware that some rental companies don’t allow you to use gravel roads, but if you can go on gravel roads, don’t be afraid to do so because generally speaking they are in good condition, easy to negotiate and lead to remoter places. The one draw back is that the dust gets everywhere inside the van!
One area that nobody seems to have mentioned in the posts above is The Catlins, in the far south east of the South Island. It’s a route that takes you through beautiful native bush with lots of stops for bush walks leading to waterfalls, at least 2 or 3 viewpoints of the sandy bays, an interesting free “museum” of Heath Robinson-style gadgets and some “Hicksville” country towns. If you do The Catlins I highly recommend you wildcamp at a remote beach called Purakaunui. It is my favourite wildcamping spot where you will park on grass, surrounded by sheep, just steps from a golden sandy beach where flocks of Royal Spoonbills gather, New Zealand fur seals bask and it’s safe to swim in the sea. It’s a Department of Conservation camp, very rustic, no EHU, long drop toilets and water. You have to reach it via 10kms of gravel road but it is bliss when you get there. Levelling blocks would be useful if you can get some with the hire van.
A word on Wellington. Even if you are not a fan of museums, I think a visit to our national museum, Te Papa, is very worthwhile. Several people on here have mentioned the Gallipoli exhibition and there’s also an earthquake simulator. Take the Cable Car up from Lambton Quay for fantastic views, and then walk back down via the Botanical Gardens. If you stay at the NZMCA Park at Plimmerton you can walk a short distance to the train station to get into the city. If you take the van there is motorhome parking at Te Papa that’s convenient for the city centre but it’s quite expensive.
You will need insect repellant. We have tiny black flies, called Sandflies, that give you a nasty nip that itches for days afterwards.
Re. Kitting out your rental van, I recommend trying the Op Shops, or charity shops as you would call them.
I could go on and on, but I’ve got a glass of Bucks Fizz waiting for me.
If you have any questions, no matter how simple, please ask or DM.
And, thank you for choosing to come to little old New Zealannd. We know it’s a long way, but we sure do appreciate your dollars! 🤑
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Wow, thanks for that should be really useful, we joined NZMCA no problem but the app doesn’t work as it’s only in your AppStore, I can still get information from the website though so all is not lost.

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Silver-Fox said:
We were made very welcome and told I didn’t need to collect my “wings” until I was passing their office 👍😊

It was in 2016 though 😊
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That’s interesting to know. I remember some English friends who tried to take out temporary membership, probably pre-2016, and they were told by the NZMCA that this was not possible and that they didn’t allow overseas members, NZ residents only. That’s probably what I’m getting confused with and prior to 2016.
I would recommend that funflair picks up his NZMCA “wings” as soon as he can and puts them on a board of some kind that can be left on the dashboard where people can see it. Not only will this lead to him receiving lots of waves from fellow members, but it will prevent busy bodies from approaching him in NZMCA parks and accusing him of not being entitled to stay. Admittedly, the rules do state that your membership “wings” and number have to be displayed, but some people can be very high and mighty and take on a Little Hitler role.
 
KiwiKampers said:
That’s interesting to know. I remember some English friends who tried to take out temporary membership, probably pre-2016, and they were told by the NZMCA that this was not possible and that they didn’t allow overseas members, NZ residents only. That’s probably what I’m getting confused with and prior to 2016.
I would recommend that funflair picks up his NZMCA “wings” as soon as he can and puts them on a board of some kind that can be left on the dashboard where people can see it. Not only will this lead to him receiving lots of waves from fellow members, but it will prevent busy bodies from approaching him in NZMCA parks and accusing him of not being entitled to stay. Admittedly, the rules do state that your membership “wings” and number have to be displayed, but some people can be very high and mighty and take on a Little Hitler role.
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I was only approached once when we parked up as the wings had slipped don on the dash.

I used to wedge them in place with a used plastic milk container 😊

I didn’t mind being asked if I was a member to be honest.

The NZMCA app was superb with tons of information on it.
 
KiwiKampers said:
That’s interesting to know. I remember some English friends who tried to take out temporary membership, probably pre-2016, and they were told by the NZMCA that this was not possible and that they didn’t allow overseas members, NZ residents only. That’s probably what I’m getting confused with and prior to 2016.
I would recommend that funflair picks up his NZMCA “wings” as soon as he can and puts them on a board of some kind that can be left on the dashboard where people can see it. Not only will this lead to him receiving lots of waves from fellow members, but it will prevent busy bodies from approaching him in NZMCA parks and accusing him of not being entitled to stay. Admittedly, the rules do state that your membership “wings” and number have to be displayed, but some people can be very high and mighty and take on a Little Hitler role.
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Thanks again, I got a message from the office this morning that they had not despatched my membership pack and did I have an address, I said could I just call into the office and got the (y) so that seems like a plan.
 
funflair said:
Well the foundations have been laid, flights are booked and a motorhome has been hired for 7 weeks touring North and South island, we land in Aukland at the end of January and have a few days acclimatising in an apartment before picking up a sub 7m motorhome, not a lot of storage, no inverter, no coffee machine, microwave only on hook up :unsure: ah well I am sure we will cope, oh and a cassette toilet so that will be a "blast from the past" after nearly 5 years with a black tank.

We don't have much of a plan at the moment, we have joined the NZ motor caravanners association and have several apps for parking places, we have booked a ferry North to South after 10 days on North island, we have 5 more days on North island on the way back to Aukland, one snippet I picked up on another thread was to travel Clockwise so unless anybody can offer a good reason to do the opposite that will be part of the plan.

There are a few obvious thing that we know we want to do/see,

Rotorua
Coromandel peninsula and I fancy a Kayak trip
Bay of islands

Dunedin and Otago peninsula as it seems to be the place for penguins
Franz Josef and Fox glacier
Milford Sound
A vineyard and wine tasting I am sure

Any suggestions and advice gratefully received(y)
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Nice one.
Really looking forward to where you go and what you get upto...................within reason of course.
See if you can find the field of pink sheep.
Done NZ a couple of times from a cruise ship (so not really done it).
On the day trips we did do from various citys we vowed we would go back to do it properly. Hope that day is soon.
Milford Sound from the waters side was a bit special, as was doing the Haka in a village hall making a total clown of myself...........but who cares.
 
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TheMachMan said:
Would love to do this trip, but the cost of Moho rental seems really high. Especially as you still have to pay for the sites. Is it possible to do rent a car and stay in low cost accommodation along the way?
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When we did our trip in 2001 we hired a small camper van from Britz fully kitted out, even asked us if we wanted duvet, sheets, sleeping bags, full bottle of gas etc. cost a thousand pound for three months hire. And at the time it was three dollars to the pound. 👍

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