Rip up start again

[tony_g]

We have been twice using Wilderness Motorhomes. Commercial sites were quite busy even in February but there are lots of DOC ( Dept of Conservation) sites if you don’t mind gravel roads and semi-wild camping. Since we were there (2013) they have tightened up on wilding with non self contained campers. In theory this should make full facility sites busier but DOC sites less busy. The problem has been small vans with no toilet or shower being hired to budget conscious younger folk who have been less than protective to the environment! We covered from Cape Raina to Bluff and both trips were fantastic. South Island was our favourite but Coramandel, Tongariro, and Napier area are all outstanding In North Island. There are not many roads and you regularly bump into the same people as you circle South Island. Enjoy.

We've used Wilderness a couple of times. Good company, nice Burstners. Plenty of helpful info for trip planning and less well known places to visit.

 

[rangi]

Where are you thinking of landing? Auckland?

Go north, play golf? Take in an 18 on the Bay of Islands Course, Take your Camera!
Paihia, Russel, Waitangi, Opua Keri Keri fill your boots with the very early history of NZ

Auckland? Great Museum there. Into fishing? Take a boat into the Hauraki Gulf, great for Kohwai ,a large Mackeral use a 3lb line Great fighting Fish.
The "Tourist" route says then you head to Rotorua, Maori Culture, boiling water and scalding hot mud, the Haka and the Hangi and a cheap machine/laser carved keepsake? Yeh OK? If that fills your boots? You'd be better off going to the Hells Gate on the Awakeri road, then take in the BAY of Plenty at Ohope/Whakatane, the beach there is 7 kms long , great fishing at the "Bar" Get your own sea food! Stand in the surf, as the tide comes in shuffle your feet, if you are lucky you should feel the Pipis/clams/cockles under you feet

Highway 1 Will take you to Taupo, (call in at Huka Falls) the Lake there is good for 3lb Trout (get a license!) It is also the site (the Lake) of the largest natural explosion in world has known
Across the Volcanic Plateau to Waioura ,Great NZ Army Museum there

Wellington where you catch the ferry to the South island Actually built on the Earth Quake Fault line "The Bee Hive" NZs Parliament Building . If you got the time Take the walk along the Water front as far as Taranaki Wharf , there is a vidio somewhere of Billy Connilly doing the walk.

On the ferry to the South Island and enjoy your stay!

 

[rangi]

I'm sure that KiwiKampers can fill you in on sites to see in the South lsland , But! Take time to see the monument to the Sheep Dog and the nearby Church of the Good Shepard at Lake Tekapo, the view from the window of the Church , of Mt Cook/Aorangi is worthwhile.

And if you got the time and the where-withrall. lay a few flowers on the graves of "Someone's Darling" and "The Man that buried Someone's Darling" close by.
at Horse Shoe Bend

Heaps of history in NZ off the beaten Tourist Track

 

[bobnick]

Where are you thinking of landing? Auckland?

Go north, play golf? Take in an 18 on the Bay of Islands Course, Take your Camera!
Paihia, Russel, Waitangi, Opua Keri Keri fill your boots with the very early history of NZ

Auckland? Great Museum there. Into fishing? Take a boat into the Hauraki Gulf, great for Kohwai ,a large Mackeral use a 3lb line Great fighting Fish.
The "Tourist" route says then you head to Rotorua, Maori Culture, boiling water and scalding hot mud, the Haka and the Hangi and a cheap machine/laser carved keepsake? Yeh OK? If that fills your boots? You'd be better off going to the Hells Gate on the Awakeri road, then take in the BAY of Plenty at Ohope/Whakatane, the beach there is 7 kms long , great fishing at the "Bar" Get your own sea food! Stand in the surf, as the tide comes in shuffle your feet, if you are lucky you should feel the Pipis/clams/cockles under you feet

Highway 1 Will take you to Taupo, (call in at Huka Falls) the Lake there is good for 3lb Trout (get a license!) It is also the site (the Lake) of the largest natural explosion in world has known
Across the Volcanic Plateau to Waioura ,Great NZ Army Museum there

Wellington where you catch the ferry to the South island Actually built on the Earth Quake Fault line "The Bee Hive" NZs Parliament Building . If you got the time Take the walk along the Water front as far as Taranaki Wharf , there is a vidio somewhere of Billy Connilly doing the walk.

On the ferry to the South Island and enjoy your stay!

Brilliant.
As stated only just decided it will be NZ. How, which way, in what, how long, all to be worked out.
So so grateful for the tips though.
As also stated we have been twice stopping at the usual cruise ship stops and done the usual cruise ship tours. Cruised i think 3 of the sounds.
Now we will see propper NZ. Inshallah.
BUT, and it's a big BUT i have yet to convince HRH.
As it's our 50th anniversary in November she want's to do "something nice".

 

[Puddleduck]

Talking Haka don't forget the Hawick Haka .... sorry this isn't a great video!!

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[Silver-Fox]

Interesting to read the hire company allowed gravel road driving as they don't in Aussie.
If we do do it in a MH we will use sites whenever we can, we will only wild camp if there were no other options.

We used a fair few non paved roads when there

 

[berni109]

We had a month and tried to do too much in the time available.
Some of north island and a lot of coastal south island. Hire cars and b&b. You could easily spend a month in each and not see it all.
If you have cruised the sounds you could give that a miss and save yourself days. Dont miss the glaciers they might not be around next time.
Local tourist information offices for enthusiastic advice but if they tell u the walk is 5 miles dont believe them or maybe we went the wrong way.
Worth finding the local working mens clubs great friendly welcome and usually good food.

 

[bobnick]

We had a month and tried to do too much in the time available.
Some of north island and a lot of coastal south island. Hire cars and b&b. You could easily spend a month in each and not see it all.
If you have cruised the sounds you could give that a miss and save yourself days. Dont miss the glaciers they might not be around next time.
Local tourist information offices for enthusiastic advice but if they tell u the walk is 5 miles dont believe them or maybe we went the wrong way.
Worth finding the local working mens clubs great friendly welcome and usually good food.

In Aussie we look for the clubs, like bowls, miners, yacht etc etc and agree they are good value. I know NZ run on a very similar principal.