New Zealand

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Jun 19, 2013 8:26 AM
clanmcflan

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 9:06 AM
daycat

1 replies
31 views
location: New Zealand

Family with teens in NZ in January--book ahead or wing in?

We are a family of 4 (14 and 12 year old daughters) who are planning to spend the month of January in NZ. We are flying into QTown on January 3 and renting a car. We plan to fly out of Auckland about a month later. Since it is the busy season, do we need to make reservations ahead of time, or should we be able to find places to stay along the way? We want to have flexibility so that we can linger in places we love and not have the pressure of a strict itinerary. We are happy staying in family dorm rooms, B&Bs, farm stays, apartments, etc. Our budget is $100-150 US/night. I'm just worried that we will have trouble finding places that can accommodate a family on short notice in January.

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Jun 18, 2013 11:41 AM
shemeansmo

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 5:55 AM
daycat

11 replies
197 views
location: New Zealand

Chip and Pin Card for NZ

Hi everyone,

Will we need to obtain a chip and pin card before our trip to NZ in August? We're from the U.S., which has yet to adopt the chip and pin card nationwide. Therefore, my husband and I only have magnetic swipe credit/debit cards. Or are we fine getting by with your current cards?

Thanks for your responses ahead of time.

Edited by: shemeansmo

Jun 18, 2013 7:16 AM
lakester411

last reply
Jun 18, 2013 7:16 AM
lakester411

0 replies
35 views
location: New Zealand

One way car hire in NZ, and ski shuttles!

I've done a bit of net search but typically do the NZ car rental companies sting you for one way rentals? e.g. Pick up Auckland drop in Taupo or Pick up Rotorua drop in Wellington? I know that in Oz they charge a lot extra but it seems that in NZ they are a bit more geared towards this...

And it also seems from my research that the ski shuttles (e.g. National Park to Whakapapa) are all paid services yes? I will never complain about the punctuality and masses of kids on that ski bus in Austria again!

Jun 16, 2013 9:32 PM
lakester411

last reply
Jun 17, 2013 2:08 AM
neverwinter

1 replies
57 views
location: New Zealand

South Island Day Treks in Winter?

Can anyone recommend any day treks around Fiordland or Mt Cook in July/Aug? I've done Torres del Paine, Everest Base Camp, Gokyo etc but the girlfriend is a novice so will need something not too challenging that's likely to still be accessible in winter. I know most of the big famous trails will be closed at that time of year.

Thanks for any suggestions

Jun 15, 2013 11:26 AM
gwahicks

last reply
Jun 16, 2013 5:39 PM
hereandtherenz

5 replies
212 views
location: New Zealand

South Island itinerary -- questions and feedback appreciated

Hello,

My wife and I have put together the following rough itinerary for a week on the South Island in early September 2013. We are from Washington, DC, USA, and will have spent six days in Sydney prior to going to NZ.

I have a few specific questions below, but I would also appreciate general reactions/feedback for the trip. The most important factor is that my wife will be 5.5 months pregnant at the time, so we will need to be mindful of (1) limits on physical activity, and (2) the need for bathroom breaks when traveling. (We are comfortable with the flights, having discussed it with her doctor.) We love natural beauty and hiking, great food, and wine (even if she can’t drink much/any of it). This is our “babymoon,” so budget is unlimited, within reason. We’d love to have more time in NZ, but unfortunately this is all our schedule allows.

August 31: Morning flight... more »

Jun 12, 2013 4:02 AM
paulorodrigo

last reply
Jun 19, 2013 4:30 AM
paulorodrigo

10 replies
322 views
location: New Zealand

10 days in NZ with 10 months old baby and in the winter.

Hello, I am heading to New Zealand with my wife and our 10-month-old baby. We intend to stay 10 days there. I guess most of the adventurous trails/sports won't be possible of course, but besides the obvious less risky stays in Auckland, Wellington, etc, which sights and activities do you think are actually also suitable ? - but remember, we are in June...and I have to carry my 10-month baby :) Thanks a lot for the suggestions!

Jun 10, 2013 2:25 PM
irishgirltonewz

last reply
Jun 12, 2013 4:53 AM
annim

8 replies
311 views
location: New Zealand

travelling alone to New Xealand in 2014

Hi all, im new to this but said id throw it out there! I plan on taking a career break and iv always wanted to go to new Zealand so said I would! I will be travelling alone and am wondering if this is a mental idea or would anyone advise it? Any hints/tips/words of encouragement would be appreciated!!

Jun 9, 2013 3:10 PM
Kmevan08CRNA

last reply
Jun 15, 2013 6:34 AM
gfehners

3 replies
202 views
location: New Zealand

Campervan insurance. Cheapest rental in New Zealand. Ferry. Campsites

Hello. I am looking to rent a campervan in New Zealand for 2 weeks from Queenstown to Auckland. I am trying to figure out if it's worth it to get the insurance ( which is more expensive than renting the van itself). Is driving extremely risky in New Zealand? Has anyone ever had a good/ bad experience with the various insurance options that the campervan rental companies offer? Also, it seems that either Jucy or Britz or Mighty are the cheapest options- any experience/ advice when dealing with these companies? I am trying to find the most budget option. It appears as though the ferry Bluebridge is cheaper than the Interislander but the times are not as frequent. Also, is it easy to just roam around and find a campervan site to stay at without reservations? Any advice would be amazing! Thank you so much.

Jun 9, 2013 12:22 PM
erezzi

last reply
Jun 10, 2013 12:21 AM
erezzi

2 replies
94 views
location: New Zealand

A recommended travel agency in Auckland?

Hi,

I'm trying to arrange a 2-3 weeks vacation for my parents (age 65) in NZ. They don't want to drive themselves, and would like to have everything (transportation, hotels etc) arranged by a local agency. Can you recommend any reliable agencies?

Thanks,
Erez

Jun 9, 2013 3:06 AM
leanneclarke

last reply
Jun 11, 2013 3:05 AM
westwood

25 replies
695 views
location: New Zealand

Pages 1 2

SEATS ON AIR NEW ZEALAND AEROPLANES

Hi I am flying from Australia to Los Angeles in a couple of weeks, and was wondering if anyone could tell me about the seats on the Air New Zealand aeroplanes. I have prolapsed discs so have problems with my back, are the seats well padded, and does anyone know if they slope backwards or forwards.

Thanks Leanne

Jun 8, 2013 7:23 PM
iankennan

last reply
Jun 9, 2013 2:02 AM
neverwinter

1 replies
145 views
location: New Zealand

Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier, which is better for guided walks?

I'm planning go for a glacier trip on August 2013(i'm at Nelson, NZ recently), i think i'll do a guided glacier walk not just walk close to the glaciers for watching. i read lonely planet and there are two major companies operating guided glacier tour on fox and franz josef, one is fox glacier guiding, another is franz josef galcier guides. the full day walking package on LP is almost the same, but when i checked both websites the prices are way different. FOX one provide a full day glacier walk pricing 165NZD(with bus transporting) for about 7 hours(don't know the altitude), but franz one pricing is 299NZD(with helicopter transporting) for only 4 hours(the altitude is around 600m), franz have another more expensive one can reach you to 800m altitude.

so i wonder which one should i go for the guided glacier walk and i could just see another one by myself at somewhere near terminal ... more »

Jun 8, 2013 1:24 PM
Qfwfqasaurus

last reply
Jun 18, 2013 6:30 PM
Nodak

8 replies
304 views
location: New Zealand

Short-term volunteering?

Any thoughts on where to spot opportunities to volunteer for a few weeks, north or south island?

I have about a month in nz starting next weekend (surprise vacation!) and would like to do something like helping in a school, working with disabled folks, teaching English to refugees, etc. For instance, over Christmas I spent a week out at an orphanage in Guatemala. So, preferably in social services and not woofing. Paid or unpaid is fine.

Any suggestions or leads would be appreciated!

Jun 8, 2013 6:02 AM
flipflopsandpea...

last reply
Jun 9, 2013 6:06 PM
Harry_Ramsden

5 replies
226 views
location: New Zealand

vineyard route comparisons

Hi, We are planning to travel to the South Island in February, 2014. We want to see as much as possible but I don't want to overextend driving demands as we hear that the roads are a bit tiring to drive. We would like to include vineyard tours in our itinerary and it seems a shame to travel all the way there and miss the Marlborough region. However, it seems to be adding a good bit of drive time and I am wondering about skipping that and planning to do vineyard tours in the Otago region while we are in Queenstown instead. Can anyone compare the 2 vineyard regions? Thoughts on noted drive times? Lastly, is it worth trying to see Punakaiki when driving from CHCH via Arthurs Pass to Franz Josef?
Here are the 2 itinerary options:
DAY ACTIVITY DRIVE TIME
3 Arrive CHCH
4 Drive to Blenheim 4 ... more »

Jun 7, 2013 6:46 AM
Oliverhill23

last reply
Jun 9, 2013 6:28 PM
Harry_Ramsden

6 replies
279 views
location: New Zealand

8 days South island and 9 day North island campervan trip..... HELP !!!

Hi,

Myself and my Girlfriend will be traveling from Christchurch and ending up in Picton for the ferry after 8 days on the road.

The places we are thinking were Milford sound, Queenstown and spending little time anywhere else.

Can anyone recommend a really good route that we can follow? some people have told me to spend a few days in Queenstown because it has a lot of stuff to do there however i am not going to New Zealand to just do Sky dives etc i want to see the beauty of the south island. mountains lakes etc.

We then travel to the North Island for 9 days. can anyone recommend a route for the north? i have heard Bay of islands are amazing and hot beach.

For both islands do people recommend staying in a powered camp sight every night for safety etc? if so how can i get discounted rates as they are $30 - £40 per night.

Any comments greatly appreciated as i am w... more »

Jun 6, 2013 6:59 AM
simonboyd

last reply
Jun 7, 2013 2:19 AM
neverwinter

2 replies
222 views
location: New Zealand

Trip Report - New Zealand

Foley Towers hostel is probably one of the best places in Christchurch for indepenedent backpackers that wish to avoid the big noisy groups that are more common to the bigger hostels around the city center. Although quiet and small, it is pretty much centrally located and is a good place to start your trip in NZ's southern island or to 'recharge your batteries' before moving on. Owners are extremely nice and helpful. Caters mostly to young backpackers, but in my opinion should also be considered as a solid option for mid-range budget travellers that are looking for somewhat friendlier / less detached experience ( in comparison to those that the bigger motels / hotels usually offer) . Discounts are available if you have your BBH club card with you!

A nice option for a long day hike is to walk up all the way from the Akaroa tourist information center to the summit road above the town... more »

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