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LStuart16:37 UTC22 Jan 2014

Hello All!

Posting today in hopes to get some advice and opinions on timing and what do to in New Zealand. I am planning a 6-7 month backpacking trip to South East Asia and on the way to Indonesia, I would love to stop and spend some time in New Zealand.

My plan is to leave the United States in May or June. Are those months a good or bad time to be in NZ? I've read different things on when to arrive depending on what island you are on. Also, do you think 3 or 4 weeks is enough time? If not, how many weeks do you suggest?

I am planning on bringing at least $10,000 USD with me, which will be fine for me to live off of in SEA but the higher expenses of NZ make me a little nervous.

Ive done some preliminary research as to timing and what to see while in NZ, but I would love any and all pieces of advice the group has to offer to allow me to make the most of my trip.

Thank you in advance everyone!

westwood19:24 UTC22 Jan 2014

The length of time you spend in NZ is entirely up to you. Decide what you want to see then plan accordingly. But you are right, NZ compared to SEA will eat a huge chunk of your budget. You also dont want to spend up large here then have nothing left for SEA. If I was you, I'd be a bit nervous as well. I've travelled in SEA for extended periods and you'd probably be looking at an average across the board spend of about US$50 a day.
May, June in NZ is winter.

neverwinter20:28 UTC22 Jan 2014

and winter means short daylight hours.

spotty_dalmatian22:53 UTC22 Jan 2014

If under 31, and want to give it a try, you could get the NZ WHV or the Aust W&HV.

The Aust one is Aud$460, a lot of money, but gives you the chance to get to legally work in Aust, as you already have enough to support yourself, its more so for you to feel how it is to work here.

Granted that your interest might not to be work in either, but just a thought.

Virgin Australia flies from the US, as does United/Delta etc, Qantas as well. Jetstar only flies from Hawaii though.

If you want to byapss Aust, but want to fly to NZ, then its Air NZ as the major carrier. Then Jetstar from there up to Singapore and then come down to Indonesia, or if you "dare", Garuda which you will transit Brisbane, Air NZ from the US to Auckland to Brisbane, and then from Brisbane Garuda to Indonesia.

If bringing cash notes, you have to declare it on the NZ incoming passenger card, in equiv of Nzd$10,000.

Edited by: spotty_dalmatian

spotty_dalmatian02:42 UTC23 Jan 2014

If you (OP) don't want to go via Aust, you can go with Jetstar from Auckland to Singapore transit then to Indonesia, this bypasses you have to get an Australian Transit Visa, Air New Zealand will as I mentioned above, take you to Brisbane where you have to over night, out of the airport and in again, staying at one of the airport motels. Its an over night transit, off an Air New Zealand flight, and onto a Garuda one. I thought there was a day transit, but nope.

You could go to a travel agency, but cheaper to DIY, and learn from it.

You could go from Auckland to Singapore with Singapore Airlines, or Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia, both these countries don't ask for visas for US passport holders, no visa for stays under 90 days.

You could also go with Thai Airways from Auckland to Bangkok, then Air Asia from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, then down to Indonesia.

Edited by: spotty_dalmatian

westwood03:15 UTC23 Jan 2014

OP, Jetstar fly to Singapore from Auckland and then on to Indonesia. It is NOT cheaper or easier to go to Australia to pick up an Air Asia flight. Or to fly with airlines like Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, etc.

spotty_dalmatian09:34 UTC23 Jan 2014

US to China, then China Southern to Auckland, ???

westwood09:43 UTC23 Jan 2014

OP didnt ask about airlines but is concerned with budget. On doing some working out, that $10,000 isnt enough for a month in NZ and the balance in SEA. A month in NZ would take at least $2800 of that. Then 5 months in SEA roughly $7500. As you say, OP. Enough for SEA. Have you thought of doing SEA then if money and time allows, doing a trip to NZ?

spotty_dalmatian09:51 UTC23 Jan 2014

I would love any and all pieces of advice

westwood10:05 UTC23 Jan 2014

Oh silly me. Flights and WHVs are your forte.

spotty_dalmatian12:02 UTC23 Jan 2014

No, apologies, you rule.

LStuart15:49 UTC23 Jan 2014

Thank you! Incredibly helpful.

I like the idea of stopping in NZ on the way back if time and money allows and also the possibility of getting a work visa for NZ. Lots to consider, but appreciate all the feedback.

Edited by: LWelker

westwood19:05 UTC23 Jan 2014

As someone else said just yesterday, you read one word and go off on your tangents.

Stopping in New Zealand before heading to South East Asia Country forums / Australia, New Zealand & Antarctica / New Zealand
LStuart16:37 UTC22 Jan 2014	Hello All! Posting today in hopes to get some advice and opinions on timing and what do to in New Zealand. I am planning a 6-7 month backpacking trip to South East Asia and on the way to Indonesia, I would love to stop and spend some time in New Zealand. My plan is to leave the United States in May or June. Are those months a good or bad time to be in NZ? I've read different things on when to arrive depending on what island you are on. Also, do you think 3 or 4 weeks is enough time? If not, how many weeks do you suggest? I am planning on bringing at least $10,000 USD with me, which will be fine for me to live off of in SEA but the higher expenses of NZ make me a little nervous. Ive done some preliminary research as to timing and what to see while in NZ, but I would love any and all pieces of advice the group has to offer to allow me to make the most of my trip. Thank you in advance everyone!
westwood19:24 UTC22 Jan 2014	The length of time you spend in NZ is entirely up to you. Decide what you want to see then plan accordingly. But you are right, NZ compared to SEA will eat a huge chunk of your budget. You also dont want to spend up large here then have nothing left for SEA. If I was you, I'd be a bit nervous as well. I've travelled in SEA for extended periods and you'd probably be looking at an average across the board spend of about US$50 a day. May, June in NZ is winter.	1
neverwinter20:28 UTC22 Jan 2014	and winter means short daylight hours.	2
spotty_dalmatian22:53 UTC22 Jan 2014	If under 31, and want to give it a try, you could get the NZ WHV or the Aust W&HV. The Aust one is Aud$460, a lot of money, but gives you the chance to get to legally work in Aust, as you already have enough to support yourself, its more so for you to feel how it is to work here. Granted that your interest might not to be work in either, but just a thought. Virgin Australia flies from the US, as does United/Delta etc, Qantas as well. Jetstar only flies from Hawaii though. If you want to byapss Aust, but want to fly to NZ, then its Air NZ as the major carrier. Then Jetstar from there up to Singapore and then come down to Indonesia, or if you "dare", Garuda which you will transit Brisbane, Air NZ from the US to Auckland to Brisbane, and then from Brisbane Garuda to Indonesia. If bringing cash notes, you have to declare it on the NZ incoming passenger card, in equiv of Nzd$10,000. Edited by: spotty_dalmatian	3
spotty_dalmatian02:42 UTC23 Jan 2014	If you (OP) don't want to go via Aust, you can go with Jetstar from Auckland to Singapore transit then to Indonesia, this bypasses you have to get an Australian Transit Visa, Air New Zealand will as I mentioned above, take you to Brisbane where you have to over night, out of the airport and in again, staying at one of the airport motels. Its an over night transit, off an Air New Zealand flight, and onto a Garuda one. I thought there was a day transit, but nope. You could go to a travel agency, but cheaper to DIY, and learn from it. You could go from Auckland to Singapore with Singapore Airlines, or Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia, both these countries don't ask for visas for US passport holders, no visa for stays under 90 days. You could also go with Thai Airways from Auckland to Bangkok, then Air Asia from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur, then down to Indonesia. Edited by: spotty_dalmatian	4
westwood03:15 UTC23 Jan 2014	OP, Jetstar fly to Singapore from Auckland and then on to Indonesia. It is NOT cheaper or easier to go to Australia to pick up an Air Asia flight. Or to fly with airlines like Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, etc.	5
spotty_dalmatian09:34 UTC23 Jan 2014	US to China, then China Southern to Auckland, ???	6
westwood09:43 UTC23 Jan 2014	OP didnt ask about airlines but is concerned with budget. On doing some working out, that $10,000 isnt enough for a month in NZ and the balance in SEA. A month in NZ would take at least $2800 of that. Then 5 months in SEA roughly $7500. As you say, OP. Enough for SEA. Have you thought of doing SEA then if money and time allows, doing a trip to NZ?	7
spotty_dalmatian09:51 UTC23 Jan 2014	*I would love any and all pieces of advice*	8
westwood10:05 UTC23 Jan 2014	Oh silly me. Flights and WHVs are your forte.	9
spotty_dalmatian12:02 UTC23 Jan 2014	No, apologies, you rule.	10
LStuart15:49 UTC23 Jan 2014	Thank you! Incredibly helpful. I like the idea of stopping in NZ on the way back if time and money allows and also the possibility of getting a work visa for NZ. Lots to consider, but appreciate all the feedback. Edited by: LWelker	11
westwood19:05 UTC23 Jan 2014	As someone else said just yesterday, you read one word and go off on your tangents.	12

Stopping in New Zealand before heading to South East Asia