View Full Version : Trip to New Zealand
Considering New Zealand as a honeymoon destination this November. It is looking prohibitively expensive but I dont want to rule it out just yet (as its been an idea for the last 2 or 3 years). Other option is Mauritius and possibly Madagascar.
Has anyone done New Zealand by camper van? Is it worth doing by camper or should I just hire a car and do hotels? I'd love to do it by bike but there would be just too much stuff to carry. Maybe the possibility of bike hire once we were in one place to explore from a particular location.
Help?
wyrdness
10-02-10, 12:08 PM
I've done it by camper van twice. The first time with my ex, who was up for that sort of thing, and the second time with Mrs Wyrdness who didn't enjoy it too much as she likes her home comforts. If your partner is happy with the idea of living in a camper van for a few weeks, then go for it. Even with a camper van, you would probably want to book into a hotel occasionally, for a bit of luxury. Campsites are generally good over there, though they might be quite busy in November.
I think that doing it by bike would be great fun, as they've got amazing roads over there, but as you say, it would be totally impractical. It might be worth looking into hiring a bike once you're there.
I've only done the South Island, and really love it there. Ideally you'll want about three weeks there.
Don't fly via LA. It's absolute hell. Pick an airline that flies via the far east. They're far more civilised at refuelling stops than the Americans.
SoulKiss
10-02-10, 01:14 PM
Well I have been to NZ a few times, only the North Island.
Can't really comment on the Camper Van thing - with Vixis (the Missus) being a Kiwi we end up crashing with mates/family of hers.
Don't fly via LA. It's absolute hell. Pick an airline that flies via the far east. They're far more civilised at refuelling stops than the Americans.
+10000000000000000000000
Osaka is nice as is Singapore. Both have shower facilities - my advice is to head straight to those, have a shower then have a walk round Duty-Free, as Arrivals transferring through go into the International Departures area, unlike LAX, where you are shepherded into a crappy little room with only junk food available and left to rot.
wyrdness
10-02-10, 01:56 PM
Osaka is nice as is Singapore. Both have shower facilities - my advice is to head straight to those, have a shower then have a walk round Duty-Free, as Arrivals transferring through go into the International Departures area, unlike LAX, where you are shepherded into a crappy little room with only junk food available and left to rot.
When I went to Oz, I flew via Kuala Lumpur. I paid a few dollars to go into a private lounge during the refuelling break. They had a buffet, drinks, internet terminals and, most importantly, showers. Much better than being questioned, fingerprinted and imprisoned for a couple of hours, which is what happens in LA.
Thanks, Wyrdness did you go for the luxury 4 berth or stick to 2 berths? Did you ever wild camp or was it all sites? I'm trying to work out if the campervan gives more "freedom" than just using a car and hotels.
SoulKiss
10-02-10, 02:11 PM
One thing I did notice was that there were a lot of Motels - maybe a small camper for emergencies and motels the rest of the time?
As for hiring bikes - I looked into it and it was expensive
Mr Speirs
10-02-10, 02:13 PM
If it were me I would just get the flight out there and then worry about accomodation whilst you are there....however my girlfriend doesn't share the same sentiment so when she found out, just as we were entering the channel tunnel on the eurostar, that I hadn't book or found a hotel in Paris for us to stay for the weekend she got a bit mad at me and then didn't talk until we got into a Hotel room...Women eh?
I grew up in Auckland and was there visiting the folks (Orewa) in Dec for 3 weeks. Flew through LA and have to say it wasn't as bad as I was expecting... You do have to collect you luggage and re-check it, but you get a little more weight allowance. That said, when I went in June 08 I went through Hong Kong and it was a much nicer lay-over.
We hired a car and did a couple of 2/3 ngt camping trips (Northland, BoI, Corromandel and Rotorua). The sites weren't very busy at all, however be aware that the kids break up for summer right ontop of Xmas. They were well equiped and clean.. If you want details drop me a PM.
NZ is geared up for the camper van style holiday - saw quite a few Wicked Campers about.
Avatar is "Lunch at 90 Mile Beach" on 21/12/09.
wyrdness
10-02-10, 02:49 PM
Thanks, Wyrdness did you go for the luxury 4 berth or stick to 2 berths? Did you ever wild camp or was it all sites? I'm trying to work out if the campervan gives more "freedom" than just using a car and hotels.
Again, depends on the Mrs. When I went with my ex, we'd just park the camper van up somewhere for the night. Mrs Wyrdness insisted on proper camp sites with good facilities.
We just had a smallish two person van.
bro lives in christchurch, and absolutley loves it, been there for about 2 years.
wyrdness
10-02-10, 03:02 PM
bro lives in christchurch, and absolutley loves it, been there for about 2 years.
I wanted to move there, but couldn't persuade Mrs Wyrdness.
missyburd
10-02-10, 03:07 PM
seeing as we're on the subject of NZ (sorry to slightly digress from the OP), what's the cheapest return flight people have managed to find? I'm planning on going with a friend for about 3 months towards the end of the year....
missyburd
10-02-10, 03:16 PM
really depend when you go, i was looking at going in November last year, start of thier summer and it was about 800+ iirc
Probs late September...found them ranging from £600 - £800 atm.
wyrdness
10-02-10, 03:28 PM
he manages a t-shirt printing shop and spend most of his days kitesurfing. he lives on a bit of land where he can be in the estury in 5 mins one side or the sea in 5 mins the other side.
i can literally see nothing bad about living there.
its roughly the same size as the uk but where as there are 62 million people in the uk there are ony 4.4 in nz.
I really should have moved out there when I was single and before house prices rocketed up over there.
We've got long term plans to emigrate.
I could get a 3 bed town house style place in a marina setting for the price of my flat here.
Biggest bit of advice I could give if you're serious is to get on it and not delay. Lifes too short.
missyburd
10-02-10, 03:43 PM
thats pretty good, remeber their seasons are the reverse of ours pretty much.
Yep, we're going over to organically farm, best choice of jobs in the summer during harvest :)
i am mate, im serious that i dont want to live in this country for the rest of my life.
but i have to finish what i started (my degree) and i am also in a family businsess that has invested a fair bit into me so i cant just up and leave. gotta give it a few years, maybe ill open an office over in the NZ or aus.
or if not ill just save some cash and buy a place over there and take a pay cut and just work a normal job.
do regret getting myself so tied in sometimes but you cant have one without the other imo, no responsibility normally means no dollar.
Sounds good.
I think when we started this idea of NZ, my plan was to go over and see what it was like for a more permanent stay. I know the OH is a bit too family orientated so it would take a lot of pull to persuade her to go, however since i've been reading into the expat stuff online regarding NZ, it seems all is not a bed of roses for a lot of people. I think NZ has the one of the highest crime rates in the developed world, and everything is a 1/3 more expensive whilst salaries about 2/3rds of the UKs.
http://www.nationmaster.com/red/graph/cri_tot_cri-crime-total-crimes&b_printable=1
Biker Biggles
10-02-10, 08:33 PM
BB junior and a mate did NZ by bike last November.They hired two Fazer thous in Auckland and toured the whole country for a month.Great time had by all and his mate liked it so much he is still there.Do it.
lukemillar
11-02-10, 12:12 AM
Hire a car and stay in motels! Getting a camper is ridiculously expensive and it works out better to hire a care and stay in motels. Plus you'll get a proper shower and a toilet which is definitely worth it!
Obviously I live here, so am slightly biased, but I think it is a great place to visit with a lot of variety.
In terms of comments regarding living here:
Not sure where the crime rate thing comes from? Is that NZ wide or Auckland specific? Moving from London > Sydney, I noticed the crime rate dropped dramatically. Then Sydney > Wellington and it dropped even more!
Wage-wise, I can't compare as despite working in NZ, it is a very international company and so by local standards I get paid very well. Everything is not a 1/3 more expensive either!? I would argue it is a third cheaper! I'm talking day to day living here though - eating out, petrol, alcohol.
Specialised stuff - like biking, scuba, photography etc. you'll pay more for gear and have far less choice.
Except club racing/trackdays. That is much cheaper! :)
missyburd
11-02-10, 10:07 AM
I think NZ has the one of the highest crime rates in the developed world,
:
Not sure where the crime rate thing comes from? Is that NZ wide or Auckland specific? Moving from London > Sydney, I noticed the crime rate dropped dramatically. Then Sydney > Wellington and it dropped even more!
Huh? :confused: I heard the opposite, that NZ has the lowest crime rate? I only remember that because it was gonna be one of the things to reassure me ma about when I disappear over there for a while lol!
I think that its per population, but then again 99% of stats are made up on the spot :D
Biker Biggles
11-02-10, 08:35 PM
BB junior's one downer on NZ was the police.He reckoned the crime rate out of town was so low the police had nothing better to do than,you guessed it,persecute motorists,and they do that very effectively.And before anyone says sour grapes,no he didnt get done.
Bluepete
11-02-10, 08:52 PM
I've not read the whole thread, so sorry if this is already posted!
http://www.vfrnewzealand.com/
My dream holiday.
Pete ;)
did the camper van thing in south island in nov/dec 08. really good time and a great way to see the country. there were 4 adults and a 6 month old kid in our group so we took a 6 berther - anything less would have been a nightmare especially with the kid!
it is really good for seeing the country as you don't need to worry about booking hotel/motel rooms or being in a certain town at a certain date - you just find a campsite (of which there are heaps) and pull over for the night.
if you do go for NZ the flight over is a pain, we broke it up with an overnight stay in HK so it wasn;t too bad. NZ is a great country - if you do choose it you won't be disappointed!!
widepants
11-02-10, 10:50 PM
I spent two months over there last year and did the whole camper van thing for a month.My ex wife lives over there and her friend has a company that hires out camper vans and got me a real good deal.One thing you will notice though is the price of fuel is really low.If you drop me a pm I'll see if she can get a good deal for you.
Littlepeahead
14-02-10, 04:14 PM
I did the camper van for 8 nights with a friend who lives in Christchurch and is a Kiwi. I loved it, split the nights between sites and free camping where you just park up somewhere safe for the night. Did South Island and it was December, a great way to see the place. Do go on the luge in Queenstown, we went towards the end of the day when it was quieter and raced each other - 7 times!
We also spent a week in Nelson, a really chilled out little town and worth a visit, but we crashed with family there.
We also spent a few nights in a hostel in Christchurch while he wemt flat hunting, and it was cheap to get a double room with private bathroom.
NZ is a cool place, friendly people, they have Hell pizza but watch out for the sand flies, they are vicious little critters.
But having just returned from a two week biking holiday in northern Thailand I'd say that would also make a great honeymoon. Here's the link to the website, the company is run by an English guy and his Thai wife and they were brilliant. And don't be put off by the age of the group on the home page - they were a group of old boys in their seventies - they aren't all like that!
http://www.thaimotorcycletouring.com/
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.