Travelling alone? Well if you want to meet people the best way to travel is to use one of the two popular coach tours around the island(s). Choose from either’The kiwi experience’ or’kontiki’ coach tours. Both are very similar but their routes and trip length vary.
Advantages of this: No need to plan things as the routes and accommodation are all taken care of, get to meet people, cost effective.
Disadvantages: Don’t get to choose your own route and therefore may not get to see everything you want to.
Travelling as a couple? Then in my opinion the best way is to hire a car. You’ll almost certainly fly into Auckland where most of the hire car companies are based. I hired one for a month for around$NZ27 per day thats around 15 Dollars and was peak season so if you were planning to travel in the winter I expect you could find an even better deal.
By all means have a look at the regular comanies such as Hertz etc but the smaller independant companies seem to have the better deals.
Advantages: Total freedom and privacy, can be quite cost effective.
Disadvantages: Lots of driving but roads there are very very good and it always feels like an drive in the country with hardly any other traffic around, perfect!
Travelling as a group? Then why not hire a camper van? This becomes more cost effective the more people that travel. In the summer season they can be hard to come by and have to be booked early, and of course are more expensive but are a bargain during the winter.
Advantages: Again, total freedom.
Cost saving as no hotels/campsite fees to pay. One trick is to drive into a campsite late at night without anyone seeing you and leave early in the morning before the owner has spotted you! that way you get to use the facilities for free!
Disadvantages: Close confinement to several people for weeks! Lots of driving but could be shared. Have to find places to shower and use the facilities each day.
Another option is to buy a camper van on arrival and sell it again when you leave. This is more common in Australia but can be done in NZ. There are also specialist companies who will sell you one and agree to buy it back off you for a price when you’ve finished with it.
I have heard that some people have bought one at a bargain price and not even bothered to sell it when they leave but have just left it by the side of the road!
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed mainly in campsites as we traveled during the summer season.
The place is covered in them and you’ll always find one when you need to.
We bought a tent and therefore only payed a couple of pounds a day for a pitch. If it rains you can always ask the campsite for a cabin which is basic but will only set you back a couple of dollars more per day and at least you’ll be dry!
Most of the places we stayed for 1-2 days except for a few such as Queenstown where there was endless things to do and we stayed for 4-5 days.
WHERE YOU MUST SEE
Well firstly you must travel around BOTH the North and South Islands.
The North Island seems to be more of a summer resort with numerous beaches, vineyards and is a suburbia type of a place whereas the South Island seems to give you more of the impression of being a rain forest and has a very wild wilderness feeling.
As for which Island has more sheep, well I can’t possibly comment as they seem to be everywhere! And very tasty too - sorry veggies!
The whole of the country is superbly set up for tourists and there are numerous tourist centers to pick up any information you might need.
I recommend doing as many walks as possible as some of the best scenery can not be reached by car.
NORTH ISLAND
Bay of Islands.
This area to the North of the North Island consists of, they say, around 1000 islands scattered around a beautiful bay. There are numerous boat trips and waterspouts to get involved in here along with many lovely small clean villages to stay and look around.
A lovely summer resort. Oh and did I mention nice walks earlier? well there are!
Corromandal Penninsular
This rugged Headland has a beautiful coastal drive and involves drives through forests high up into the mountains: Some of the road haven’t been surfaced properly and are basically gravel track but that’s part of the fun! Fantastic sea views.
You must visit Catherdral Cove which is very picturesque with clear blue water and a huge cave carved out the rock.
Hawkes Bay
This area has many wineries which are well worth a visit. Check out the many bus tour companies that offer a morning / afternoon or all day tour of several wineries of the region and(of course) offers lots of tasings in each!
Rotorua
This volcanic area smells of sulphur throughout the entire region! Don’t be put off, you get used to it after a while! What is good is that there are several Volcanic sites to visit to see the boiling hot bubbling mud in action. These sites are actually sacred sites for the indigenous Maori and you’ll meet them there.
Make sure you take a visit up to the beautiful blue and green lakes as it’s a stunning area with many fantastic walks.
Taupo
A large lake in the center of the North Island on which you can do any number of water sports from Fishing to water skiing, from Paragliding to Jet skiing etc etc
Wellington
Capital of New Zealand and not a great deal to see here but it is your gateway to the South Island. Several ferries run from the North to South Island but in the peak season you must book in advance! The trip takes around 6 hours or so and is spectacular when you approach the south.
Island and start cruising through the Sounds - keep an eye out!
Well that covers the North Island in the smallest amount of detail but check out all the lonely planet guides and info you can find about NZ before you travel and you can almost plan you route before you leave home!
If your traveling there from the UK you’ll be amazed at how far your money will go over there as it’s so very cheap.
Check out STA Travel for cheap flights. I got a round the world flight stopping at 6 places for £888. This was with a BA / Quantas trip so was a decent standard.
I know I have only described the North Island above and the South Island equally desresces a mention so will do so in another op as otherwise this one will become too long and tedious to read.
I know it’s a long flight but why not have a stop over in Bangkok, Singapore, Bali or Sydney before you get there for a few days to break it up a bit.
In my opinion everyone should visit New Zealand in their lifetime as it’s a fantastic place and one that must been seen to be believed.
Have a good trip!