A few tips for those following in our footsteps - do it your own way, of course, but here are some bits of info that might be useful:
- Get hold of the Rough Guide to NZ - the first few sections gives you all you need to know about where to go, what to see, how to travel, what price accommodation, what price car/campervan hire, trains, buses etc etc. It is invaluable and not just for backpackers on the cheap - it includes boutique B&B's, upmarket motels and cheap options with everything in between.
- Other travellers we have met are doing it by car, campervan, train, buses and mixtures of all.
- Will say it again, but first timers won't listen - you can't do it all in 3 weeks - choose your highlights from Rough Guide or other guides or us or other visitors depending on what your interests are. To do both islands in 4 or less weeks means you will be on the road constantly.
- A popular option is to go from Christchurch to Greymouth (West Coast) by scenic train (brilliant route) and pick up a car there and go around south of South Island and drop off at Christchurch
- Loads of bus companies - many drop you off at door of hotel/hostel and you can stay as long as you want at each place
- Stop at the I-Centre in each town - they tell you all the info you will ever need to know about the area - + details on the wall and in folders and in leaflets of all walks from 10 minutes to 10 days - and then organise the bus, water taxi, extra hiking gear and accommodation - whatever you want. And for the next town ahead. Cumbria councillors should come here to see what a tourist office should be like - and they are closing ours down - incredible!
- You will pay about twice as much to come with a organised tour - and it is so easy to do it yourself you can stay twice as long for the same price!!
- Relocation deals - everyone comes into Auckland and takes car or camper Down via both islands to Christchurch in South Island - big problem for car hire companies in getting them back - so you can pick up great deals and take them back for free over several days - apparently there is a website that they all use (worldwide) - worth checking out - a couple we met was taking a campervan to Auckland free, free ferry etc for 4 days and paying for 2 to add a bit more time.
- Accommodation - anything you want. It is all so customer orientated - Holidat parks with units with bedroom, kitchen, en-suite - units with room & kitchen share bathrooms, units with room and bathroom share kitchens, boutique B&Bs, hotels, motels, hostels (the smaller the better we are finding) - prices range from $65 a room in hostel to $130 for motel room to $200 posh B&B - or more.
- Suggest if trying to do NZ in less than 3-4 weeks it is pointless paying the extra for anywhere with a nice view - you won't have time to see it as you will be on the road all the time. Plenty of views as you drive around but distances take much longer than UK - see the Rough Guide and websites for time to travel anywhere.
- We are finding a lot of hostels are not full (although school holidays means then may fill up - but interestingly New Zealanders camp and don't hostel) - Japanese are terrified of germs anywhere else in the world at the moment, English are stuffed by the exchange rate (we reckon it is 20% more than when we were here 3 years ago) and Americans also thin on the ground.
- Immigration - they will take away your hiking or walking boots/shoes and clean them (Graham spent an hour cleaning ours and they still didn't like them) - so pack them on top of your cases. Also - no food, spices at all - Kendal mintcake and shortbread were OK!
- Get a YHA card for car and other discounts - our car is $32 per day and a brilliant deal.
- If hiring a car - get an annual Excess policy before you come - it cost us 50 pounds and we have saved $10 a day ie $520 + our week in France and any other travels we do next year.
- Get a credit card and debit card that have minimal charges (see Moneysavingexpert.com) - Santander zero credit card is saving a fortune in charges.
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