New Zealand Tour

LeginH

It might be an idea to have a look at the Story Section as there was a series of stories about a trip to New Zealand.

One Story here and a series of stories starting here. Unfortunately the series of stories have some photos missing as they have not migrated over to the new forum but there is lots of information.

David

We've not done a club tour as we reckon they're pricey, how can we say this? Our daughter lives in the north island and we havd visited several times we have hired motorhomes as well as hiring a car and staying at motels/hotels and cabins on campsites all at a a sustainably less figure. NZ is easy driving and booking isn't required 😉. As an example when our daughter married we hired a motorhome and our son and girlfriend a car using motels/hotels, we needed a tan before the day! Same number of days but not together theirs was a hundred or so pound cheaper based on hire, fuel and night costs, which surprised us all. They did have to live out of a suitcase. If you'd like more info I'd be happy to help. 

Similar advice here. Forget the Club hold-your-hand tour and just go. Can there be an easier country to travel independently?   And we too came home as fans of their motels. 

Bakers2

I would like to ask bakers2 for any advice on hiring a motorhome in NZ please. My wife and I are travelling to Christchurch at end of Sept this year and leaving from Auckland end of Oct. Although there only two of us, we think a four berth for a bit of elbow room. 

 Firenze

I have noted your request, happy to help and will try to reply this evening, as this is only a brief look in before I have an appointment.

Have you already booked flights?  Looked at motorhome hire and companies?  Checked out sites or planned a route?  This is not to pin you down but so I have some idea

Hi LeginH

We did the 'other clubs' NZ tour a couple of years back in Feb/Mar and had a fantastic trip of the North & South Islands. I priced up doing it myself ie hiring m/h, flights, interislander ferry, hotels in Christchurch & Auckland etc etc and thought the tour price to be reasonable, especially taking into account te included trips etc trips eg Milford Sound & Bay of Islands cruises.

We enjoyed the company of many of our fellow travellers & still keep in touch and meet up once a year with a number from our group. The tour 'escorts' were also brilliant and gave loads of useful tips and arranged discounted add on trips if you wanted to go somewhere specific eg we did helicoptor trip to Franz Josef glacier on 1st helicoptor trip of the day just as sun was rising, an unforgetable experience landing on pristine white snow and then watching 5 or 6 other helicoptors flying in to join us.  This was arranged by our 'escorts' and at a good discount to published cost.

As you can tell from above we loved it.  So much so that we're doing the 'other clubs' South African Discovery Tour this year.  Travelling some 3,800mls through South Africa, Botswana & Namibia in 38 days.  We personally, wouldn't attempt this trip solo, but as part of an organised small group of like minded travellers we can't wait to go...

At the end of the day it's down to you which way you choose to do it and what you think would suit you most. But whichever way you choose, I can promise you will definately enjoy it, it's a fantastic country..

Bakers2

 Flights are booked, and I'm okay for routes and campsites.  I've looked at Maui, Britz, Apollo and some others. Apollo seems to have very bad reviews. There is mentioned on these companies sites about liability reduction options and the road user recovery fee. Any tips you could give me on these would be appreciated

We have hired from Kiwi and Mighty - so can't comment on the other companies.  We have always had 2 berth ones, one was upgraded to a 2+1 (which I think I'd call three, but it only had a short bed more child size).  I don't know whether you are a motorhomer or caravanner here, but we have a 5 berth here, so I thought we'd feel cramped.  I can't say we did at any point.  I would say check out the layout carefully as some of the smaller ones don't allow you access from the cab into the habitation area, which obviously makes it a bit more on the cosy side.  We wouldn't have one of these personally. One of the reasons we didn't feel cramped was the weather, not that we have hired at the time you are going, you will be there the equivalent of our April so not high temperatures and certainly not in the South Island, outdoor living is easy. 

With the van conversions you can open either the side or rear doors, creating the illusion of space .  Nearly all campsites have camp kitchens - these include cooking pots crockery and cutlery as well as tables and chairs, BBQ's for your use, generally free of charge, great to meet fellow travellers, so food prep and cooking doesn't have to be in your 'van.  We rarely made use of these, but did use the BBQ.  Outside table and chairs are usually an extra but again most sites have picnic benches they are happy for you to move to your pitch.  All of our motorhomes have been auto Merc bases and have coped really well with the gradients.

Generally hiring in Christchurch and return to Auckland is cheaper than the other way round as they have to pay drivers to bring the vehicle back!  However of the reviews we've read cleanliness can be an issue so have a thorough examination before leaving.  Explanation on use of the habitation side can be brusque - we had experience but I'm not sure I'd want to be a novice , but ask as many times as it takes to get the hang of what they are saying.  Bedding is generally a flat sheet, duvet and two pillows, but you can ask for more pillows.  Linen should be in wrappers and not on the duvet or pillows.  We did have a fan heater in one van, so do check the heating situation.  Certainly at Auckland there is a pantry where you can help yourself to items donated by those handing back their 'vans.  We didn't know this the fist time .  Here you can get condiments, washing up liquid etc which can be useful.  Can't help you with where to stock up at Christchurch, but Auckland has supermarkets on the outskirts of the airport where vehicles are picked up.  Countdown is as my daughter says the posh supermarket, Pak 'n' Save more warehouse type but jolly good produce and range.  Most supermarkets have cooked meats, chicken ham etc, bagged salads etc so a really quick and easy meal can be prepared with little effort, we have never had an oven in campervans in NZ, I do use mine in our own. We have never encountered a height barrier in NZ.

Most fuel stations are pay at the pump and we have never food shopped without getting money off fuel, we did have problems getting our cards accepted at Pak 'n' Save in previous years but didn't on either of last years visits, but we have changed our account to FlexPlus rather than Flex, it may or may not have had something to do with it.  Petrol from fuel stations, generally, BP, is more expensive.  

We have always got AA cover when hiring, and not needed it, until last year with a flat when we returned to the vehicle - a car this time, which wasn't covered and a charge of $60 for them to come and change!  Hubby said no thanks and did it himself.  I have never been more pleased that he smokes a pipe as the hubcaps had plastic strips on and without his lighter he couldn't have started the job .  So I'm unable to comment on the road liability bits you mention.

The return times tend to be slightly more restricted with motorhomes than cars, so do check out latest return time, and seasons will make a difference too.  The depot's have dump stations - this is for black waste, again we didn't know first time  and spent ages looking for one.  These can be found in most towns and some petrol stations, blue square sign black motorhome and lines to indicate emptying, if you can visualise it, you can usually get fresh water there too.This is great if you want to wild camp, your 'van must be DOC (Department of Conservation) approved and bear a sticker, there have been abuses and they are now more stricter on free camping.

Wow I've gone on some and then some more .  If you come up with more questions feel free to ask, as with anything I've run on about here that isn't clear!

Not on hiring and driving but I would recommend getting an NZ SIM card for your mobile Vodaphone is available can't remember the name of the other provider minimum top up $20 often free calls or texts or data.  Many campsite have free phone numbers too, but only free on local network .

Would agree with the comments on cost of visits but do check out the campsites as they often offer deals on attractions in the locality.

Our son and his girlfriend were in the South Island touring recently, he did a Kiwi Tour a few years back and did Franz Joesf, wanted to do again this time and remarked on price now, reckons the tour operator got them a good price.  Might be worth looking online for deals too.

Right enough of me for now.  Hope this is helpful.

We are in South Island at the moment but decided to do hotel/B&B rather than hire a motorhome. Some observations: the country is definitely geared up for motorhomes with good parking everywhere, There are many Aires but these are mostly just stopping places without facilities. The best sites are the Holiday Parks. No need to book although if you were here now in Chinese New Year you might find some popular places full. Site fees are a little high, for example, there is a good place in the centre of Franz Joseph - tiny gravel pitch, cost 39NZD. Food is expensive, particularly outside the main towns. Take the opportunity to stock up in Christchurch. 

One other point, you can travel 100km to a town which appears large on the map only to find it has one motel and one cafe! It will always have a motorhome Aire though.