New Zealand

[iceeblue]

Anyone here has experience with ARF car rental?

http://www.hirecar.co.nz/

Their rates are very reasonable and comments from friends who went on self drive were good.

 

[mngo]

odiey
i did not pre book my accom during spring cos only me and hubby. if u intend to travel with another couple, i suggest you book in advance.. so that in cases where u can't find accom (which is less likely) - you guys wont be in lousy mood

 

[blessed_serene]

Hi LadyBug,

Just came back fm NZ. Weather was cold and the ski resort is open but due to the snowfall the resort is closed. We had a good time in NZ

 

[claerwen]

Hi Odiey,

If u're visiting the South Island & doing self-drive, u can prob start from Christchurch, then to Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau & Milford Sound. Plenty of attractions & activities u can do in these places, like Ski plane at Mount Cook to see & land on Tasman Glacier, Bungee Jump, Jetski & Gondola ride at Queenstown (and many more..), beautiful Glowworm caves in Te Anau as well as the Milford Sound Cruise to see the fantastic fiords & waterfalls..

 

[mooniiie]

hi claerwen,

if in dec, wat's there to do at these places?
since no snow can't ski, etc...
thks =)

 

[claerwen]

Hi Mooniiie,

U can't ski but rest of the activities are still available. The ski plane still operates & so does the rest of the activities. There's really alot u can do bsides skiing...

 

[mintee]

Hi forumers, is April a good time to go to NZ? Still planning my AD, so hope it ties in with my honeymoon destination.

Thanks!

 

[kerenelu]

babe,

I am leaving for NZ this dec. Mind if u share ur fotos with me? Can PM me. Thanks

 

[falkor]

hi,

thinking of planning a trip to NZ. can I check, did you gals/guys book accommodation in advance? Roughly how much is it? thanks!

 

[tyikkim]

Hi atreyu, we only booked the accommodation for the first two nights when we visited NZ in Mar/Apr last year. The rest of the accommodation was booked there and then when we self-drove and liked the place that we saw. Our budget then was estimated NZD $140 per room night.

 

[little_a]

hi atreyu, I went in Dec last year. I booked all the accommodation in advance. Year-end is a peak season for new zealand.. motels at some places are limited.. especially kaikoura..it was fully booked.
If you intend to visit akaroa, make it a day trip.. nothing much to do over there.

 

[wyy]

hey atreyu

perhaps you want to see this web page which featured New Zealand Specialist (tour agency). My HB uncle is working in the agency and have been in the field for abt 10yrs plus.

When I go for backpack HM,he did the iternary and all the booking for us. And I simply enjoyed my tour for a 9D8N NZ tour to the north.

http://www.newzealandspecialist.net/Main.html

If you interested, u can email to me and i can forward the shop details to u.

I not trying to promote anything BUT i felt with their expertist, all request will be catered well.

 

[im_ashley]

Hi Wong YY,

Could you pls email me the shop details? Thanks.
[email protected]

 

[berszewai]

Hi Wong YY,

Can share your pictures and the shop details to me?

Thanks
[email protected]

 

[chendol]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of going to NZ next March as well.

Anyone signed up at Natas? Chan brothers already offering March dates...

 

[kerenelu]

Hi Twinkle,

i signed up with Dynasty for their 8D package in their travel fair, before natas. Leaving in Dec

 

[soontobe]

twinkle, what's the deal for Chan brothers, and how much?

 

[sputnik]

Hi,

For those who have been to Rotorua, can you recommend a place to stay? Can't seem to find something nice. Looking for one of those places with cooking facilities. Thanks!

 

[idono]

Hi Wong YY,

Can share pics with me as well?

[email protected]

 

[wyy]

heehee..Idono

u from the TW thread? Heeeheee sure will share with you.

sputnik,
you may want to try Kiwi Paka Hostel. Is a backpack hostel, not too bad but no prvt toilet.

If not, you can look for motel.Have u signed up any package? If not I suggest you can call my agency, they will do search and suggest you on your NZ trip.

 

[titansim]

I was in nz for my honeymoon 2 yrs back (Oct 2004). NZ is a tourist friendly country, and is relatively easy to drive around other than the few major city (eg Auckland). I got the car rental (Nissan Pulsar for North Island, Corolla in South Island) from Apex, http://www.apexrentals.co.nz/, which is at NZ39 net per day. While driving, do keep out for scenic sights signboard, stopover for the wonderful scenic view, and short rest. There're also scenic walkway in most of the town, always visit the 'I' (Information) center when you reach the town.

FOr accomodation, most of the them are not prebook (except for 1st day in Auckland), which I find better, as I don't have to spend time looking for the right place. It also make travelling more flexible. For example, some of the town you might decided to stay shorter or longer.

Some of the nights, I've stayed in top 10 holiday park (www.topparks.co.nz/), which is about NZ$70. After a few stay, I eventaully sign up the top10 membership ($20), which entitle to 10% discount per stay, and is valid for 1 yr and for acommodation in Australia (Top10 holiday park) as well.

Lastly, do try out the quad drive in NZ. I did mine in Kaikoura, as is the cheapest I can find. My Buggy Jump was done in Taupo (NZ$69), and in Taupo, go for the Taupo fall, and craters of the moon (valcono areas) (free scenic walk). Just some of the many interesting things you can find in nz.

 

[lilo]

Hw much do u ppl spend for the whole trip and for hw many days?

 

[kerenelu]

YY,

Can share pics with me? Thanks!!

[email protected]

 

[chng]

Hi all,

Just came back from 8 days NZ tour in a group from SA for honeymoon. Weather was fantastic when visiting Mt. Cook area and going to Milford Sound, quite chilly at times but not foggy so managed to take some nice shots. Did not regret following a tour group as some of the mountain roads are too dangerous to drive along and gather that precious time might be wasted looking at maps and travelling around as we are not familiar with the roads. The guide was good and managed to bring us to many places not on the itinery but service of SA staff at office is considered poor.

 

[claerwen]

Hi Tots,

We went in mid Oct period too when we visited New Zealand 4 yrs back..

Great weather too at that time. So did u go for the ski plane rides at Mt. Cook? The sceneries there were really awesome ya? Really miss the place now..

 

[chng]

Hi Claerwen,

Nope I dun go for the ski plane rides. In fact when I was there after so many days of mountain and lakes watching everyday I din appreciate it beauty till I came back and look at the photos. All I can say is that it's awesome and start to even feel like it's so beautiful that it looked as if I just cut and paste my face to put on some postcard pic!

 

[kerenelu]

Claerwen,

What's the difference between ski plane rides and heli rides? Which is your recommendation?

Me and hubby going in early dec

Tots,

Milford sound in ur package? I signed up with dynasty travel during their in house fair. No milford sound. We intend to buy the pass from the guide when we are there.

 

[yogi_lite]

Hi,

I just came back from South Island in Sep. Thanks to all here for your suggestions, it made planning so much easier!

I stayed at Alglenn motel in Christchurch as they were highly recommended by all here. Alvin and Shirleen are really friendly and offered us many suggestions for our trip. Just an update for those who plan to stay with them, they have just sold off Alglenn Motel and took over another motel:-

Northcote Motor Lodge
309 Main North Road
Redwood, Christchurch
Phone: 64 3 352 8417
Fax: 64 3 352 8829
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.northcotemotorlodge.co.nz

Do contact them if you plan to go Christchurch!

 

[kerenelu]

Tots,

I believe ur package is on South only?

Can share pics?

 

[chng]

Hi kk,

Yup mine is only south island cos 8 days only mah. Also the Milford Sound not included, I opt for this on the free and easy day which cos NZ $205 per pax for the cruise of 1 hr 40 min. Journey to Milford Sound on coach was great as we stopped by many places, such as Mirror Lake once again with fantastic view cos of good weather and gotta chance to drink some water from one of the stream (Cannot remember the name).

Pic gotta wait cos no time to upload yet ya...

 

[lilo]

Hi Tots,
hw much did u spend on this trip?

 

[claerwen]

Hi KK,

I'll definitely go for the Ski planes cos it's a much more unique experience compared to a heli ride, which is very commmon..

If u liked to find out more or make bookings, u can visit www.mtcookskiplanes.com.

Btw, we did self-drive back then & it was an awesome experience. We started from Christchurch, then Mount Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau & Milford Sound (where we took the Milford Sound Redboat cruise - http://www.redboats.co.nz/home).

For us, we always prefer the flexibilties & freedom so do not like to go with tour group. U get to see & experience more things too..

 

[kerenelu]

Hi Tots,

Did u get the pass from ur guide when u were there or U booked the pass online before u went there? How many in the group actually went milford sound?

I read from this thread that doubtful sound more scenic than milford sound. But far and also expensive!!! I checked the website liao.

Wow, i am really looking forward towards my trip now haha..

Hey, that's what i like about their hop on coach tours. When we were in aussie, we also managed to book our pass for philip island (melbourne), and the coach tour was really great! Very memorable

Claerwen,

Thanks, i will take note of ski planes. If going to take any of this, will go through the guide again, i supposed. Dun think i will do any pre booking this time round lor.

I am not confident of my hubby's driving hahaha.. and also because, i tell him we are there to rest and relax, so let others do the planning for us

Due to my hectic work schedule, i dun seem to find time for any planning this year, unlike previous years.

 

[claerwen]

KK,

U can take turn to drive if hv a licence.. dun hv to worry then.

And actually, self-drive is much more fun & relaxing than going with a tour, cos it's own time own target whereas for tours there's a lot more restriction. In fact, a lot of people I know prefer self-drive to tour packages cos there's a lot more flexibility. Moreover, planning is not hard if u know where & what you wanna go/do & then juz spare a bit of time to work on it. U can also make use of the suggested itineraries found in travel guides, pamphlets or online websites as a reference.. will save a lot of time too.

But still, it all depends on individual & what you want. In any case, do have fun ya!

 

[chng]

Hi Lilo,

Total including tour package and expenditure, I spent about 8k for both me and hubby. In fact we din spend much there cos many meals are included and not much things to buy unless u are stocking up the local foodstuff or sheep skin back or trying yr luck at the casinos.

Yr guide should be able to book for u over in NZ. I think my guide just booked for us 1 or 2 days before but the coach I took is the same one provided by the tour agency.

Haha, I also agree and is glad we din do self drive, especially at Milford Sound cos the roads are really narrow, steep and dangerous when u r not familiar.

(Poor hubby wouldn't be able to enjoy the scenery if he's driving cos must concentrate on road!) Thus like u mentioned, we are there to relax leave the planning to guide. In fact I would say that I wouldn't be able to go to so many places as precious time is wasted on travelling since we are not familiar with the road, we would tend to go slow and also both hubby and me gotta time to sleep on coach when each drive from one destination to another on the average is always about 45 mins or more.

 

[sputnik]

Hi Tots, seem like you spent quite a lot. I came back from NZ a few weeks back, total 17 days free and easy and me and hubby spent total of abt $6K for everything.

For those who are planning to go NZ, here is some advice. Have been to NZ twice already, my opinion is self drive is much better. You can actually take day trips when you reach a place, like what I did when I took the Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound day trips when I stayed at Te Anau. Also, when you self drive, you can stop at the many scenic look outs and the view can be really awesome. I find that the package tours will bring you to the more common attractions, but when you are planning your own itinery, you can go to the attractions which are off the beaten track and less touristy. Don't even need to do that much planning, just go to the 'i' which they have in most towns and get advice. Some of the guides for the day trips which I went for also commented that when people join package tours, they usually go for the more 'common' attractions and is basically touch and go. There was this 3 hour tour I joined which was only myself, my hubby and the guide, and it was really a good experience cos we had the personal attention of the guide.

Driving around is also pretty easy, just need to follow the main highways. NZ is really tourist friendly, so their maps and brochures are very easy to understand.

What I also enjoyed is cooking our own meals, cos we like to stay in nice motels with cooking facilities, and had really good steak for dinner almost everyday! Their food is really fresh, especially the fruits and vegetables, and you can really taste the difference from what you can find in Singapore. You can even buy veg and fruits from the numerous shops along the way fresh from the orchards.

 

[kerenelu]

claerwen,

i do have licence, but didn't drive for 6 yrs!! HAHA! So better not take the risk lor

Aiyah, i did suggest self drive to my hubby in adelaide. But he is not keen in aussie liao.

Tots,

If i exchange S$1100 for NZ dollars, enough for expenditure? Dun intend to get things, except honey and chocolates from cadbury factory if there is good buy. But well, who knows, may end up buying lots more haha! That's what happened when i was in HK in June

Spent so much at disneyland

My S$1100 probably includes skiplane/heli ride at mt cook and also shotover jet at queenstown.

My colleague self drive in NZ few years back and she spent 21 days there! So with 8 days, i dun think we can self drive lor. No point.. can't leave my bb here for so long! That's why we decide not to take the 13 days package too.

Sputnik,

F&E in NZ is definitely cheaper. I have asked around and friends who go F&E spend sooo much cheaper and for so many days!

If i am not wrong, Tots should be spending around $2800 on package alone. Haven't added in expenditure yet. So i can understand why she ended up spending that much. I foresee i will spend in total around $7K.

 

[chng]

Hi KK,

If $1100 is for a couple to include heli rides and shotover jet, it might not be enough. Cos I paid for those "additional" stuff like a scenice train ride from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass cost NZ$95 per pax. Then to Milford Sound cost NZ$205 per pax. There is a heli ride that I din sign up for cost about NZ$345 for landing at Mt Cook and Glacier area. If shotover jet should cost u bout SDG$100 or so per pax cos my jet boat was booked in SG during tour fare which we paid SDG$99 and the other party is free. Haha...so u might ended spending more after reaching, especially if u might want to buy more of the Lanolin creme for yrself and all the woman at home cos it's really good! Given 1 bottle to my SIL who always use branded face creme commented that the creme I brought back from NZ is so much better that brands like Chanel or Estee that she is currently using.

 

[kerenelu]

Tots,

Oh ur package doesn't include the train ride ya? Mine do. Was that a good ride?

Must be scenic ya?

The heli ride so expensive?? I learnt from the website that there is a cheaper one for 20 min flight, including short landing.

Oh, i would give the lanolin creme a miss haha.. i am not tempted by skincare products heehee...

I have relatives in NZ who brought back lanolin creme, but ended up did't apply

Oh by the way, u bought the passes from the guide, which means u paid in cash for milford sound ya?

 

[angtan]

Hi,

I am going to NZL end of Dec. Where can i buy the Lanolin products? Quite interested in this products

Thanks!

 

[sputnik]

Hi,

It is pretty easy to find the Lanolin products such as in souvenir shops. However, I think this product may be quite rich, so may not be suitable for all skin types, especially if your skin type is oily.

 

[claerwen]

Yup, totally agree with Sputnik. The roads there are very easy to drive & follow & maps are very easy to read, just like Australia too. Even for Milford Sound, it's no hindrance as well cos u only need to go slightly slower & be more cautious. The good thing is u can also stop anytime u want to take pictures or admire the awesome & precious views which u usually miss if u go with a tour. So for people planning a trip to NZ, do go for self-drive if u can.. it'll be a great experience..

Btw, can also visit the Glowworm caves if u're in Te Anau.. it's really interesting.

 

[chng]

Hi,

Yup, Lanolin products are available almost everywhere, in fact some of such items like kiwi chocolate etc at the airport are much cheaper than outside. There are several options for heli ride, think the cheapest is NZ$280 with one landing about 20 mins, but critics were like if u want to take the $280, might as well give it a miss cos nothing much (But I'm not too sure r we refering to the same heli ride) We also visited a Glow worm cave at Fox Glacier.

Have fun ya!

 

[kerenelu]

Tots,

So the glow-worm cave is optional at ur own expense too? Is it a nite activity there? How much is that?

 

[chng]

Ops, correction is Glow Worm Forest that I went to, which the admission is only NZ$2 per pax and pay through the honesty box. It's an optional place, we went at night about 10pm plus where air was cool and we literally make our way through the dark. I would say more to romantic bah. Then I found out that these Glow Worms are actually the youngs of firefiles.

 

[kerenelu]

Tots,

Haha must be an educational trip + eye opener for u all

Your guide suggested the trip?

 

[claerwen]

KK,

U can find out more about Gloworm caves here:
http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/TeAnau/

It's a fascinating as u travel through darkness in caves on small boats & see the magical glowworms above u.. like million of stars in the night sky. It's a wonderful experience..

 

[chng]

Haha,

He just briefly mention and leave the decision to us cos quite late mah, so not everyone keen cos after a day's tiring tour.

 

[kerenelu]

Tots,

Can share what are the accomodation like throughout ur trip? I believe agencies love to tie up with certain hotel chains.

 

[chng]

We change a total of 4 hotels, Copthorne Central (1st nite) & Grand Chancellor (last nite) in Christchurch, Copthorne Millenium at Queenstown and Fox Glacier Hotel at Fox Glaicier. All are 4 stars hotel quite comfy except for Fox cos it's more like motel. Grand Chancellor is the most comfy stay. Overall, quite statisfied with the hotel provided.

Get yr agency to list out the hotels for u then u can see from there.