New Zealand

denisew123
denisew123 Forum Participant Posts: 10
edited July 2017 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Going to a wedding in Auckland in March 2018. Thought we would hire a motorhome for a couple of weeks and tour about. Has anyone done anything similar? Any hire companies you could recommend, tips, do's and dont's?

Thank you in anticipation

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #2

    Check the Motorhome prices - March may well be an affordable time of year.

    But when we went we had a small hire car and stayed in motels, and my daughter and husband who are going in three months time will also have a hire car and will be using Airb'n'B . Motorhomes are not the only way in New Zealand. And what a great country it is. 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #3

    Hi just seen this but have to go out now. Have a daughter who lives in NZ. Regularly travel and hire cars or motorhomes. Happy to discuss. We did tour in motorhome son and fiance hired car same time, as daughter married. Car and accommodation came in slightly cheaper than motorhome. Very similar mileage but not always together. Earliest flight booking 11 months in advance best to do that by NZ departure date 😉 no charges for changes on ticket assuming you buy one that you can change.

    Wish there was personal message facility on here but as there isn't you can ask to have your email address passed to me via community manager quoting this thread where I give my permission or you can ask on here and I'll reply same way. 

    Sorry for this in haste.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #4

    NZ tourist board now say most settled weather March to May 

  • JimFl
    JimFl Forum Participant Posts: 42
    First Comment
    edited July 2017 #5

    We hired a MH in NZ a few years ago, I would also recommend hiring a car, most campsites have cabins on them, and you can also stay in motels etc.  We found the "Top Ten" campsite chain pretty good!

     

    You will enjoy NZlaughing

  • dunelm
    dunelm Forum Participant Posts: 373
    edited July 2017 #6

    There is a thread  called "Campervan hire in New Zealand" running in the "Motorhome " section of this forum which I think you will find interesting.

    Last October we hired an Apollo "Hippie Camper" (as we had previously done twice in Australia). These are about 3 years old and we found the cost of hire  was about the same as a six to twelve months old car. Staying at campsites on powered sites (what we would call electric pitches) was about a third of the cost of staying in lodges on the campsites. The van is small and basic but reliable and suited us.

     

    You may also like to look at Jucy Lucy campervan hire. Their small vans have a toilet on board and therefore are permitted to use freedom camping places which are free.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #7

    Because of abuse NZ are clamping down on freedom camping. Few spoil for the many 😢. 

    I'd certainly seriously think about a car and either cabin type on sites communal kitchens provide everything bar your food 😉 or motel accommodation most have kitchenette. Backpackers hostels are very reasonable and choice of room types including your own too. Hotels range from very reasonable to very luxurious. Booking is almost unnecessary unless you clash with a major event. Cabins and backpackers generally charge extra for linen and towels so might be worth taking/ buying some.

    Eating out is reasonable and now much more like our times - 7 years ago it was difficult to eat in the evening closed by 7pm 😲. Good supermarkets normal opening times 7am - 10pm 7 days and local markets but they're usually over by noon. Cheaper end Pak 'n' Save upper end Countdown but not outrageously so. Lovely delis too.

    It's a bigger country than you think and a couple of weeks isn't long unless you want to be busy all the time and only 'flash' places. It's a long way to go so personally I'd pick my must sees and think about from there. Personally we love Northland, the bit above Auckland and you could easily occupy yourselves in that area for a couple of weeks. It depends on where your wedding actually is loads to see do and explore in Auckland too.

    Have fun planning 😆

    Edit I'd endorse Top 10 too. Self owned but part of a group generally very good standards. Their 'star' system is qualmark.

  • denisew123
    denisew123 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2017 #8

    Thanks for the info. As Im new to the Discussions not sure how contact the community manager.

  • denisew123
    denisew123 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2017 #9

    Sometimes planning is the best bit! Thanks for your help.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #10

    Just fallen in March 2018 is next year 😂😂😂 so booking won't be an issue.

    We are coming back middle of March! Just not twigged it will be 2018 

    Whereabouts are you based in this country? I believe some airlines fly out of Manchester. We go Heathrow Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

    I'm happy to contact community manager if you'd like me too to ask for your email address. Please advise.

     

  • denisew123
    denisew123 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited July 2017 #11

    We are based in the north east and Emirates fly out of Newcastle. Wouldn't mind going via USA though and having a break there. Looks expensive though.

    We are experienced motor homers and travellers but with no knowledge of NZ so please any information would be most helpful.

    I have no objection to you asking for my email address.

    Many thanks

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2017 #12

    As it's the weekend to late to ask community manager for instant conversations!

    Have you booked your flights yet? One thing to think abut it how many legs do you want on your journey. Middle eastern airlines will have their hub in their country only 6 or so hours away then possibly one more stop before hitting Auckland.  All adds up timewise if you're only going for a couple of weeks. If you go via USA you'll need to do ESTA'S whether you leave the airport or not. Singapore Air New Zealand Malaysia Airlines all stopover in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur 12 hours ish to there then 12 ish on next leg. Also airfares goes up the closer to travel dates! Booked our flights in May sale, tested them out today and they are  £1100 more than we paid! Flight out between Christmas and new year our flight only has 7 seats left 😲.

     

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