Backpacking in New Zealand

[ernest_ted]

any pointers on car rent price per day over there? can use Singapore driving license or not?

Singapore driving licence can.

try the popular car rentals like
1) Eurocar
2) Hertz
3) Budget.....

 

[jhansolo]

1) What is there to see in New Zealand? Plenty, landscapes is awesome. If you are looking for animals ... tough but some

2) What are the places that MUST visit?

The Usual tourist sites you can easily find on the website, but as someone mentioned ... the transapline is awesome ... what I love is to chill out ... the space to chill out

3) Best time to go there?

different season have its own attraction ... I like both summer and winter in the south island ... as for north, spring is good

4) Any good budget accommodation to recommend? Drive in family motel

 

[megaweb]

any pointers on car rent price per day over there? can use Singapore driving license or not?

my time in April 2006, my wife and I rented a nissan bluebird 2L auto car for $59 per day + $8 insurance per day from Omega Rental. Yes, Singapore driving licence is allow to drive in NZ. Come to think of it, they did not check my licence .

Try to do ownself meal cooking can save up $.

 

[USM]

my time in April 2006, my wife and I rented a nissan bluebird 2L auto car for $59 per day + $8 insurance per day from Omega Rental. Yes, Singapore driving licence is allow to drive in NZ. Come to think of it, they did not check my licence .

Try to do ownself meal cooking can save up $.

Thanks megaweb for your tip. I guess that self drive is the best way to see the southern part of NZ. :think:

 

[evershine]

Wah... i feel like joining you!!

I did something different...that was bush walk with an experienced guide. I can't drive so i rely on public bus transport -intercity. I stayed at this place call Te Anau. It is between Queenstown and Milford sound. From QT it takes about 2 hours to get to Te Anau. From Te Anau it takes another 2 hrs to get to Milford Sound.

Te Anau is a quiet town and its a good stop over and stay. Most of the accomodation there is quite new, cheap and its very clean. Majority stay at Queenstown and went direct to Milford Sound ( a long drive). Staying in Queenstown is more expensive too.

Here's some links for your information... Trips and Tramps was the one I joined for buswalk. You may also book through Real Journeys. The best time to go is Nov before school holiday, it should be cheaper.. but can be quite cold.

http://www.milfordtourswalks.co.nz/
http://www.teanaubackpackers.co.nz/fiordland_activities.html

 

[evershine]

North or south island since I have limited time of 2-3 weeks? What is your advice? :dunno:

My strategy would be to complete all the nice places in south island first - probably 1.5 - 2 weeks. Whatever left over... go to North Island.. So probably you can get to only 1 or 2 nice places in the North. But if cash is limited.. i guess you may give North a miss...

 

[megaweb]

Wah... i feel like joining you!!

I did something different...that was bush walk with an experienced guide. I can't drive so i rely on public bus transport -intercity. I stayed at this place call Te Anau. It is between Queenstown and Milford sound. From QT it takes about 2 hours to get to Te Anau. From Te Anau it takes another 2 hrs to get to Milford Sound.

Te Anau is a quiet town and its a good stop over and stay. Most of the accomodation there is quite new, cheap and its very clean. Majority stay at Queenstown and went direct to Milford Sound ( a long drive). Staying in Queenstown is more expensive too.

Here's some links for your information... Trips and Tramps was the one I joined for buswalk. You may also book through Real Journeys. The best time to go is Nov before school holiday, it should be cheaper.. but can be quite cold.

http://www.milfordtourswalks.co.nz/
http://www.teanaubackpackers.co.nz/fiordland_activities.html

Te Anau has a nice lake. My wife and I also stayed at Te Anau and booked their local tour (transport + ferry) to Milford Sound. Advice from friends not to self drive to Milford Sound due to slippery road. Their mini coach will set off in the morning, along the way, they will stop at
- mirror lake
- forest walk

 

[evershine]

When I was there... there was an accident.. a bus caught fire and the tunnel through the mountain was blocked and we were not able to travel to Milford Sound to take the cruise. We got our refund but... wasted... Managed to find this photo... a room rented at Te Anau

Te Anau has a nice lake. My wife and I also stayed at Te Anau and booked their local tour (transport + ferry) to Milford Sound. Advice from friends not to self drive to Milford Sound due to slippery road. Their mini coach will set off in the morning, along the way, they will stop at
- mirror lake
- forest walk

 

[anttz]

That means that I have to arrive at Christchurch or Queestown International Airport in order to go to the west coast areas of southern island.

Did you take a taxi or shuttle or bus when you arrive at the airport?

FYI, there is no direct flight to queenstown. Probably fr Australia. There is airport shuttle for both Christchurch & Queenstown. In Queenstown it is shuttle van.

And enjoy the view for the landing at Queenstown as the airport is in a valley. :thumbsup:

 

[megaweb]

When I was there... there was an accident.. a bus caught fire and the tunnel through the mountain was blocked and we were not able to travel to Milford Sound to take the cruise. We got our refund but... wasted... Managed to find this photo... a room rented at Te Anau

Ya, wasted. Did you visit the glow worm cave at Te Anau then ? We stayed at Holiday Park with Jacuzzi


Anyway I find west coast is not as nice unless you like to walk on glacier.

 

[freefall7]

Advice from friends not to self drive to Milford Sound due to slippery road.

I went there in Spring 2 years back. Drove from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Can still see sign of avalanche from the day before. And it was showering ice too. I must say, one has to drive carefully and observe the speed limit strictly.

But it was worth the drive. We went for the overnight cruise at Milford Sound. Enjoyed the experience very much.