Val
Where do I start?
I visited New Zealand as part of a RTW trip in 2002. We spent just over 3 weeks in NZ. About 9 days in North Island and the rest in the South. We didn't do the trip DIY although I researched and planned the trip in detail (even to the times of flights) and then took my rough itinerary to a specialist travel agent who did the booking for me. I probably would do it DIY nowadays but with all the stop overs and different hotels/ vehicles etc. I was finding it all a bit too much. I believe Trailfinders are very good for arranging holidays to your itinerary. If you give them an idea of what you want they will cost it out for you and book it if you decide to go. Just check on somewhere like expedia for prices of flights, they can vary tremendously. I think 5-6thousand would cover your holiday.
We hired a motorhome in NZ, it was great to have the freedom to stop overnight in the back of beyond if we found something we really liked (you can camp wild) and on the couple of days that we got drenched it was nice to be able to climb back into the camper, make a hot drink and change clothes without having to drive back to a hotel. Campers are expensive though and I think most people hire a car and stay in B&B's, farms, hotels or even well equiped cabins that can be found on most camp sites.
The flights are over 24 hrs. I wouldn't attempt it without a stopover, but many do. I flew with Star Alliance Airlines. Singapore Airlines to Singapore then to Sydney then Air New Zealand to Auckland then again to Hawaii then United to Los Angeles and the last leg to Frankfurt with Lufthansa. All were good exept for United who weren't up to the same high standard.

The main cities are Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. WE only drove through Auckland but visited both the other cities. My OH doesn't like cities so we spent more time in the countryside with it's magnificent scenery.

I could go on and on, it's my favourite destination, we fell in love with the place, even tried to emigrate there after out return, unfortuately we are too old.

Val if you decide to go and need any more info just ask.

Judith

Val

Just a bit more info. January and February are usually the best months as it's summer down there.

Queenstown in South Island is the centre for extreme sports though you will find things on offer all over the place.

I'm going to send you a pm with pictures and a report of our trip, when I sort it out.

Judith

Sounds fab Val. Just make sure you get good insurance that covers the sports you intend taking part in. Some will do it at a premium and I think PJ Haymans specialises in adventure holidays.

luci

Thank you for your replies..we have insurance already that covers us for the diving...we would probably get additional anyway..

My uncle is the Manager of a hotel so he would be able to help us out he says at finding good cheap accomodation..my ex auntie also owns her own pub/restuarant in Christchurch.
I think we will spend quite alot of time planning it out..this will be the trip of a lifetime for us so I want to make it as action packed and as special as I can!

Perhaps it is better to stop off somewhere for a day or 2 like Singapore maybe??

We didn't really like Singapore as it was oppressively humid, 96%, or it could have been we were too tired to enjoy it after a month travelling.

We really liked Hong Kong on the way out though. Dubai would be a good option.

The stop overs you can have will depend on the airline you are travelling with.

We booked everything with a travel agent who helped us with our itinerary, but that was before the internet.

You could check out Travel Bag or Trailfinders for flight options.

luci

There is a previous thread on NZ with lots of useful information
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=92&t=112827

Excellent. Thank you for all your replies. I have looked at the other thread. It seems hiring a camper van is quite a popular choice.

Val,
we were in NZ over Christmas & January this year and the weather was great. Plenty of snow at high level in South Island but warm in the sun. For extreme sports this is the place and as Judith says Queenstown is the place. We did the Dart River Jet Safari rather than the Shotover Jet which is more of an adrenalin ride. This is a really good trip lasting nearly an hour, the skill of the driver was impressive. The scenery towards the upper reaches of the Dart is magnificent and the boats are terrific, 8.5 litre v8's.The Lord of the Rings used locations here. We also took a light aircraft trip over Mount Cook, not to be missed if the weathers good. Because we were moving on to Oz for 3 weeks to drive from Sydney to Port Douglas we used Connections to make the hotel arrangements to simplify things, they were ok but it took along time to recover our costs where they made mistakes. We had used them previously with no problems.

thanks for the info...we may be able to cut costs a little as my uncle is the manager of a hotel in Christchurch and he says he could call a few favours in too for us...we still are not sure how we are going to do it yet..but both of us want to do a couple of dives..and then whatever elese takes our fancy as long as it something that gets the old adrenalin going. We are both pretty much up for everything..its just that the body is slowing down a little now!

Okay, toured New Zealand with Go-Touring in October this year. It was quite expensive but covered both islands starting in Auckland and finishing in Christchurch and most places in between. Not bad weather, but a very long trip, mostly by coach. Very early morning starts, and numb back sides.
If I were to advise, don't do the tour. Go Touring changed the itinerary at the last minute, removing some of the included parts. Disappointing as their Australian tour was good.
I would fly to Auckland, pre-book hotels, rent a vehicle (the roads are easy with little traffic) and do the Rotorua and far North highlights. Then fly to Christchurch and do the same again. Queenstown is great and there are many beautiful places to visit.
You could do all of this on about £3,000 each.

we have just been quoted £1803 each with Air NZ for flying from heathrow to Hong Kong, 2 nights in a hotel then on to CHC..then coming back, from CHC to San Fran, 2 nights in San Fran..then to Los Angeles then back to London.
The hotel costs are included in this....

This is leaving here on 27 Dec this year and returning on 12 Jan next.

Is this a good price as it inlcudes taxes too?

I think I am happy with it but am not sure.....the seats are only being held open for 48 hours...then I either pay and book or lose them.

What do I do????

I really really want this trip.....

Is it expensive or about right bearing in mind the time of year...?

Help. Please.

We went to New Zealand in May 2007, stopped off in LAX on the way out but just for a couple of hours. We hired a camper van (Maui) and travelled around for 3 weeks, started off in Auckland where we picked up the camper, then dropped it off in Christchurch on the way back. It was the best experience ever. We didn't spend too much time in the cities, preferring the countryside. We could drive for miles and not see a single car or person. We stopped off at one pub in the countryside, got chatting to the owners who were lovely. Told them we were touring in a campervan, and said that we were going to be sleeping in their car park as we'd had a few drinks. They wouldn't hear of it, got their bar man to drive our campervan to their place (it was more like a mansion). We ended up sleeping there, had a jacuzzi bath and a massive fry up in the morning . Just goes to show there are still lovely people out there.
On our return we stopped off in Hawaii for a week. It was absolute heaven. We booked it all through Going Places at a total cost of £4,300. Bargain for a months honeymoon I would say.
We went through Taronga (?sp) and decided to stop and book a fishing trip. It was the absolute best. We ended up on a boat with 5 local fishermen, who were fantastic. They helped us out big time, and taught us how to gut the fish and told me how to cook it in the campervan. They told me to buy flower, pepper and lemon and cover the red snapper in it, then fry it off. We ate it for 3 days as we'd caught so many. If your into fishing then it's a great place to go.
Would you do a sky dive? Hubby did a sky dive in Taupo and it was incredible.
Huka falls is also breathtaking, you can also ride a jet (more like a roller-coaster ride) which was awesome.
We also did Black water Rafting but I can't remember where (I'll have to ask hubby). It depends what your into really. Your interests may be different to mine. We went to a prawn farm, where you could also fish for them (that was blooming difficult) !!!
You should really go on a "maori" night where they tell you all about their culture, you eat their dish of "hangi", do a bit of dancing and meet the chief!!!
I think I need to discuss going back there with hubby. Talking about it is bringing back some fantastic memories. You'll have a fantastic time Val!

all sorted..we fly from Heathrow on Boxing Day to Los Angeles..2 days in Hollywood, then from LA to Auckland then from Auckland to Christchurch on 30 December..just in time to see in the New Year with my uncle and cousin. Then we have 2 weeks in NZ exploring before flying from Christchurch to Sydney Australia..then from Sydney to Hong Kong where we are having another 2 days, then flying back to Heathrow.

To say I am pleased is an understatement......

And so you should be pleased val. That sounds awesome

Really chuffed for you both .

Brilliant Val - how on earth are you going to contain your excitement for all that time
I expect there will be lots of underwater shots for you take too

Brilliant news Val, sounds like a great itinerary.

luci

I have already been researching some of the activities we will be trying..after all NZ is supposed to be the place for adrenalin junkies..

We will be trying Whitewater raftying and kayaking..we will also be going on the Alpine Pass train ride and going on a whale watching expedition. It goes without saying that there will be some scuba diving! Do not want to spend too much time underwater though...we will be based in Christchurch obviously as that is where my Uncle runs the hotel but we will be moving about...

There is so much to organise over here before we go...visa's etc..oh and since we are travelling down to London on Christmas night, we will need to sort the hotel and the parking...we are also going to book a room for when we come back. We land back at heathrow at 5am on the Monday morning 16th Jan..so there is not any way we are going to brave rush hour and the drive back north when we are knackered with jet lag after a flight from Hong Kong.

Any other ideas for activities people??

If driving watch the speed limits outside the towns, 100kph, lovely straight roads and hardly any traffiic, as I found out to my cost.

Milford sound is a must if you are going that far down the island

Just make sure you have good insurance that covers all the activities you intend to do and remember to declare any pre-existing medical conditions and recent investigations.

luci