New Zealand - Fan Blooming Tastic
Written by Clare flint
New Zealand was fan blooming tastic - I have no complaints about any of it.
Travelling out with my husband and parents in law - we had a wonderful experience.
My mother in law was in a wheelchair and the airline assistance was excellent
Despite not being able to secure a wheelchair friendly motorhome, we were able to stay over at sites with wheelchair friendly access to facilities.
general summary:-
Air New Zealand now fly via LA and via Hong Kong in ADDITION to LA
Air New Zealand have better seat pitch in economy.
North Island is warmer, tropical very volcanic, with hot springs and rainforests, its busier & more commercialised-
South island is different more mountainous, glaciers and big prairies, its extremely scenic but not as quiet as the guides say.
Both island are very different with different climates.
The general Infrastructure is excellent- & the main, and side roads are excellent.
Banks will give you cash @ no charge using your Debit card over the counter and from ATM’S if you can remember your pin number.
The sights, the weather, the fresh air, the people ie locals and fellow travellers, the food, the wildlife the infrastructure, the adventure side trips/the adventure sports etc and tourist evenings, the roads, the old one horse towns the modern major cities, the mountains are all wonderful !
We did not want to come home..even had time to meet some long lost relatives on North & South Islands
If you hire a motorhome it is highly recommend to take one bigger than your exact party...allowing you more space and storage.
All the motorhome sites you stay overnight have excellent facilities to power up / recharge batteries use their washing /drying rooms and kitchens to cook your meals.
The sites are well equipped for charger's for camera and mobiles even the ferry has plugs.
Once you get around jet lag the whole place is like being on a set of Heartbeat.
Do not take fruit into NZ - beware as the airlines give you apple/snacks in flight.
they do not want any imported fruit , due to a severe fruit fly attack some years ago.
My relatives cleared the final set of customs ahead of me, I was met by 2 ladies in uniform and a lively beagle...
As a dog lover this was a pleasant welcome, but not so..this dog managed to smell an apple across the airport. Luckily with some sweet talk I was not fined and collected my luggage
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you hire a motorhome you must have one bigger than your exact party...the camp sites where you stay to power up / recharge batteries are excellent.
You need a minimum of 3 weeks if not a month to do North & South Islands comfortably and although we did not a break en route in the Far East this would be beneficial...Its a long long flight but I love the whole experience. and I do have short legs !
Maui Motorhomes are more modern and open
Mainly Diesel = approx 0.33 pence a litre
Max speed for motorhomes 90 km (55mph)
Camp/motorhome sites
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Top Ten recommended camp/motorhome sites were excellent, very well located with clean facilities - approx GBP £3- £5.00 per person per night.
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You hook up to electric to recharge motorhome batteries
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They will also arrange coaches to pick you up for day excursions and evening – giving the nominated, Driver a break
Motorhome-I recommend you get very familiar before driving off and recommend that you have an overnight hotel stay after the long flight.
Into Auckland (North Island) and Out of Christchurch
Recommended stops /itinerary :-
Auckland
The Sky tower for a meal- remember to book in advance
Westhaven Marina in Auckland
Harangu falls
Travelling North to Bay of Islands
Pahia is a lovely town with side trips from the harbour mainly water related…
Didn’t see the 90 mile beach…
Only do this area if you have time…it’s a long drive and you have to come back down the same roads so can take 3 day to turnaround
Worthwhile towns/sites/sidetrips
Foulwind For Seals/Penguins
Rotorua
Tourist evening recommended – try the Haka/Hangi Meal.
Napier- Art deco lovely/touristy town with lovely beach
Hastings
Both these towns are lovely so stay awhile as they are worth it
Inter-islander ferry- approx 3 hours from (Windy) Wellington
Nelson
Westport
Greymouth
Hokitaka
Franz Josef Glacier
Arrowtown
Queenstown is the centre for outdoor activities, and the Harry Potter trails.
Te Anau
Interesting drive – long tunnel through the mountains & colder climate !
Boat trips for ½ a day
- I would recommend Doubtful Sound but it means an overnight stay so worth booking in advance
It is very wet/slippy around this area please wear hiking boots .
Invercargill/Bluff
Best recommended oysters
Mt Cook
Absolutely fantastic drive/scenic/clear air
The Camp site was not up to previous standards, but you are limited
Nearby there are some top class hotels/chalets
The Hermitage Hotel.
The Old Mountaineers restaurant is excellent.
The tourist shop is worth a look and has exhibitions etc.
Dunedin
– beautiful art deco Railway station
Portabello Otago Penisular
Albatross Chick Centre - well worth a visit with museum and great tea room.
Castle
Vineyards - Funnily enough we did not visit these…
Supermarkets- markets readily available
Fresh fish is bought from “Fish and Chip” shops/takeaways…
Fairlie
Superb local Restaurant –
Christchurch
Tranz Alpine railway book early ie well before you go for cheaper tickets
Its a long long flight but as I love the whole experience.. and I do have short legs !
David Gray travelled back with us from Christchurch., in the business class cabin,
We book smaller specialist’s for their local knowledge and have good rates for motorhomes/side trips/hotels
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