Trip to NZ in January 2005

http://www.backpack.co.nz/

the BBH network is ‘it’. The rating system makes it easy to pick a hostel. The info is online, but also, when you get there, pick up the hard copy booklet.

freedom air is fine. never flown it myself as I haven’t needed to get to those places from international, but know loads of people that have. Virgin also flies to Christchurch so check out virgin, Air Nz and qantas as well. sometimes there is a big difference in prices and sometimes there isn’t. Earlier in the year flights to NZ were $99 one way on Virgin Blue.

rental cars – i think any firm you haven’t heard of i.e. ‘AAAAba car rentals’ or similar could be false economy. Use Avis, hertz, budget, Maui, or thrifty, europecar etc. i.e. a reputable firm with a large fleet and many offices. We always do now, since we hired a cheap car from AAAAba rentals (or similar) in wellington, which had bad brakes – we found out doing hills in the south island with no way to swap the car for another one. it was a nightmare. we had to get it repaired ourselves on our credit card, delayed our trip, got reimbursed etc – hopeless, would never do that again.

my tips.

cheers-
Mini

joy to the world

Many of the second tier car rental outfits have nationwide networks and are priced well below the big operators – try RentaDent. Their cars are good (about 5 years old and not dented) and you can drop off in a different location to pick-up.
You might want to try to organise something from Oz first, as this our peak time and it can be difficult getting a car.
Dunedin prices have climbed considerably, but Invercargill (Southland – bottom of the South Island) has some property showing good returns.
Enjoy your time here.
Julian2

Hi All,

I’m also planning a trip to NZ in April/May and have been doing some online costings.

Average backpaker stay = $30per night
Class one car rental approx $40 per day

2-person RV camper van with shower and toilet $70 per day.

I reckon the RV camper gives you more freedom and convenience (pun intended) than the first option.

Any thoughts/comments?

Cheers Nobleone.

[biggrin]

“Making mistakes is just another another tool for learning.”

Hi Ozi,

I’m travelling alone too… I am just looking at the overall cost of daily transport and somewhere to sleep at night… The campervan works out to be the same cost as renting a small car and having to preplan my overnights at back packers… The campervan gives me all the conveniences and the freedom and flexability for the same cost.

As for going off road I think that even with rental cars they have restrictions about driving on unsealed road too.

I am going purely for business and don’t really plan to go off road.

Cheers, Nobleone. [biggrin]

“Making mistakes is just another another tool for learning.”

Hi all,
regarding hire cars – if you plan to be travelling a lot consider at least a 1.6-1.8l engine vehicle. anything smaller can be very frustrating if you yourself and luggage in it and expect it to travel comfortably and quietly at 100kph.
the rentadent recommendation here is pretty good. I use them all the time for a corolla or subaru RX impreza or similar for 45 bucks a day unlimited k’s and low insurance excess.

NZ roads are windy, uphill and down and take a lot longer to travel than many aussie roads. the extra power under the bonnet can go a long way to making the trip pleasant!!

Oh, and if you want to listen to music, get a car with a cd player or tape deck – radio station coverage is very poor between towns due to hilly nature of terrain!!!!

CastleDreamer
“+CF properties in NZ available now, email CastleDreamer or Minimogul”