G&DBA Top 10 Tips for travelling in NZ

 Don't assume motorhoming round NZ is a 'good idea'

Travel agents may tell you it's the cheapest way of touring NZ, and it certainly sounds romantic.  Both of those couldn't be further from the truth.  Motorhomes are RIDICULOUSLY expensive to rent; you then have to add on fuel costs, extra mileage, replenishing the gas canister, and campsite fees.  Even if you are 'self-contained' (i.e. have a toilet) you still cannot camp just anywhere and while there are freedom campsites, you will need to connect to a power supply fairly regularly and that costs.  Once you've paid all that, you really feel you need to make full use of it, so you cook in (not that you have any cash left over for eating out).  You are also restricted to tarmac roads, and driving motorhomes is far from relaxing - lots of rattling and stuff constantly falling on the floor.  You are much better off renting a good car (we got a Toyota Hilux pickup truck which was perfect) and finding Airbnb or motels.  All campgrounds have studio cabins and chalets, also for reasonable prices. All of those options allow you to self cater if you want to, and cost a LOT less than the motorhone will.  Plus you have a smaller fuel bill. If you love caravaning or motorhoming, go for it. Eat your heart out.  But if you've never done it before, think very carefully....

Pick an island and stick to it

We had 2 weeks in the North Island and 4 in the South and it wasn't really enough for either.  If you really want to explore properly, and include item 3, then I'd suggest you need 6 weeks for the South Island and 3 or 4 for the North.  If you have less than that, choose an island and really see it well.

Book at least one of the Great Walks

Huge tracts of land in NZ belong to the Department of Conservation (DOC) in the form of nature reserves and there are 9 Great Walks - all spectacular and all between 3 and 6 or so days long although you can do many in less, or choose to do only a portion of the track.  You MUST book up the huts or campsites well in advance as you cannot just show up. They get booked up very early.  Most are walking tracks, but some are done in canoes or kayaks which you can organise locally, along with transport to the start/end points. You do need to bring your own food, billycans and sleeping bags, but the huts have water, toilers and kitchens (for those that don't want to carry a tent)  If you can't get on a Great Walk, then research the DOC site and find other walks - the DOC have over 900 huts, so there are masses of short, single-day and multi-day walks.  

Travel takes longer than you think

Both islands have a pretty basic network of roads and highways, most of which are single lane traffic in each direction and many of which go through very difficult, mountainous terrain.  The speed limit is 100kph and traffic cops are severe. So, unless you like spending a LOT of time in the car, plan your travel time to include the above.  Or just take it as an opportunity to stop more often and smell the lupins.

Embrace old school - customer service, decor, ease of doing stuff

New Zealand is a pretty long way from most of the western world, which is what has kept it so unpopulated and unspoilt - a good thing.  But on the flip side of this, don't expect the same levels of value for money, or customer service, or cosmopolitanism.  It's not bad, it's just a bit reminiscent of the 1970s Britain - things don't quite work perfectly, people aren't necessarily immediately welcoming (but they warm once you get chatting), decor and electrics can seem a bit dated.  But it's all part of the charm.  Embrace it.

Don't budget

However much people tell you New Zealand is expensive, prices will still shock.  Supermarkets, motels, restaurants, bars - they all feel like London prices.  And you will want to do cruises, heli rides, guided walks, sky dives or whatever tickles your fancy, so just get ready to bleed money for a few weeks and move on.

BYOWIFI

Bring your own WiFi. Or figure out some way of getting a decent internet connection, especially if you are going to be staying at campsites.  Broadband in NZ is pretty poor, many places don't yet have fibre optic and it's expensive, so you won't find it offered for free in bars and restaurants.  If it is free, it's usually limited to anything from 100-500MB or 15 minutes.  So either get a UK phone plan that gives you data abroad, or a local SIM, or a MiFi setup.  You'll be happy you did.

Embrace LOTR

That's Lord of the Rings for anyone wondering.  Hobbiton and Weta Caves and Weta Digital are both on the North Island and well worth going to.  I know they sound touristy, but they really are excellent.  Location-wise, South Island pretty much IS Middle Earth.  If you haven't seen the movies, watch them.  And if you have, watch them again.

Search out the good food and wine

It's quite hard to find really good food in NZ, but here are a few we found: Fergburger in Queenstown (and Grandma Ferg for gelato or the Ferg Bakery), Fat Tui burger van in Marahau, street food vans in Wanaka, La Rumbla, Postmasters and Slow Cuts in Arrowtown, Bao bun food van in Te Anau, Fleur's Place in Moeraki, Noble Rot in Wellington.  It's also worth doing some wine tours, or going to visit some wineries.  Best ones we went to were:  Otago region: Maude, Rippon, Mount Edward, Felton Road, Marlborough: Nautilus, Hans Herzog (also has a v good restaurant and accommodation).  Martinborough - especially if you're there for the wine and music festival in mid November. (book tickets in advance)

Leave your heels at home

Kiwi's don't really dress up.  They are very down to earth and life isn't about dressing up in heels or makeup. Unless you have a specific reason to bring them, leave your posh frocks at home and keep it really casual.  And I mean REALLY casual.