Transport around New Zealand

[dannyd]

Hi!

I'm planning a trip to NZ in November with a friend for about 12 days. The basic gyst is that we want to fly into Christchurch, go to Queenstown and do all the extreme stuff skydiving, bungee jumping, white water rafting etc. Then we'll probably head north again, definitely want to see Waitomo (caves and black water rafting) and I've been pointed towards the Bay of Islands and 'the hole in the rock' by friends. Then we'd fly home from Auckland.

I was going to hire a car but to be honest if there was good train transport I'd probably opt for that. I've found there is a line from Wellington to Auckland which is good. How long is this train? It seems to go past Waitomo, can one alight there?

Any recommendations about transport from Christchurch to Queenstown along with travel times would be great. I want to put the skeleton of the trip together before I start looking at things like accomodation etc.

If there is nothing between Auckland and Paihia maybe I'd rent a car for a couple of days bring it back to Auckland, then fly out.

Thoughts?

Remember, I only have 12 days, but if you can think if anything I absolutely must squeeze in... let me know!

Cheers much appreciated,
Daniel

[johnny_mac]

for 12 days that's pretty amazing to do outdoor stuff. are you staying in NZ through hotel accommodation? ever thought about hiring a campervan?
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[johnny_mac]

there is no train through to get to Christchurch from Queenstown. Bus, yes. but its like it is slow. and you wouldn't want that. Definitely the best way to is to hire a car.You can stop by at lake tekapo for a night. and head to queensland. have a nice bungy jumping dude.
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[madpacker]

hey,

you could do caving/black water rafting on the west coast of the south island..

that would reduce your travel distance..
hire car from chch - queenstown, up the west coast, blenheim wineries back to chch
then fly to akl and do the bay of islands..
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[travelgeeko]

the campervan idea sounds nice.

you should consider that option.

[johnny_mac]

we had a motorhome roadtrip from
warkworth to wangarei
wangarei to kawakawa,
and then kawakawa to paihia.

This trip is like a beach buffet, i recommend this roadtrip if your buddy knows the easy routes.you would be surprised of the secluded beaches you'd pass along. and very cheap accomodations you can park on the safe roadsides. paihia is your gateway to the bay of islands.
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[Red Tape]

johnny mac: Sounds like a good itinerary (NZ is a favorite place of mine)...but dannyd was planning his trip 2 years ago.
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[johnny_mac]

uh-oh guess I was so excited to suggest...well for the benefit of the members visiting this thread then.
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[Rohan Marx]

A Campervan would be the way to go there are plenty of different options in terms of vehicle sizes and budgets in New Zealand. Most of the decent firms will let you one way from Christchurch to Auckland, although you may be better to fly into Christchruch, do Queenstown area, then fly from Queenstown or Christchurch to Auckland and travel back down to Waitomo (220kms one way) then back up to the Bay of Islands.

The Waitomo trip is the hard bit in all of this but I grew up in the area so have to say that it is worth it. As for the train stopping there - I'm not 100% sure on that I do know that it stops in Otorohanga though which is only 15kms North of Waitomo and there is a regular minibus / shuttle that runs out to Waitomo several times per day.

Dunno - your 12 days time is the hard bit. I'd still say Campervan or car hire which will give you the freedom to stop at pother things you might see along the way and allow you to drive hard for a couple of days to get from the South island to the north island and see Waitomo without having to backtrack. Pick Up in Christchurch and drop off in Auckland after you have been to Bay of Islands. That's a lot of kms though.

[JanetPeebody]

I have heard that New Zealand can be a terrible place to visit but on the other hand i have been told it is great can i get some suggestions on wether it is a nice place or not thanks.

[Rohan Marx]

You might want to begin with qualifying what you have been told is terrible about visiting New Zealand. Is it the 30 million Sheep?, the accent which is quite hard to understand, the fact that there is more than one Island? the relatively high NZ dollar at the moment?

It's true there have been some high profile attacks on Tourists in recent years by some of the worst members of New Zealand's society and stealing of possessions. But the offenders are invariably caught and dealt with harshly. But this is no different from any other country and New Zealand would be safer than a large percentage of the rest of the world. Just be sensible and aware of your surroundings, possessions and companions. The vast majority of New Zealanders are trustworthy, friendly and helpful.

Try Motorhoming if you really want to have a good look around. Just be mindful of free camping in some areas for your own safety and safety of your possessions - again as you should in any other country. There are plenty of private and National Park Camping grounds which are safer.

[johnny_mac]

I agree, there aint country with no offenders. I dont see why NZ is terrible? it is probably one of the most scenic places (if you like beaches and landscapes), and people are cool they are infact glad to help tourists and sometimes would offer you lodging or a carpark in exchange of a minimum cost.

the ferry transport are on bargains if you wanted to travel both north and south. both islands have compact attractions so theres always something to capture.
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