New Zealand motorhoming

[carper2]

As it is our 40th anniversary next year we are thinking of going to New Zealand and hiring a Motorhome.

We have never done anything like this and would be greatful for any information.

Has anyone done this?

Did you go on an organised trip or do it yourself.

Les

 

[jerry1]

we hired a motorhome from maui based in christchurch on the south island we went in the autumn sites empty and very good also lots of free camping aswell ferry back up to north island not cheap so hired a car campsites have little huts to hire which are fab mainly on north island you can pre book motorhome flights etc thru trailfinders

 

[Olive1]

Have been to NZ twice however haven't used a motorhome, but I do think it would be the way to go, if I ever get back. We did hire a car and found the roads very quiet and easy to navigate even in Auckland. Have read the other comment and would certainly recommend Trailfinders we used them both times we went Down Under. You will find the New Zealanders lovely and you will certainly have a fantastic holiday. Am insanely jealous and would love to be planning a trip to NZ. Have a fantastic time.

 

[C_374479958]

We hired cars both in North Island and South Island and stayed in motels and B&B's and various self contained cabins, saved using a motor home and the price is about the same.

 

[Lutz]

We're almost ready to book our motorhome holiday in New Zealand for the end of this year. We've done it before, but that was 30 years ago, and would like to do the same again. We've more or less decided to rent a motorhome from Pacific Horizon, as they seem to offer good value for money.

 

[Entwood]

Not New Zealand .. But Australia next December (doing the "Great Coast Drive" Adelaide to Sydney).. all booked through a company called "Round The World Experts" ...

http://www.roundtheworldexperts.co.uk
Very impressed with the organisation .. but obviously not done the holiday yet !!!

 

[Basil1]

Hi Les

We used a firm called Gateway (http://www.motorhomehire.co.nz) in 2007 and were very happy with their van and service.

We flew into Christchurch and the local rep was there at the airport to meet us with the campervan (long wheelbase Transit type two berth) at 6.00am. We then drove for four weeks through both islands and handed it back to the owner, Roger Ballantyne, at Auckland Airport two hours before flying out to UK. All very amicable and efficient.

It's a great place, and you will have a whale of a time - go paragliding in Queenstown if you can ...

 

[lulubelle]

We toured NZ in 2006, the best holiday we have had. We organised our campervan through www.campervans.com and found them very helpful. They advertise in the Caravan Magazine and were recomended to us by people who had used them. We bought a card from the "Top 10 Caravan Sites" which gave 10% off each night and this paid for itself during our 3 week trip. The sites were well run and tidy and in most of the towns on recognised touring routes. They were also able to arrange any trips that we wanted to go on, with pick ups at the campsites. We went with a blank canvas, armed with guide books and suggested travel routes gleaned from travel agents. The only part that was booked was the start hotel in Christchurch, the ferry trip between the south and north island and the hotel in Auckland before returning home. We spent three weeks there in Feb/March but we think that 4 weeks would have been better. Go for it and have a good time we did

 

[carper2]

I have got to admit I only expected one or maybe two replies.

It is great to see all of these especially the ones with websites to look through. The only trouble is I will now have to spend a lot of time going through them, there is a lot of information on each of the websites.

Les

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Les

Went there in 2000 and 2005 was due to go again this year but it's

not going to happen unfortunately but maybe next year.OH's sister lives there.

Cant help with the motor home as we hired a people carrier and stayed in motels and on camp sites which were very reasonable, the accommodation on camp sites were chalet type places and we choose ones along the coast, they normally provide communal kitchens, your own ice locker (type of fridge) and BQ's. Sorry to go on but I envy you and this has brought the memories flooding back.

We only did the North lsland both times but when we do return, to the South we will go. (Nephew has moved to Christchurch) And like you we will do the motor home thing albeit a bit more expensive I think.

Have a great time.

 

[KeithJ]

Hi Les

We went in February last year. Had a great time and did all our planning by using the Trip Advisor Forum http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g255104-i125-New_Zealand.html. Gather information by reading the threads and ask questions which will be answered by local experts.

Keith

 

[JandP]

Hi Les,

We visited in 2005 for 7 weeks, visiting relatives and including tours of both Islands. We found that car hire + campsite cabin, as others have mentioned, was the easiest and cheapest option compared to motorhome hire. The cabins can be booked in advance and can be anything from a simple hut with beds and use of a communal kitchen right up to full Motel style units. Its a great bonus at the end of a hard day's touring to come home to a full size bathroom, comfortable beds etc just waitng for you. There are lots of sites to chose from but we mainly used "Top10" which is a network of (I think) franchised sites. You can buy a discount card at the first Top10 site and use it at any other and get 10% discount. We also used independent sites and always found the cabins clean, well equiped and comfortable (and always a bottle of milk in the fridge waiting for you when you arrive). Good luck with your trip, Jim.

 

[carper2]

You have started us thinking now about just hiring a car and stopping as and when we want on Campsites. Are the Motels in the towns or are they like Campsites out in the countryside.

Les

 

[KeithJ]

Les

We did all the research, as I have said we used the Trip Advisor forums and all the recommended information sources suggested on there....and we came to the conclusion that it was cheaper and more practical to use motels and a rental car. This is especially so if you are exploring both islands and covering a lot of mileage, as a car is easier to drive and more economical. Also your car rental company will usually collect the car from you at the inter island ferry terminal and supply another one when you get to the other side - thereby saving you the cost of taking the car on the ferry. With a motor home you generally take it on the ferry at your cost.

Regarding motels, we found they were superb, and offered full kitchens so you could make your own meals if you wished, and had a lot of home comforts - some had washing machines, dishwashers, etc, and TV and radio. In fact some of them we would have been happy to live in!! They are excellent value and cheaper than B&Bs (which are generally up market compared with the UK)and hotels. Both of the latter don't normally have kitchens.

Motels are located in towns and outside - practically everywhere you would want them. Find them on web sites such as Expedia - just put in the locations and dates and they will give you all the information, pictures and user reviews. There are companies such as Travelbug.co.nz who will also come up with deals - although you can sometimes beat their prices by doing it yourself.

A lot of people would advise you not to book if outside of the Christmas period, through to the end of January. But I feel that if you know your route it is better to do the research, look at reviews and then you generally know you have booked a good one!

One other comment - not all will agree, but we found that the cabins on campsites were nowhere near as good as the independent motels. Oh..and there are motel chains as well where if you choose a good one you can be sure that they will all be the same standard.

Hope this has given you something to go on. You will certainly have a great time. Enjoy the planning - its much better than going with a travel firm (although you might like to use a flight agent - or at least compare their prices).

Keith

 

[C_374479958]

Further to my comments, every small town has a tourist office and they are willing to book your forward accommodation and ring ahead to check for availability/vacancies etc. A great service.

If I was going to give advice it would be ensure that when the fuel tank is half full, refill it. I was caught out several times especially at weekends, and at times filling stations can be hard to find or closed!

 

[Olive1]

Hi I had posted earlier and was just reading the rest of your comments. We had booked a couple of houses, and bought a book of houses you can rent short term (we stayed in one for just 3 nights) the company is Holiday Homes New Zealand and found it to be great as there were 5 of us travelling together.

 

[Oklahoma]

Hi, We went to New Zealand for 3 weeks in Jan/Feb 2007. We booked with the Camping and Caravanning Club who sorted everything apart from our route and campsites out for us. We hired a Maui motorhome, picked it up in Christchurch, toured the South Island then went over to the North Island and eventually dropped it off in Auckland. We then had 2 nights in a hotel in Auckland before flying home. What a wonderful holiday, the best we've ever had, though I would say that if we were going again (which we'd love to do) I think at least 4 weeks or more are needed to make the most of it. We didn't have time to go any further north than Auckland, which was a shame. The great thing we found about having a motorhome is that if you see somewhere beautiful en route (and there were many places like that) you can stop, get your chairs out, make a snack and a cuppa and have everything you need with you - just relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery. We loved doing that so much that we are doing the same in the Canadian Rockies this year!!

 

[Oklahoma]

Hi, We went to New Zealand for 3 weeks in Jan/Feb 2007. We booked with the Camping and Caravanning Club who sorted everything apart from our route and campsites out for us. We hired a Maui motorhome, picked it up in Christchurch, toured the South Island then went over to the North Island and eventually dropped it off in Auckland. We then had 2 nights in a hotel in Auckland before flying home. What a wonderful holiday, the best we've ever had, though I would say that if we were going again (which we'd love to do) I think at least 4 weeks or more are needed to make the most of it. We didn't have time to go any further north than Auckland, which was a shame. The great thing we found about having a motorhome is that if you see somewhere beautiful en route (and there were many places like that) you can stop, get your chairs out, make a snack and a cuppa and have everything you need with you - just relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery. We loved doing that so much that we are doing the same in the Canadian Rockies this year!!

I should have mentioned that we wouldn't use Maui motorhomes again as we saw much nicer ones, also the C&CC have stopped using them now. Didn't spoil the holiday at all though.

 

[lulubelle]

Further to my previous posting. Reading the postings of other people, I agreethat using a motor home is not the cheapest method of travelling around New Zealand it does offer you the most flexibilty. soemtimes it can be some distance form the nearest small town where cafes may or may not be available and this is where the motorhome comes into its own. As Oklahoma stated there are some fantastic spots to stop for lunch and a cuppa which are miles from anywhere. you may be able to cook in a chalet or motel but having all the facilities on board i.e. fridge allows to store your own food and use when you want. We often found a campsite and then found a spot besides a lake or somewhere with a view for dinner. Having travelled round Canada staying in motels I found that searching for somewhere to eat most nights became a chore. Besides unpacking one's clothes at the beginning of the holiday beats living out of suitcase any time.

 

[KeithJ]

Quite right Louise - all your points are valid and in the end it is down to personal choice.

Although I painted the picture in favour of car and motel, on the grounds of it being cheaper and easier, I would also love to try the motorhome option if (when?) we go again.

Having made an extensive tour last time, I think I would take a more leisurely trip in a motorhome next time and concentrate on a smaller area - perhaps just the north island.

Each to his/her own choice - it will be a fabulous holiday whichever!

Keith

 

[sheila_374397204]

We went in October/November 2004 and hired a motorhome from Maui in Auckland. There is a minibus picks you up from the airport and takes you to the depot then you drop off at depot and minibus takes you back to airport - it's about 10/15 mins away. The campsites are great with brilliant facilities, we toured the pacific coast then based in Rotorua which is where our relatives live the site there even had heated camping pitches!!! and free hot tubs as well as a heated swimming pool. As others have said trips can be booked from campsites for collection from them. New Zealand is wonderful much more relaxed than here and we would love to go back because we only saw North Island.

If you are going to both Islands and you are not flexible about where you want to go the hire companies give you free use of cars and motorhomes with you only paying fuel if you collect from South and take back to North or vice versa they do give you a certain mileage and time limit.

 

[Oklahoma]

You have started us thinking now about just hiring a car and stopping as and when we want on Campsites. Are the Motels in the towns or are they like Campsites out in the countryside.

Les

Quite a few of the campsites are in towns, Queenstown, Te Anau, Kaikoura, Akaroa, Picton and Hanmer Springs are some of the ones we stayed at, all a short walk to their centre.

 

[Rob_374555782]

We went in October/November 2004 and hired a motorhome from Maui in Auckland. There is a minibus picks you up from the airport and takes you to the depot then you drop off at depot and minibus takes you back to airport - it's about 10/15 mins away. The campsites are great with brilliant facilities, we toured the pacific coast then based in Rotorua which is where our relatives live the site there even had heated camping pitches!!! and free hot tubs as well as a heated swimming pool. As others have said trips can be booked from campsites for collection from them. New Zealand is wonderful much more relaxed than here and we would love to go back because we only saw North Island.

If you are going to both Islands and you are not flexible about where you want to go the hire companies give you free use of cars and motorhomes with you only paying fuel if you collect from South and take back to North or vice versa they do give you a certain mileage and time limit.

We live in NZ, its a toss up between car/motels, cabins etc or a camper. obviously having a camper lets you wander freely pitching up where you like (within reason) for the night - why pay to stay on a campsite when you have a fully self contained van?

The only downside with a camper is you have to pack it all up if you need to pop into town for a loaf of bread or something!

I am toying with the idea of renting car and UK-Caravan packages, then you have the freedom of the camper but are able to park it up and go off exploring in the car.

Do you thin there is a market for that?

 

[DenisD]

We used a Kea 4 berth campervan to tour South Island in 2006 for three weeks. The larger van giving more space for two.

Last year I was taken round the North Island by my brother who lives in Auckland. This time we we used Cabins and motor lodges which I think I prefered. There are different types from just rooms with communal facilities to multi room ones with full kitchens at reasonable daily prices, some a lot cheaper than vans. My sister in law has it all organised. Perishables in coolbags which are placed in the fridge on arrival. You are usually provided with a carton of milk on arrival. Meals can be prepared in the cabin or eat out. The NZ AA and a firm called Jason supply a free 1000 page book listing Motels that can be picked up at airport or Info centres. We took an unlocked mobile phone and bought a NZ Vodafone Sim card useful for booking ahead using credit card details. Cannot wait to go again next February/March

 

[carper2]

There are so many different opinions on which way to go about it, which is brilliant. We have got quite a few brochures and have also considered the Camping and Caravanning Club. The only trouble is each one that we have looked at so far has it's own good and bad points. It is obviously going to take a lot of reading and sorting out.

Les