Help needed for New Zealand resources (1 Viewer)

WSandME

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Aug 9, 2016
368
453
Wigan-ish
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44,498
MH
Hymer B660 Bestline
Exp
SInce 2006
Son's MiL has asked me for help in researching the possibility / feasibility of exploring South Island in a rental Motorhome.
Does anyone have any advice? Links to resources like campsite lists. Equivalent of "All the Aires"? Any mobile apps?

Thanks in advance...
 
Jun 10, 2010
8,421
20,056
Shrewsbury (sometimes)
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12,013
MH
N&B Clou Liner MAN
Exp
2006
We did this in February March this year, we found a lot of information on here and enjoyed the benefit of some tips from some of the other funsters and we had a fantastic time.

A couple of points to get you started:

Scenery is amazing and it just keeps on giving.

People are pretty friendly and if you like UK - the foods quite similar, you drive on the left and they all speak english.

It caters very well for active types - cycling/ walking/ bungee jumping etc etc

Its quite expensive

Its bigger than you think - South island is roughly the size of UK and there are no motorways.

The weather can be very mixed - even in the summer.

We rented a camper from share a camper,
https://www.shareacamper.com/camper/new-zealand/
the benefit of this is that you get someones camper so its cheaper and fully equipped. the downside is that the support is not as good - think airbnb for campers.

If you are thinking about crossing the cook straits join the NZMCA as the ferry saving alone will pay for it and then give you the use of their private locations.

Freedom camping is more or less everywhere and it is superb, We ve done a lot of motorhoming in a lot of countries and NZ is the easiest by a long long way. But make sure what you rent has the blue sticker (self contained) on it.

Regarding camper contact etc. NZMCA book is a brilliant resource. If you cant get your hands on it there is the 'rankers' app and another one which I forget but somebody else will surely know.

Hth

Jon
 

Silver-Fox

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Sep 5, 2014
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Its so easy to tour in New Zealand plenty of wild camping or sites to use.

Look into joining the N Z M C A their equivalent of the Caravan Club but friendlier :)
You will be able to download an app that gives all the dump stations, filling stations their small sites etc etc.

If you are looking to do it on a budget book the flights direct with your chosen airline, we used Emirates and found them to be spot on.

There are many MoHo hirers out there again book direct its cheaper.

You can hire a virtually new MoHo and pay top end money. We Hired from https://www.wendekreisen.co.nz/deut...MIsvX4rPiu1QIV7ZPtCh2evwwIEAAYAiAAEgIyc_D_BwE

Not the newest vans but more than adequate and reasonable price. They will collect you from the airport and drop you back there after your holiday.
I would advice to take out the top insurance as this will cover the tyres, windscreen and underbody. This way you won't be worried about driving on any of the un paved roads and less likely to have a claim against you.

If you go at the height of the season be aware of Oriental drivers they have a tendency to drive on the wrong side of the road we were told.

Allow around 5 to 6 weeks this will give you time to do the coast road all the way round and criss cross the country as well.
We stayed at each stop a maximum of 3 days and some places just a day.

You can get a discount card for supermarkets and they will very often give you a discount on your fuel as well.

We didn't plan anything just went with the flow, there were certain things that we wanted to see/do like swimming with Dolphins at Kaikoura and flying to the Glacier at Franz Joseph, Bungee jump at Queenstown and lots more.

Should have said we didn't skimp on seeing attractions but didn't eat out much as thats not our thing.
Our total cost including stop overs going out Hong Kong 4 days. Back Australia 5 days , 9 weeks MoHo hire fuel, food ferry North to South etc etc etc was 7.5k

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Silver-Fox

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@jonegood couldn't agree more so easy to MoHo in New Zealand it kind of spoils you doesn't it :)

Should have said we went in 2016 from early march
 
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Riverbankannie

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Mar 11, 2016
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Our MH came with a comprehensive guide to sites and with some discounts on the chain Top 10, but we wild camped when we could and just chose sites that happened to be in places we wanted to stop.
It also came with an audio guide that was linked to GPS and gave us a lovely running commentary as we drove along. It would give directions to attractions and sites that would be a mile or so ahead as well as history and so on.
Great music in between the commentary so I would thoroughly recommend asking for it.
We took 6 weeks over both islands and as we didn't know where to start, followed generally the guided tour on the Caravan Club website but booked it all ourselves.
 

Anthea M

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Oct 18, 2015
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Our own funster NZ resident @Kiwi Brit
May be able to help.

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Oct 20, 2014
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We went in Jan/Feb 2014, both islands for six weeks. Weather was wet and cold at nights initially.
Went via LA going out, wouldn't do that again; Hong Kong for 3 days return journey, loved it.
Hired a 2 berth Maui. Our very first experience of motorhoming and loved it.
Left suitcases at hire company to free up space.
Found the Top 10 campsites to be very good, they have kitchens and bbqs. Also have rooms you can book if you MH one island/hire a car for the other. Think it was 10NZ for Top 10 card which gave you camping discount and tourist attraction discounts.
Scenery fantastic.
Stayed Milford Sound for boat trip - fill up with fuel and food as nothing commercial up there apart from two campsites.
Loads to do in Queenstown, loved the Thunderjet trip (avatar).
Go for as long as you can, there is so much to see, it isn't cheap but definitely worth it.
David had always wanted to go, I like really foreign places, but so glad we went.
 
Jun 30, 2010
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You will not believe how many shades of green that you will see, and there is a WOW! around every corner
 
Nov 5, 2013
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We went Sept-Nov 2012 North then South Island,best holiday by a mile,if you put New Zealand in the search box you'll find quite a few threads on NZ. (y)

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alandfee

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Mar 25, 2015
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Coachbuilt
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Since 2008
Hi all, Wife and I are off to New Zealand in November this year.
Looking for tips and hints as to the best, in folks experience, of good rental companies and what we should look out for.
Have looked at McRent via bestCamper site and seems to have potential, but open to suggestions.
Only doing the South Island, so tips, hints and suggestions of what and where to visit.

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Oct 25, 2021
37
9
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85,056
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Carado t447
Hi, we are also going to NZ in Jan and we are looking at car hire did you find a reputable company to hire from. What did you do with the insurance, the fully insured excess is very large.
 

Riverbankannie

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Mar 11, 2016
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We booked flights and hire MH (but could be car) through Trailfinders. They know the reputable companies and put big business through them so my thinking was get better customer service and backup if any issues.
 
Oct 24, 2019
248
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We used trailfinders for flights and hotels but Wilderness for motorhome. They are not the biggest hire firm but highly recommended.
 
Dec 31, 2016
49
74
New Zealand
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2015 Burstner Ixeo Time
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2 years
Hello, sorry just noticed question. I am NZ resident with M H here. Some tips,

Plan trip from South to North as everyone else goes other way and often deals to return vehicles North.

Most of big international's are here, Check an accumulator then individual hirer's direct Websites.

Its bigger than you think , and not many motorways so allow time or limit where you want to go.
South Island more scenic than the north. If you car hire and want to cross try and get hires either side of Cook Straight Ferries as they are expensive.

There are many Air BNB's and commercial offers for accomodation and now past peak time.

PM me if you need more info
 
Oct 21, 2021
63
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85,001
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Mutsubis fuso/canter
Exp
5 years
Also, you are allowed to drive a campervan / motor home with a weight up to 6000kg on a standard car license.

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