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Trekk in New Zealand. Tips to share?

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OogieBoogie
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Trekk in New Zealand. Tips to share?

Post by OogieBoogie » Mon, 11 May 2009 8:31 am

I'd like to do a Trekk in Zealand this year. I bought a book about the country, and I'm reading it to find out which part must no be missed.
Anyone has tips and advice? Better to plan everything by myself, or get a package from a travel agency?
Thing is I don't want to rent a car, so we'll do everything with bus, train or boat. But no private car.

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Post by taxico » Mon, 11 May 2009 11:16 am

i'm currently in NZ: i don't trek, but have friends who like such activities.

amateur trekkers being dramatically rescued is something that happens regularly in all seasons.

they're usually under-equipped and tackling something they can't handle.

buy one of those EPIRB device, have adequate cold and wet weather gear and food. and be well insured.

you'll also need good maps, topographical skills and i guess a good waterproof GPS? oh my, the list goes on...

i think you should let the travel specialists handle it as they can send out the cavalry if anything happens, and rent you the gear that you don't want to own.

people die in the wilderness here all the time, even experienced kiwis who do such things all the time have been known to just disappear and/or be found dead.

there shouldn't be a need for a rental car. kiwis are real friendly and you can hitch a ride if you need to.

have a credit card handy, as it helps with transport reservations.

the cost may not be cheap though... email correspondence also takes time as things sort of crawl at snails' pace around here.

when are you doing this? i wouldn't mind helping you anyway i can before i leave NZ.

awesome beautiful place, with nice friendly crazy people.

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Post by OogieBoogie » Tue, 12 May 2009 8:30 am

Well i'm not gonna do a trekk wearing croc shoes don't worry.
Truth is I don't have any specific equipment, so I'll probably buy some and rent some.
Besides i was planning to stay on trails, not doing anything to wild. Or I do it wild, then i'll go with someone who know what he's doing.

We (me + my wife) still don't know when we will do it, but it's not a short term plan, i see it more like winter 2010.

What do you think of stuff like www.kiwiexperience.com? It sounds like a nice way to discover the country. Do you think we need to get a group or a guide to do well known trails?

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Post by taxico » Tue, 12 May 2009 9:08 am

i have no views on kiwiexperience.com other than they have a good looking front page.

you should try the lonelyplanet forums and see what comes recommended!

you do know winter time means more clothing, right? and that winter in southern hemisphere is in june. also, there's a difference in trekking and backpacking... backpacking's a piece of cake, trekking on the other hand... not something i would personally do.

as i understand it, private guides are AWFULLY expensive so cobbling together a group will bring that cost down.

or you could prepare a chunk of change, come over, meet some like-minded people at backpacker's accommodation, get the stuff you need (rent, look at notice boards or buy), and do it with like-minded people you meet (you'll meet plenty along the way, especially in summer, and you'll make lotsa friends).

i'm still not clear what your objective for your 2010 kiwi trip is. "stay on trails" sounds a little unclear to me... it's not as easy to walk into a bush, climb the mountain then just pitch a tent and make a fire - there're rules and permits that need to be complied with (because people have a habit of dying in the wilderness).

personally, i would rent the best RV i can afford, drive the heck all over NZ (or the south island if you are strapped for time), and take many many walks. they have LOTS of lovely walking trails (of varying grades) scattered all over this beautiful country.

that way, you get to see everything, take a walk on the wild side, have creature comforts/shelter, and get to have lots of sex without worrying about the next-door neighbor.

the down side is having to deal with the RV's toilet container... small price to pay? i don't know!

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Post by taxico » Tue, 12 May 2009 9:16 am

i forgot to mention:

o if you drive in winter, you need to be ultra vigilant and be sure to pony up for the top-shelf insurance plans.

o winters are harsher in the south island for geographical reasons.

o the best way to experience new zealand the way i think you want to, is with plenty of time. 4-6 month back packing trips are not uncommon.

so if you're strapped for time, you should first begin by picking only a specific area to cover. (again, i recommend anywhere in the south island)

and if you're strapped for cash, you can also consider a working holiday to NZ (things are not exactly cheap here).

check your local NZ tourism office/website for details.

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Post by OogieBoogie » Tue, 12 May 2009 12:06 pm

ok let's put things on track (pun intended)

I'm just looking to take VACATION, so forget about working holidays, taking 6 months to visit the country and stuff like that.

As i said already, renting a car is not an option.

What I would like are tips or personal experience on things like the "great walks" as the Department Of Conservation call them, or cool package a little bit outside of this walks, but with a guide and a (as small as possible) group.

When i was talking of winter, i was thinking of January/February/March, sorry my bad. I want to avoid the cold season.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recrea ... eat-walks/

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Post by taxico » Tue, 12 May 2009 12:28 pm

jan-mar is a good time to visit. my my my, yes, good idea.

you WILL enjoy the walks! they are fantabulous. i've only done day walks, and they're all so beautiful!

be sure to break in your walking boots before coming.

i'll PM you some contacts when i get them. you will need guides in certain areas.

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