New Zealand holiday

[TAJ]

We have the our flights booked for a New Zealand Christmas and are now deciding whether to do the motor home tour around North & South islands, or have a brief drive around the South before heading up to the Bay of Islands to charter a yacht and explore by sea. Any Kiwis reading who are willing to advise on how to make the most of 2 weeks in their beautiful country? Thx

[sundaymorningstaple]

While not a Kiwi, I can give you some advice. I would not suggest renting a caravan to do it unless you have had experience driving a caravan in strong cross winds in the mountains. Too many tourists have been blown off the road due to insufficient experience with a caravan. If you are going to try it, please be careful and do not let distractions get to you (like scenery for instance).

Most of all enjoy you hols!

[TAJ]

Thank you for your wise words! I'm sure you are not suggesting that Kiwi's suffer from a wind problem! But seriously, the web sites indicate that the motorhome is a popular way to explore the country - the freedom of the open road, back to nature and all that! I'm just not sure whether 2 weeks in a motorhome with 2 boys of 8 & 10 would result in 'bonding' or strangulation though!

[TAJ]

There must be some Kiwis or well - seasoned travellers out there who can offer some advice - I would really appreciate it! Thx

[sprite]

We did a driving hoilday of the south island a few years back, although not in a motor home. It was gorgeous and we loved it, but it was more driving than we bargained for. Destinations that were a one or two hundred kilometers away on a map, could take 8 hours of driving because of mountains, etc... But the scenery was truly beautiful. If you rent a caravan, you'll have less opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the New Zealanders, and this would be a tragedy. We stayed in little inns and farms stays and it was wonderful. Consider the flight over the glaciers and the over night trip on the boat in Milford Sound, breathtaking!

[cutiebutie]

Hmm, my brother and his wife did the caravan thing around the South Island last year and didn't have any troubles at all. If anything they enjoyed the hospitality of the Kiwis and of course the countryside, though the food is quite basic and heavy.

Take in the area around Wanaka and Queenstown (I spent two weeks there two years ago and loved it) you will love the place. The glaciers and so on. A lot of driving and Kiwis drive relatively slow and safe, something we obviously simply cannot do here.

[bgd]

The drive around the SI and then the sailing in the Bay of Islands would be my choice. Either motor home (not caravan) or car and stay in motels would be fine. Sounds like you will be there in the height of the holiday season so bear that in mind if you are going to use motels.

Start from Christchurch, do the southern bit and then head up the west coast. You can fly from Nelson. As mentioned journeys can be deceptively long but the scenery can be spectacular.

Summer seems to have moved out to Jan / Feb so be prepared for some cooler temps, especially in the south.

[micknlea]

Hve you tried booking anything yet? You may find your options limited. It is peak holiday period in NZ for Dec/Jan being the main school summer holidays there at that time. I suggest doing it asap if you haven't already.

South Island is beautiful but fairly hard terrain in some parts if you are not used to driving a campervan etc. It is more scenic in some ways that the north, and less to do for kids, although Queenstown has lots of action things worth doing. North Island is gorgeous too, Bay of Islands and Paihia is wonderful and also south of Auckalnd there is Rotorua, Taupo, and on the east Napier etc. North may be better for your boys as there are a few more touristy things to do.