Itineraries, touring routes in New Zealand, facts and FAQ

NEW ZEALAND COUNTRYWIDE ROAD TRIPS

New Zealand is a bucket list destination; a place at the edge of the world; islands in the vast Pacific Ocean. Aotearoa New Zealand’s breathtaking natural spaces deliver 100% pure New Zealand and an opportunity to recharge the senses.

If it is your first time in New Zealand there are several itineraries focusing on the scenery, key attractions, and well known destinations to consider.

TIP

With any proposed destination remember to plan ‘free time’ to pop into the schedule last minute ideas, especially when you arrive and discover something new to consider

MUST-DO NEW ZEALAND DESTINATIONS

Kick off the holiday with a bang in the largest city Auckland, where nature is not a visitor experience; rather it is Auckland’s backyard. Restaurants, cafes and galleries are often nestled in parks and by the beach. Perfect for stretching the legs in natural spaces. Enjoy exploring three Auckland wine regions.

First time visitors invariably have Rotorua in their sights. Memorising, unique geothermal hot spas, gushing geysers and mud pools is one of the world’s phenomenal sights. Together with a vibrant Maori culture the stage is set for Taupo and the imposing beauty of the Central Plateau and Tongariro National Park.

The cute timber framed homes dotting the hills of Wellington, capital city are bid farewell on the Cooks Strait ferry journey to Marlborough and Nelson. Districts where vineyards compete with beaches and stunning scenery for attention.

Amble into Christchurch with its Avon river, hip galleries and contemporary art scene. Consider taking one of the world’s great train journeys, the Tranzalpine across to the West Coast. The wild west coast with Paparoa National Park and pancake rocks.

Your journey is not complete without the majesty of the Southern Alps, Aoraki Mt Cook and high country alpine tussock beauty of the Power of the Dog film scenery.

Adventure, adrenaline and heritage sums up Queenstown, a fitting end for many first time visitors to New Zealand.

GETTING AROUND NEW ZEALAND WHILE ON HOLIDAY

Getting around New Zealand is effortless. Check out BEST BITS self-drive holidays for inspiration with tips on where to stay for ease of access to top sights and New Zealand highlights.

TIP

Making sure you arrive on time … and where you want to be is the priority. It is your holiday and to miss a bucket list attraction because you were late can ruin a holiday with the weight of disappointment. Here are some tips…

Accommodation, especially if you have one or two days in a place location is critical as you do not want to spend your time traveling to and from places and activities. Hub and spoke travel is a great way to avoid the trap of packing and unpacking every day.

TIP

Plan your holiday in New Zealand with at least two nights in a single location, possibly more to avoid the suitcase hassle. Nothing is worse than leaving your favourite toiletries in the last hotel.

Location versus the cost of the accommodation is the tricky balancing act when you consider your options of getting around a city or town.

HIGHLIGHTS OF A NEW ZEALAND ROAD TRIP

• Few vehicles on roads outside major metropolitan areas
• Phenomenal scenery with plenty of off road viewpoints to savour the moment
• Modern firm roading system well documented on google maps
• Excellent road mapping system (thank you google maps)
• Well signposted system for directions, heritage sites and tourist routes, colour coded with yellow for directions, heritage places and destinations in brown and distinctive signs for touring routes
• DRIVE ON THE LEFT

FLIGHTS, CONNECTIONS AND GETTING AROUND  – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Making sure you arrive on time … and where you want to be is the priority. It is your holiday and to miss a bucket list attraction because you were late can ruin a holiday with the weight of disappointment. Here are some tips…

Consider arriving the day before you absolutely have to be there. You can have a delayed flight which causes you to miss your connection with a cruise, a train or pre-booked tour group. Even before you arrive you spend your time on the flight wondering how on earth you are going to join the activity you have been planning on for over six months. Travel the day before, chill out and relax. You will have an extra night’s accommodation to pay for, think of the expense as part of your personal travel insurance.

Watch for your airline offering free rebooking of your flight. If they are concerned that they may have to cancel flights, free rebooking of flights is an indication that connections are at risk.

Know that airlines will often take several days to get back to a regular schedule. There will be a backlog of passengers and to make matters worse your booking preference is given to people who have scheduled flights. Cancelled flights means you are on a wait list.

Fly early in the day. If there are delays the earlier flights get preference.  And you have a choice of flying later the same day if there are seats available.  A plus is to pay for a full fare which is easily transferable to another ticketed flight.

Try to get a non-stop flight. Fewer airports means fewer chances that one is going to suffer weather or technical difficulties. And even worse your suitcases are mislaid in transit stop two.

Get travel insurance. If you had to cancel a trip because of severe weather you obtain a full refund as you are unable to join the trip starting date. Trip insurance should reimburse you if that happens.

TIP

Remember to check policy conditions carefully.

Trains.  If you have a choice of arrival airports choose one that has direct train services.  Wide lifts and customer service people who are experienced at where to go and explaining details to people dazed by the flight assist in getting you where you want to be.

Trains.  Remember to check the train website to view storage facilities onboard the train.  As well as catering services.

Rental vehicle.  If your rental car agency is not located at the airport check where the collection depot is located.  Being put on a shuttle, travelling halfway across a large city to a remote location might not be the ideal start to your holiday.

• Checklist for the rental vehicle agency :
• Opening hours for the rental car depot
• Waivers in the rental vehicle contract for road accidents as well as damage to vehicle
• Fuel fill policy as well as the type of fuel the vehicle uses. Electric location of charge stations on your trip route to be checked beforehand.
• Roadside assist policy
• Child seat availability

Bus services

Australia and New Zealand have well established intercity bus services.  Major centres have public buses however in smaller towns the best connection is likely to be a road trip by car.

Day trips and connections

BEST BITS advice do not travel from your accommodation on day trips where 40% plus of the journey is spent in a vehicle getting you to your proposed destination.  It is tiring, frustrating and when you arrive you do not have enough time to wander, ponder and soak in the atmosphere of the location you have travelled to see.

The ideal day trip is less than 2 hours one way.  Consider the option of an overnight stay for a bucket list destination.  If you do not have enough holiday time allocated for your wish list,  there is always the option of a return trip.