SEE INPUT IN TEXT BELOW
"Krusty" wrote in message news:40d4e678@news1...
> Hi all,
>
>
>
> I have a few questions that those more learned than I could probably
answer
> so any feedback would be very appreciated thanks?
>
>
>
> We are planing on two weeks in New Zealand (from Australia) in early
August
> & are leaning towards a motorhome (shower/toilet), however there are a few
> unknowns so I'm sure some of you can answer these, they are:
>
>
>
> * Are roadside overnight stops allowed in N.Z (is it legal)?
YES. you can stop virtually anywhere. Be aware of the need to keep waste in
tanks provided in the camper. We did the campervan trip in Sept last year -
ideal time - little traffic and no competition for overnight parking places.
NZ Dept of Conservation has some excellent stop off points, most with nice
short bushwalks.
>
> * Are they self contained enough to facilitate this or are you better to
use
> parks (powered sites)?
Steer clear of caraven parks except for a every third night long shower
treat. They add significantly to the cost and mostly are in average
condition by Aussie standards. We took a family of five in a Pacific Horizon
6 berth (we checked them all of the providers and models- this was best by
far in terms of most things (also good is the 4 berth). Of special
interest - all seats face forward (in some other models - including the
smaller ones don't leading to some motion sickness potential.) Also they
have onboard gas heaters - a must!!! Gas cost was reimbursed!!! This is
important. Pay a bit more and go bigger if that is waht you need to do to
get heating, otherwise you are tied to parks and miss out on the benefit of
having the camper.
Also campers are deseil - very cheap compared to petrol (58 cents v 1.07 in
Sept last year)
>
> * Will snow be a problem in the south island in August?
Quite likely. Make sure your camper comes with chains. We did not use them ,
they looked like a pain to fit if needed, but I hear there is quiet a
cottage industry of Kiwis travelling the rods fitting them for we
poorAusszies. This is especially the case on the Milford Sound road (closed
to to avelanch risk when we were there last year) where you go through some
pretty high country. We got as far as the locked gate at the ??? Track
turnoff - but even that part - what a drive - wonderful!!
>
> * Any experience with one ways Auckland/Christchurch or vice versa?
We only did SI in the camper - more than enough to see and do
>
> * Is this too much travel for fourteen days?
YES!! - 14 days is JUST enough to do Christchurch and south and back to
Christchurch, allowing 2 nights at Queenstown (gives you one full day for
skiing) a couple of nights at Te Anua (Milford or Doubtful sound trip,
Gloworms and some walks on the Milford track road.
>
> * If motels/car rental are the preferred option are Motels plentiful in
most
> places & cost effective (they seem quite expensive)?
>
YES, but add to cost and not as convenient (we did the noth part of SI this
way - to our regret)
>
> We are leaning towards a four person vehicle although only two are
> travelling as this provides more room & comfort.
YES, go the four person - esp in regard to heating. They will be slower -
but that is not an issue - plenty to see as you crawl up hills. Allow time
for winding roads and the hills, plus lots of walks.
Take wet weather gear - plenty of rain there and warm gear.
What we found was the journey was as important as the destination - better
to perhaps miss some sections than miss the bits yiu are at.
see also
http://www.reservationheaven.com/wiki/index.php?NZ%20Trip%20Descriptions
which is about NZ in a motor home FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR EXPERIENCES on your
return!
Traveller
Reservation Heaven
>
>
>
> Also any personal opinions would be most welcome as there are probably
many
> issues I haven't thought of!
>
>
>
> Many thanks, Kevin.
>
>
>
>
|