Getting Around New Zealand

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On a perfect evening we decided to take the ferry from Paihia to Russell,this saves a long drive around the coast.The trip only takes about ten minutes and tickets can be purchased onboard,costing 12 NZ$.Russell is a charming small town with several restaurants and eating places and the oldest petrol station in NZ. On a nice day the sunsets from here are amazing.

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We drove to Kaiteriteri from Nelson a distance of 65 kms (1hr 10 min.) and picked up our boat,which is run by Wilsons.They do a trip from Kaiteriteri along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline,stopping of at several places on route.You can then spend the day walking along this beautiful coastline with several lovely beaches for a swim.They will then arrange to pick you up at a set time later in the day.
We left the boat at Anchorage Bay then walked around the headland (4km) before ending up on Te Pukatea Bay.
Please note : there are no facilities to buy any drink,food or other items while here.

Please be aware even if you take out your own travel insurance before renting a car, it is more than likely you will still be required to take a insurance option from the rental car company. This may be their lowest form of insurance with no extra cost BUT will require a BOND as security in case of damage. Your insurance policy means nothing to them, it is nothing to do with them so dont stand there telling them you have full insurance as it is you that will be claiming from the travel insurance if theres an accident, not them! You may need to have a couple of thousand dollars on a credit card as a bond otherwise will have to take out insurance with them in order to take the car. Research this before you arrive so you are prepared and dont cause a scene with the poor person who is just doing their job! Where possible just take out the rental car company insurance as it is so much easier than getting all the necessary information when you are back home that your travel insurer requests, and finding out $2000 later that they dont actually cover your claim.

It is best to book directly with the company too, 3rd party agents are sometimes not accurate, take commission, get you to buy their own insurance (see above same procedure as if you had travel insurance- need to front up with a bond) and are often very messy once you go to pick up the car and realise it is not what you thought it would be. Any mistakes are quickly fixed if booked direct with the company.

All insurance policies exclude reckless driving, and some do have restrictions on collisions with cars which are not classed as single vehicle accidents (hitting a pole, scraping a fence).
It is up to you as the hirer to just read the terms and conditions, the fineprint, the insurance policy so you know what you're up against if an accident did occur, can not stress that enough! If you are travelling, get organised - get a credit card even if its just for your trip to avoid arguments and tears at hotels, rental car desks where this is mandatory. Please understand they are not going to take off with it it is just needed for security purposes, you are taking item of value and they dont know you from a bar of soap, there needs to be something on file to charge if you dont return it on time, dont return it full of petrol or leave it stinking of ciggarette smoke. See it from their point of view, travellers can be quite selfish at times!

Hope this helps, enjoy your trip, take only photos leave only footprints...

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The ferry crossing of the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands takes about 4 hours and once out of Queen Charlotte Sound can be a bit rough.

I recommend spending a bit more on your ticket and travelling with the Premium pass offered by the InterIslander ferries. It entitles you to a comfortable lounge on the top cabin deck, coffee, tea and snacks, a buffet meal including all drinks, friendly wait staff and free internet.

Definitely worth $45NZ

When choosing a car for your trip around New Zealand you need to consider more than the cheapest offer. If you plan to really drive around NZ - not just in one area or in the towns - you need a bit of power.

There are plenty of overtaking lanes in NZ but they are mostly at the start of a hill so you need a car witha bit of power to get past that truck/caravan and let someone else get past as well. It is tempting to go with the 4 cylinder 1500 engine but beware - there is not enough guts/power.

From experience I suggest still a 4 cylinder (economic with fuel) but choose a larger engine - 1800 or 2 litre. Just for that little bit more power and safety when overtaking and going up hills.

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Plenty of small towns in NZ have airports and flights going to them, and often the airplane is quite small.

Air New Zealand link has a lot of services to the provinces, and Jetstar does some routes, generally between the major centres.

Regional services can end up being quite expensive, although fares between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are often quite reasonable, particularly in the case of advance booking.

YES! I have used them twice and had a very good experience both times. I used their smaller campervan (bed in middle) once for 3 weeks in Nov. 2003, and for 1 month in Nov. 2007. They are family run and local to Christchurch (if i remember right). The 2nd time we picked up in Auckland and returned in Christchurch, they arranged the ferry ticket for us. The 1st time we rented RT from Christchurch and were able to return at the airport or they would arrange transport.
We never had any trouble with the van (we had the same van both times) great size, everything worked, it was clean. just make sure you have them show you how everything works!
I highly recommend them, I would definetly rent from them again next time I go to NZ, which I hope will be soon!
Have a great time!!

Update 25 April 2012

There have been changes to the schedule of the Overlander which will run only three times a week from June 2012 and stop only at fivee instead of sixteen stations (Auckland, Hamilton, Ohakune, National Park, Wellington). According to KiwiRail the changes are due to dwindling passenger numbers.

In the meantime the TranzCoastal has been renamed into Coastal Pacific... (One of my pet hates: renaming wel-established brands...) In winter it runs at a reduced timetable.



Auckland and Wellington have some suburban railway services, and we have some "fun" trains (see separate tip), but the NZ way to travel is definitely not by train.

There are only three major railway lines that are still in use, and mostly for domestic and international tourist purposes. The Overlander does not operate daily and the Coastal Pacific not daily in winter.

TranzAlpine: Christchurch - Greymouth

The journey through farmland, gorges, river valleys and the Southern Alps is 223.8km long and takes four and half hours. You pass 16 tunnels and five viaducts. The train carries an open air viewing carriage and a buffet carriage. In Greymouth it connects with coach/bus services to Hokitika, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, Westport and Nelson, and you can hire a car. There are also return day excursions available, this costs (from) NZ$199.
http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/tranzalpine/

Coastal Pacific: Christchurch - Picton

You can break this journey for whale watching or swimming with the dolphins in Kaikoura. TThe train travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges. Like the TranzAlpine it carries an open air viewing and a buffet carriage. It connects with the 8.25am Interislander ferry sailing Wellington to Picton and the 1.15pm Interislander ferry sailing Picton to Wellington. One way fares are $99 and $112 with break in Kaikoura.
From 2012 there is a reduced winter timetable in place because the trip is by far not as popular as the TranzAlpine (11 May to 11 September).
http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/coastal-pacific/

The Overlander: Auckland - Wellington

This train will operate only three days a week year-round from June 2012. As there will be only three stops left between Auckland and Wellingon (see above) travel time will be cut from 12 to 10 hours.
It travels past Tongariro National Park including Mount Ruapehu, on the famous Raurimu Spiral and through spectacular river gorges. Single one-way fare is NZ$ 129 (flexi fare) or NZ$ 99 (Smart Saver, no changes possible).
http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/overlander/

With the Scenic Rail Pass you have 7 days unlimited travel on all three trains and one Interislander ferry trip to or from Wellington. It costs NZ$ 418. (14-day pass for the same trips NZ$ 528!!!)
The Flexi Pass (NZ$ 307) is for 7 days unlimited travel on the TranzAlpine and TranzCoastal and includes one Interislander trip.

(All prices as April 2012)