[PhilDanger]

I am hoping to visit NZ June to September and wanted to to know if any forum members could help.

1. We are having a quote from PSS and Crown - does anyone have any good or bad experiences with either?

2. If travelling from region to region are B&Bs the most economical way of accomodation - bearing in mind that we are a family of 5 and want to see as much as we can in 5 - 6 weeks?

3. I had heard that many NZ houses have built-in wardrobes - is this true? It would save a lot of conatiner space ifg we didn't take them.

4......and finally - does anyone know which towbar standard is used in NZ - i.e. is it like the UK with a ball and socket ( I would like to bring my towbar-mounted bike rack)?



PhilDanger

[veronica]

the tow bar is a pretty standard ball type so you should be ok.
The rest of it I will leave to those who know.

[acisman]

We have been in NZ for 3 weeks now and used PSS to ship a full container. We found them excellent. Everything was well packed and arrived in perfect condition to the extent that we were able to use bedding that had been packed for 8 weeks the day it arrived. PSS agents in NZ, NZ Van lines, also provided an excellent service.

With regard to travelling around, on our 3 previous visits to NZ and when we first arrived this time, we have always used motels. We have always found them to be comfortable and provide kitchen facilities in each unit, which vary from one large room, to two bedroom units. Laundry facilities are also standard so that you can wash, dry and iron clothes. Every town has a choice of motels and you can pick up a directory of all motels at a tourist information office (SITE).

Yes most NZ houses have built in wardrobes. In the newer houses these are so big they are called walk in wardrobes.

If we can be of any further help, please feel free to ask.

Pam & Dave

[PhilDanger]

Thanks all - What is the typical cost of a motel room. I'll be on my own for the first month but they'll be 2 adults and 3 children thereafter.


PhilDanger

[adamsat]

We did a similar touring trip about 18 months ago with 2 adults and three children. Then the prices varied from $95 dollars a night for something very basic, to $200 for a 4 star equivalent. Average was around $140 - $160 a night for a good standard.

Not sure how much these prices would have changed since.

[A & M]

We have just had 2 weeks touring around the North Island, 2 adults & 2 children. Cheapest night was $80 in a great B&B for 2 rooms and a bathroom (but we did our own breakfast), motels around $120, Top Ten campsites sometimes have good motel units. It's worth asking what is the best price they can do at motels, we got a nice motel unit and cooked breakfast for $119 at a Copthorne place with swimming pool etc.

Pick up an AA accomodation guide at a Tourist Information Centre.

HTH, Mandy

[Radders]

With 5 or 6 of you ( I don't know how old your kids are) You may be able to rent out whole dorm rooms in backpackers - this would probably be quite cheap

[acisman]

You will be coming during the winter when motel rates are generally lower. You will be able to get very comfortable motels for around $85 -$95 dollars. The most we paid at the end of April was $110 and this was for a large unit with one queen sized double bed and a single bed and a bedroom containing 2 single beds.


Pam & Dave

[PhilDanger]

Thanks everyone - very useful information as I can now budget for our stay.


PhilDanger

[baboonworld]

I think u could find motels cheaper than that (well maybe not in AKL)

I am sure if you were staying a while u would find something cheaper.

A couple of years ago i travelled around SI and found really really posh motels for £150-200. - You could definately find something older but clean for a lot less.

(AA have a motel guide which is really useful).

[stevieboy]

Have you tried www.jasons.co.nz there seems to be quite a good selection on there.

[SteveR]

bring your bike rack, most tow balls are either 1 &7/8 (inch and seven eighths) or 50mm. but are mostly only bolt on to the tow bar and are readily available in either size if you need to change the ball.

[PhilDanger]

Thanks

I can take my bike rack andf will check out web site...... an alternative that I was considering was hiring a camper van - some are quite luxurious now. Has anyone had experince of hiring camper vans? I've noticed that they ask for huge amounts as deposits which you can lose if you are involved in an acident (even if your vehicle is hit unattended e.g. while in a car park).


PhilDanger

[GeorgeM]

an alternative that I was considering was hiring a camper van

I've read somewhere that all campervans are booked for the duration of the Lions Tour (which has just started and ends with the Auckland Test Match on 9th July).

[PhilDanger]

GeorgeM

Luckily I don't fly out until 13th July.


PhilDanger

[GeorgeM]

Luckily I don't fly out until 13th July.

By that time they should have been able to get all the vans back to wherever they need to be (and fumigated where necessary - I'm not sure I'd want to be the next renter when a van has been under the stewardship of a front-row trio for 5 or 6 weeks :laugh (No predjudice - I'm a former Prop myself :nice1 )).

(I'd thought that you were arriving in June - very wise to leave it until after the Barmy Army depart!)

[PhilDanger]

After a little research I've found an excellent deal for a 6 berth camper - NZ$79 / day. But boy the camp site charges (with power) seem very high, typically NZ$25-30 / day per an adult plus NZ$12-15 / day for children. The cheapest that I've found is NZ$65/day/ (for 2 audlts and 3 children) which = £26. We are there for 6 weeks so it will be expensive and calculations have to be done daily- as the £ seems to be in free fall vs $NZ.
Motor lodges, B&B seem to be NZ$200 / night for a family of 5.

My calculations based on NZ$220/day for 6 weeks = NZ$8400
for the camper van including an average camp site fee NZ$65/day for 6 weeks = NZ$6048

Is this typical or am I looking in the wrong place? I haven't yet found an easy-to search web site for accomodation or campsites


PhilDanger

[Diny]

Phil

Have you looked at the 'TOP TEN' campsite web page.

http://www.top10.co.nz/index.cfm

The prices you quote seem rather high - but it is over 2 years since we toured in a camper van.

We found the Top Ten sites to be very good.

Hope this helps.

Diny

[jo b]

Phil

also you can pay $20 dollars and this gives you 10% off the top ten campsites.

JO

[PhilDanger]

Diny, Jo b

Thanks - have checked out Top Ten site - there are better deals.

PhilDanger