[nickbraddock]

Hi all,
long time since I posted, we have had a positive reply regarding any future application for PR re my wife's medical condition and are now looking at a possible move at the beginning of 2008 when she completes her midwifery degree.

In the meantime, we have an opprotunity of a fact finding tour to NZ starting the 1st Nov, we plan to tour and have a good look at NZ, with a week in Nelson (our preferred place) and I was wondering if anyone can give us an idea of cost for upto 3 weeks, we are on a tight budget, what would be the best/cheapest way to see a lot on a tight budget with a 8 yr old son in tow???
Any ideas / advice appreciated as always
Regards, happy new year to all
Nick

[Smiler]

Hi Nick

Good to hear your plans are up and running again. :clap

Not sure of any costings, but just a few suggestions of the top of my head?

Camper van is likely to be cheapest, some camper rental companies do one way hire at a reduced rate. Are you planning on just doing the SI, although if not then taking a camper back up (CC to Akl say) may be cheaper.

If you didn't want to hire a camper Top10 holiday parks have rooms, rather than using a tent, and lots of clean facilities. You could then hire a rent a wreck car, some for as low as $25 a day. Also some of these do cheap oneway rentals.

Or there's backpackers with family rooms. Veronica may be able to help you out with advice there.

HTH a bit.

[Smiler]

Me again!

Nick

Sizzling Badger just posted this on another thread. http://www.spaceships.tv

We met some people touring NZ in one of these a few weeks ago, it was pretty cool. It's also $10 a day cheaper if you hire out of CC. Just the fact you're driving round in a spaceship might appeal to your 8 year old. Especially when he gets back and writes his holiday experiences in his english lessons school.

My Dad took us around New Zealand in a spaceship! :laugh

[benandclare]

Hi Nick,

Did our honeymoon there last Nov/dec.

2 days Auk to get over direct flight

Flew down to Chch, picked up hire car and cruised down east coast , across to Milford , back to Gore to meet up with kiwi who'd worked on our farm last year, up to Queenstown and Arrowtown then Wanaka and glaciers up to Westport and inland to farmstay, across to Blenheim to meet bro in law few days there, threw up on whale watching boat and then over to Nelson and flew from there :clap

16 days of paradise, only carhire and farmstay booked, everything else as we found it, cheap and very good value.

But given your budget and 8 year old i'd go for the camper van option and it's dead easy driving so no worries there :clap

Supermarkets are well stocked and good value and all the motels we stayed in had kitchenettes so could cook evening meal etc for around £35 to £50 for a night for both of us.

Best to top up with petrol when you can it can be a long way between stations

Hope of some help
Ben and clare

[Hannah]

Hello!
We did the camper van thing, although stayed in motels and just used camper van as back up (it was winter, got dark by 6pm, and we had a 5 year old and 8 year old in tow). Great fun, and we could cook and eat our lunch of beans on toast etc. by the beach, mountain etc!!!
I'd recommend a trip to New Plymouth (sorry everyone, i know i keep going on about it....but it's great!!!). It's always missed off of most people's travel itinery so it remains undiscovered (well, until everyone reads my post and goes there!!!). Do a web search on 'pukekura park' and 'festival of lights' and see what's on offer in Dec, Jan and Feb. If you want lots of free activities (music performances, drama, films, dancing etc.) every night in a beautiful park setting, lit up by a fantastic light display throughout the park, it's just the place (and the lovely beaches, mountains etc.)

I'll shup up now!

Have fun planning your trip...Nov will come round in no time!!!!

hannah

[nickbraddock]

Thanks for the replies, sorry I haven't posted but have been away.
I am looking at my options and will keep you all posted
Cheers
Nick