Holidays in New Zealand - Self Drive Tours

HOLIDAYS IN NEW ZEALAND On these pages we offer a brief introduction to New Zealand - our impressions of this country - some advice about holidaying in New Zealand based on our own experiences - details of our self drive car tours, with accommodation, of both North Island and South Island - details of our self drive motor home tours on either or both islands.   IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS ANY ASPECTS ABOUT NEW ZEALAND, THEN PLEASE RING US ON 01543 257777

Introduction to New Zealand

New Zealand oozes charm but to the British it is also like stepping back a few decades in time.

For many visitors it seems almost amazing to see motor cars running around that in the UK are often only seen in museums. Even if you are not a motorist, to see Ford Anglias, Cortinas and Morris Minors running around still being used as every day transport is a treat. Even a Humber Super Snipe - and taking this writer back in time to his first car, a Ford V8 Pilot. The local stores and shops too have a 60’s feel with old fashioned counters and polite, patient shop keepers and assistants. Whilst in some cities, like Christchurch, the architecture is reminiscent of Bath or Hereford with its Victorian style buildings built of stone and formal public gardens.

The population in general is very trusting and friendly - for example, you can arrange a local experience excursion and not expect to pay until the end of your stay, nor does every hotel grab your credit card on arrival.

There are no real extremes to New Zealand weather and no dangerous insects or reptiles. The country does not suffer from extreme weather and in that aspect is very EUROPEAN – the seasons are reversed of course. Seasons are Spring, November to January – Summer starts in February and extends till May. The trees shed their leaves in late June and winter arrives in late July.

Typical temperatures in February 2005 were between 20 - 23°C (68 - 75°F) on North Island whilst varying between 17 - 23°C (60 - 75°F) on the South Island. Generally. The weather on North Island is warmer all year, the further south you travel, the cooler it gets.

The scenery is most stunning in the South whilst the North Island has the best coast line and warmer seas.

Geography: It may look small on the map in comparison to its neighbour Australia, but the country is the same size as Italy including its islands - so to do justice to the destinations, the visitor should tour both islands.

Having spent a month in the country, our advice is to contemplate renting a large motor home. It gives the ultimate freedom and although visitors are expected to stay on licensed camping grounds there are so many, it is not difficult to stay just about anywhere.

If you are travelling with children the whole holiday becomes an adventure – do we stay longer? Move on? All you need is a good map and camping directions – both will be provided by us.

Getting There: In our view, with many airlines offering free stopovers in the cost we would strongly suggest stopovers in Singapore. Hong Kong or Los Angeles – we can arrange all the hotels. It adds to the excitement of a holiday and cuts down travel fatigue as the journey is just under 23 hours. We found travelling West and returning from the East seemed to cut down on jet fatigue – but air seat prices may determine your choice.

High Season: From December to May is the most popular time to visit and we met Brits who were fitting the country into 8-10 days adding it to Australia. In our view you cannot see all that New Zealand offers in such a short time – the Geography is so varied, the roads are slow and we feel a minimum of three weeks should be considered.

The country is under populated and the National Maori customs are part of this young nations heritage only being ceded to the British Crown at the request of the Maori tribes in 1840. Even the Maoris from Polynesia are recent immigrants arriving on the shores about 1000 years ago at the time William the Conqueror invaded the UK in 1066. (For New Zealand history check www.history-nz.org)

Arriving at anytime between December and late April, expecting to find accommodation on arrival would be a mistake. This is Summer when visitors from Australia get away from the blistering heat to visit all of New Zealand. Schools are closed and the whole country is on vacation – hotel prices are at high peak – so it makes sense to plan well ahead at this time.

We offer pre-booked accommodation and recommend this even when booking our car hire and hotel vouchers scheme. As the vouchers do not have any guarantee of availability – it is best to reserve in advance.

Weather: No extremes but the weather is complex from warm subtropical in the far north (yes everything is reversed down under). The coolest month is in July - Summer starts in late December and runs to early April. Spring from October to December and during this time, native lupins bloom in profusion but most spectacularly in the South Island – in places, the land can seem to be covered in a technicolour display of vivid colours.

The country has a high rate of sunshine hours averaging 2,100 a year in most areas - the same number as Florida - the best time to visit is between November and April.

Our Impressions

The Countryside: New Zealand has such a varied landscape combining many of the attractions of Europe and America – from the spectacular Alpine mountains and Fjords of South Island, to the almost sub tropical rain forests and scenic beaches on North Island – and do not forget the bubbling thermal springs and geysers at Rotorua. Add in the delight of the vineyards often offering superb restaurants and seafood and you have an instant Tourist love affair.

In Spring (November to December) flowers and blossom abound and the native lupin flowers are a burst of colour along river beds and lake areas.

Food: With the best possible fresh seafood, lamb and beef on their doorstep one could be forgiven for thinking of culinary treats. Maybe our experience was a poor selection or too fussy but New Zealand restaurants can be disappointing – they are either reminiscent of UK food in the 1960’s or in the reverse are far too experimental and the results can be a disastrous mix of nouveau cuisine and a dogs dinner. Not surprising then that fish and chips is the national dish!

However don’t despair – most of the wineries dotted over the countryside have superb restaurants where you get the best of food and wine at reasonable prices in quite beguiling scenery. Select your restaurants with care – best to avoid the menus offering something on a bed of whatever. Stick to menus that sound like you are going to receive that which you expect – and do ask the staff before you order, is our advice.

Wine Of Course: Wonderful stuff but is is always local and hard to find anything else – so if you crave for a Chilean Merlot or a woody Rioja – you may have to wait until you return to the UK. Unfortunately New Zealand wine is expensive – mostly because of low production. In local supermarkets one can find Australian wine, which can often be half the price of its New Zealand equivalent. The real treat is wine tasting along with a meal at one of the many wineries you find along the way.

Click HERE to view our New Zealand gallery of photographs - courtesy of B Darby and Real Journeys