| With the Aussie dollar riding high a visit to our most | | | | and Picton in the South. Look out for deals on these |
| popular overseas destination has never been better | | | | sites: |
| value. New Zealand's close proximity, great skiing, | | | | -Inter Islander |
| spectacular scenery and generally laid back (almost | | | | -Blue Bridge |
| comatose in some places) way of life make it a | | | | Expect to pay around $50New Zealand dollars for a |
| great place for a holiday or extended trip. In 2008 | | | | single trip without a car. |
| almost 900,000 Aussies visited New Zealand. Recent | | | | Backpacker Buses |
| marketing pushes from the New Zealand government | | | | New Zealand is by far one of the easiest countries |
| has kept people coming - it's hard not to get a little | | | | to get around backpacking. A near perfect network |
| emotional after a bad week at work when those | | | | of hostels is served by great public buses or, the |
| adds come on...it really is a great place to unwind. So | | | | easier choice, backbacker buses such as the Kiwi |
| what's the best way to get there and around? | | | | Experience. The later is a hop on hop off style bus |
| Flights to New Zealand | | | | that will take you around the islands at your own |
| There are plenty of great deals to New Zealand, with | | | | pace, conveniently stopping at all the major sights |
| decent competition for your money from different | | | | and outside the door of selected hostels. If you can |
| airlines. This has made flights as cheap as they have | | | | put up with the odd white shoe wearing Brit spending |
| ever been, but beware, booking early is still key as | | | | dad's money then this can be a great way to see |
| cheap seats will be sold up well in advance, especially | | | | the islands, with plenty of choices for adventure |
| for peak times. Direct flights into Queenstown from | | | | activities along the way. Also check out the 'magic |
| Australia are always full over winter. | | | | bus' and 'stray travel' websites for similar services. |
| Important tips for booking flights to New Zealand: | | | | Rail |
| - New Zealand's international airports are Auckland, | | | | There are a few great scenic train rides in New |
| Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown (limited | | | | Zealand that are reasonably priced and a good way |
| direct flights from Oz in Ski season) | | | | to ditch the hire car for a few days. In the North |
| - A good time of year to buy tickets is January. Air | | | | Island you can travel between Auckland and |
| New Zealand will release their specials around this | | | | Wellington, or on the South Island the train from |
| time and seats will be readily available for later in the | | | | Christchurch-Picton is always popular. The later takes |
| year (for ski season or flights up until September). | | | | in the Kaikoura ranges on one side and the Pacific |
| - Splitting your return fare between two airlines is a | | | | coast on the other side. The trip takes around five |
| way to save money - Qantas, Virgin Blue or Air New | | | | hours, takes in 22 tunnels and is highly recommended. |
| Zealand might be the cheapest on the way over to | | | | Domestic flights |
| Auckland, while Emirates are often the cheapest on | | | | At present Zuji or Air New Zealand are two sites |
| the return leg (a good chance to fly a great airline). | | | | that will allow you to book and pay for New Zealand |
| Check online for one way fares rather than returns. | | | | domestic flights online. Prices are fairly cheap; budget |
| A bit of searching will save you money. | | | | around $90 inc tax one way from Auckland to |
| - In general you should budget around $450-$500 | | | | Wellington as an example. |
| Aussie return inc. tax for flights to New Zealand. Any | | | | Accomodation |
| cheaper than this and it's a great deal. | | | | As with flights booking well in advance is the key to |
| - Direct flights into Queenstown will almost certainly | | | | getting a reasonable price for accommodation. If you |
| be closer to $600 inc tax if you get in early | | | | are winging it and booking just a night and hire car be |
| - Virgin Blue is the only budget carrier that flies to the | | | | aware in Ski season and New Zealand school holidays |
| three major airports from Australia | | | | accommodation options thin out very quickly. |
| - Lan Chile and Aerolineus Argentina may sometimes | | | | Moreover, there can be a massive difference in price |
| have cheap seats as they stop over here on the | | | | through agents and different websites. Be sure to |
| way through to South America (via Auckland) | | | | take the time to check out at least a few options |
| - New Zealand is the most popular international | | | | before you book. |
| destination for online flight bookings and there's really | | | | Skiing? |
| no need to use an agent if you are happy to book | | | | Cheap fares and packages, along with decent snow |
| online. Save yourself the commission agents will | | | | make a ski trip to New Zealand an easy choice rather |
| charge by booking on the web | | | | than the overpriced and inconstant trips within |
| Round the World | | | | Australia. A week in New Zealand really can be |
| On Star Alliance New Zealand is an easy stop on the | | | | cheaper than staying at home. |
| way to either the states or pacific Islands. | | | | The major difference between Australia and many |
| On One World Qantas or Lan Chile will get you there | | | | other destinations is that you can't stay right at the |
| either on the way to the States or South America. It | | | | snow (with the exception of Cardona, above |
| counts as part of the Australian region on continent | | | | Wanaka, and these apartments are booked months |
| based tickets. | | | | in advance). You will be staying in towns close buy, |
| The best time to go | | | | but this is no drama as transfers to the mountains |
| Autumn (March to June) or spring (August to | | | | are cheap and being in Queenstown any night during |
| November) are great times to visit. Fares are cheap | | | | ski season is not a bad thing. |
| at these times, and there is less tourist traffic around | | | | Booking early is the key, especially for big groups. |
| the popular spots. The colours are great, and your | | | | Try and book any flights and packages in January - |
| holiday will certainly be more relaxed. On the South | | | | there is always a multitude of deals available. Consider |
| Island September - October is a great time with the | | | | booking late season - August through to October. |
| combination of the change of seasons and snow | | | | The snow is fairly dependable and you will avoid peak |
| capped mountains making for spectacular drives. | | | | prices. |
| As in Australia and around the world try to avoid local | | | | Main regions |
| school holiday times as prices will be higher. Try to | | | | Queenstown |
| avoid January, the first week of February, April and | | | | The capital in New Zealand for both Skiing and |
| the first few weeks of July. | | | | adventure activities, Queenstown has never lost its |
| Getting around | | | | appeal. You can ski up to 5 areas, including nearby |
| Hiring a car | | | | Wanaka. There is accommodation from the plushest |
| The cheapest time to rent a car is over the winter | | | | digs through to a bunch of backpacker style options |
| months from June to October. The great range of | | | | that we generally lack in resorts in Oz. Queenstown is |
| choice of hire companies and the strong dollar means | | | | also great in summer, with plenty to keep you busy |
| it's an easy and cheap way to get around at any | | | | off the mountains. |
| time of year. $40 a day will get you started. Check | | | | Wanaka |
| the big operators such as Hertz, Easy Rent and | | | | Some 70 km's from Queenstown, Wanaka is a big |
| Budget, along with a bunch of smaller operators. | | | | resort though less crowded and hedonistic than |
| Campervans | | | | Queenstown. It's a cheaper choice than Queenstown, |
| Renting a campervan has become one of the most | | | | but has less scenic value and comes with little of the |
| popular ways to see New Zealand, and with good | | | | village style atmposphere that you get from its |
| reason. It will give you total freedom and will work | | | | flashier neighbour. |
| out a little cheaper than staying in hotels over the | | | | Mt Hutt |
| length of your stay. There's a great network of | | | | Mt Hutt enjoys the longest ski season in the South |
| camping sites to park in, or otherwise just propping | | | | Island due to its status as one of the highest ski |
| for the night out in the country is much easier than | | | | fields in the Southern Hemisphere. It's located just 1.5 |
| on Australia's East coast - you will rarely be bothered | | | | hours drive from Christchurch. Accommodation |
| by a ranger at 6 am trying to fine you $300 for | | | | choices are either Methvan or Mt Hutt, and range |
| parking in a public place. (those rangers, they'll get ya) | | | | from cheap and simple motels to luxury resort style. |
| In general a campervan will set you back around | | | | Mt Ruapehu |
| $100.00 per day with all the bells and whistles. A good | | | | Located on the North Island, Mt Ruapehu is little |
| tip is that buying comprehensive travel insurance in | | | | known to people outside New Zealand. To locals, this |
| Australia will save you on your car insurance in New | | | | area represents consistent snow and the country's |
| Zealand. A decent Australian policy will have a high | | | | most developed ski areas. Tour operators virtually |
| rental vehicle excess cover, allowing you to choose | | | | ignore this region, though it's many New Zealand |
| the cheapest insurance option for the camper van. | | | | locals first choice over winter. Heli skiing is better |
| The travel insurance policy will pay for itself a few | | | | served in the South Island, along with other |
| times over. | | | | adventure activities. |
| Check out companies such as Britz, Pacific Horizon, | | | | Heli Skiing |
| KEA, Apollo and Maui. There's lots of competition for | | | | For heli skiing trips or scenic flights over parts of both |
| your dollar. | | | | islands a multitude of choice abounds. Just be sure to |
| Be sure you understand the varying road conditions in | | | | check the safety record of the operator you choose. |
| New Zealand - driving around in winter through | | | | Some other useful tips |
| narrow roads with sleet and snow can be highly | | | | Stay longer than the average five days most Aussies |
| difficult and put a dampener on any trip. | | | | do - a month of travel here should leave you |
| For longer stays buying a car is an option - 2nd hand | | | | wondering what the rush is back home |
| cars can be quite cheap and the process of changing | | | | Don't bother buying road maps - the Value Tours |
| ownership is easy (just a trip to the post office). | | | | brochure, from any agent in Aus, has a |
| Putting your car/campervan/person on the interisland | | | | comprehensive rundown of accommodation options, |
| ferry | | | | and a free and decent map. Something like an NRMA |
| Getting between the two islands with your car or on | | | | guide book. Failing that free tourist maps when you |
| your own is easy and pretty reasonable. Ferries | | | | arrive are just as good. |
| depart 5 times daily between Wellington in the North | | | | |