Reasonable Rental Car in NZ?

Not sure why I'm not getting thread posting notifications on this thread, but maybe it's cuz I'm not a local? Anyway, sorry for the lack of response.

I can't change the itinerary, as I got it on a "Cyber Monday" deal, if u guys know what that is. Although, $3K for 2 ppl hardly feels like a 'deal'.
I'd love to visit NZ for several weeks a year, so can you move the islands a little closer? Thanks.

I'm going to go through each one of these, and see where the best option lies. At this point, I'm thinking about catching a flight to Christchurch a few hours after we land at AKL. The price for a rental is about half, using CHC as opposed to AKL. Gonna see what wifey is open to.

After I look at the prices on the sites you've suggested, I'll make a decision, and appreciate all the input. Maybe we'll experience the north island on the next visit. This is an ambitious itinerary, so I expected some premium, just not the $1,400 for 12 days for a micro car that won't fit all my hunting gear. Plus, I feel kinda sketchy (dodgy) carting all my shit around a bunch of different places that I've not been to before.

I will research and get back.

Thank you for all the help,
D!

If you only have 12 days spending it all in the south island isn't a bad idea.
There are some nice places and things to see in NI but the SI is a much safer bet, and without a doubt is the more impressive island.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beetroot

If you only have 12 days spending it all in the south island isn't a bad idea.
There are some nice places and things to see in NI but the SI is a much safer bet, and without a doubt is the more impressive island.

---

Really? Everyone, and keep in mind that 'everyone' includes a lot of ppl who are NOT experts in NZ-related stuff, has said that the NI has a lot more to see than the SI. I just wanted to give the wifey an 'around-the-world' (metaphorically) experience there so that when I want to come hunt with a local next year, she doesn't feel the need to participate.

I've gone through all of the suggested sites, and they are more than what I was quoted through local sites.

It's either going to be that I pony up for the full $, which doesn't include insurance (not covered by our very expensive insurance carrier) or plan a route on just the SI, to which I'm not opposed. After all, I get to go hunting while she does whatever...

Aye you could easily spend 12 days in half or less of Sth Is if you’re planning on some hunting adventures :thumbsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Beetroot

Cheap beer? In NZ?

Maybe at a small tavern where only locals drink, otherwise beer is ridiculously priced here.
Not to mention the lack of a standard sized glass, so you never know what quantity you are paying for.
Or when a bloody restaurant advertises a pint of beer and it's not actually a pint!

Sorry, beer in pubs/restaurants is a sore point for me.
I might even lobby ACT to introduce standardised pint measurements like they have in the UK.

---

Not sure of the exact dates yet, but any member that wants to meet at a pub along the way...I'll buy the beers!

If you're looking for outdoor activities, less people and amazing scenery I would definitely spend all your time in the South Island. Recently I sent an American a suggested South Island DIY route with suggested places to visit, eat and drink. If you'd like this let me know and I can email.

Absolutely, feel free to PM me with whatever you've got! I'm open to any suggestions.

If you ever need a suggestion for places in the PRC (People's Republic of California) (Sry, have to add second quote box in case ur not aware that CA has the worst gun laws, highest taxes, worst politics, BUT the best fishing and weather) I'm happy to provide some insights...

Thanks for the offer. I was there for a family holiday (LA) in July but no plans to return to California. Do you hunt the western US states?

I'll send you the info.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SanDiegoHntr

Really? Everyone, and keep in mind that 'everyone' includes a lot of ppl who are NOT experts in NZ-related stuff, has said that the NI has a lot more to see than the SI. I just wanted to give the wifey an 'around-the-world' (metaphorically) experience there so that when I want to come hunt with a local next year, she doesn't feel the need to participate.

I've gone through all of the suggested sites, and they are more than what I was quoted through local sites.

It's either going to be that I pony up for the full $, which doesn't include insurance (not covered by our very expensive insurance carrier) or plan a route on just the SI, to which I'm not opposed. After all, I get to go hunting while she does whatever...

---

Most of the really nice parts of the NI are either the far North or in the Coromandel.
For the most part all you will see from the Waikato down to Wellington is grass, hills, pine trees and a mountain.

The normal things to do in the NI for tourists are Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington, pretty much all of which you could skip.
Rotorua/the Bay of Plenty is quite nice but if you are only there for a day it'll be pretty disappointing.
With out a doubt the there are some nice places to visit, but if the option was spend 2 days in the Taupo vs Twizel/Tekapo, the later will be considerably more impressive and memorable.

You definitely could do the entire country in 12 days, but it'd be pretty rushed and a lot of driving each day if you want to include the far north/bay of islands.
But flying straight outta Auckland into Christchurch and hiring a car from there will have you into some amazing scenery in about 1hr.

I'm making the assumption you want to see the scenery at the outdoors rather than city things, if that's what you are into I can't really offer much advice.

Having just spent a month travelling the South Island in our caravan and having lived all over from Nelson/Tasman area to Christchurch and Hanmer Springs I still haven't seen all it has to offer.

Might do the North Island one day but certainly not in a hurry to leave down here.

12 days is not a lot of time for the South Island - it looks like a small place but over 12 days be prepared to drive every day. All day. I did the ferry trip across to the South Island, down the west coast, through to Invercargill and back up through Dunedin/Christchurch/Kaikoura and the total trip was about 4800km's. My arse was flat at the end of it. I would be thinking that for a trip to NZ for the first time, the South Island is by far the most scenic and has some incredible places to go to but 12 days for both Islands is not long at all. I've lived here for 45 years and still have a few places I haven't managed to get to yet (Stewart and Chatham islands are on the top of that list as well as a couple of the Fiords down south).