Holiday in New Zealand: can I book flights separately? Any suggestions where to go?

rvelling

try Momondo.com, when booking flights. This'll make you able to book flights seperately.

suzzi2704

Woo New Zealand - you'll have a great time but can't you go for longer - it's a blooming long way!!! Try flights by Singapore - we got ours for £700 with Singapore Airlines

MUST DO's in NZ -
1) Full Day Hike on the Franz Josef Glacier - amazing, beautiful.... best experience of my life http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/
2) Milford Sound - Fjords, Waterfalls, Rainbows = gorgeous. Take a bus excursion from Queenstown as they stop at lots of points of interest and photos stops on the way http://www.greatsights.co.nz/luxury-bus-tours/56/Discover+Milford+Sound+Coach-Cruise-Coach.aspx
3) Kaikoura - Whale Watch/Dolphin Swim - The Dolphin Encounter is amazing - io saw 200+ and swam amongst them. But if you don't want to get wet the Whale Watch is equally good. Even if you don't do any of this it's a gorgeous place with lots of murals/sea/sand etc so worth a stop
http://www.dolphin.co.nz/kaikoura/
http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/
4) Abel Tasman National Park - Go on a bus from Nelson. on a sunny day the walk option where they drop you on a beach and you walk back is spectacular (though it is a 4 hour walk). Blue Skys and yellow beaches...
http://www.abeltasman.co.nz/
5) Bungee!!! If you've got the balls the Nevis bungee in Queenstown is awwwwesome!!! V V scary though!! http://www.ajhackett.co.nz/

I could go on but in my opinion those are the absolute MUSTS - all of which are on South Island. Will have to agree with Poochel on hostels - they are fab
Any Q's PM me - I spent 3 months backpacking out there V V envious, have fun!!!

bylromarha

OH has said Lake tekapo most beautiful place on earth and we're quite well travelled. He went for long walks alone (leaving me alone in the campervan with the 15month old!!!).

Are you looking to do hotels? If you are on a budget, a campervan is a really good, cheap way to get round all the bits of the country, plus you don't need to stay on campsites. you can get 2 people campervans with showers and loos, which mean you can stay in some fantastic locations that hotels aren't even close to.

Cost for campervan and flights was £2500 (15 Nov-6 Dec 2005) Booked in September, flights were with expedia, campervan booked with Maui. Flew in and out of Auckland and did a circle round both north and south island.

Not at all jealous!!!!!!!!

ginvzt

We are still getting some quites from other travel agents. Got a really nice one from a company based in NZ.

My OH is not in a hurry to decide with which company to go, as always - he is very slow in making decisions. But it is nice to take your time and look through all the options available. not too long, though - I am not very patient.

We are looking to stay in hotels, B&Bs, lodges, etc. I am not keen on campervan - it is not my idea of a honeymoon ;-)

I'll let you know which travel agent we chose in the end and we are planing to do.

bylromarha

ginvzt wrote: »

We are looking to stay in hotels, B&Bs, lodges, etc. I am not keen on campervan - it is not my idea of a honeymoon ;-)

Don't knock it til you've tried it!

puffinmuffin

What kinds of activities do you enjoy? If you like hiking the Tongariro crossing is an amazing 1 day walk in the north island. Motels are really good in NZ, cheap and comfortable. Internal flights are pretty good value too if you are in a hurry. We went on a days kayak trip to Doubtful Sound which was so peaceful. Milford Sound is stunning too although busier. We based ourselves in Te Anau for the "sounds" A nice town on a lake, much quieter than Queenstown. As someone else has said, renting a car and going where you like is fab (and they drive on our side!)

ginvzt

I am not a very outdoor type - I am not enjoying hiking and i am not too keen on mountains, but my husbands is all for it - he loves them Must be because I grew up in country that was very flat, and he could see mountains through his window.

As for driving - both I and my OH are from other countries 'on continent', so the driving on the 'right side' ;-)

ginvzt

Hi again,

we are nrealy there, i think, with deciding which itinerary to choose. At the moment we are deciding between Audley travel and Fine Tours New Zealand.

To jhelp us decide how much exactly we can spend on the trip itself, could you share your experiences how much should we budget for the time in NZ itself? Things like petrol, parking, food, etc. How much did you spend in NZ and how long you stayed? We are going for 3 weeks.

Thanks for all advices!!!!!

Murdina

have been twice - fantastic place - costs will dep on current exchange rate but both times seemed to me hotels/meals/food quite reasonable but car hire etc far and away most expensive part. We travelled out of their season though so that might have helped - got some amazing upgrades the first time. Don't think anyone has mentioned Bay of Islands?

maria22

hi guys !:j i have never been in NZ but sure i will visit these country because i have read all your topics and decided that this country is very beautiful...