Comments on: New Zealand’s South Island: Our two week road trip itinerary

By: natasha

natasha — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:07:04 +0000

hi i traveled the south island in a jucy camper last year, we roughed it in a few dodgy campsites for about 7 dollars a night each, this gives u a place to legally park (u will find many places campers are not allowed to park over night.. and u will get asked to move or fined) but after a few nights of these rough campgrounds with nothing but a hole in the ground for a toilet we were more than happy to pay around 20 a night each to park in the top10 caravan parks, these have kitchens and showers and everything u could need to feel refreshed but u just sleep in your camper still, its a good compromise for travellers that dont want to look and feel like travellers inbetween! we couldnt find any public places to shower otherwise just public toilets which are quite awkward to have a wash in the sink with people looking at you very strangely…

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:16:17 +0000

Hi Dina and Ryan,

Thank you so much for sharing your travels as you explore the world so we can benefit from your experience. I am so envious that you are traveling every day. It is amazing!

Well, I get a couple of weeks off a year working in a regular job and my next trip is New Zealand.

I am thinking of renting a Campervan from Jucy after reading your blog. Can you give some advice as to whether it is easy to find places to shower? Are there public baths where you pay for single use, etc?

Thank you so much,
Keith

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:17:35 +0000

Hi Esteban,

I checked out the campervans offered by Explore More, and they are all Toyota Hiaces with only 2 seat belts. If you try to drive around with 3 people you could get a ticket as not everyone will be belted in.

I’d suggest going with a van that sleeps more people. The two companies we like, Jucy and Spaceship, both have vans that sleep 4 – two inside, and two in a pop-up pod on the roof. They’ve also got seatbelts for 4 people. I like their vans because they’re small, just refitted minivans really, so they’re easy to drive and park. And they’re quite cheap too.

Another one to try would be Wicked. They’ve got bigger vans that sleep 3 inside which could be a good option for you. They’ve got space for a table inside so you can sit there if you want to. But honestly, there are so many beautiful parks and places to see that you shouldn’t be spending your time sitting in the van.

I know you’ll have a great trip. Let us know how it goes!

Ryan

By: Esteban

Esteban — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:48:09 +0000

Hello Dina & Ryan!

Your article is great and it gives us a very good overview of what to do when being in South Island, NZ. My girlfriend, a friend and I are travelling to NZ next month and, since we are 3 people, I was wondering about the camper. I have noticed in the Explore More website (http://www.exploremore.co.nz/) that campers are for 2 adults only. Is that true? Do we really need to rent a 2nd van just for our friend?

Thanks for your reply! Hugs!

By: Tom Carlier

Tom Carlier — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:18:17 +0000

Hi Folks
I am travelling round the world with my wife and daughter who is 11 years old. We have been to India, Nepal and Indonesia. At the moment we are in Cairns following a road trip up the East coast. We have a month in Sydney and Melbourne and then head to NZ.
Your site has been very informative and as a young couple you have obviously had a great time. We would like a bit of advice if you have the time? We arrive in Christchurch and will stay there for a couple of nights to see the city. We then pick up a car and have a few days to travel to Queenstown where we have a place booked for 10 days. Following that we travel north to Blenhem for Christmas where we have a river cabin booked for the Christmas period.
Apart from your great recommendations anywhere else we should visit? The time we are in Queenstown can we get a trip to Doubtful and Milford Sound?

Many thanks
Tom

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:34:17 +0000

Hi Chitra,

It was very easy. The van we rented was just a re-purposed minivan with a bed and fridge in the back instead of seats. No more difficult to drive than any other car, really.

If you’re going with parents you might want a bit more space and a larger vehicle. But even so I don’t think you’d have a problem. There’s very little traffic and lots of parking everywhere you’ll be.

The only thing to know is that some of the vehicles on offer will have a manual transmission. So if you’re not comfortable driving manual, like me, make sure you shop around and get one with automatic.

Have fun!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:29:15 +0000

Hey Alison,

Sorry for the slow reply. I would definitely do the drive, even solo. But a lot of it will depend on how comfortable you are by yourself, and how easily you find new friends. Of course, you could probably find some traveling companions at hostels along the way.

We did it in winter, and definitely benefited from having someone warm to cuddle up to during the cold nights.

By: Chitra Balachandran

Chitra Balachandran — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 18:36:08 +0000

How difficult was it to drive the camper van? I have not driven a camper van before….I am going to the South Island in the last 2 weeks in November with my parents, and am wondering if I should rent a camper van too

By: Alison

Alison — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:28:27 +0000

Wow, this trip is exactly what I’m looking to do in 3 weeks time and I’m so glad you published this itinerary. Though, I was wanting some advice: I am a 23 year old female doing it alone, would it be a bad idea to do as you did and rent a camper van and drive all by my lonesome? Also: what month did you do this in?

By: Dina

Dina — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:56:58 +0000

I love North Island too, soooo gorgeous! You have to come back here one day and do the South Island