Getting Around New Zealand
Whether the duration of your New Zealand adventure is one week or one year it's enivitable that you get around the country by some means of transportation. New Zealand offers many diverse options that will get you where you want to go, however, I can honestly only recommend two.
One of the best ways to travel New Zealand is to purchase a used, good running vehicle. Auckland and Christchurch are the two major hubs for vehicle purchasing, but you'll find something driveable anywhere. Look to spend about $1000 NZD for a decent car, and about $2000-$3000 NZD for a very decent van. Most of the time stoves, blankets, etc. will be included. Using a car/van to tour New Zealand offers complete freedom. You decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and which way you want to get there. Camping at rest stops and beaches, cooking with your newly aquired stove, and re-selling your vehicle when you've completed your travels will make for a nice and cheap adventure! When purchasing a vehicle, make sure it has valid WOF and REGO for the duration you wish to travel. Also, have the vehicle checked out at a local garage. This will cost an average of $40 but the reassurance is well worth it.
Hitching in New Zealand is great. if you don't mind carrying your pack everywhere, all the time then thumbing your way around is an interesting way of meeting locals and getting around cheaply. You will sacrafice much of your freedom and find it hard to get into the isolated corners, but where hitching fails the bus system can fill in. Intercity is reasonably priced and offers uncomfortable, and lengthy transportation to the areas where hitching may not be the best answer. You will find that many locals are extemely friendly and often invite you to their homes for dinner and a nights accomodation (if they like you, of course).
You've probably heard and seen many advertisements from two tourist bus companies by the names of Magic Bus: The Travellers Network and Kiwi Bus. These two options are wonderful; if you are on a short time limit. Both of these will take you around majority of the North and South Islands, in a quick hurry. You will miss much of the in-between, and catch only the desired locations. Much more of a beaten path than the passengers are trying to avoid! On a plus note, you do hold some power with the ability to delay stop overs with the hop on, hop off freedom but even this has some hidden inconveniences. To be a tad more optimistic you will have knowledgeable, friendly drivers and will meet heaps of party animals (especially the English). If you're on a time budget of three weeks or less and a shallow journey for parties: Magic Bus and Kiwi Bus are for you. I don't recommend either of these, and having spoken with many travellers on these buses, I'm not the only one. You can sell off the remainder of your ticket or sign it off to somebody else. So it's not a complete loss.
Which ever way you decide to transport you and that heavy backpack, you'll enjoy New Zealand.
Bekki Posted the following comment
I've just read your comments on the Kiwi Experience and would like to tell people that I totally disagree with you - sorry! I wonder if you have pesonally been on it? I did the Kiwi Experience on both the North and South Island and had a brilliant time. Firstly, it's not a non-stop party - yes, there was the odd occasion we all got a bit bladdered but generally we were a sober bunch. And what's this about not vernturing off the beaten track?!? We visited loads of places which we would never have found on our own, and met loads of local characters we would never have met.. The Kiwi Experience is a great way to see NZ - it's economical, you can hop on and off when you like giving you some control over your trip, and you'll meet some really interesting people (it's not only party mad English! and it's not just teenagers either - we had a really good mix of ages going right up to 60). So, go on, give it a go. And if, you find it not to your liking then sell your ticket to someone, hire yourself a car and see NZ on your little lonesome! Either way NZ is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
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