Caravan Touring Kiwi Style: For Beginners – Part 1

I think it makes things all the more exciting and can lead to some great stories. Who knows, I might end up hitching around New Zealand one day just kidding, mom! Do — pay attention to the weather. The weather in New Zealand can be intense, and especially around the South Island, landslides are a common occurrence, especially in winter and after heavy rain.

Moral of the story? Haast Pass — source. Since then the Haast Pass has frequent slips and is constantly under maintenance and closed at night.

Right now the road through closes at 4pm and reopens at 8am. I have some friends that work on the pass trying to fix it and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger and more delayed. These roads are actually some of the most scenic views in New Zealand since they go through right of the hearts of the mountains. They are remote and stunning, and they have beautiful walks and sights to visit along the way.

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Besides, you want to go in the daytime anyways to see them in all their glory. Is it really a big deal if you stay an extra day in Wanaka before heading to the west coast or vice versa while waiting out a storm? In fact, not only do I hear only positive reviews, many people I know absolutely fall head over heels for it, and they keep coming back for more or they never leave.

I think that speaks volumes about a country. And keep in mind, any photo I share, any photo I take pales in comparison to the real thing. New Zealand blows me away every day, in the friendliness of the people and also in the scenery. Are you a fan of road trips or camperan trips? Have you been on a New Zealand roadie? Your email address will not be published. Just like to point out that you can get those USB car chargers from dollar stores for cheap. Also…DOC campgrounds are great if you really want to get out there..

I wish I had known that — I figure many people have them in their cars at home, might as well pack them too. Yeah the DOC sites are a bit questionable haha. The scenery looks incredible. We did a roadtrip through NZ over Easter and the honking passers totally threw us off at first! Now I kind of wish people in Europe would do thanks-honks too. There is plenty of anger-honking in NZ, and lots of one-finger salutes in traffic. Perhaps more in cities than on the highway. Years ago when I was learning to drive, we were taught to do that as a matter of course.

The scenery is really great, but the highways are scary. Heed all the things that Liz has to say about them. Also, the law says that if you are going slower than others on the highway and more than 5 cars pile up behind you the police can and DO stop you and issue tickets to you for obstructing traffic flow. Pulling over to let others pass is the thing to do.

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I learned to drive in TX more than 50 years ago, and spent a lot of time driving in California before I emigrated to NZ. I cannot agree with your opinion of Kiwi drivers. I find them to be very poorly trained and the most impatient drivers in the world. I am guessing you have not tried to get a NZ driving license yet, else you would likely know about that law.

I encountered it as a tourist when a cop pulled me over and lectured me while all the traffic behind us went on ahead. He did not give me a ticket in that instance because I was not going particularly slowly — I was doing Even in Cali I found drivers aggressive. Here they are so much more respectful and nicer.

They are also often completely oblivious to what is going on around them, changing lanes on a whim and without looking on highways. I believe a lot of the lack of skill in Kiwi drivers is because many New Zealanders were taught by their families how to drive on a farm, in rural circumstances. They are not always up to the challenges of having other cars on the road.

The NZ government addressed this in when they tightened up the rules for getting a drivers licence. More training and actual driving experience is required, and they raised the minimum age from 15 to Testing is now more rigorous for learner drivers. Typically given after passing a campervan you have been following for fifty miles and who has not pulled over, forcing you out into the opposite lane to overtake.

A local lady kindly leant me a hot water bottle and it made all the difference. What I've really been struggling with is the summer heat! I've been surviving with a small desk fan and many many frozen Juices when the fridge is working. It's the main topic of conversation at my current campground. Dealing with the dump station for the toilet waste and grey water would be my least favourite chore.

The ugly task people tell me is the boys job. Being a solo female caravaner means it's very much my task too. The very first time I emptied the toilet cassette, I was staying at a campground with a dump station.

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I picked a time when I thought most people would be away. But instead I was bombarded with helpful advice from people. One gentleman even took the cassette from me and started emptying it. Another came over to push a button to increase the flow. It shows how friendly and helpful Kiwis are, but I was highly embarrassed and bright red by the time I made it back to my caravan.

Then there have been times when I've emptied the grey water tank and experienced splash back. I'm left with wet spots on my shoes and pants, wondering what the person before me was emptying. Wet wipes can only do so much. Caravanning does have plenty of good and bad parts, but even the ugly moments make you feel truly alive. There's no chance of a dull or repetitive day. It's really the best way to see our country. Staying at some truly out of the way places and experiencing what New Zealand is known for - the dramatic mountains, dense bush and beautiful beaches.

Karen Nisbet is a solo female travelling around New Zealand in a caravan.

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It arranged the car through Hertz at Auckland Airport. Elsewhere in these forums, I've seen others perhaps unfamiliar with car wholesalers who may interject that you're on your own if anything should go wrong. This is not my experience, twice over. A few years back, we rented a car in Turkey, arranged with a car wholesaler through National, an international franchise you're certainly heard of.

We got rear-ended in the biblical city of Thyatira. The car was replaced without any blowback from National. To crown my travel adventures, we rented a car in Italy once by the same kind of arrangements, this vehicle supplied by Avis. The car was stolen overnight in Naples, with one-third of our luggage still in it.

Avis replaced the stolen car. I said at the beginning that I recommend the process of checking internet car wholesalers as well as writing direct to local firms and see who can best supply what you need. I don't mean to shill for any particular firm or wholesaler. I've used several and never have I run into major problems.

Motorhomes are not uneconomical and the modern European ones such as those available with htpp: Don't forget drives are long, resting places limited for car drivers, unpacking every night, some not too swish motels, and in some area's not even a choice. Have fun in nz.

I agree with Motorhomeexpert. We had a fabulous trip in a motorhome we rented from www. The motorhome was comfortable, well set up, and perfect for wild camping which was what we wanted to do. If you don't want to wild camp, there are lots of fantastic holiday parks to stay at. We were told before we went that the best way to see New Zealand is by campervan. It's so well set up for that style of travel and it's true. We found a great deal for the motorhome on another website www.