what is the best way to travel round new zealand on my own?

Question

will possibly be alone for anywhere between 1-3 weeks. Is it best to rely on public transport or hire a car? And how safe is it for a lone female traveller. Plus any advice on anything to do with this would be useful.

Answer 1

The best way to explore New Zealand is to hire a car/van - I should know, I grew up there.

There is public transport in most major towns/cities and between but it can be very limited. For this single reason most Kiwis drive cars (practically every member of a family owns a cars once over the age of 16). Many complaints that people have about New Zealands is solely based around poor public transport in many towns and cities.

You can get from town to town using a coach and the use of a small number of trains but you will only be taken down major roads and will miss on some of the jems down more remote roads.

There are some bus tours that take you around the country that are geared up for young overseas travellers - Contiki Tours is a popular choice for many young travellers - see link below. The feedback I have heard about the tours have been pretty impressive.

As in most countries, hitch hiking has its dangers, tho most kiwis will be happy to pull over and give you ride.

Regarding travelling as a single female - it should be pretty safe but there are always dodgy characters no matter where you go in the world - tho most people in NZ are extremely friendly.

Have a awesome time, your going to great country.

Answer 2

New Zealand is the safest place I know. I did a lot of hitchhiking to get around the very Northern tip of the north island (as a solo female) and picked up hitchhikers thruout the South Island as well. But, I am street smart and strong enough to defend myself so take that into consideration.

If you are travelling alone, you might want to do the bus thing to meet other people. Kiwi Experience is fun but mostly younger people that drink a lot so if that is not your scene you wouldn't like it. There was another tour for the more mature travellers but I don't recall the name. The Intercity coaches are really good too but you won't be able to get off just anywhere, so if you want to get to all the nooks & crannies you will need a car. -- Where are you from? Are you comfortable driving on the right hand side of the car and road? Some Americans have problems with this, just remember that no matter where you are driving oncoming traffic should be on the driver's side. If you stay in hostels, you will meet plenty of people, lots of whom would be thrilled to join you in your car for some adventures and shared gas costs.

If you decide against a bus tour and to do it on your own, I would recommend making the tourist centre your first stop in each town. They are excellent and always have great info. Get a map in Dunedin and do the drive through the South tip, excellent. Kaikoura is a great little town too - shark & seal diving, whale watching, horseback riding, & fly a small plane by yourself at the local flight club. If you like caving and aren't afraid of heights, be sure to see the Waitomo Caves. You can go sand duning on the Northern tip of the North Island and also diving at some great old shipwrecks. There used to be a place in Christchurch where you could make your own bone jewelry (tourist centre probably would know if it is still there).

Answer 3

Car hire and fuel is so cheap compared to the UK, especially with the exchange rate. And there aren't as many roads over there so it is really easy to navigate, esp on the S Island.

Do get the best car you can afford as the roads aren't as good or as well kept, there are quite a lot of loose chippings so make sure your insurance covers windscreen replacement.

You'll definitely get to see more if you hire a car and it is safe for lone female travellers, however i'm not sure i'd travel after dark for fear of getting stranded if anything - you do go through some fairly rural areas.

You could maybe do part of your trip by car and part by public transport, i'm not sure for definite which island you'd get the best coverage for public transport but i'd expect it would be the North.

If you do hire a car, ask the company the traffic rule on giving way to people making a right turn - as it isn't the same as over here!!!

Have fun!!

Answer 4

You can take a tour around with a group of people such as Con Tiki etc but depending on your age and budget, the thing that I most suggest is the jump on jump off buses because they give you much more flexibility and go to all the main places. There are two companies to choose from:

http://www.magicbus.co.nz/
http://www.kiwiexperience.com/

Some other comments:

Apart from the Tranzalpine Express and the Tranzcoastal

http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz/

You are going to be waiting a long time for a train.

Most kiwis do drive, but as a single traveller, I'm not sure of your budget, that could mount up. All the normal rental car companies are in NZ and it also well set up for the traveller so there are many budget rental car companies offering 3 - 4 year old cars cheaper.
e.g. http://www.economy.co.nz/ - you will find many more on the web.

For camper vans, and as they say you can drive this around the south island. Main companies include Maui and Skiwi.

The best description about setting yourself up as part of travels in NZ I have seen is the TNT Independent Travellers's Guide Aust and NZ on the TNT Australia site:
http://www.tntmagazine.com.au/

Answer 5

New Zealand is a pretty safe country although it's always best to be a bit cautious. People are generally friendly and willing to help especially once you get out of the big cities. Watch out for bars and clubs that seem to be populated by maoris or pacific islanders. They normally end up in mass brawls, although don't think they are all like that I know some brilliant Maori people who are some of my good friends.

Public transport in New Zealand can only be described as poor and limited. The trains are really tourist things only but are amazing journeys especially the tranz alpine on the south island and the overlander from auckland to wellington.

If you want to see the country and make friend the best way is a backpacker bus which have various trips covering everything from one day up to the bay of islands from auckland (go to the bay it's amazing) they do trips that also cover the whole country.

The drivers are usually good and have a great knowledge of what to do and where to go, they'll also book all your accomodation and any activities you fancy doing along the way. Check out the websites for Stray travel. Magic, and the Kiwi Experience. Who are all the main operators of backpacker buses.

Things to do places to go, everyones different but my personal highlights included, bungee jumps, sky dive over lake taupo, deep sea fishing in the bay of island, walking the tongariro crossing, rotorua thermal pools and maori cultural experiences. Wellington for a good bit of culture and bars. Nelson for art deco archetecture the east cape for rural living, raglan and gisborn for surfing. And also the many Lord of the rings film sites dotted all over the country. THere is a great book which will gove you directions to all the sites.

If you don't mind being alone then a lot of people hire camper vans and just do their own thing staying in the back of the van hire can be as cheap as $20 a day, check out escapetravel.co.nz (I think)

I've been travelling and working in New Zealand for 8 months so far an I'm absolutely loving it. Good luck and enjoy yor trip

Answer 6

Hey
I am a kiwi and I can tell you public transport isn't so great. The kiwi experience bus is always good and lots of fun. Depends on your age and likes/dislikes. If you prefer to do your own thing then I would get a car but the bus does have jump on and off stops.

For OZ then the bus option again. I leaved in Sydney for 5 years (Bondi Beach) and most of my 'traveling/backpacker' friends did the bus thing. I know many girls who did it alone and were fine. You will meet a lot of people along the way and end up traveling with them for a bit.

NZ and OZ are pretty safe but as with anywhere, be smart. If you do the bus thing... then keep to the groups and don't go off with anyone alone.

You will have a blast.

Answer 7

I just got back from a year in NZ. I too was travelling solo. I bought a car since I was there for a year.... Hire a car. Public transport is decent. The Intercity buses have a tendancy to run late, but they do run regular.... they just don't go everywhere.... Check out the Kiwi Experience buses. You can get cheap pasess and they take you to all the touristy areas. An added bonus is that you'll meet like-minded travellers (you'll be surpised how many people are travelling alone!)

Answer 8

Hi I am another New Zealander! Public transport is quite reliable in New Zealand .. However I am not a fan of public transport and would hire a car .. which is quite affordable in New Zealand. If you take public transport in your home country then you should find our public transport safe and manageble..

Hope you enjoy your stay in New Zealand! Plus it should be quite safe for a lone female traveller ... Im female and find NZ is one of the safest countrys in the world. However it is always wise to keep your witts about you!

Answer 9

The harbour-side town of Auckland is New Zealand's true area and the vivid economic heart of the nation, know it with hotelbye . Auckland is also known as the "City of Sails" and it sprawls out in helter-skelter fashion between Manukau Harbour (to the west) and Waitemata Harbour (to the east) with the compact key city region proper next to the waterway. For most guests to New Zealand, Auckland is the purpose of birth, and a couple of days soaking up the ethnic and outside attractions here ought to be on every tourist's to-do list. The monuments, museums, and artwork galleries listed here are some of the best in the country. The suburban coastline of the city is speckled with great beaches, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf supply a style of New Zealand's magnificent national park landscape close to the city's doorstep. Auckland is surely a town worth seeing.

Answer 10

Getting around by car you can get to more out of the way places but wouldnt be the same on your own & a bit of a hassle at times. The public transport is very good & a good way of meeting other travellers & locals. You also get to see more as you are not concentrating on driving. NZ is really beautiful & there is so much to see. Depends what you are into as to what to do & see. Check out the NZ travel site below & enjoy your trip.