I've been studying New Zealand for a little over 2 years and have fallen in love with it. I plan to move there in two years and hope to visit in May for my first time. I want to scout out where I'd like to move, etc. I'm looking for some advice on how to see the most for the least. I'm leaning towards living in Arrowtown so I could be close to queenstown to work without losing the scenery. I have a million questions outside of this one so if any citizen would be willing to help me, I'd really appreciate it. My main question now is, how would you see your country if you were me? Should I travel the country by train or rental car? I'm trying to keep my whole trip to around $2500 USD for 10 days... Thanks for the help.
2007-10-18 16:52:41 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ New Zealand ➔ Other - New Zealand
Hello from New Zealand,
Rent a car and drive yourself around is best. 10 days will get you around the lower South Island, but you would need more like 6 weeks to see all of New Zealand.
The roads are pretty good and safe and you can easily do it on $2500 USD. May is the beginning of winter so it will be getting quite cold and if it snows some roads might close.
It's getting very expensive to live in or near Queenstown. It is a prime tourist spot and great if you are trained for a job in hospitality, but there are more jobs going in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch.
Enjoy your visit to New Zealand. Hope your dreams come true.
2007-10-22 13:26:19 · answer #1 · answered by Aunty Doreen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm a kiwi, but I haven't been home in two years, but I will try to give you my best opinion.
Definately travel the country by bus. Having travelled with excellent public transport in other countries... it's just not worth bothering with New Zealand public transport. The country realistically isn't that big, and is totally doable for ten days on that budget.
If you buy a mini van type car or station wagon, you can always sleep in the back of your car if you get short of money, or take a tent with you, and pitch it up wherever.
Another good way might be to find someone to travel with you, you can take turns at driving, split petrol costs, and potential camp site costs. You wouldn't even need a rental car, you'd be able to pick up a cheap second hand car and if you have someone else, then it would be cheaper still. Actually rental cars would take up the most of your money I think.
So you're moving to New Zealand but only for 10 days? Or is the 10 days an initial stay to see where you would like to go afterwards?
Depending on what your qualifications were would be a good indicator on where you should live. If you love travelling, why not try getting a job with one of the gazillions of tourism companies, you get to see the country extremely cheaply if not free! Enjoy your trip anyway~ and drive safely!
2007-10-18 20:41:55 · answer #2 · answered by kara_nari 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Arrowtown is a nice place to live but just about the most expensive in NZ. Public transport is infrequent or non-existent in most rural parts of NZ, so I'd advise a rental car, even though I like rail travel. If you want to work in Queenstown, Central Otago is so expensive that some Queenstown workers commute from Lumsden, more than 100 km. away in Southland. Southlandhas the most affordable property in NZ.
2007-10-20 11:50:27 · answer #3 · answered by zee_prime 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello lloydchristmas_29:
My apologies for being off topic. I thought your question was about moving to NZ. Anyway, I found a pretty good site with some answers about immigrating to New Zealand at http://www.workingin.com . It may have some tips for you about finding a job, place to live, and other immigration advise. Best of luck!
2007-10-19 13:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by OrakTheBold 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
train can be a way to see some beautiful parts of the country but there arnt many train lines left in nz. go to milford, the west coast of the south sland, MT COOK, golden bay, bay of islands
2007-10-18 21:38:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey this is to the Jock that know nothing about new zeal and,get a life sweaty your so angry
2007-10-21 14:31:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sECUBE- you are chicken ****,
you write about nz,then you are to scared to show your email address or question and answere.
2007-10-21 12:32:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋