• First of all, don't do what some acquaintances of ours did and try to do too much in too short a time scale.  If you're on a self drive tour, you need to be aware that it's not just a case, in New Zealand, of driving up a motorway until you get to your destination.  You will be stopping on the way to admire the gorgeous scenery, or at a restaurant to have some pumpkin soup or you may even go to sleep on a beach. So, in short, keep the daily distance down to a reasonably easy drive of 3-4 hours at most.
   

• When you get to your destination you will find loads of things to do e.g. hiking, fishing, Bungy jumping, Whale watching, kayaking etc.  These things take time so it's best to allow a stay of at least 2-3 days in each place.
   

• The best accommodations are home or farm stays.  These provide you with bed, breakfast and an evening meal (and lunch if you ask) in Kiwi's homes.  The people are really friendly (otherwise they wouldn't do it) and the conversation generally comes round to what's happening at home (i.e. Britain) since a lot of them are the children of ex-pats. Be warned though that if they offer you a drink, they will expect you to pay for it.
   

• Choose to hire a 4x4 as you'll find that the best routes take in small country roads and, in some instances, off road tracks. It's great fun and, once again, the best way to see the country.  Some roads are not made up to a high standard so take care if it's wet.
   

• The company that we used provided us with everything that we needed for the trip including, road and town maps, accommodation locations, choice of routes, walking track details, ferry vouchers etc.  No worries from our point of view!

• The boring bit, but essential, is to make sure that you have all the right paperwork with you including passport, driving licence, insurance, hire papers etc. and that you know the rules of the road.

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