New Zealand Travel Also see: Self-drive tours and Escorted tours

Details of New Zealand's International airports can be found in the Airports New Zealand page of this site. This section is of interest for the visitor from the UK when they arrive and possibly to anyone who wishes to travel from region to region by plane.  However there are a number of other ways to travel around which are much more amenable to taking in the myriad of sights and sounds.

Hiring a car is arguably the best way to travel around and this can be achieved at any airport and in many towns.  However, it is best to hire the car in advance so that there is minimum delay in dealing with the paperwork and being certain that you are not going to be disappointed. The adventurous traveller should make sure that the car they hire is a 4x4 off road vehicle.  There are many 4x4 tracks around New Zealand and these give the best views and provide thrills (hopefully NOT spills) around every corner.

Some companies provide a Point A to Point B service where the hirer picks up at, say Auckland airport, and drops it off at say, Wellington.  This is a good example since some, if not all, companies do not allow their cars to cross from North to South Island and vice-versa.  This should always be checked with the service provider at the time of booking even if you intend staying on one Island or the other (you never know).

Hiring a Camper Van is a great way to see the country as it gives you the ultimate in flexibility whilst guaranteeing a roof over your head at all times.  Ther are plenty of sites to choose from in all of the favourite tourist areas.  This web site wouldn't recommend driving off road in a campervan however!

One thing that's great for UK travellers in New Zealand is that they, like us, drive on the left hand side of the road!
Whatever mode of transport the visitor is using, the rules of the road must be studied before getting into the vehicle.  If you pick up you car from a busy city like Auckland, you don't want to be learning the local rules whilst you are at the wheel.

Note that a UK driver's licence is acceptable but is only valid for 12 months, if you visit exceeds that - well, lucky you!

If you don't want to drive and you're young and fit, why not go on a backpacker holiday.  There are hostels, lodges, hotels, farm stays, home stays and all sorts of other accommodation to choose from but, in the peak season, booking will be a sensible option. In this web site's opinion, farm and home stays are great because you get to meet ordinary folk in their own homes.  It's like bed and breakfast (plus evening meal) with knobs on and you get to meet some very friendly people.

One last suggestion is to go around New Zealand by bus, there is one company, at least, that offers this service.

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