Thinking of driving to lush and beautiful New Zealand! Planning to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand? Traveling adventure is not fulfilled unless there is an easy transport available to visit the surroundings. New Zealand has epic landscapes and wildlife to explore. Also, the real beauty lies in its inaccessibility and remoteness.
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Taking full advantage of your dream trip to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand it is worth traveling by road to enjoy the scenic beauty, go for tramping. If you can manage your vehicle then good enough otherwise it is always better to have a rental cab to visit favorite surprises in nature.
Whether you hire a van have your car or plan on camping visiting each place by road there are a few things to know and take care of.
6 Tips to Consider
1. Pick the Right Vehicle – Drive To Lush and Beautiful New Zealand
You must always pick the right vehicle to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand. There are many flashy and colorful vans around New Zealand. Look for your budget and the budget options these van operators provide.
According to the number of travelers you can choose to opt for a big or small vehicle. Most of the vans have bed pulls out from the benches and a mini kitchen in the trunk with all the cooking stuff and bedding that you would need. Curtains come down at night for you to rest peacefully.
But for some remote areas and ski fields and the modest roads to the mountains with snow and rain or creeks like the famous Mount Aspiring National Park in Wanaka, an SUV vehicle is the best to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
So choose according to the roads when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand and the trail also matters. Think about the kind of trip that you want to do and get a car or van that fits it.
2. Know the Camping System – Drive To Lush and Beautiful New Zealand
It is better to understand how the campervan and freedom camping system works in New Zealand. There are two types of campervans you can rent here – fully self-contained and non-self-contained.
The difference is pretty much a washroom. If you have a campervan that doesn’t have a toilet, you can’t freedom camp. This is one of the most essential tips when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
Freedom camping is allowed around most of New Zealand which means you can camp on public land for free as long as you have the right facilities. If you are caught freedom camping without the right van or in a restricted area, it’s a $200 instant fine by the police.
So it is better not to abuse nature by lighting illegal fires or emptying the sewage tank in the van in the wrong place. It is better to camp in holiday parks though they are not so cheap.
3. Never Underestimate Roads – Drive To Lush and Beautiful New Zealand
While traveling to remote parts of New Zealand you will find that roads are crooked, winding and gnarly, and without guard rails. All the roads are one lane in either direction, with usually a dotted white line down the middle and either a mountain or a cliff on the sides.
The max speed limit to drive is 100 kph (63 mph), but it still is a bit disconcerting to be going so fast with traffic going in the opposite direction just next to you, on the left side of the road nonetheless.
Nothing is straight so you always have to pay attention. Also, the New Zealand landscape frequently likes to add obstacles to the adventure like landslides, hitchhikers, and sheep, so be on your guard when you’re behind the wheel.
New Zealand roads are but well labeled, for you to look about your driving area. For example, when the road bends, massive yellow reflective signs are warning you in advance and on the curve to lower your speed.
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4. Remember To Drive on the Left – Drive To Lush and Beautiful New Zealand
Here you have to be on the left when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand. Frequently enormous arrows are pointing you in the right direction on the roads, and cities with intersections, there are also arrows on the medians pointing you in the right direction. All the roads here are well-marked.
Never pull over just anywhere to take a picture New Zealand is photogenic, and the urge to pull over to take a photo on the side of the road is dangerous for both you and other drivers. Just think about a safe place where you pull over when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
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5. Carry Your Accessories From Home – Drive To Lush and Beautiful New Zealand
Make sure you bring along a USB charger adapter and your needy things along with you. They are overpriced here, and more likely than not you have one floating around at home. Also, bring a cable to plug in your iPod or music to the stereo so you can jam out on long road trips when driving to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
If you have a van that doesn’t plugin, you might want to also bring one of those adapters that plug into the lighter and you can charge a computer or an outlet plug device too. If you get a powered van, they’ll have outlets and the works so you don’t have to worry so much about that. Also not forget your torch and gumboots.
6. Pay Attention to the Weather – Drive To Lush and Beautiful New Zealand
It’s important to check road conditions and heed all warnings. 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. Once you see the roads here, especially the mountain passes, you’ll understand when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
There are 3 passes through the Southern Alps on the South Island to get between the east and west coasts – Lewis Pass, Arthur’s Pass, and Haast’s Pass.
Do not drive these passes in bad weather and listen to the locals. Avoid the more “challenging” roads at night here in New Zealand, especially in the rain and not in hurricane-type weather. Just remember how untamed and wild New Zealand can be and don’t take unnecessary risks.
Suggest your best driving tip. Or share your experience on New Zealand roads.
Interesting Read: Top 10 Things You Must Do in New Zealand
Conclusion:
For a memorable and safe road trip through New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, consider these six vital tips. Firstly, choose the right vehicle based on your budget and travel needs, whether it’s a campervan or an SUV. Understanding New Zealand’s camping system, and differentiating between fully self-contained and non-self-contained campervans, is crucial to avoiding fines while enjoying freedom camping.
Respect the winding, narrow, and often unguarded roads, and always drive on the left side. Bring essential accessories from home to save on overpriced local purchases, and stay informed about weather conditions and road warnings to ensure a smooth journey through New Zealand’s untamed beauty.
FAQs
What are the most common mistakes made in planning a trip to New Zealand?
Considering New Zealand a tiny country in which one may easily move around is one of the most common mistakes made by people.
New Zealand is almost half the size of California, with no 5-lane freeways to move people throughout the country. Roads are narrow and one should not expect to get from one place to another near the time frame typically taken in the USA.
What are some of the biggest surprises while traveling for a first-time visitor to New Zealand?
The varied terrain and beauty of the country are the surprises, but in the United States many travelers often forget about a time when travel did not consist of the stress associated with modern urban centers (navigating rush hour traffic, the hassle of long TSA lines, etc.)
The first-time traveler to New Zealand equates the country to “going back in time.” An example of this is that domestic flights consist of checking bags and walking straight to the gate. There is no TSA in New Zealand.
Driving is also done on the left side – mostly on two-way roads. This sounds daunting until you realize you have not seen another vehicle on the road for the last 10 minutes. This is the right way to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
New Zealanders, like the British and Chinese, take their tea seriously and with the ceremony. They do not put ice in their tea!
What are the people in New Zealand like?
Of 4.5m people who call themselves New Zealanders most are of British descent. The indigenous people, the Maori, comprise 14% of the population. A rich fusion of Maori customs and traditions exists today and can be seen and experienced throughout the country. New Zealanders proudly call themselves “Kiwis,” a term that bonds the multicultural society that is emerging today.
Kiwis tend to be friendly, generous, straightforward, and see things in a very practical manner. Many are active in helping in terms of community and country. Remaining humble is a common practice and arrogance is not tolerated. It’s amazing that for such a small country NZ has a history of production and results on the world stage: dominant in rugby, political stability, America’s Cup sailing, world-class wine, acting, and rights relating to social issues.
What are a few facts about New Zealand that I may want to know?
A Kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. Natives call themselves “Kiwis” because of this. There is also a fruit called the Kiwifruit but this came from China in the early 1900s.
There are no snakes in NZ, unlike Australia which is filled with all sorts of stuff.
New Zealand consists of two large and hundreds of smaller islands most of the country is near the sea. In this way, wherever you go you are always within about 80 miles of the water.
The first man to climb Mt. Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary, was a New Zealander!
New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote (In 1893) and women have occupied many top offices, including Prime Minister.
One-third of the country is a protected national park.
The population of New Zealand is about 4.5 million people and 75% of them live on the North Island.
What are the passport and visa requirements to visit New Zealand?
You need a valid passport to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand. A valid US passport should be valid for at least three months after you depart from New Zealand. People with US Passports do not require visas to visit New Zealand for a stay of fewer than 3 months.
When is the best time of the year to visit New Zealand?
This country is an ideal vacation destination year-round. Peak tourism season starts from October through April and it is suggested to book well in advance for this time to ensure availability. New Zealand’s seasons are the other way round of the Northern Hemisphere, the warmest months being December through February, and the coldest June through August.
Is it safe to drink the water in New Zealand?
Yes. You get fresh tap water. It is safe to drink in all New Zealand cities and towns. Bottled water is available throughout the country as well. This is the ideal way to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
Can I use my credit cards/ATM cards in New Zealand?
All major credit cards will work in New Zealand. So, when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand, you can use debit cards and credit cards encoded with a PIN to withdraw cash from ATMs situated at banks and shopping centers. You can also use these cards to pay for petrol (gasoline), etc. Traveler’s checks are accepted at hotels, banks, and some stores.
What is B&B (Bed and Breakfast)? What can I expect?
New Zealand offers a great-ranging selection of Bed and breakfast and self-contained accommodations, which vary from luxurious to basic. In general, you can expect a clean, comfortable sleeping arrangement in a B&B which would have anywhere from 3-6 rooms. Usually, a cooked English breakfast will be included as well as pre-dinner canapés (appetizers and a glass of wine or two). It may cost you from USD 300- $600/ night for accommodation costs.
What is it like to drive in New Zealand?
To an American, New Zealanders drive on the “wrong” (left) side of the road. This takes a little accustomed with the practice so if driving, be sure to take time to situate yourself with the flow of traffic before exiting the airport.
To explore and drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand is often compared to stepping back to a time without massive 7-lane highways. New Zealand is diverse in its terrain. It means you will find hilly roads, winding, and narrow single lanes in each direction when driving through NZ. You may need a lot of time to get from point A to point B.
You can also opt for comfortable transportation if you are not thrilled with the idea of driving. There are options to whisk you and your group between locations. It all depends on budget, and desire for convenience. This is the way to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand.
Are there ‘must-visit’ locations in New Zealand?
You should go fishing, skiing, golfing. If, adventure and food & wine enthusiasts there are ‘must visit’ locations on both North and South Island – something for everybody. New Zealand is jam-packed with things to do and Best of New Zealand can help you when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand so everything works seamlessly.
What are cool things (outside of golf) to drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand?
New Zealand is packed with cool things to do. For fishing, skiing, adventure, and food & wine enthusiasts, art lovers, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, or for those just wanting some R&R. There are multiple locations on both North and South Island – something for everybody, and Best of New Zealand can help when you drive to lush and beautiful New Zealand so everything works seamlessly.
Is there tipping customary in New Zealand?
Although New Zealand is not a country of tipping North American tourists have helped change this. As most restaurants now have a line for gratuities on the credit card charge slip and in many places it is appreciated and most now expect tips. If you are happy with the level of service and attention provided, feel free to tip, but do not feel obliged to tip. It is only for outstanding service. This is the best way to drive through lush and beautiful New Zealand.
