Travel: New Zealand

[Dnls_mum]

JR:

Now that you mentioned single-lane bridges. I don't understand why they can't just build a wider bridge in the first place since the road before and after the road is already 2 lanes? Can't figure that out... But anyway, there are many such bridges in NI too. Most of the time, it is clear to cross, just have to be careful of traffic on the other side of the bridge.


Dnls mum,
Just curious, did you use the Kruze system while you are in NZ? If you did, any comments on it? If not, why kind of GPS did you use? Both you and your husband drove? What car did you drive when you were in NZ?

Noticed that your itinerary did not include Te Anau which I heard has nice scenary too. I suppose it is due to lack of time?

Hi JR
I think the reason for single lane bridges is that they are easier and less technically demanding. Building dual lane bridges will require the bridges o be able to sustain more weight...just my guess.

As for the GPS, we used the one provided by Apex Car Rental. Not sure what brand that is. Only my husband did the driving. That's why we tried to stay 2 days at a place so that he does not need to drive long distances or rush everyday. We rented the Toyota Previa which was great. We used only the first 2 rows of seats and the third row is put down for more luggage space.

We did go to Te Anau. But instead of driving, we took the BBQ bus from Queenstown to Milford driving via Te Anau, and flew back to Queenstown. It is a small town used as stopover for people going to Milford. Nothing much there. Te Anau is 2 hours from Queenstown and the gateway to Milford Sound. People only visit Te Anau because they are going to Milford. From Te Anau, the drive to Milford via the Milford Road is very scenic and takes another 2 hours. This is also the road with one of the most accidents in SI. I wanted DH to be able to enjoy the trip without stress and also to fly back from Milford to Queenstown, so we took the day tour. But it is definitely much much more expensive then if we were to drive our selves. The flight back to Queenstown was beautiful with views of alpine lakes and snow peaks. If we were to drive back, we'd have missed these. If we drive to Milford, ourselves, we'd would be on the road every other day. With this day trip on a coach, we had 4/5 days of relaxing and enjoyable stay in Queenstown. Another point about driving to Milford is that it'll be advisable to stay one night in Te Anau as it is not possible to do it in one day as we won't be familiar with the roads and the drive in and out is too long. Coach drivers are diff as they are familiar with the roads and they rest while we are on the cruise.

I did the entire trip planning on my own and did lots of research and reading up. So if you have any other questions now or when you start your planning, just ask. I'll help if I can

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

Hi Dnls mum,


Thanks for the reply.

If yours is the Kruze system, it has commentary and stories about the place you are at when you are tuned to the radio frequency. I would say that some of the stories told about the place is interesting provided you are interested in the culture and history of NZ.

Sorry, missed out reading your earlier email on Te Anau. Thanks for the details. Like I said earlier, I won't be going back to NZ in at least 2 years. So this thread will be in KIV until then... The world is such a big place. So much to explore.

It must have been tough on your dh doing all the driving. :salute:

Same here, if you are interested in visiting NZ, feel free to ask and hopefully I can help.

[Dnls_mum]

JR:

Hi Dnls mum,


Thanks for the reply.

If yours is the Kruze system, it has commentary and stories about the place you are at when you are tuned to the radio frequency. I would say that some of the stories told about the place is interesting provided you are interested in the culture and history of NZ.

Sorry, missed out reading your earlier email on Te Anau. Thanks for the details. Like I said earlier, I won't be going back to NZ in at least 2 years. So this thread will be in KIV until then... The world is such a big place. So much to explore.

It must have been tough on your dh doing all the driving. :salute:

Same here, if you are interested in visiting NZ, feel free to ask and hopefully I can help.

The Apex guy never mentioned anything about commentary so ours must be a diff system. Didn't know there was such a system with commentary. Looks like my research not SP thorough after all :slapshead:

Where did you get that system? Included in the package or did you have to specifically ask for it? Which rental co did you use?

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

I doubt yours is a Kruze GPS as your rental company would have mentioned it. For more info, check out the website http://www.krusenz.com/

The commentaries are ok, but the GPS, well, not the fastest and it can be frustrating when the system have to reboot while you are driving...

This GPS is part of our tour package with Fine Tours NZ. They have arranged the car rental company (Europcars) and the GPS. I would say that the package helped as all the accomodation and itinerary settled by them. I just decide on some other optional activities. So less hassle as compared to your DIY. I can see that you have really done lots of research on your trip. :salute:

[Cuppamocha]

Nowadays with GPS, it is much easier. I remembered those days (8 years ago) when I had my honeymoon at NZ, we relied on maps. We did the north and south island in 14 days. A bit rush but that was what we can afford then.

[mrsoh]

Hi, my husband is thinking of New Zealand for our next family trip. Our child is 6. I heard the place is very scenic but can be quite boring for a 6 year old. Any specific places of interest to recommend? Thanks.

[verykiasu2010]

mrsoh:

Hi, my husband is thinking of New Zealand for our next family trip. Our child is 6. I heard the place is very scenic but can be quite boring for a 6 year old. Any specific places of interest to recommend? Thanks.

http://www.newzealand.com/sg/

there is already another discussion on new zealand

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=24260&hilit=new+zealand&start=150

[tankee]

mrsoh:

Hi, my husband is thinking of New Zealand for our next family trip. Our child is 6. I heard the place is very scenic but can be quite boring for a 6 year old. Any specific places of interest to recommend? Thanks.

NZ is not boring for 6 years old,

There are:
- penguin, whales, sea lions, etc to see
- cable car to take
- luge to play
- powerboat to ride

And most important, daddy and mommy by the side for days and nights.

We went there when DS was 6.

[Dnls_mum]

mrsoh:

Hi, my husband is thinking of New Zealand for our next family trip. Our child is 6. I heard the place is very scenic but can be quite boring for a 6 year old. Any specific places of interest to recommend? Thanks.

My DD was only 5 when we went last yr. She was happy doing the walks, dart river jetboating, helicopter ride to land on FJ glacier, luge, Walter Peak Farm tour, Milford sound BBQ and cruise, cadbury factory tour,cherry pucking,and most importantly being with mum, dad and her 2 bros al the time.

Check out my earlier posts on our trip, a bit long winded but quite a detailed account of our itinerary.

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

mrsoh:

Hi, my husband is thinking of New Zealand for our next family trip. Our child is 6. I heard the place is very scenic but can be quite boring for a 6 year old. Any specific places of interest to recommend? Thanks.

You might want to read our review of our North Island trip on page 13 to have a gist of what it has to offer for your family. My son (aged 7 at the time of travel) enjoyed the visit to Waterworks (http://www.thewaterworks.co.nz/index.html ) at Coromandel, luge ride & Agrodrome at Rotorua, the train ride at Driving Creek Railway (http://www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz/Introduction.cfm), just to mention a few. Children will usually be fascinated with farm stay.