4 months in NZ - motorhome or 4x4 with cavavan?
Discussion
Hello
Living up to my username, earlier this year, after too many beers, booked return flights to NZ with girlfriend for 4 months, arriving 1st December.
Rented our UK home to friends of friends and plan to work from laptop during trip.
First big question - Originally planned to buy motorhome on arrival to sell before leaving (perhaps GBP 15k?) as I'm mechanically practical have built a few campers as a hobby (including a 4x4 camper for last year's Iceland trip).
However ... now thinking a decent 4x4 and caravan combo may be better? Idea of leaving caravan at campsites, to head into 4x4 only territory for adventures and staying at B&Bs, along with benefits of having a vehicle for day trips without the hassle of a motorhome. Also might be easier to sell separately at end of trip.
Aim of trip is simply to relax, avoid too many tourist hotspots, enjoy the land, people and beer.
Advice and suggestions welcome!
Living up to my username, earlier this year, after too many beers, booked return flights to NZ with girlfriend for 4 months, arriving 1st December.
Rented our UK home to friends of friends and plan to work from laptop during trip.
First big question - Originally planned to buy motorhome on arrival to sell before leaving (perhaps GBP 15k?) as I'm mechanically practical have built a few campers as a hobby (including a 4x4 camper for last year's Iceland trip).
However ... now thinking a decent 4x4 and caravan combo may be better? Idea of leaving caravan at campsites, to head into 4x4 only territory for adventures and staying at B&Bs, along with benefits of having a vehicle for day trips without the hassle of a motorhome. Also might be easier to sell separately at end of trip.
Aim of trip is simply to relax, avoid too many tourist hotspots, enjoy the land, people and beer.
Advice and suggestions welcome!
I'd go with the motorhome, couldn't stomach lugging a caravan 1000's of kms around NZ, just don't go too big, its your only transport for when you need to nip out for milk etc.
And, caravans are silly money over here, a friend imports them from the UK and even after shipping costs, local taxes and conversions he's still sells for a good profit.
Also you'll be selling right at the end of the tourist season, might take a while......
As said above 'trademe' is your source for absolutely anything.
And, caravans are silly money over here, a friend imports them from the UK and even after shipping costs, local taxes and conversions he's still sells for a good profit.
Also you'll be selling right at the end of the tourist season, might take a while......
As said above 'trademe' is your source for absolutely anything.
Camp sites will vary between $5 and $50 or something depending if they are out of the way doc ones or ones in QT/Wanaka (possibly more for powered)
airbnb will be 50-150 or something.
A lot of popular sites around xmas/new year are perpetually booked out so you might struggle over the holiday period
If you are free camping make sure you are self contained otherwise you could be in for fines.
Also (free) wifi is limited so be prepaired to pay for data, vodaphone etc do traveller sims
airbnb will be 50-150 or something.
A lot of popular sites around xmas/new year are perpetually booked out so you might struggle over the holiday period
If you are free camping make sure you are self contained otherwise you could be in for fines.
Also (free) wifi is limited so be prepaired to pay for data, vodaphone etc do traveller sims
Motorhomes are everywhere. If you have a self contained one you can camp in a lot of places. Download the campermate app to see where is good to camp, but there is a bit of an anti-freedom camping sentiment due to people spending no money and s
tting by the side of the road, so be aware of that.
It is a tradeoff on size though as a big one will be slow and might put you off going to interesting places, however a small one will not be great to spend much time in. Personally I would put a tent in a fun car and book into a hotel whenever going into a town to get a proper rest and shower. Also worth getting a gym membership to use a decent shower in most towns.
Can't remember ever really seeing a caravan, which is odd as towing a trailer is pretty common here and all sorts of cars have a towbar.
tting by the side of the road, so be aware of that.It is a tradeoff on size though as a big one will be slow and might put you off going to interesting places, however a small one will not be great to spend much time in. Personally I would put a tent in a fun car and book into a hotel whenever going into a town to get a proper rest and shower. Also worth getting a gym membership to use a decent shower in most towns.
Can't remember ever really seeing a caravan, which is odd as towing a trailer is pretty common here and all sorts of cars have a towbar.
Wifi is normally free outside of library's ,McDonald's and a search can find an unsecured wifi if parked in a high street sometimes.
I did two months in spring in a small Toyota hiace bed on wheels with the mrs. It was not easy but fun was had. That was in 2011 and were aged mid 50s. Which I think is relevant to you're question.
We will go again and camp but also b+b at times.
2 months = 8,500 klm+ in the little hiace.
First thing I did when we arrived was to buy a fishing rod. I fished of a beach most nights for our dinner.
Great times.
I did two months in spring in a small Toyota hiace bed on wheels with the mrs. It was not easy but fun was had. That was in 2011 and were aged mid 50s. Which I think is relevant to you're question.
We will go again and camp but also b+b at times.
2 months = 8,500 klm+ in the little hiace.
First thing I did when we arrived was to buy a fishing rod. I fished of a beach most nights for our dinner.
Great times.
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