Touring New Zealand
Discussion
No real probs as they drive on the correct side of the road ! Just an observation from my trip there recently there is a large % of really crap drivers who do unpredictable things (worse than UK), driving schools are almost non existance and most people are taught by their parents, they have a really weird rule when turning right across on coming traffic you have right of way which is a bit unnerving as they just come straight across in front of you. But generally traffic is light, the roads well maintained and the scenery fantastic so top draw sports car country and I'm sure you will enjoy. (oh yes petrol stations can be a bit sporadic and opening hours similar to the UK 20 years ago)
Well, I lived (and drove) there for 9 years. I can only echo what mel said. there are some great roads especially in the South Island, but do make sure to avoid the 'metalled' roads = no tarmac - these can get very dusty and the cow-cockies coming the other way in their utes will shot blast your car with gravel!!!
The best road I came acorss in the North Island was from Taupo west to Napier - good long straights and interesting mountain passes - watch out for logging trucks tho"
The best road I came acorss in the North Island was from Taupo west to Napier - good long straights and interesting mountain passes - watch out for logging trucks tho"
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the cow-cockies coming the other way in their utes will shot blast your car with gravel!!!
Luckily it won't be my car!!
So...metalled = dirt road like in Aus? Should be fun...
Anyone been to Milford Sound, Glenorchy, Queenstown etc...
I take it...like in Australia...you fill the car with fuel at every station..whether it needs it or not..as it were?
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..there is a large % of really crap drivers who do unpredictable things (worse than UK), driving schools are almost non existance and most people are taught by their parents, they have a really weird rule when turning right across on coming traffic you have right of way which is a bit unnerving as they just come straight across in front of you..
And they don't have compulsary insurance either.. so don't have a prang....
Watch your speed when you see a police car in either direction. They can instantly tell if you're too fast with a laser speed device mounted on the dash. They have no hesitation in doing a U-turn to get you if necessary. Due to the cost of living being around a third of UK the fines aren't too bad and no points! 
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Anyone been to Milford Sound, Glenorchy, Queenstown etc...
yes, no, yes
got no probs if you drop me an e-mail I'll happily let you have ph no and tell you what I know, I've been for a couple weeks at xmas for the past 2 years and normally manage a bit of Fiji as well on the way back. Seriously considering emigrating in few years. oh yes only been back a week !
>> Edited by mel on Monday 28th January 18:02
And don't forget to avoid driving in Auckland on Friday night... the police stop on average 250 drunk drivers every Friday........ I was overtaken on the motorway in town (where it was safe to do only 50mph) by a git in an Escort doing a ton in the inside lane. Needless to say he was wiped out about 3 miles later on the guardrail in south Auckland on the way to Hamilton. Oh yes, that road has the most human road-kill than any other road in NZ (usually on Friday nights/Saturday mornings)! More white crosses than a bavarian country road!!! >> Edited by JMGS4 on Tuesday 29th January 07:43
I was working there last year and I had A Holden Biriani or something as a hire car, handled like a tit on a trampoline, but had a 4 litre straight six, so went a bit.
I drove from Wellington to Rotoroua via lake taupo, stunning, watch the weather, it changes instantly, apparently there are many hidden speed camaras, I was told this after I'd returned, 1000k round trip in 12 hours, with sightseeing and single track roads, but I guess I was lucky. It really is a great place to drive.
>> Edited by big rumbly (moderator) on Tuesday 29th January 08:05
I drove from Wellington to Rotoroua via lake taupo, stunning, watch the weather, it changes instantly, apparently there are many hidden speed camaras, I was told this after I'd returned, 1000k round trip in 12 hours, with sightseeing and single track roads, but I guess I was lucky. It really is a great place to drive.
>> Edited by big rumbly (moderator) on Tuesday 29th January 08:05
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"there recently there is a large % of really crap drivers who do unpredictable things (worse than UK), driving schools are almost non existance and most people are taught by their parents"
YES - not quite that bad but u can get your restricted licence at 15...
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"they have a really weird rule when turning right across on coming traffic you have right of way which is a bit unnerving as they just come straight across in front of you."
YES just give way to your right when turning right and when turning left give way to all traffic
NO major/minor orad rule
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I'm sure you will enjoy. (oh yes petrol stations can be a bit sporadic and opening hours similar to the UK 20 years ago)
Main centres OK 24/7
coast stuff/in the wops - close by say 6pm
Just like driving in ireland, road signs just as bad....
cheers and
Dean (Kiwi)
>> Edited by lestag on Tuesday 29th January 10:55
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apparently there are many hidden speed camaras, I was told this after I'd returned, 1000k round trip in 12 hours, with sightseeing and single track roads, but I guess I was lucky. It really is a great place to drive.
Hidden cameras were on a 2 year trial and have been dropped still gotta watch stationwagons (estates) with boots up in speed camera areas (have camera in there funnily enough)
We had a couple of weeks without speed cameras, due to them not being certified as accurate (a loophole in the law) the law has been changed that now assumes they are accurate...........
cheers
Dean
Thanks, Dean.
Interesting to note your comparison with Ireland. We toured Ireland last year in our Chimaera. Just great. Roads were occasionally great, mostly sh*te but often very scenic.
As you might imagine the TVR got "noticed" rather a lot. Shame we won't be in it on our NZ tour! Still we're renting a Z3 which should stave off some of the withdrawl symptoms!
I am now worried about this Give Way rule business!
1) Always Give Way when turning left.
2) Give way to traffic coming from the right when turning right.
Is that right?
Interesting to note your comparison with Ireland. We toured Ireland last year in our Chimaera. Just great. Roads were occasionally great, mostly sh*te but often very scenic.
As you might imagine the TVR got "noticed" rather a lot. Shame we won't be in it on our NZ tour! Still we're renting a Z3 which should stave off some of the withdrawl symptoms!
I am now worried about this Give Way rule business!
1) Always Give Way when turning left.
2) Give way to traffic coming from the right when turning right.
Is that right?
Basically when turning right across the traffic in the UK you would give way to any on coming traffic turning to their left i.e wanting to go down the same road. In NZ the total opposite is true and the vehicle turning right and going across the traffic has right of way and any vehicle turning left has to give way. V easy to cock up as a brit
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Basically when turning right across the traffic in the UK you would give way to any on coming traffic turning to their left i.e wanting to go down the same road. In NZ the total opposite is true and the vehicle turning right and going across the traffic has right of way and any vehicle turning left has to give way. V easy to cock up as a brit
But if they're going straight on they have right of way? Only if they're turning left yes?
Aaaargh. Anyway. Thanks for the replies mel, Dean.
During my 4 month trip of both islands last (English)summer I went to Queensland but it was overpopulated with Japanese skiiers. Try nearby Wanaka, and for skiing try Cardrona. It was my first time skiing and only cost £30 for all the kit, skis, passes and 2 x 2hr lessons. Wanaka has a large car collection/museum that resembles a well kept junkyard.
Also recommended on the South Island is a helicopter ride up to the top of Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. For whale spotting and swimming with dolphins try Kaitia.
For some reason the Kiwi beer is called piss
but I've no idea why 
Its very cold and tastes of...cold.
Take a copy of the Lonely Planet guide and you wont go wrong, you'll just run out of days
Also recommended on the South Island is a helicopter ride up to the top of Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. For whale spotting and swimming with dolphins try Kaitia.
For some reason the Kiwi beer is called piss
but I've no idea why Its very cold and tastes of...cold. Take a copy of the Lonely Planet guide and you wont go wrong, you'll just run out of days
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