Yes, my understanding is alot of those tracks starts near Te Anau town, even the world famous milford track.

from Te Anau to Milford sound, is about 3 hours? that's much nearer than queenstown. that's the best option already. Some tours depart from queenstown to milford sound, but long, LONG day.

Thanks ! One more question though, approximately how much will the total gasoline cost will amount to for a 2 weeks car rental in south island? From my own calculation based on my destinations and distances travelled, I got around 2215KM, that totalled up to NZD203 (Assuming current RON91 price = NZD 1.73/litre). To me I think the cost is a bit low...or is around that range?

Thanks !

Saya tarak pandu. Google? Hmm... One thing is... There's quite abit up and downhill moving around nz. Particularly towards the glacier area... Not flat all the way ma.

Also i forgot to add a disclaimer, that i didnt go for the tracks you mentioned. But spending 3 days in te anau, bound to learn something. Lol.

Thanks for the reply. haha still doing some research is the distance i calculated correct a not at 2100KM haha

Petrol stations in some hard to reach / rural parts of NZ will cost more than market price.

Ya, I took some of that factor into consideration. But just wanna check if my total distance travelled is correct a not haha..

Not only to glacier area, to Picton or to Takaka is my worst nightmare of driving.

Just ensure you car is full tank all the way.


I totally drived 3600km +- .
My petrol cost is NZD650+-
but is last year july-aug when petrol price is in their peak.

Wow, can I know where you drive to and for how many days?

Cause I calculated mine around 2200KM 15 days trip, from Christchurch -> Lake Tekapo -> Mount Cook -> Oamaru -> Dunedin -> Te Anau -> Milford Sound -> Queenstown -> Lake Wanaka -> Franz Josef Glacier -> Greymouth -> Christchurch, I'm not going to the northern part of the island.

You can read at http://adrian-nat.blogspot.sg/2014/07/new-...home-pages.html

For your reference

Petrol and diesel prices as at 14 January 2015
Auckland Wellington Christchurch
91 Octane 172.9 172.9 172.9
95 Octane 181.9 181.9 181.9
Diesel 107.9 107.9 107.9

Rural area or even Queenstown in general is more expensive compare to Auckland.

If I recall correctly, it should be around 1.61 - 1.68 around Auckland area. And do remember to grab some glossary from PaknSave/Countdown/New World as they do offer petrol disc at selected petrol station (normally 4cent disc for $40 dollar spent but occasionally they will give big discount up to 40 cent with spending around 200-300)

Booking online can save you time and occasionally you might ended with good promo

http://www.budget.co.nz/default.aspx and https://www.thrifty.co.nz/ is quite reasonable and car condition is good
http://www.jucy.co.nz/ is cheaper ... been using this 3 sites for all my travelling no complaint so far

Alternatively, you might consider this if it fit into your schedule. I have not tried it but heard good word about it.
https://www.transfercar.co.nz/

For car rental, i recommend apex....
good service and reasonable price...

No relocation fee
free ferry ticket if crossing island. (free for car only)

Wow, thanks for sharing. I noticed that you did a lot of self-cook meals. As I will be having self-cook meals for my trip as well, just want to ask how do you store meats in car for long hours journey? Or you buy most canned food?

Thanks.
Thanks for the great tips on petrol station discount, didn't know such discount exists @@

I go in winter, my car boot is like refrigerator in south island.
So i keep all my meat and food there.
When need, than take out and cook at hostel.

i buy all my thing at Christchurch. much cheaper compare to queenstown.

Wah car like refrigerator lol.......cause I'm going in the end of May[between autumn and winter, not sure if winter will come early/late]....I was thinking how do i keep my food that are bought from christchurch @@

Summer do come late this year...so winter might be late too but nvr estimate the weather in NZ
In general, I do consider there is only 2 seasons in NZ, winter seem to last for 7 mths

Hmm...I guess i have to buy more food that is not perishable for the self-cook meal

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/ar...jectid=11394183

This might be cost saver for some

can share about your NZ trip and the total cost of your trip? would like to get a roughly cost.

Actually... as long as you are cooking, you don't really need to go to the extent of getting ALL your food in christchurch and hoping it will last just to save couple of dollars.

I cooked 90% of my meal during my 3 weeks NZ trip. Does help with cost saving but sometimes one needs a break as well. Try something local.