OK, but which flight should i choose? Direct flight from KL to Auck? MAS? or trannsit. In term of cost and duration.
If i drive from North to South island, i need to return back to North, it will coz time. Or any other way which can save time and cost?

For me i prefer take flight with cheaper airfare.
During my previous travel, it actually last batch of AA flight to Christchurch.
AA stopped the KL-CHC route end of May 2012.

I travel to NZ one only and might not have most update flight infor for you.
U better refer to Munkeyflo post/advise on which airline to take for cheaper
and most valuable route. She was regular traveller to NZ.

This post has been edited by youngman28: Feb 7 2014, 02:04 PM

Malaysia airline KL - Auckland cheapest 2699 Return

Lookout for Jetstar, i booked in May 2013 for November 2013 ticket. Paid 1.5k Return KL - Sin - Auckland.

We drove all the way down to Queenstown and fly back from Queenstown to Auckland. Jetstar operates in NZ as well so lookout for their promo. The last time i book it was something like buy 1 free 1 sort of promo.

There are not many choices for flights in and out of NZ. The two main choices are MAS (direct KL-Auckland) and Jetstar (KL-Auckland transit in Singapore for 3 hours or so).

Obviously Jetstar will take a few more hours to arrive your destination compared to MAS since you have to transit in Singapore. Luggage will all be checked in directly so you don't have to worry about that. Jetstar is like Airasia, you'll have to purchase luggage weight, food and/or entertainment, water is free to refill if you have a water bottle though. MAS is a full-fledged carrier so you'll have free flow of food and drinks on boards, etc.

As for traveling domestically around NZ, try Air NZ or Jetstar. Both of these airlines also give good pricing when they have promo. I find Jetstar have more promotions than Air NZ though. All tickets can be bought online so check both airlines when you buy domestic flights.

North to South island by car, you'll need quite some time to drive considering you'll be stopping by tourist attractions and what not. Since there's no direct flights to south island from KL, you can take a domestic flight from Auckland to Christchurch/Queenstown when you arrive. If you have the time to spare, take the drive down from Auckland to South Island. Check with the car rental company beforehand, most of them have branches in the main cities and you can return the rental car to their other branches, i.e. rent from Hertz in Auckland and return to Hertz in Christchurch. Then catch a domestic flight back to Auckland for your flight back to KL.

Enjoy your trip! Where will you be heading to this time?

Just came back from NZ after almost a fortnight of visit to the South and North island.

Let me recall how the journey went through,

Auckland - 1Sun -> flight
Queenstown - 2Mon,Tues (Te Anau & Glenorchy) -> land
Dunedin - 1Wed -> land
Franz Josef - 1Thurs -> land
Christchurch - 1Fri -> flight
Wellington - 2Sat,Sun -> land
Palmerston North - 1Mon -> (Hasting, Napier) land
Wellington - 1Tues -> flight
Auckland - 2Wed,Thurs ->
End

Part 1 - South Island
Start off with Queenstown




Approaching Qzn


Terminal of Qzn. Neat and compact.










Lake Wakatipu.

TBC

This post has been edited by foxxy: Feb 8 2014, 07:28 PM

--

I will concentrate on North Island mostly because last year we spent our time in South Island. Only stay in North Island for 5 days. This time 5 days in South Island and North island for the remaining stay

This post has been edited by Listiani: Feb 11 2014, 01:52 PM

Thanks bro, i think is better for me to drive right, coz i already plan to spend 14 days in NZ. Do i need to book all the accomodation before arrive? any accommodation guide for drive traveller? Coz i travel with my wife and 2 kids (4 & 2 years).

I would definitely recommend driving. Some people prefer to have booking confirmation beforehand while some like to walk in. Depends on the time you are traveling also. If peak season, then better get your accommodations all set up. I usually book all my hotels before my trip. Check the few hotel booking websites, e.g. Booking.com, Agoda.com or check Trip Advisor to get a rough idea on what you are booking.

What do you mean by accommodation guide? I don't see an issue traveling with your wife and 2 young kids.

In NZ, I usually go for the holiday parks, the two main ones that I know in NZ is Kiwi Holiday Park and Top 10 Holiday Park. They actually cater for those caravan travelers but some of their bigger holiday parks also have motels and self-contained unit which includes a usable kitchen as we prefer to buy groceries and make our own dinner & breakfast (save $$). Holiday parks are definitely kids friendly.
http://www.kiwiholidayparks.com/
http://www.top10.co.nz/

ps: I'm no bro.

Munkeyflo is a female, bro?

Better to book the hostel in advance, those good hostel will be fully book
on high season.

For self drive, YHA is recommended, it like the YHA chain hostel in Australia.
Within YHA NZ, it have full facilities for cooking, laundry,beding. Most of the YHA hostel
located in the strategic location. The hostel was well kept, clean and friendly.
But, one disadvantage for YHA, it charge a fee for kid as well.
Before booking, try to email them and negiotate for kid fee,
Some do charge, some are not , depend on which YHA u stay.

In YHA hostel, it have a large public kitchen for all traveller to share, all the cooking
tool included rice cooker, gas stool, 24hrs hot water, for u to prepare a decent chinese meal.
You just need to buy the meat, vege, ingredient to prepare for dinner/breakfast.
Even can cook a soup by utilise the hot water.

However, some feedback from others forumer, they have try some other pack packer
hostel, like Xbase Back packer hostel, it slightly cheaper, and without charge for kid.

For car rental, try to book on-line before yrs travel. It cheaper compare
to on site soucing. If they are promotion going-on, it definately cheaper than walk-in rate.
Try to rent a medium sedan car, then all the luaguage can stufft inside car boot, please
remember, u need a child seat for yrs kid to seat also. It relative easy to travel in NZ as
compare to others country, most of the road is 2 lane truck road.

This post has been edited by youngman28: Feb 14 2014, 09:53 AM

wow just back from queenstown

just wonder is mathias the piano man still there?

Driving ? Which part to which part or the whole north and south islands ? And are you the only driver ? Is your wife driving as well ? Very tired oh if seorang pemandu je.

Here you go




Another one .....


This post has been edited by foxxy: Feb 13 2014, 01:24 AM

Continue -



This post has been edited by foxxy: Feb 13 2014, 01:31 AM

Continue -2


This post has been edited by foxxy: Feb 13 2014, 01:38 AM

Continue - 3

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This post has been edited by foxxy: Feb 13 2014, 01:39 AM

Thanks foxxy for sharing. Bringing back my old memories.

[quote=foxxy,Feb 13 2014, 02:19 AM]
Driving ? Which part to which part or the whole north and south islands ? And are you the only driver ? Is your wife driving as well ? Very tired oh if seorang pemandu je.

[url=http://s316.photobucket.com/user/DesmondCSH/media/New%20Zealand/IMG_6700_zps0e50c74a.jpg.html]

If round the whole NZ to & back to the same point like Auckland, sure will be tiring.
If start from Christchurch or Queentown and end at Auckland or reverse the route,
It should be ok, if you plan smartly with due care.

[quote=youngman28,Feb 13 2014, 08:49 AM]
[quote=foxxy,Feb 13 2014, 02:19 AM]
Driving ? Which part to which part or the whole north and south islands ? And are you the only driver ? Is your wife driving as well ? Very tired oh if seorang pemandu je.

[url=http://s316.photobucket.com/user/DesmondCSH/media/New%20Zealand/IMG_6700_zps0e50c74a.jpg.html]

If round the whole NZ to & back to the same point like Auckland, sure will be tiring.
If start from Christchurch or Queentown and end at Auckland or reverse the route,
It should be ok, if you plan smartly with due care.

[/quote]

I think so,but this is the only way that can reduce cost. I plan to start from Auckland untill south island and return by flight.

Problem now, i not sure how many days i need to stay at certain place. Make me hard to pre book the accomodation.

Some simple guideline will be as below:

let assume 2/3 travel days in SI and 1/3 travel day in NI,

-10 day in South Island +5 day in North Island.

I will cover 10 day in South Island, since i am not travel to North Island yet.
Maybe others traveller can contribute some input here.

-Arrive South Island via Nelson, Westport/Greymouth- (stay Greymouth 1N)
-Lake Tekapo -1 day (stay Lake Tekapo 1N)
-Mountain Cook/Lake Wanaka -1 day ( stay Wanaka 1N)
-Queenstown (LOTR site/ Chernobly/Lake Wakatipu/Cromwell/Arrowtown)- 4 day( stay QT-4N)
-Te Anue/Miford South- 1 day( stay Te Anue 1N)
-West Coast/Frank Josef Glacial/Fox Glacial -1 day( stay Frank Josef -1N)
-Christchurch/Akaroa/Kaikoura- 1 day (stay Akaroa 1N)

This is a guide only, you can alter up to your personal preference. No right or wrong.
Try not to have too far/long driving route between each destination, advisable
maximum 300km/day only. If not, you will be too tire and too rushing as well.
It defeat the purpose for family holiday, rite?

This post has been edited by youngman28: Feb 14 2014, 09:49 AM