I suggest you to go to Mt. Hutt or those around Queenstown & Wanaka as they target tourist (means got trainer and learner area). Also you can find more accommodation and food around.
No need to worry, just go there and all will be fine.


It is worth it! Arthur's Pass is the best at winter, the view is so much better and you can enjoy/take pictures as you like on the train (I don't like snow falling on my camera lens). You can also take bus but I really don't recommend those.
The last time I drive to Arthur's Pass I've been stuck by snow storm for 2 days because I don't have chains... very bad experience.


What is your budget for B&B, currently prices gone sky high because lack of places to live. Recommend you go backpackers.


Other than Stray, try Google for: Kiwi Experience, Magic Bus


No, do not park anywhere or will risk getting ticket. You must go to camping grounds and camp sites around the town.
Although January is summer, early morning and midnight will still be freezing cold at certain area (mountains, lakes, South Island). Otherwise, summer time is quite enjoyable like Malaysia's morning. Night time will still have frost and will be freezing in your camper van. Try to get yourself some sleeping bag/heater/electric blanket.
You won't be able to Ski in summer, wait till late June or July for Skiing.
What NOT to do... Speeding? Max speed in town is 50km/h. Just don't break the law and you'll be fine.

wow, few thousand dollars! You take it back in cash?

This question is too general... AA price change all the time, hard to tell you the price without knowing your travelling date. AA now offers RM 589.00 to CHC from 3rd May 2012

If you plan to do a short trip on summer, I suggest you do book early and plan ahead as places tend to pack with people. In winter... not recommended to go there as you'll have shorter day light and cold too. Unless you want to ski...

Go off to tracks, or tours to the sounds... I wonder why no one mentioned it??

Depends on you, if you like tracking? Then yes, be sure to book your hostel before doing so. Night in Mt. Cook is freezing even in Summer.

If you don't do tracking, go to Tekapo for trips

Summer in NZ isn't hot at all, in Christchurch it is cold!! (As far as I know, CHC is colder than other places around that area)
For places around Christchurch, do take train to west cost, that is a true beauty of South Island! Other place would be Akaroa & Kaikoura for that short period.

TBH, most of the local banks staffs don't even know about EFTPOS (my sister with 5 years experience included). I think the training they had didn't include overseas technology.

I got HSBC CC but the only pin they gave me is the debit/ATM 6 digit pin which you can use to withdraw cash (not sure about cash out using EFTPOS). I used it on the first few days on EFTPOS machine and the cashier said something about "lets see this card requires signing or pin", then the machine prints out the receipt for signing. Later on I've a KiwiBank debit card and never use my HSBC again.

For petrol stations, just use any card of your choice as all... I mean ALL petrol stations got EFTPOS. No worries!

Calculated based on per person for 10 days, + - the days yourself. All price from website and may change due to Peak Season (means +$$). According to my calculation... you need at least $300 more!

Living Cost:
Backpacker $22 to $25*10 = $220 to $250
Food $15 to $20*10 = $150 to $200
Car rental $35*10 = $350
Bus/transport (from airport?) $7.50
Extras: kiwi bird live park ($38), Haka ($55), Fergburger (at least $10), ice cream, parking, shopping, bar/alcohol, honey, crayfish (approx $25), and more $$$......

Activities:
Bungy $180
Whale Watch $145
Kayak Half day guided $95.00
More activities??

You can go glacier hike (Fox Glacier or Franz Josef-The recent news!), helicopter/Plane tour, boat tour(Te Anau/Tekapo)... they are not in the 3 towns you planed to go. You need to spend 2 days in order to do these activities (driving there, spend the night, tour day, spend the night). Btw, the cost of going to glacier isn't added to your list up there.

You can try the Mt. Cook glacier which is just an hour drive from Tekapo. I think Mt. Cook is a must go place between CHC & Queenstown.

If there is no sign, please don't drive over 100.

Considering how we Malaysian drive and how empty the road there... haha

Petrol cost depends on market price and also depends on how rural the place is. Expect 20 cents more if you driving in West Coast, southern most area in South Island. Not sure about North Island, didn't drive there myself.

Btw, word of advice: don't drive during winter times if you don't have winter experience before.

The weather in NZ isn't that cold, the real problem is strong wind. To make sure, get yourself windproof clothing (better if it is waterproof as you might be going to ski field later). Don't buy those ugly cloths from Universal Traveler... they makes you looks like... well, a traveler. LOL

How long will you be there? If you are only staying for a week or so, just get a jacket and long sleeve clothing. Buy extra when you arrive if you still feel cold.

Your family travelling alone? Using what transport? Since you have a 4 year old son, then I think you need to consider these items:
1) hot water bottle - buy it when you arrive from supermarket. A 2 litre bottle should be around $5. Image
2) Thermos Flasks - use to store hot water, for drinking in case your son gets too cold. Buy when arrive, cheaper than MY. I got mine from Brisco.
3) Eat more - So your body will produce more heat. Google what to eat.
4) Ginger - Eat/Drink ginger, I hate ginger but I had no choice when I'm too cold...

April still not that cold, not much to worry about. I don't think you need to bring water bottles if you are not spending the night in the car or having a small kid with you.
Don't buy jam, get manuka honey, much more valuable and good for health.

Refer to NZ immigration website for any item not allowed in.
Travelling to NZ is just same like travelling other countries, declare everything that they stated and you'll be fine.

NP. Friendly and helpful people over there, so won't be any problem at all. Enjoy your trip!

Yes, roads will be closed and get frosty, cars will start to miss behaving due to cold weather. That is why driving yourself isn't encouraged, you might get stuck midway or even trapped in a snowstorm!

MYR 13k You sure you need that much cash?
Just bring a few cards, most of the shops (even some stalls) accept card. You can withdraw if you need more later on.

BBH cards don't have data, it just comes with $20 international call. Wireless in NZ sucks, better go McD or hostel with free wifi.

I learned a trick from my uncle, that is to bank in all your cash into your CC. All the car rental, accommodation, tickets, etc all those can be paid by cards at no cost to you except currency exchange.

No idea about gst claiming, I got mine after doing all the form filling and visiting IRD.

Kindly refer a few pages back, there are a lot of discussion for winter.