Been to New Zealand (( North and SOuth Island ) via Cycyling. 8 weeks.
Itinerary ........ Depends want you want from your trip......
How long going there ?
When are you going ? Mid Dec till Mid Jan ... is PEAK season for NZ. ( Due to Australians and School Holidays )
Suggest period of travel .... 1 st Dec till 1 March . ( Summer time ... But also Peak season for travellers. )
Air Asia ....... Last flight to Auckland ... In Feb 2019? (https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/108457940/airasia-drops-auckland-route)
So possible to fly to Sydney/Melbourne then to Christchurch or Auckland. But flight froom Australia to NZ are EXPENSIVE. Better that you settle the flight first.
Solo in NZ is EASY !! Lots of Hostels every where. But Book in advance if the Place is full of tourist. Check out YHA or BBH ( NZ) which is similar to hostels but have a good listing and discount if you are a member.
Budget .... NZ 35 ( Accomodation ), 20 ( Food) , 10 (Transport) , 15 (( Misc )) ...Total .. NZ 80/ per day. (( Exculde air travel )).
Between big cities ... Bus/Coach is recommended. Trains are EXPENSIVE. Bus/Coach at time have SPECIAL offer....So check it out.
Places ... Depends what you like ?
Nature ...South Island (( Must do in your LIFE time !! )). North Island ...... Culture, ART, Wine , Hot springs, Small towns. Lakes, etc.
North Island ...... Auckland (( Art ,Museums, Wharf area, Food and Easy Life style )) , Rototua (( Hot spring, culture, Forest , Lakes , Biking )) ,
Tapao (( Easy life style, food , Lake, Nature hiking, Mountain Biking) , Napier/Hastings (( Wine country (( V.Good)), Trails, easy life, Food, Cycling ) , Hamilton (( History, lakes, easy life, trails )
CHECK out the tourist Site of NZ. Very good tips.
South Island ................... VERY , VERY LONG LIST.
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SIM card ...... Reach NZ then just go to any Malls or Supermarkets. Buy sim card and top up to Data Plans is Sufficient.
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K-POP Fan....... Place where "I" by Taeyeon . AUckland ........... "The Portland Public House" ( Google map) . Where the video was done. Go for Lunch and try out their Special Offer.
Nice ...Chic Place, good food and ambience. Off Peak time ....... food is Recommended.
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ATM CASH withdrawals....... MOST ATM in NZ can withdraw CASH. Active your ATM card for overseas withdrawal. Note ... service charge (( depends on Bank)). Use BIG banks ATM.
thank for the info , will keep it for next trip , im feel need longer time to spand at NZ , so i'm change my mind last min , now already booking air ticket to hokkaido on Jan , got any tips about there ?>