MNs in Australia and NZ - shopping advice needed please

[LoopyLobster]

We are spending Christmas in Australia and, never having been there before, could do with some advice on present shopping.

In an ideal world, we would buy both DDs a ready bed with a tent on it something like this as we are going to be camping in our bell tent after Christmas in NZ. We definitely need some sort of ready bed - we have one already (2 x DDs, aged 2 and 4)

Have seen some ready beds online - Target and Big Ws, but not very nice ones. Can anyone think of anywhere else for a toddler ready bed (ideally not Thomas the tank).

Stocking fillers - any ideas? We will have 2 days in Melbourne before Christmas, will do some shopping then. Don't really want to cart it all over there.

Then, when we get to NZ, we will need various camping things. We'll be starting in Queenstown. Will it be cold? Rainy? Jumpers, or coats? Wellies? We live in Malaysia and have none of this stuff. Do charity shops exist in Queenstown?

Thanks so much

Sorry can't help on the ready bed front. will you really want to be shopping in Melbourne ? Could you order stuff on line and have it delivered to the place where you're staying ?
There is a lovely trip out to Philip island to see the Little penguins - young children would love it and it's a full day from what I remember. although thinking about it - there was a good shop there and DD got a lovely little penguin soft toy.
Have a great trip !

We could order online, but through whom? Which companies are best? So confusing...
Thanks

I was in Queenstown January of last year. Weather was generally warm and sunny in the day (late teens/early twenties degrees C) but could get quite chilly at night. We didn't get rain but it's still quite likely just after Christmas. One day only got to 13 degrees and was 3 degrees overnight, with snow on the hills (which my dcs loved, they had never seen snow before). Weather can change very quickly there so I would def advise waterproofs, jumpers etc

I can't remember if I saw any charity shops (called op shops here if you are asking for them when in Queenstown). Queenstown does have a branch of The Warehouse which is a NZ chain of huge red, um, warehouses which sell everything - homewares, outdoor stuff, clothes, toys etc etc. They are cheap and the quality will not be amazing but if it's just stuff for while you're here you will be fine. You could get jumpers, waterproofs, camping stuff etc there (you can get virtually anything there). You can search on the link above to check what they have and what it costs. That site will also give you the address of where it I'd in Qtn (it's not a huge town so it wil be 10 mins drive away at most).

Queenstown is beautiful, I'm jealous of you going there...the drive to Glenorchy along the lake is gorgeous. Amazing views from the top of the gondola ride. Town centre can be quite packed and touristy but so many beautiful places all around the town and lake. Some great wineries too.

You will be cold in NZ coming from Malaysia. Melbourne can be cold or it can be scorching or it can do both in one day.

Are you flying into Queenstown or Chch? Opshops are likely to be very good in the small towns on the way from Chch. Queenstown does have opshops.

Thanks so much. We're flying to Cristchurch and driving down. Would it be better to look for stuff there?

There's a shop I remember. Boating, camping and fishing (BCF), that used to have loads of expert camping stuff.

Sorry, missed the bit about small towns. We're driving down in a bit of a hurry as it's NYE.

The Warehouse looks brilliant, thanks so much for that. Excellent stuff. :)

Ah, what about mosquitoes?

Christchurch much bigger than Queenstown and with many more shops but I don't know it well enough to tell you where they are.

I think Queenstown does have one or two outdoor shops if you want better quality stuff, they will be pricier.

Can't remember if there were mozzies or if it's a bit cold at night for them. I'd take some insect repellant just in case.

Queenstown does have outdoor gear but it'll be VERY expensive. Stick to the Warehouse. Also perhaps try Kathmandu in Christchurch, they sell quality outdoor/camping gear and usually have good sales on in Jan.

From the airport in Christchurch, head south down SH1 to Hornby, there is a big Warehouse there and a shopping mall, including Dressmart an outlet store mall. This will be on your way south and there is a Countdown supermarket there to stock up on food if you need to.
Can get cold in Queenstown, or be pretty hot - prepare for changeable weather! Arrowtown is really worth a day trip, really pretty and my kids loved panning for gold there :)

Are you going to be in Qtown for NYE? It will be party central there, and the camping grounds will be packed with drunken teenagers.

No mozzies, but you might come across sand flies, which are just as bad. Buy repellent.

Have you considered renting camping gear/clothes in NZ? I hired gear when I tramped the Tongariro Crossing on the North Island and it was very good quality. A quick Google brought up this link for Queenstown, there's probably more in Christcurch.

For stocking fillers, I've previously used www.onlinetoys.com.au, www.MrToys.com.au and www.Yogee.com.au. All have been reliable and quick delivery.

Sounds like a fantastic itinery