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Original poster

Advice on visiting NZ with a toddler

35 replies

NorwichMummy · 14/07/2007 08:16

Dh and I are hoping to go to New Zealand in March for about 4/5 weeks with Ds who will be approaching 2 at the time. We have a rough itinerary planned of a week in the South Island then a week in Hamilton, a few days in the Bay of Islands, then a weeks in Wellington and finishing with a week in Napier. We are then going to fly home via Brisbane to visit relatives.
I would be grateful for any advice especially regarding travelling whilst we are over there. We have been toying with the idea of a camper van, but were wondering how practical it would be with a toddler? Or maybe a camper van for the South Island and then hotels and the like in the North Island..... hmmm who knows?

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yawningmonster · 14/07/2007 09:01

Not much help but we have campervaned around south island a couple of times now. We had to shop around to find one that had a shackle for the car seat and there is a huge range in the prices from Maui vans (quite expensive) to Affordable campers (affordable funnily enough) with little difference in what you got in them. We had ds in bed with us (first time 18mths old) as the other bed folded down from the roof and I wasnt happy with him being up where he could fall. I found it was quite hard to settle him but we got there in the end and got the extra luxury of a dvd and tv player which helped enormously on the crappy weather days as there is not alot of room to do much else in them. Also got ones with showers which was fantastic. Feel free to ask more and hope this helps.

MrsJohnCusack · 14/07/2007 09:38

hi - remembered some previous threads on this which might help. I am in NZ but have no experience of camper vans I'm afraid. But might be able to help on toddler friendly stuff in and around Christchurch!

here
here

kjaysmum · 14/07/2007 09:43

Hi NorwichMummy, You've chosen a great time of year to come. There are some amazing places to park a camper in New Zealand either on a campsite or motorlodge or even free camping. We used a fantastic book when we were travelling around with our three month old Ds, before we moved here permanently, called Baches and Holiday homes to rent, I think it was written by a couple called Greening, but my Parner is in books so I'll check it with him and post again.

Original poster

NorwichMummy · 14/07/2007 10:46

Thanks for the advice. ym, not having a bed with guards is something I have been worried about. The links to other threads have been useful as has the book recomendation, thanks so much, I really appreciate it.
It is going to be a busy time coming over, as there are going to be anything from 10,000+ English estimated to be visiting NZ during March for the cricket so we need to get on and book flights, van/hotels fairly sharpish, hence the need for advice.

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Piffle · 14/07/2007 10:46

mu advice
buy a one way ticket and stay there

Piffle · 14/07/2007 10:47

as in it is the best place in the world to live with kids

not as in sod off we don't like you

Original poster

NorwichMummy · 14/07/2007 11:30

Piffle. To be honest that is part of the reason why we are going out NZ. We have both wanted to visit NZ for ages and since the arrival of ds have been seriously toying with the idea of a permenant move over. There seems to be so many pros especially when you have children. Sigh..... we'll just have to see hwat happens!!

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MrsJohnCusack · 14/07/2007 23:40

If you want to meet when you're passing through ChCh, or pick my brains (on here or via meeting while you're over) feel free!

I do remember that RTKangaMummy also camper vanned through NZ but with slightly older children - I don't see her on here much any more but you might be able to CAT her or search the archives for any advice she may have given

It'll be a great trip!

sibble · 15/07/2007 03:37

no experience of campavans, sorry but was interested in the weeks stay in Hamilton. Do you know people there? Always welcome here if passing through Auckland

kjaysmum · 15/07/2007 06:44

Same as MrsJC says, goes here norwichmummy, you're welcome to park your campervan in our driveway for a day or two if you go for a camper, we are by the beach on the Kapiti coast, very lovely beaches and have a 3 yr old boy, or just pop by for a cuppa if you like

Original poster

NorwichMummy · 15/07/2007 07:11

Wow that's really kind of you all, thanks so much. I'm even more excited now about our holiday with all your positivE responses and kind offers.

I know a week in Hamilton may sound odd but we're coming over for the cricket, hence a week at each of the Test venues Have to do a bit of research later today (ie when ds is in bed!!) on prices and availability of vans, flights etc and then I'll be back to pick your brains some more!

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twentypence · 15/07/2007 07:25

My advice is rent a normal car and then stay in motels - they have cooking facilities, and may have a play area for children. Most provide cots if you ask, and things like high chairs. I like older motels because you get more room (and can get a 2 bedroom if you will sleep better apart). Campervans are massively over subscribed during things like the cricket and will be expensively sitting in a car park while you are at matches (or you will be trying to negotiate parking one whilst you take your toddler somewhere).

twentypence · 15/07/2007 07:26

Oh and fly with Singapore - don't even consider the others.

Being very bossy on this as just done the trip with a 4 year old.

AnnainNZ · 15/07/2007 08:32

Agree with flying with SIngapore, they're fab.

yawningmonster · 15/07/2007 08:49

just to say that we did have cooking facilities and a fridge in our campers. Both times we went at the end of Winter when the rates are 1/2 price and just pulled up in rest areas, on beaches etc, twas gorgeous. Ds could get the little pin out of the fridge however and I was paranoid he would lose it as it was needed to keep door of fridge secure during travel. Whatever you decide if you are doing alot of car travel I would strongly recommend a goodie bag (can be compiled when you are here...selection of snacks and wee bits and bobs from the 2 dollar shop, it made a big difference as did story tapes. Every hour or so he would reach into bag and pull something out, even though it was cheap junky stuff, he really enjoyed the novelty and kept us sane as some of the driving was extensive.

Original poster

NorwichMummy · 15/07/2007 08:49

Thanks for that twentypence, I was begining to think that way re:camper vans. Thanks also for tip on flying Singapore. We have been thinking of using them as have heard good things. Flew Qantas last Nov when we went to Oz and it was appalling, so even more concious about finding a good, child friendly airline now

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kiwikid · 15/07/2007 11:12

We went home this April and agree with the motel idea. Although had option of a) staying with family (hubby finds this very stressful... can't imagine why?!?) and b) using a friends camper van we decided to do c) the hire car and motel thing for much of our trip... travelling north island visiting rellies! It was brilliant and we too looked for the older ones that had two rooms. We could put ds to bed and relax in the other room or with cold beer on the lawn or by pool!! Bliss! You can get a brilliant free directory - Jasons (pick up from most motels) which gives you loads of different motels. If we had loads of time we just arrived and looked around but if you're there for the cricket it may be worth phoning ahead to check avalibilty. Most motels have cots avaliable but realtively cheap to buy... 130 dollars (£40ish) then we sold it for 100 to friend of the family.
YES re: singapore although we flew air nz and they were also brilliant.
Take a cheap stroller for the airport and go to cash converters for a three wheeler if you're planning on doing lots of walking. Have a brilliant time

Original poster

NorwichMummy · 16/07/2007 19:57

Thanks so much for all your advice and help. I really appreciate it. So I think we are decided that the motel/campsite option is going to be the best and I think owing to the popularity of the NZ tour this time round we need to get on and book some rooms, especially for Hamilton, Wellington and Napier. Is it just a cse of going on to the NZ Motels Website (I can't remember it's proper name!!) and picking something we think looks nice, or can any of you lovely people recomend ones that we should try first?

And as I am super cheeky, another question please! We would like to spend 5-7 days in the South Island before going up to Hamilton. We are thinking we'll fly into CC and then would like to see the Southern Alps, go to Queenstown and back up to CC. Is this doable in this time period? Or would we be better doing the winelands? Can you recomend any routes/places we must see whilst we're there?

Phew, I thnk that's it for now!!

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twentypence · 16/07/2007 21:35

If you want to be in the centre of Wellington I can recommend the Quest hotel on near to the Old Bank Arcade. They are best bargained with direct and their prices are much better at weekend. The two bedroom has a very small second bedroom, but it will be fine for one child, and you get a washing machine and tumble dryer in your bathroom.

The aa website is well worth checking out for motels and some give a discount for AA members. You could also look into renting a holiday home(s) for your longer stays - a lot provide sheets and towels now, and it can be cheaper than a motel with a lot more room and your own garden and washing machine. Search for baches and holiday homes. We do this pretty much all the time now with ds.

AnnainNZ · 17/07/2007 14:36

Is there a cricket match in Auckland you are going to? If so it's a shame I moved as I used to live about ten minutes walk from the main cricket ground in Mt Eden!

If you are looking for motel/holiday park in Auckland let me know as I could give info on how far to cricket ground and nice areas to stay in for beaches etc, if that's what you looking for. Though looking at original itinery I'm not sure you're staying in Auckland. DH (Pom like me) is all excited now about possibility of cricket as neither of us had realised a big tour was coming.

sibble · 17/07/2007 20:47

bit slow her, hadn't realised you were coming for the cricket. that explains the need to spend a week in Hamilton maybe

twentypence · 17/07/2007 21:52

Nothing fully would explain spending a week in Hamilton.

AnnainNZ · 17/07/2007 22:29

I was a bit bemused by the week in Hamilton thing at first too.

The two best things about Hamilton - the road north and the road south...

sibble · 18/07/2007 05:42

lol AnnainNZ, my thoughts exactly, and fast past the MIL's did I say that

AnnainNZ · 18/07/2007 06:41

I got it from an article in the Herald a few years ago, they were havign a competition to find a new city slogan for Hamilton and people wrote in with some very sardonic ones.

There were loads of funny ones, the only other one I can remember now is "Hamilton - only two hours from somewhere interesting"

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