Thread: Reasonable Rental Car in NZ?

Originally Posted by Beetroot

If you only have 12 days spending it all in the south island isn't a bad idea.
There are some nice places and things to see in NI but the SI is a much safer bet, and without a doubt is the more impressive island.

Really? Everyone, and keep in mind that 'everyone' includes a lot of ppl who are NOT experts in NZ-related stuff, has said that the NI has a lot more to see than the SI. I just wanted to give the wifey an 'around-the-world' (metaphorically) experience there so that when I want to come hunt with a local next year, she doesn't feel the need to participate.

I've gone through all of the suggested sites, and they are more than what I was quoted through local sites.

It's either going to be that I pony up for the full $, which doesn't include insurance (not covered by our very expensive insurance carrier) or plan a route on just the SI, to which I'm not opposed. After all, I get to go hunting while she does whatever...

Originally Posted by SanDiegoHntr

Really? Everyone, and keep in mind that 'everyone' includes a lot of ppl who are NOT experts in NZ-related stuff, has said that the NI has a lot more to see than the SI. I just wanted to give the wifey an 'around-the-world' (metaphorically) experience there so that when I want to come hunt with a local next year, she doesn't feel the need to participate.

I've gone through all of the suggested sites, and they are more than what I was quoted through local sites.

It's either going to be that I pony up for the full $, which doesn't include insurance (not covered by our very expensive insurance carrier) or plan a route on just the SI, to which I'm not opposed. After all, I get to go hunting while she does whatever...

Most of the really nice parts of the NI are either the far North or in the Coromandel.
For the most part all you will see from the Waikato down to Wellington is grass, hills, pine trees and a mountain.

The normal things to do in the NI for tourists are Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington, pretty much all of which you could skip.
Rotorua/the Bay of Plenty is quite nice but if you are only there for a day it'll be pretty disappointing.
With out a doubt the there are some nice places to visit, but if the option was spend 2 days in the Taupo vs Twizel/Tekapo, the later will be considerably more impressive and memorable.

You definitely could do the entire country in 12 days, but it'd be pretty rushed and a lot of driving each day if you want to include the far north/bay of islands.
But flying straight outta Auckland into Christchurch and hiring a car from there will have you into some amazing scenery in about 1hr.

I'm making the assumption you want to see the scenery at the outdoors rather than city things, if that's what you are into I can't really offer much advice.