Driving in NZ?

Question

From what I read, driving in your country is the only way to visit and see the better parts of NZ. Is this statement correct?

What is the best buy on NZ products?

Answer 1

I don't live in New Zealand, but I did spend 3 weeks there. I believe driving is the easiest way to see the country. I didn't notice public transport outside the major cities, and driving is so easy there--hardly any traffic. I think that's the way to go.

Answer 2

Yep, driving is difinitely the best way to see parts of New Zealand that you would never see if you took planes, trains or buses around the country. Driving here is on the left and the roads are in very good condition. The only warning I can give you is that you should take extreme caution when driving as you may not be used to the roads here. Because of New Zealand's natural terrain, some of the roads are very windey (not as in the weather but as in there are many turns) are most roads not in towns or cities are only 2 lanes, and, depending on where and when you go, the roads may be slippery due to ice. Oh yeah, the limit is 100km for open roads, 50km for residential areas and 70-80 for industrial areas. There will always be a sign when entering a different speed limit zone informing you of the speed limit.

Answer 3

Yes, I live in NZ and I agree.  Public transport here isn't very plentiful, especially out in the country.  Motoring is cheaper than in Japan or Europe but probably a little bit more expensive than Canada or the States.  I think driving is less stressful than in Europe; our roads are wide and there's less traffic.  But overseas visitors seem to have a lot of accidents here.  We've got a lot of dirt roads and tourists often seem to drive too fast for the conditions.  Some of them come from countries that don't have any substandard roads.

Answer 4

No.

If you are a tourist who is in NZ to see the country and to find out all about what you are seeing as you travel through, then driving yourself is not going to achieve that.

You will be too busy driving to see everything and you'll not learn anything either.

You should take a tour either by scheduled coaches (and contrary to other answers) that ply between centres on a regular basis.

You can go on a group tour like Magic, Kiwi Experience Y bus, Naked Bus, Stray travel - there are heaps.

You can hire a car and chauffeur/guide. That's the work I used to do. This gives you flexibility to go anywhere at anytime and is far cheaper than a taxi.

The driver in all these scenarios will give a commentary about the countryside through which you are travelling. (On a scheduled service coach you may not get one unless you ask for it.)

The best way is to use local and small operators for local trips, and the others for your journey between cities.

Careful about buying NZ souvenirs. Most are made in China.

For Maori carvings go to the Buried Village. For sheep products go to the Agrodome. For jade (greenstone) go to Hokitika. For glassware go to Hokitika or Inglewood. For paua go to Nelson or Riverton. For artwork go to Arrowtown, Dunedin or Christchurch. For NZ books go to Oamaru.

Anything in particular that I haven't mentioned?