Travelling Down Under? How to Tour New Zealand

Touring New Zealand is recognised by many as one of the most enjoyable experiences one can find anywhere in the world. Recent movies such as Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit have brought New Zealand’s gorgeous scenery on to the World stage. As a tourist to New Zealand, you will be struck by the country’s diverse variety of changing landscapes.

So what is the best away to tour New Zealand?

The answer to that question will depend very much on how you like to travel – whether you are a ‘do it yourself’ type of tourist, or one who likes to have it all planned out for you. If you are the former, then here are some great ways of touring New Zealand.

One of the most popular ways is by hiring a rental car or a camper van. This gives you the freedom of being able to travel at your own pace, to have the option of staying in one place for a while and to change your travel plans if you wish. Because it is generally easy to get into New Zealand camping grounds or motels (at most times of the year), it is probably not necessary to book your camp site or accommodation too far ahead.

Another thing to consider is that rental vehicles in New Zealand don’t just come in the form of a car or camper van. If you and your friends are travelling as a group, then another practical way of going is to hire a New Zealand minivan rental. Driving rules in New Zealand allow you take up to 11 passengers without the need for a bus driver’s licence. By travelling as a group, you can split the cost of travel and accommodation, thereby reducing the cost of your holiday.

Another popular way of seeing the country, especially if you are young (or young at heart!) is by back packing in New Zealand. Each of these options will afford you a cheap holiday in New Zealand.

The next option is to take a coach tour of the country. Sightseeing tours in New Zealand are an excellent way of how to tour New Zealand if you are someone who likes to have your daily itinerary already organised for you. Some of the best tours of New Zealand are by coach out of Auckland in the North Island to places like the Waitomo Caves, Taupo, Rotorua and Tauranga, or to Queenstown, Haast Pass, Frans Joseph Glacier via Christchurch or Dunedin in the South Island.

With this option, you are able to stay in some of New Zealand’s finest hotels, and of course all your meals are provided as part of the tour package, so it a very relaxing way of seeing some of the best New Zealand attractions.

Still another way to see the country is to tour New Zealand by ship. Because there are six New Zealand ports where cruise ships berth, this is a great way to see the country. Most of these cruise ships berth for one or two nights at a port, and link up with tour bus companies to provide on-land day excursions, and so this is a very stress-free way for you to see New Zealand.