Maxime366 heyy! Im flying into new zealand on Jan 26th for about 3 weeks! Im from the US too, just graduated from college and am doing a 6 month backpacking trip (actually starting in Fiji!) Whats your plan, ill be doing all of the south island as well, haven't really planned transportation bc i figured renting a car would be too expensive, so I was looking into bus passes. It would be great to try to plan something, let me know!
1 year ago
divya Hi Maxime! Great to hear from you, it would be great to try and plan. So, my dates are somewhat set as I have a flight out of Auckland --> US on Feb 1. I fly in to Queenstown on Jan 25th, and would love to start the roadtrip Jan 26th afternoon or early Jan 27th. If you are interested, we can talk actual destinations. High level, I would love to see Milford Sound, Franz Joseph / do a glacier hike.
I looked in to renting a car, and for two people it is not too expensive (I put a link with a rough quote at the end of the email. For all wheel drive automatic, ~88NZD / day). I have had many friends do the South Island and they highly recommend driving as you have much more control on what you want to see, where you want to stop etc. Also, I did the North Island via car and I do think it is the best way to go. :)
Excited you are going to Fiji! Loved loved it there, I can share my few thoughts. I am now in Vanuatu for the next two weeks. Look forward to hearing from you! And let me know if you want to talk via email, I find the globetrooper message system a little messy. :)
Cheers,
Divya