Melnq8

I do like my far flung

More info here, although it's marked as an easy walking track, which was not my experience.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...ake-rere-walk/

tasmangirl

Found it now!
This is far too far "in the wop wops" for your family trip Sonali. Just need someone to fall over or something and it could be a disaster. Do a walk around Glenorchy instead.
I was thinking how the heck did this walk become a 19th century tourist destination but they took the steamer ferry to Elfin Bay and then walked in. I was imagining them horse and carting to Glenorchy, then all the way around to Kinloch and then to Lake Rere. Our pioneers were hardy and tough but not crazy!
You'd get a similar view from Mt Nicholas Station if you did their catamaran trip. Down at that end of Lake Wakatipu you can't see Queenstown just the lovely lake and mountains.

sonaligupta2108

Hi Tasmangirl,

We would definitely go back to NZ later in life. (m sure even before visitng it first time).

And yes, as suggested by Mel, Lake Rere is out this time. also, I will try to do catamaran trip.

Anything else?

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

sonaligupta2108

Hi Mel,

You should definitely write book on 'far flung places of NZ'.

Thanks a lot for all the help. Now, first thing on my to do list is to book hotels and activities.

One problem - tickets for transalpine. Do u know the link. I want to book now as we are traveling during peak season.

Sonali Gupta.

sonaligupta2108

Hi Tasmangirl,

One problem - tickets for transalpine. Do u know the link. I want to book now as we are traveling during peak season.

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

deSchenke

http://www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz

sonaligupta2108

Hi Deschenke,

Thanks for the link. I checked for 3 people CHC - Greymouth on feb 18. It is coming out to be NZD139 pp. Is it generally this costly? Any other way to book for less?

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

tasmangirl

I get $159 per adult and $111 for a child but that would be NZ dollars. That's the cheapest fare and it's a popular scenic train trip so the price reflects that. NZ is not a cheap destination.

sonaligupta2108

Hi Tasmangirl,

Yes. NZ is NOT AT ALL cheap. All the day tours from Auckland are super costly. (we are planning not to drive for first 2 days since we drive on right hand side of the road in US and jet lagged too). Though IC bus are cheap.


I read (somewhere; don't remember now) that one can book cheaper tickets for transalpine if in NZ or if u book way too early. But I think NZD159 PP is fine.

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

Melnq8

Sonali -

You might try these sites:

https://www.bookme.co.nz/


https://new.grabone.co.nz/auckland-experience?view=grid

Grab One is good throughout NZ, not just in Auckland,

We used them once to book a Milford Sound bus/cruise.

sonaligupta2108

Thanks Melnq8.

Will keep an eye on both these sites.

Thanks again.
Sonali Gupta.

tasmangirl

I've checked out the Northern Explorer before when we thought we would do the trip and they offer some 'super saver' fares. However you have to book well in advance and go mid week not at the weekend.
I'm guessing with only the one scenic train trip in the South Island right now NZ Rail won't drop the prices or they will make no profit!

sonaligupta2108

Thanks tasmangirl.

I will book it by this weekend. Excited for this train ride.

All,

Any personal favorite place to stay at below towns/cities (I am going through ratings on tripadvisor but would trust your experience):
1) wellington (3 nights)
2) Fox glaciers (2 nights)
3) Wanaka (1 Night)
4) Mt cook (2 nights)

We are family of three and one king size bed should be enough for us.

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

Melnq8

We liked this place in Wanaka -

http://www.clearbrook.co.nz/

And this place in Mt Cook -

http://www.aorakicourt.co.nz/

It's been a few years since we stayed in Fox, but we liked this place -

http://www.lakematheson.co.nz/

We stayed in Petone, Lower Hutt, Wellington, not sure if you'll like the location, but the accommodation was very nice - do be aware it's not in Central Wellington, but in the suburbs

http://www.avalodge.co.nz/

sonaligupta2108

Thanks Mel.

Bad news.. Above places at Mt cook and Lake Matheson are already sold out for my dates. Wanaka's place is minimum 2 nights stay. Any more suggestions??

Guess 6 months advance booking is also late(less) in NZ. Indeed, less is more in NZ.

BTW, till now I have booked below hotels (using points):
1) Auckland - Hilton
2) Rotorua - Holiday Inn
3) Christchurch - Doubletree
4) Queenstown - crowne plaza or holiday inn (still accumulating points)

Thanks
Sonali

Melnq8

Sonali -

I posted a long response last night, but it didn't go through.

Mt Cook has limited accommodation - there are only 4-5 options in the village.

You might have to look further afield, as you're visiting in high season - Twizel is the closest town to Mt Cook - so that's a possibility.

As for Wanaka - we've stayed many places, and I posted the links, but will have to find the again.

In the meantime, take a look here:

https://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/accommodation/

sonaligupta2108

Mel,

Sad to hear that response didn't go through.

Since accommodations were filling up quickly, we booked below hotels/lodges yesterday (Please let me know if they are very bad choice):
1) Wellington (3N) - Airport Motor Lodge ($415 total)
2) Franz Josef (2N) - Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park & Motels ($234 total)
3) Wanaka (1N) - Manuka Crescent Motel ($106 total)
4) Te Anau (2N) - Lakeside Motel and Apartments ($238 total)
5) Mt Cook Village (2N) - The Lakes Motel Twizel ($277 total)

Now, have to book domestic flights , activities and car rental.
Car rental will be hertz only (since my husband has points with hertz). We will not be hiring car from airport as there are extra fees if you hire from airport (please confirm).
Domestic flights are costly again. Air NZ is almost $165 PP per leg.
for activities, as per ur suggestion, will keep checking grabone and bookme.


Thanks
Sonali Gupta

deSchenke

I'm not sure why you would stay out near the airport in Wellington. It's a very walkable city. If you are renting a car, just be sure they provide parking. Public transport is good there if you choose not to rent a car.

We stayed at the Victoria Court Motor Lodge. It was very close to Cuba Street and had free parking. http://www.victoriacourt.co.nz

Your accommodation at "Franz Josef" is actually at Fox Glacier. Is that a typo? All other entries in this thread refer to Fox Glacier.

Melnq8

Sonali -

I agree with deSchenke - no need to stay near the Wellington airport - and parking is a bear out that way.

You may not even need a car in Wellington - it's compact.

I'm not familiar with any of the accommodation you've listed, but it's all probably fine - accommodation is generally of a high standard in NZ.

Melnq8

I'm not aware of any extra fees when renting from airports in NZ.

Yes, that is very much the case when renting in the US (and I've also run into that in Australia), but I've not run into that in NZ.

Most rental car agencies will collect you by shuttle and take you to their near airport office. If you select a rental car agency that doesn't do this - you will need to get to their office, and that can be expensive - taxis are not cheap in NZ.

If you decide you don't need a car in Wellington, and decide to stay in the city instead of at the airport, I suggest you try to find a city hotel that provides an airport shuttle. Otherwise, here are some options:

https://www.wellingtonairport.co.nz/...axis-shuttles/