sonaligupta2108

HI DeSchenke,

The reason for choosing accommodation near Wellington airport is early morning flight to Christchurch. I checked for parking and it is written 'free self parking'. we will rent car for sure as we are planning to go Putangirua pinnacles, Pukerua Bay & Cape Palliser lighthouse (sightseeing only).
But still, I will discuss with my husband about shifting to Victoria lodge.

About FJG, it is typo. Fox glacier it is.

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

sonaligupta2108

Hi Mel,

Thanks for the link.

We checked all these accommodation on TA or Orbitz. And then we chose the best one for us according to availability , price and distance from downtown. The various lodges which u suggest or suggested by DeSchenke, do not come up on TA or Orbitz.

That's why I asked for recommendation yesterday.
Regarding Wanaka link; most of them require 2 nights minimum.

We can still change our accommodation (for less cancelation charges) if we find better place with better price.

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

deSchenke

It takes 15-20 minutes to drive from Wellington city to the airport. But if you aren't planning to do anything in the city, I can understand your reasoning for staying near the airport.

I try to avoid booking through booking sites and only use them for the reviews. Google the name of the motel and find their website. You can usually book directly with them.

tasmangirl

Staying at the airport misses the whole city experience of Wellington! It's a small city so getting to an early morning flight will not be a problem.
City Life apartments are very handy to everything. I would only hire a car for the day so you don't have to worry about parking.
I'm not aware of extra fees when renting a car from the airport.

sonaligupta2108

Thanks De and Tasmangirl.

I will try to book in city instead of near airport.

Regarding extra fees when renting a car from the airport, I was checking quotes from Hertz, they were adding NZD 50 around stating that if you rent car from airport, u pay extra fee. I will try to put exact text soon. Obviously, renting car from airport is more convenient.

Also, 2 questions regarding hobbiton and glowworm caves:
1) if I book suppose for 2 PM tour and show up late by 5 mins, do they still accept? or are they very strict.

2) can I book these now or book 2/3 days in advance. (is there maximum limit ?)

I apologize upfront for these questions. Since I am done with itinerary and accommodation, these quick (may be irritating) questions will start pouring in now.

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

tasmangirl

Well that's a bit mean of Hertz. Perhaps it's a Wellington thing because there is such a shortage of parking anywhere. But then I don't rent many cars here!
Re turning up late for Waitomo and Hobbiton - both are businesses running on timetables to get everyone through. You'd have to get the next tour if late so try not to be late. Book as you are coming in Feb which is peak season.

ElendilPickle

Since you're interested in LotR filming sites, try to get to Paradise when you visit Glenorchy. It was used as the backdrop for Isengard and a couple of other locations, and Beorn's house in The Hobbit was also built there.

Ian Brodie's The Lord of the Rings Location Guide is a fantastic resource for finding film sites all over New Zealand.

Lee Ann

sonaligupta2108

Hi Tasmangirl,

Ok. I will book tour in a day or 2.

Thanks
Sonali Gupta

sonaligupta2108

Hi Lee,

Thanks for the information.
I have added Paradise and Beorn's house (I believe this is near Glenorchy). I will try to go through the book suggested by you.

Sonali Gupta

sonaligupta2108

Hi All,

I have few questions.

1)We are staying in doubletree Christchurch. Do we need rental car? All the places which we are planning to go seem walkable or may be city tram?
2)Te ra + Te po tour cost is around $100. Is it worth? Or should be book maori culture experience somewhere else.
3)How much time is sufficient in Hokitika Gorge (walk + photos)
4)We are planning for stargazing in mt cook but staying in Twizel (didn’t get accommodation in mt cook). Is road safe to come back at night? (safe means any animals pass by or if street lights are there)


Sonali Gupta

Melnq8

Hokitika Gorge is located 33 km east of Hokitika. The walk itself is well under a kilometer. It takes longer to get there than to actually see/walk it.

You can pretty much see the highlights of Hokitika in 1/2 a day, but if you're driving in from elsewhere and hope to see the gorge en route, you need to consider the drive distances involved in getting there, and onward to your next destination.

The Doubletree in Christchurch is located almost 3 km from the city - you can walk to the Botanic Gardens from there. What all do you plan to do?

No street lights that I'm aware of on the road from Mt Cook to Twizel - that would just ruin it! There are reflective road markers though. You might see a possum or two - if so, feel free to run them over, as they're a pest in NZ. You should be fine if you take your time and be careful - it's not a difficult stretch of road.

sonaligupta2108

Thanks Mel for the reply.

We will reach greymouth around 1.30 PM (transalpine train from CHC). will collect Car and finish lunch. I hope to leave for hokitika gorge by 3 PM. We should reach there by 4.30. Then after an hour, start for fox glacier accommodation. I hope it is doable though I agree long day for us.

I think its better to rent car in CHC. We are planning to do below activities:
- Botanical Gardens
- Punting on river Avon
- Antarctic Centre
- Cardboard Cathedral

And about MT Cook - Twizel drive at night, now I am relaxed.

Thanks again.
Sonali Gupta.

Melnq8

Lots of daylight in February, so no worries - the drive from Greymouth to Hoki is about 30 minutes, then 33 km to the gorge (and return) then 2:10 from Hoki to Fox, so you should be fine.

You will definitely need some sort of transport to get to the Antarctic Center - it's near the airport. The others might be doable, although I don't recall the distance to the cardboard cathedral - we visited it from Christchurch city via Segway (which was a complete blast).

ElendilPickle

Are you staying at the Doubletree that's next to Hagley Park? If so, all you have to do is walk across the park to the Botanic Gardens. The Cardboard Cathedral is not all that far from the Botanic Gardens as you walk east on Hereford Street. Take a look at Google Maps to see it.

Lee Ann

sonaligupta2108

Thanks Mel & Lee for the help.
Any experience on Te ra + Te po tour in Te Puia?

Sonali Gupta.

Melnq8

Nope.

sonaligupta2108

Hi All,

One more question - Do Hotels in NZ have microwave oven in rooms? I am staying in Hilton Auckland, Holiday Inn rotorua, Intercontinental wellington, double tree CHC and crowne plaza in queenstown.

All other places where we are staying have kitchens.

Thanks

Melnq8

MOTELS usually have microwaves, as most come with a kitchenette.

I doubt the HOTELS you've listed would, as they're more full service than self-catering, but I suggest you check with each of them individually to be certain.

sonaligupta2108

Thanks Mel.

Thinking of buying instant pot. Since we are traveling with a baby, we need to boil / warm milk for him.

Also, do you have any experience of Chase car rental insurance which comes by default with the card. Or do u suggest we buy rental insurance from Hertz.

Which type of insurance is better to buy.. I mean full coverage etc ..insurance is very costly

TIA
Sonali Gupta

Melnq8

Instant pot...that threw me for a minute. I live in CO afterall

Kettles are abundant in NZ accommodation, perhaps even hotels, although if you have to put the milk into the pot, instead of warm water into the milk, that may not help you much.

No, I don't have any experience with Chase - we use our Platinum Visa, which covers us on international rentals for up to 31 days - it even covers the excess (deductible).

We just booked a trip to NZ for next year - we were going to stay 32 days, but the 31 day cut off on insurance convinced us to back off to 30 days, weird as that sounds.

We never buy insurance from rental car agencies. If you have coverage with Chase, you don't need to buy more. In the event of an accident, you are covered for liability - it's provided with your rental by law in NZ. You are also covered for medical costs from a car accident, as is any third party. You cannot be sued.

You will be responsible for damage to your rental vehicle, subject to the excess, which in most cases is around NZ $2000.

Check with Chase to see if they cover the excess - make sure they also cover windshield and tire damage, if so, you're good to go.