I'm in the early stages of planning a 10-12 day trip to NZ in April. I've seen other comments here about driving but I can't find them now that I need them.

Is there a rental company in Wellington that you recommend? I seem to recall someone said there was a company that has reliable vehicles with minor bumps and dings for people like me who aren't used to driving on the left side of the road.

Any other driving advice? This is probably just for a few days on the north island (Tongariro and Rotorua). Most of our time will be on the south island so we're considering flying north from ZQN or IVC then driving. (Look for another post in a day or so as I try to figure out the actual Itinerary. My first plan was too ambitious).

The company you're referring to is APEX, and I highly recommend them. We use them on all of our trips to NZ these days.

You're not alone...the first NZ plan is invariably too ambitious.

We are going in Easter and using Europcar.

Thanks! This is one thing I can now cross off my (long) list of things to look into.
Melnq8: I'm reading your posts and am starting to regret taking Kaikoura off my list. But my travel buddy wanted Stewart Island and that also looks great, so compromises were made.

I will be doing the South Island and then over to AU in Feb and March 2013. What did you come up with as an itinerary and are there any hotels you can recommend down by Stewart Island or in Sydney? What car rental did you fine in AU?
Thanks
John

John -

I realize you're not asking me, but while you await an answer from chisuzi...we stayed at the Bay Motel on Stewart Island and really enjoyed it. It's been a few years, but it looks like they still get good reviews:

http://www.baymotel.co.nz/

Bayswater is a good rental car agency in Australia:

http://www.bayswatercarrental.com.au/

John,

The itinerary is still in the works. We hit a snag last night. So far it's roughly:

South Island
Queenstown for 2 days (convenient arrival point for 2 people arriving 1 day apart from different continents)
Te Anau for glowworm caves and day hike The Divide
Milford Sound for sound tour and day hike
Stewart Island
Dundedin and/or Christchurch may or may not be included for a day (this is the snag)
fly or combo fly/drive from IVC or CHC or DUD to WLG

North Island
Tongariro Crossing
Rotorua

One person then heads to North America from Wellington and the other stay in NZ for awhile.

Melnq8 will probably have more concrete suggestions at this point. I'll share my ideas once I have something to share. I'm traveling about a month later than you are so I'm not as far into the details as you might be.

Kaikoura is really lovely!

Don't leave the windows down -

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...204-2dtc2.html

They don't call them cheeky for nothing! Keas also enjoy destroying the rubber molding around car windows...happened to us for the first time in June. Those beaks make some pretty massive holes.