I will be traveling to NZ in November. On the North island, I would like to drive from Auckland to Rotorua and back. I am a bit woried about the change in driving on the left side of the road (we drive on the right), especially in a city. Also, on the South Island, I'd like to drive from Queenstown- Milford- Dunedin- Christchurch. Is this easy, or are there too many heights, small roads, etc. for someone not experienced ? FYI, I am a typical Chicago driver with no fear here, but the "Left thing" worries me.
SUGGESTIONS, please?

I will leave it to you to figure this one out other than to say that every English person, everyone from Asia, Australia and NZ have to drive in your country on the "wrong" side of the road, we manage it though.

There's nothing difficult about either of those routes.

One thing to be aware of when driving in NZ is that when you are making a left turn, you are required to yield to oncoming vehicles making a right turn across in front of you (entering the same road that you are); I don't know of anywhere else in the world where this is the case (except maybe one state in Australia, but I couldn't find anyone there who could confirm this).

Hi beethova - we from Australia managed to drive out of central LA successfully, and on another trip the Peripherique in Paris and on for 15,000 kms in Europe on our "wrong" side of road without incident. Just be careful if you start off in early morning with no other traffic in sight - old habits die hard and you might automatically go into your usual mode. Coming from Chicago you should absolutely no trouble with NZ traffic. Have a great time

It really is helpful if the person in the passenger seat reminds the driver every time they go around a corner to stay on the left side of the road OR going around those dreadful round-abouts it helps to have someone being lookout in the car.

I have to agree! The driving on the left is fine... it's the CORNERS and stopping to LOOK both ways and THINK about which lane you are turning into, especially in traffic, that's the dangerous part. My first day in OZ in '88 I almost got hit by a "moke" (little jeep type vehicle) because I didn't stop and look and think before stepping on the street.
Now, five trips later, I've driven on the wrong side in NZ and Tasmania (but not in the cities on the mainland of Australia).

You can do it!

I found the driving in NZ to be quite easy compared TO England. The South Island roads are as good as old US Hiway system, although there are many one lane bridges. The traffice is light. Also, the Kiwis are very courtious drivers for the most part.

The only time I was confused - driving in England - was in parking lots. You'd be surprised how instinctive the right is when you grow up with it.

The best reminder is, that as driver you should be in the middle of the road, not against the curb.

Even with manual drive, I had no real problems.

Yes, it helps if your passenger is a navigator. In traffic circles (do they have those in NZ too?) You should both watch for the sign and note how many spokes you pass to get your out-road. This was especially important in England where frequently 5 roads came together in a circle.

MD is right, just make sure as the driver you are closest to the center of the road. Just remember, if you aren't seeing white lines to your right, you may be doin something wrong. ;-)

It only took a few minutes for me to get used to it..and I drove in Ireland on the left for the first time. Ireland and Italy are the two countries that most platinum cards won't give you CDW, so that should tell you something!

I can't comment on whether driving on the "wrong side" of the road will be too hard for you - as I drive this way every day - however you will find the roads in New Zealand are very good, well signed, in excellent repair and the traffic very light. On the south island we found the traffic between Dunedin and Queenstown to be the busiest but nothing compared to any major Australian route and certainly (I would guess) nothing worse than you would find in the US. Quite true that the New Zealanders are courteous drivers (they even wave at you as you drive past) and they do mostly stick to the speed limit. The road into Milford Sound is quite windy and narrow and the tunnel through the mountain and the hairpin bend as you come out is memorable but still quite ok.

beethova:
Here's a reply from another Chicagoan who has driven in New zealand.
You will be constantly reminded you're driving on the wrong side of the road because the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the vehicle.
Relax.
Besides, once you get into open country, you will go for miles before you meet another vehicle.
John

We normally drive on the left but have driven many times on the right while overseas. One tip - when you first get the hire car, try to find somewhere close by to practice, like an empty parking lot for example. Drive around slowly, get the feel of the car, where the gears, indicators are, etc. It does feel weird at first but we get used to it very quickly and have to remind ourselves when we get home, it's LEFT, LEFT, LEFT. The hardest part is if there is no traffic and you instinctively go to the side of the road you are used to. If there is other traffic, just follow what they do.
Kay

For us, it wasn't hard to DRIVE on the left, it was hard that the mechanics of the car is reversed as well. Each time we tried to signal a turn, we hit the windshield wipers! Four months later, my husband still has to be careful not to head over to the left side of the road! (Our trip was a month lond and I guess he got a little "too" good at driving on the left!) The roundabouts were no problem.... we have them here in California. I will add that the "navigator" job is somewhat acary beacuse I always felt like we were going to sideswipe all the parked cars on my side! You'll be fine!

If driving on the left is your first time, I would think twice about driving in Auckland, it's a mad house on the roads at any time and patience is not a virtue here for drivers. This morning I saw a fool driving down a one way street the wrong way, and one shooting thru a red light. With idiots like this who needs extra hassles. If you do drive Auckland to Rotorua, you will be on the motorway and then State Highway 1. To avoid Hamilton go thru Matamata then Tirau, this is nice trip and takes about the same time. Remember the Auckland to Hamilton stretch is very very busy at all times.
In the south island is fine, much less people and very enjoyable.

When going to countries that drive on the "wrong" side of the road I always think it's helpful to remember that when you're driving you should sit in the middle of the road.
If you are driving and you find your side of the car is close to the side of the road, you are driving on the wrong side of the road.

Hope this makes sense.

Greetings beethova

Well I am from Florida and have driven all over both Islands of NZ, and also in Sydney. It is different from what we are used to, but not an issue at all.

There are many signs reminding folks to "stay left" throughout the country and your passengers will surely remind you.

Only one time did I start to stray and that was on a very quiet road in the country but in a second I remembered where I needed to be and that was it.

of course you may find you turn the windshield wipers on a lot instead of the turn signals but it's good for a laugh.

It really is easy, just take your time and enjoy it. I actually look forward to driving on the "other" side.

Cheers

Steve

And it was straying for a second which has caused horrific head on smashes in the past from drivers who are used to being on the other side of the road. I can recall three instances in the last few years that hit the headlines here.
Please take care.

If your passenger in the left seat hears gravel hitting the underside of the car, you're too far left. Try to hug that "white line".

Our experience was in Sydney and as soon as we pulled out of the car rental agency our first instruction was a right turn at the light to get to the other side of the highway. Sure enough we made a right turn into oncoming traffic which came to an immediate half and the response was "Americans, of course."

After that I kept reminding the driver:
"Wide right, short left"
We were fine from then on.

Hi Kathy..

Guess I should have elaborated a tad on my short memory loss on what side of the road I needed to be on. The road was rural, it was not a divided highway and I was the only car on the road going in either direction.

I understand that very short mistake can be disasterous, but I really found it easy to adjust to driving on the left.

Cheers