Dick

Snowbirds spending three months january to april. How about Golden Chain motels or budget motel chain?<BR><BR>Recommend best rate auto rentals those to avoid?<BR><BR>Worth hauling golf clubs for budget traveller<BR>and availability of public tennis courts?<BR><BR>

John

Good to see snowbirds heading further than AZ or Fl.<BR><BR>Golden chain and Budget are fine.Similar to Budget 6 in USA (are they still around)Book ahead each day to be sure of accomodation.Join up to get the discount.Probably average around $60 australian per night.Get an accommodation guide from the motorists association when u arrive.Standard and service may vary.<BR><BR>Car rentals are dominated by the big three or four..avis,budget,thrifty,hertz. There are marginal operators in each capital city.Bayswater seems good in sydney(for compacts)<BR>The majors are linked to the airlines..see if can get a car rental discount with the airline you r flying with.<BR><BR>It may be a good stategy to do loops out of capital cities to avoid drop off charges.<BR><BR>Public tennis courts everywhere...few $ an hour to hire..may have to make a phone call to arrange..in the country most of the time the courts are unlocked.<BR><BR>Yeah bring ur clubs..courses everywhere..great place to meet locals..have a cheap drink and meal..stay away from the poker machines.Play some of the ourback couses with sand/oil greens and kangaroos/emus.

marg

If you are seniors, bring your cards as many places will give discounts, including motels, restaurants and golf courses. Bring your clubs if you can, as many of the country courses operate on a honesty system and there is no where to hire them.<BR>You may want to consider using cabins in caravan parks for accommodation. Most cabins are self-contained which will give you the opportunity to prepare your own meals - much cheaper, and offer good facilities like swimming pool, laundry, etc.<BR>Visit the clubs (golf, football, bowls etc) for good value meals - you can sign in as a visitor.

JP

Budget Motel Chain properties are individually owned so they vary quite a bit, but we found them to be pretty reliable.<BR><BR>We used Avis from Sydney, and were very satisfied.<BR>

Lin

This is the first time I've read a post like this on this site. We too are spending our second (Canadian) winter in Oz. Last time we traveled for two months and then rented a unit in Coolum for four weeks. Even with the lowly Canuck buck we thought we fared quite well. This year we are visiting Victoria, South Australia and perhaps a trip to Lord Howe Island. I would really be interested in seeing more about spending three months in Oz. It would be great to learn how to save money on car rentals etc. We only rented a car in Tassie for one week - the price is too high to rent a car for long periods. We are kind of between the backpacking crowd and the money's no object crowd! We had tons of help on this website planning our last trip which was fabulous. Thanks Aussie posters!

kathy

Hi there<BR><BR>Did i miss something as i don't think you said where you were going. If you are coming to NZ, Maui camper vans are the biggest renter, there are a few car rental companies cheaper than the big four and worth checking out. The motel chain is very reputable and yes, bring your golf clubs, it will save you a lot in hiring costs.<BR>There's lots of tennis courts, private clubs will also hire you a court for a small fee.<BR>Much the same applies to Oz but don't on any account hire a cheap car from some shonky car company that will meet you under a certain palm/ tree at some airport, they are unscrupulous and will hire you a car that is not even roadworthy. For Oz I would definitely stick with the most well known renters. Here in NZ we have stronger and stricter laws on auto standards and road worthiness, (thank goodness)

Dick

Thanks Kathy Have booked an auto with ARF out of Aukland they were very responsive, well priced and booked our ferry crossing too. Hope they turn out to be OK.