NZ

[BA]

Was gonna hijack M.F's thread, but thought better of it.

Anyone been? Thinking of going in early April. Maybe hire a Winnebago and drive around. Are waves fairly accessible? Crowds? Any other touristy things worth doing?

I would think that North Island water temps would be similar to Sydney? 3x2 would be enough?

[alakaboo]

I swam in NZ in boardies a couple of weeks ago. Would've wanted a springie or a 3/2 for surfing though, fairly windy.
Conditions weren't great but crowds didn't seem a factor where I went. Good thing about the Nth Island is you just swap sides based on the weather maps. We had a cylone pass overhead but it only took a day.

The roads are a bit interesting, it looks like it should take an hour to drive somewhere but takes 2. Sort of like west coast Tassie.
I think they still have a rule that if you are in a campervan and have 3 people behind you that you have to pull over. Get something with a bit of grunt or an auto, the hills will drive you nuts.
Petrol is fairly expensive, NZ$2.15 -2.20 a litre for unleaded. Don't know about diesel.

Lots of wine to drink, awesome fishing, kayaking and hiking.
Take a good rain jacket.
They've got great bacon, good beer.


If the weather was better I'd move there.

[BA]

Thanks Boo. The van we're looking at is a diesel. But apparently there is some sort of extra daily tax for diesel. RUC it's called. Still apparently works out cheaper than petrol I think.

Like wine, fishing, kayaking, hiking, bacon and beer. So that all sounds good.

Good seafood?

[Trev]

Thanks Boo. The van we're looking at is a diesel. But apparently there is some sort of extra daily tax for diesel. RUC it's called. Still apparently works out cheaper than petrol I think.

Like wine, fishing, kayaking, hiking, bacon and beer. So that all sounds good.

Good seafood?

Plenty od Paua.

[BA]

Thanks Boo. The van we're looking at is a diesel. But apparently there is some sort of extra daily tax for diesel. RUC it's called. Still apparently works out cheaper than petrol I think.

Like wine, fishing, kayaking, hiking, bacon and beer. So that all sounds good.

Good seafood?

Plenty od Paua.

Think I'll leave that to the Maoris.

[alakaboo]

Yeah, really good.
We were there for some sort of seafood festival, I made a complete Grooter of myself for about $25.

I don't eat abalone, though.

[channels]

Spent a lot of time in NZ, both in the North & South.

Firstly, don't hire the Winnebago/Campervan. The roads are hilly and windy and they handle like a piece of shit. You'll like the romanticism at first however you'll be over by the time you get to the top of the first decent hill. You are far better off hiring a decent car, enjoy the drive and find accommodation each night.

Wetsuit wise, 3x2 is fine until about April/May down as far as Taranaki region, maybe hoods and/or boots if you are there in winter. North Island East Coast and North Coast could do a springie at a pinch. South island would need a 4x3 probs and full hood, boots gloves etc if you are thinking June, July or August

Seafood = awesome.

Heaps of waves all over. Crowds are low. PM me if you want more details.

[BA]

Spent a lot of time in NZ, both in the North & South.

Firstly, don't hire the Winnebago/Campervan. The roads are hilly and windy and they handle like a piece of shit. You'll like the romanticism at first however you'll be over by the time you get to the top of the first decent hill. You are far better off hiring a decent car, enjoy the drive and find accommodation each night.

Wetsuit wise, 3x2 is fine until about April/May down as far as Taranaki region, maybe hoods and/or boots if you are there in winter. North Island East Coast and North Coast could do a springie at a pinch. South island would need a 4x3 probs and full hood, boots gloves etc if you are thinking June, July or August

Seafood = awesome.

Heaps of waves all over. Crowds are low. PM me if you want more details.

Thanks Channels. Yeah, there was a bit of romanticism with the van. Have never done it. Wife has always wanted to. But if it's gonna be a pain, might stick with a car. Def. would be April, so 3x2 should be right.

Once we make a firm decision, I'll PM you for some more detailed info.

[andy2476]

Good thing about the Nth Island is you just swap sides based on the weather maps.

No that never happens.

[alakaboo]

?
Why not?
I chose which side of the island to go to based on the wind. Obviously the swell is different too, but it is completely doable.

[andy2476]

from where to where?

[alakaboo]

Piha to waipu.
Not talking about a surf check, driving around like BA said he'd be doing.

[otway1949]

Just a heads up camper van Winnebago = thief magnet, especially the winnie yells I've got money!!!!!
Get a Subaru Outback station wagon there is even a cheaper mob which has cars that don't look obvious.
Some have roof racks or you can soft rack it.

[otway1949]

What about something like this?

http://www.sling.co.nz/

Looks OK but still yells tourist as much as the Hippy campers and the Wicked vans but much more up market.

I got a subie outback and had soft racks, but wasn't camping though. Might do one of those vans if I was doing it as a singleton.