The bad thing about New Zealand is that it is so far away. The good thing about New Zealand is that it is so far away. That means this Land of the Long White Cloud remains unspoiled, uncrowded, and, as we found out, unhurried.
The best way to explore New Zealand
Renting a motorhome is probably the most popular way to get around New Zealand. We rented from Wilderness and are happy to recommend them, though there are many other options available. Mileage is unlimited, so you don’t need to plan your itinerary to the nearest mile and, with the ability to “freedom camp” (make sure your motorhome is certified as self-sustaining), you don’t have to stick to a strict schedule. We enjoyed the freedom and flexibility this afforded us.
Which way? North to South?
Most people arrive in Auckland and depart from either Christchurch or back in Auckland. Even with five weeks, we thought returning to Auckland would not be the best use of our time, so we opted for a one-way trip, starting in Christchurch and ending in Auckland. This turned out to be a cheaper motorhome rental option, as companies need their vehicles returned to Auckland.
The 90-minute flight to Christchurch was a bit of a pain, having just crossed the Pacific, but worth it, given that we could jump straight into exploring (in our opinion) the more dramatic scenery of the two islands.
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