NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL TIPS
New Zealand is an easy, relaxed place to travel and one of the safest places in the world. Kiwis (People of New Zealand) are extremely polite and very helpful. If you ask for assistance in a rural area in New Zealand you are more likely to be invited to join them in their home than to be turned away. There is so much to see and do in New Zealand and Bedmobils New Zealand campervans for rent, hire and sale in Auckland offers you the best value for money to travel New Zealand. You do have your New Zealand accommodation and New Zealand transport sorted all in one. Ready to travel New Zealand and have fun!
ARRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND |
On the airplane you will be asked to fill out a New Zealand arrival card and a customs declaration.
After landing in New Zealand make your way to the immigration counter 
with your valid passport, visa if applicable and the completed passenger arrival card.
Pick up your luggage and pass customs on either the “nothing to declare” or “goods to declare” lane. In case you are not sure if you have to declare an item, declare it anyway as there are strict fines if you get caught with an undeclared item in New Zealand.
Then make your way out of the airport building. You are now touching New Zealand soil. Welcome!
New Zealand visa
Flying with kids
IMMIGRATION |
New Zealand has strict immigration rules and laws to protect its agricultural industries. If you bring in items such as food or plants, make sure you declare them as no or incorrect declaration may result in an instant fine of NZ$ 200.-- e.g. an apple.
Items that need to be declared in New Zealand include:
* food and the products and ingredients used for preparing food
* plants and parts of plants (alive or dead)
* animals (alive or dead) or products from animals
* equipment used with animals
* camping gear, golf clubs, hiking boots, shoes, equestrian equipment and used bicycles
* biological specimens
For exact details visit the New Zealand official immigration web site .
For all those who want to immigrate permanently to New Zealand we do have a couple of insider tips for New Zealand immigration for you.
FERRY NORTH - SOUTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND |
Book your inter island ferry ticket between North and South Island of New Zealand (Wellington - Picton) through Bedmobils New Zealand campervans for rent, hire and sale in Auckland New Zealand and you only pay the same rate as a normal car not a campervan. Please note that in high season (November - April) your ferry crossing should be pre-booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
The two ferry companies Bluebridge and Interislander cross the Cook Strait between the North and South island of New Zealand on a frequent basis.
CAMPGROUNDS NEW ZEALAND |
New Zealander's are a camping nation and New Zealand itself is a camper’s paradise. In lots of places you can simply park your campervan and just be one with nature and enjoy the countryside.
If you prefer more comfort, New Zealand also has numerous campgrounds, caravan and campervan parks situated throughout the country catering for different budgets. Tourists are impressed with the comprehensive facilities on offer such as well equipped kitchens, barbeque areas, TV lounges, washing machines, dryers and so on. Shower and toilet blocks are of a high standard and very clean. Check out what Bedmobil campervan customers thought about New Zealand campgrounds and their New Zealand campervan in New Zealand.
The alternative to freedom camping and commercial campgrounds are DOC campgrounds. DOC (Department of Conservation) provides “back to nature” style of camping in scenic settings. Charges are minimal and start at a couple of dollars depending on the facilities on offer.
New Zealand campgrounds are very well signposted. There are lots of campgrounds in New Zealand so you normally won't have a problem finding a campground in New Zealand.
DOC campgrounds New Zealand
Top10 campgrounds New Zealand
Best campground in Auckland, New Zealand
Campground in Wanaka, New Zealand – South Island
DISTANCES IN NEW ZEALAND |
New Zealand distance calculator
FUEL PRICES |
Most vehicles in New Zealand are petrol (unleaded 91 and unleaded 95/98) or diesel powered. Diesel is cheaper than petrol in New Zealand as diesel is not taxed at the fuel station. New Zealand government charges people driving a diesel powered vehicle tax through “Road user charges”. Because of the lower fuel consumption, a diesel powered campervan is cheaper to run in New Zealand, even with the Road User Charges added www.pricewatch.co.nz
ROAD RULES |
First and most important rule to remember during your New Zealand travels: Drive on the left side of the road!
Once you get that, the rest comes naturally as all signposting follows standard international symbols. Give way to your right, turn the lights on when driving at night and try not to hit any animals on the road. Distances are in kilometers. The speed limit is 100 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in urban areas.
Watch out for this New Zealand special road rule: Imagine there are no traffic lights or traffic signs and you want to turn left into a street. A car traveling in the opposite direction wants to turn right into the same street. Careful! You have to stop and give way to the other car as it is coming from your right! We will explain that rule to you again once you are in New Zealand and show you examples.
At single-lane bridges (of which there are surprisingly large numbers in New Zealand), a smaller red arrow pointing in your direction of travel means that you have to give way.
It is compulsory for both drivers and passengers to wear seat belts.
Babies and children must be put in an approved child restraint. The appropriate child restrains are available from Bedmobils campervans for rent, hire or sale Auckland New Zealand at a one off fee.
For more details on traffic rules in New Zealand check out the NZ road code
NORTH ISLAND - MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS |
Visit the Poor Knight Island and dive the Rainbow Warrior Sand dunes before Cape Reinga and the beautiful Northern beaches and Hokianga harbor.
Auckland Sky Tower, Devonport, Piha and Muriwai Beach (Surfers Paradise). Visit Raglan, 90 minutes south of Auckland (Surfers Paradise).
Coromandel Cathedral cove and Hot Water Beach.
Central Check out Maori culture inc. a Hangi and Haka performance in Rotorua. Visit Taupo for the cheapest Skydive in New Zealand.Check out the Tongariro National park and central Plateau for a totally different side of New Zealand.
South Visit Wellington and the free national museum of New Zealand Te Papa.
SOUTH ISLAND - MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS |
North Drive the scenic route from Picton to Nelson and visit the Abel Tasman National park. West Kahurangi National park and Oparara Basin. Take a guided walk or helicopter ride at Franz Joseph or Fox glacier. Drive all the way out to Milford Sound, even if its raining as it is even more spectacular.
South Queenstown offers nearly all sportive activities imaginable. Drive the south east scenic route from Invercargill to Dunedin. This stretch is like a living museum with an amazing array of flora and fauna.
Central Mt. Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand with an unbelievable scenery.
East Visit Christchurch and check out one of the popular festivals during weekends in Summer.
NEW ZEALAND WALKS |
Heaphy Track The 82km Heaphy Track remains one of the most popular tramps in New Zealand. There is plenty of wild, abandoned coastline and craggy mountain terrain here ( it is almost entirely within Kahurangi National park) to ensure you get your dose of solitude.
Milford Track One of the world's finest walks, the four day, 54 km Milford Track runs from the top of Lake Te Anau to the heads of Milford Sound. Expect a stunningly beautiful rainforest surrounded by towering mountains, sculpted canyons and valley vistas.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing The 18 km, one-day Tongariro Alpin Crossing in Tongariro National park traverses spectacular volcanic landscapes, complete with steaming vents, alpine tussock vegetation and lush forest.
Queen Charlotte Track Darting through the Marlborough Sounds is the fabulous three to five day, 71 km Queen Charlotte Track, tackled on foot or by mountain bike. Camp at isolated inlets, traverse forested ridges and dip your toe in dolphin-infested waters.
MUSEUMS NEW ZEALAND |
One of the museums you should not miss while in New Zealand is Te Papa in Wellington. The Papa will offer you an excellent inside about New Zealand. Entry is free and it is well worth a visit. Check out the New Zealand Museum Guide for more information about Museums in New Zealand.
TOURIST INFORMATION |
You will find heaps of local visitor information offices, part of the Visitor Information Network (VIN), in New Zealand. Those New Zealand Tourist Information centers provide valuable information and should be an automatic stop for all New Zealand travelers. Bedmobil New Zealand campervans for hire, rent and sale New Zealand Auckland does especially recommend visiting them in the smaller towns for those special local insider tips.
To check out different areas of New Zealand visit www.nzinfoonline.co.nz/enz/explorenewzealand.asp
TOILETS |
It will not be a problem to find a public toilet of a clean and high standard in New Zealand. There is one toilet that we especially recommend to visit - the public toilet of Kawakawa (North of Auckland – Bay of Islands).
WATER |
In general tap (faucet) water is fresh and safe to drink. Bottled water is also available in the supermarkets ranging from 250 ml to 20l.
SUPERMARKETS |
Here is a list of the bigger supermarket chains in New Zealand. Some of the supermarkets in Auckland are open 24 hours 7 days a week. So in case you plan on a late arrival you will still be able to buy food. The cheapest supermarket in New Zealand is Pak’ n Save.
www.paknsave.co.nz
www.foodtown.co.nz
www.woolworths.co.nz
BEST BURGERS IN NZ |
USEFUL LINKS |
Auckland Airport
Currency converter
World clock - international time zones
This information is provided by BEDMOBILS Backpacker budget campervans for rent, hire, sale New Zealand Auckland
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