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| Campervan at the Canterbury Plains |
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| Route Itinerary |
A Auckland
B Wellington
H Hanmer Springs
G Christchurch
E Mount Cook
D Queenstown
F Akaroa
This page served as a guide to first time visitor who wish to travel to New Zealand. I was on vacation with my family from 08 July 05 to 21 Jul 05. During the 13 days period we travel from North to South Island and back. The round trip journey trip took us almost 4000km on the road, but it is worth it.
We payed about RM5,000 for the campervan during the 13 days trip. The airfare itself cost RM2,000 per person from KLIA to Auckland. Other expenditure cost RM7,000 are spend on fuel, campsite rental, groceries, souveniors etc.
After doing all the 'investigative' work over the internet, we decided to travel using a campervan instead of other options. We had considered the following reasons before coming to the decision; convenience of cooking, stop-over, choosing our own route and costs factor. There are many campervans to choose from and finally we go for
MAUI Rental. We were supposed to start our vacation a week earlier but since all campervans were taken up by the LION rugby tour, we posponed the trip to the following week. We made reservation for a 6 berth van. It came with 6 bed, toilet facilities, gas stove, utensils, refrigerator and a microwave.
We left Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 08 July on a late evening flight to Auckland. My two younger children Humaira (10yrs) and Hazim (12 yrs) were very excited since they would be seeing new things even though we had lived in the US and UK before. They were still young during that period to remember them. The flight was almost full with travellers from Europe who take up most of the seat.
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| The Campervan |
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View from inside the Campervan
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We touched down in Aukland in the afternoon 09 July. I quickly look for a phone company selling local SIM card since my mobile was not on roaming. We look for MAUI pickup bus which took us to their vehicle depo which was 15 minutes away. We were given a diesal driven Mercedes Campervan. We quickly look for a Supermarket to get our groceries.
We drove south to Hamilton where my elder son Hafidz (22 yrs) met his secondary school mate who currently studying in Waikato University. By the time we reach Hamilton , it was already dark and we checked-in a camp site close to the city. The night was chilly but everyone came prepared. We find a secluded place close to the utilities and power-up the campervan for the lighting and water heater. The camp site as I was told at the reception would be empty throughout winter. This is good news to us since we would be able to drive-in to these sites during the rest of our journey without making prior reservation. My wife prepared food for the family. We had rice, sardines and chicken for dinner prepared using the kitchen facility in the campervan. The chicken was purchased from a halal outlet.
Some extra job that we need to do renting the motorhome namely the need to refill water reservoir and emptying the waste tank each time they are empty or full. However the facility could be found at the many service station, but need to lookout for the signage.
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| Portable waste tank |
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Waste Disposal Signage
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DAY 2
After a good night sleep everyone were freshen to continue the journey. However before the trip, I had to release all the waste water and refilling done. It was the first time trying to operate the facility and I had to refer to the manual to find the waste-release hatch. The night before, I had planned (maps were available in the travel wallet given by MAUI) the journey to drive via Lake Taupo, Desert Road all along Highway 1 to Wellington. At this time gps map are not readily available yet and we have to make do with old way of map reading After about 2 hours drive, we arrived at Lake Taupo. The scenery was breath-taking and we took lots of photo using my Sony digital camera which I had brought along. My wife prepared lunch at one of the hilltop rest area overlooking Lake Taupo.
Over lunch, I made reservation for the ferry crossing between North and South Island. The only available slot for us is at 2 pm next day. The van cost us NZ$150 and each passenger NZ$50 one way. By 3pm, we pack up for the long drive to Wellington. We are not able to see much during the rest of the journey to Wellington because it was already dark. We reach Wellington by 10 pm and checked into a camp site close to Wellington.
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| Lake Taupo North Island |
We had all the morning before the ferry crossing scheduled at 2 pm. . Getting to the terminals is easy since before leaving I got direction from the hotel reception. We took the Interislander Ferry service to cross from Wellington on the North Island to Picton on the South Island. There were in fact a long queue of campervans getting across to South Island.
For safety reason everyone has to leave the van to join the other walking passengers to the ferry cabin. Food and entertainment were provided during the 3 hours ferry trip. By the time we arrived on the other side (Picton town) it was already 5 pm and it was getting dark. The drive from Picton to Christchurh took us 4 hours. We checked to a camp site. We did our first laundry. For each wash, the machine takes NZ$2 and another NZ$2 for drying. The weather here is much colder than Auckland. Ice slates are found on the road and water droplets frozen on the grass
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| Queing to board the Ferry |
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| On the Ferry |
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On the Ferry
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DAY 4
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| Lake Tekapo |
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| Lake Taupo |
DAY 5
Since it was raining heavily we decide to stay in the van driving thro the town. We did not plan to stay long here anyway. We later proceed along Road 6, Gibbston Highway to Kawarau Bungee Center halfway between Queenstown and Cromwell.
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| Kawarau Bungy |
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| Bungy Site |
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Kawarau Bungy Jumping Site
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Kawarau Bungy bridge
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Hafidz all along had planned to jump at the Bungy Center. The drop from the bridge to the water level is 43m. His jumping slot was at 2pm. I would not do it even if paid to do so - too scarry for me. Each jump cost NZ$170 with the photos, JW Hackett T shirt and a certificate. By the time Hafidz finished his jump, it was almost dark. We quickly pack up to drive back to Christchurch.
We stopped at Rakaia camp site hoping to get to see salmon fishing along Rakaia River Holiday Park .
The next morning I trekked towards the river. Along the way I stumbled across a New Zealander walking his two cute dogs. We chat on many subjects as we proceed towards the river. I was expecting water flowing heavily but it was a letdown since according to my newly-met friend, the water from the mountain flows too little at this time of the year.
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| Rakaia Holiday Park |
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| Holiday park |
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| Rakaia Holiday Park |
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Rakai holiday Park
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DAY 6
We quickly pack-up and drove to a town called Akaroa at the bay once a French settlement just outside of Christchurch. The winding hills approaching Akaroa, reminds me of country-road drive we used to experience when we were in England. Slept in Christchurch by the beach.
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| Akaroa |
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| Akaroa |
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| Fish & Chip Akaroa |
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| Akaroa |
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| Akaroa |
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| Akaroa |
DAY 7
The next day we tour Christchurch, We took a tram ride to view the city center. The ride was not as adventurous as the San Francisco tram ride. After lunch we pack-up to drive back to Picton to catch the ferry back to North Island.
We stop at several places along the way including a house selling used household items. Manage to get some souvenior stuffs there. The drive was pleasant and we stop by at several stops to snap photos along the way.
We took a slight detour to stop over at a hot water spring tourist site called Hammer Springs. The drive along the mountains to this volcanic hotsprings township was very scenic.
By late evening, we drove to Picton. We spend the night in Picton to catch the early morning ferry to Wellington.
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| Tram in Christchurch |
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Riding the tram
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DAY 8
Woke very early at 4 am since the ferry depart at 5am. We slept throughout the 3 hours ferry journey since it was still dark outside. Moreover, I had to drive all the way to Auckland which is 9 hours drive away. We took the same route when we drove to South Island last week.
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| Hanmer Springs |
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Hanmer Springs
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DAY 9
Wake up early next morning since we have to get back to Auckland to send-off Hafidz to the airport. He had to return early to Malaysia since he is working next Monday. We stop over by the supermarket to get All-Black souvenoirs for his friends back home.
My family bought me a birthday card since it is my birthday today - 17 July. Hafidz bought some All Black shirts for himself and some for his friends. After sending Hafidz to the airport we tour Auckland and later drove further north to find a place to spend the night. We check-in a camp site by the beach called Orewa Beach. It is half an hour drive north of Auckland. My wife prepared dinner and rest for the night.
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| Auckland Harbour |
We went to
Orewa town center to buy some groceries.Orewa is popular for its beach. Had lunch at Fish & Chip outlet. There is not much activity today. We spend the time walking and playing on the beach. Although winter, the weather in North Island is not as cold as South Island.
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| Wakworth |
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| Wakworth |
We drove north to Warkworth to kill off the time since we are scheduled to stay until 20 July. We did not plan to tour much in North Island since the scenery are almost similar to Malaysia with lots of beaches. We spent the night at the same site in Oreawa Beach.
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| Passing the time |
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| Camp Ground |
DAY 12
We pack up since we planned to spent some time in Auckland. In Auckland, walk by the wharf, bought lots of souvenir from
Aotea souvenoir outlet, had Malaysian food for lunch at a food outlet managed by a Malaysian who had migrated to NZ.
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| Sipping Coffee |
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Souvenoir shop
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There were still plenty of left-over food in the campervan. Since today was the last day in NZ, we got in touch with a Malaysian student to give away all the left-over food. We sleep at a camp site close to the airport
DAY 13(20 Jul 05)
It is the last day in NZ. We woke early to prepare for the flight home. Clean the campervan, refill diesel, LPG gas and water. Return campervan at the Britz and Maui company. Check in Malaysia Airlines for 2 pm flight back to Malaysia. Arrive KLIA 6.30 pm
Preparing to board flight to Malaysia
Preparing to board flight to Malaysia