Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
#16
Judy&Alun
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Glenfield,Auckland
Posts: 36
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Hi Short fat bloke,
To be honest it would be cheaper booking it yourself cos travel agents put their fee on, we've booked a camper for our friends who came over last year cos it worked out cheaper than booking it in the UK(with the exchange rate being so good).
also look at http://www.top10.co.nz/ for camp/holiday parks
Cheers
Judy
To be honest it would be cheaper booking it yourself cos travel agents put their fee on, we've booked a camper for our friends who came over last year cos it worked out cheaper than booking it in the UK(with the exchange rate being so good).
also look at http://www.top10.co.nz/ for camp/holiday parks
Cheers
Judy
#17
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Hi Judy,
Thanks, but we're still looking at around $250 pd for a 4 berth whomever we go with. Unfortunately, its a case of 'tourist' prices, both the agents and the hire companies know that they how difficult it is to book anything from the other side of the world and can charge what they want. Using TC will at least give us some recourse if anything is not up to scratch. I hope.
Do you know if I will have to book these campsites in advance or will calling them a few days ahead be sufficient?
SFB
Thanks, but we're still looking at around $250 pd for a 4 berth whomever we go with. Unfortunately, its a case of 'tourist' prices, both the agents and the hire companies know that they how difficult it is to book anything from the other side of the world and can charge what they want. Using TC will at least give us some recourse if anything is not up to scratch. I hope.
Do you know if I will have to book these campsites in advance or will calling them a few days ahead be sufficient?
SFB
#18
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 576
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
If you plan to stay in a campsite over Christmas def book well in advance. The places are heaving!!!
Have you tried www.holidayhomes.co.nz???
Have you tried www.holidayhomes.co.nz???
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 906
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Hi There,
If you go via Taupo, there is a lovely campsite on the Taupo/Napier road, can't think of the name right now, I will ask hub when he gets in, or maybe someone else will know. I have given the name on a Biddy thread when he was planning a trip. It has hot pools and a big slide for the kids. Really nice place and handy for Taupo or Rotorura.
KAZ
If you go via Taupo, there is a lovely campsite on the Taupo/Napier road, can't think of the name right now, I will ask hub when he gets in, or maybe someone else will know. I have given the name on a Biddy thread when he was planning a trip. It has hot pools and a big slide for the kids. Really nice place and handy for Taupo or Rotorura.
KAZ
#20
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 98
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Originally Posted by kaz Hen
Hi There,
If you go via Taupo, there is a lovely campsite on the Taupo/Napier road, can't think of the name right now, I will ask hub when he gets in, or maybe someone else will know. I have given the name on a Biddy thread when he was planning a trip. It has hot pools and a big slide for the kids. Really nice place and handy for Taupo or Rotorura.
KAZ
If you go via Taupo, there is a lovely campsite on the Taupo/Napier road, can't think of the name right now, I will ask hub when he gets in, or maybe someone else will know. I have given the name on a Biddy thread when he was planning a trip. It has hot pools and a big slide for the kids. Really nice place and handy for Taupo or Rotorura.
KAZ
#21
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Talking about Taupo, in case you cannot get a campervan, there is a bach available there for five days over Christmas. Saw it on another forum - they've booked it but can't make it. http://www.movetonz.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1263
#22
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
It looks interesting but the dates are wrong (don't arrive until the 25th...)
#23
Judy&Alun
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Glenfield,Auckland
Posts: 36
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Hi SFB,
What time will you be landing then? Getting a taxi anywhere is going to cost you a fortune :scared:
Hope all your plans are going ok otherwise
Cheers
Judy
What time will you be landing then? Getting a taxi anywhere is going to cost you a fortune :scared:
Hope all your plans are going ok otherwise
Cheers
Judy
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 230
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Manukau Caravan Park is the closest park to the Airport and will probably cost about $30pn, a Taxi fare will cost about $30 also. Next door there is a Buffet Restaurant called "Happy Days" 898 Great South Road, Ph: 09 268 0128
Fax 09 268 0238.
http://www.manukautop10.co.nz/
http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/camp.php3?id=132
http://www.jasons.com/001857,nzl,ni,...LPK#scroll_0:0
http://www.bkspioneer.com/default.asp
Fax 09 268 0238.
http://www.manukautop10.co.nz/
http://www.nzcamping.co.nz/camp.php3?id=132
http://www.jasons.com/001857,nzl,ni,...LPK#scroll_0:0
http://www.bkspioneer.com/default.asp
#25
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Thanks again, we're landing about 5am on Christmas Day and then we're in a hotel in Auckland until the 27th. We were hoping to get the motorhome on the 27th but it looks very unlikely that we'll find one - if we don't then its on to plan B. Not quite sure what plan B is yet, but I'm sure something will come to me.
#26
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Waaaahoooo! Eventually took the campervan matter into my own hands and managed to book one through Tokio Campervans (the tenth company I tried). All I've got to do now is find somewhere to park it!
#27
Judy&Alun
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Glenfield,Auckland
Posts: 36
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Hi SFB
What great news will you be picking it up from Orewa or will they do a drop off?(we can help if you're stuck).
Check with the hotel if they have a courtesy bus as this won't cost you an arm and a leg.
Good luck with the rest of your plans
Judy
What great news will you be picking it up from Orewa or will they do a drop off?(we can help if you're stuck).
Check with the hotel if they have a courtesy bus as this won't cost you an arm and a leg.
Good luck with the rest of your plans
Judy
#28
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Thanks Judy, that's a kind offer but we'll probably use the hotel shuttle and pick up the camper van from Orewa as it seems as good a place as any to start the grand tour...
#29
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 230
Re: Advice on visiting NZ/Auckland this Xmas needed
Not sure how old your kids are but Orewa has a great Surf Beach and a couple of great camping grounds there. One that I stayed at as a kid is called Puriri Park
http://www.puriripark.com/
http://www.orewa-beach.co.nz/staying/puriripark.htm
http://www.rodney.govt.nz/holidayparks/holidayparks.htm
Also if you decide to head abit further (can do this as a day trip) go to Waiwera Hot pools lots of slides for the kids, movie pools, spa retreat and they also have a camp ground .http://www.waiwera.co.nz/campground/
http://www.pillows.co.nz/fun.htm
http://www.puriripark.com/
http://www.orewa-beach.co.nz/staying/puriripark.htm
http://www.rodney.govt.nz/holidayparks/holidayparks.htm
Also if you decide to head abit further (can do this as a day trip) go to Waiwera Hot pools lots of slides for the kids, movie pools, spa retreat and they also have a camp ground .http://www.waiwera.co.nz/campground/
http://www.pillows.co.nz/fun.htm