Dodsonfamily

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

shortfatbloke

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

scottish

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???

babybella

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

ElizabethC

De Bretts Kaz?

Servant24kids

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

shortfatbloke

It looks interesting but the dates are wrong (don't arrive until the 25th...)

Dodsonfamily

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

annaerb

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

shortfatbloke

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.

shortfatbloke

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!

Dodsonfamily

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

shortfatbloke

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...

annaerb

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