Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
Trek Express
( 027 222 1872, 0800 128 735;
www.trekexpress.co.nz
)
4WD shuttle services to all tramping tracks
in the top half of the South Island.
»
West Coast Shuttle
(
www.westcoastshuttle.co.nz
)
Daily bus from Greymouth to Christchurch and back.
Backpacker Buses
If you feel like clocking up some kilometres with like-minded fellow travellers, the following operators run fixed-itiner-
ary bus tours, nationwide or on the North or South Island. Accommodation and hop-on/hop-off flexibility are often in-
cluded.
»
Adventure Tours New Zealand
(
www.adventuretours.com.au
)
»
Bottom Bus
(
03-477 9083;
www.travelheadfirst.com
)
»
Flying Kiwi
(
www.flyingkiwi.com
)
»
Kiwi Experience
(
www.kiwiexperience.com
)
»
Haka Tours
(
www.hakatours.com
)
»
Stray Travel
(
www.straytravel.com
)
Car & Motorcycle
The best way to explore NZ in depth is to have your own wheels. It's easy to hire cars and campervans at good rates. Al-
ternatively, if you're in NZ for a few months, you might consider buying your own vehicle.
Automobile Association (AA)
NZ's
Automobile Association
(AA; 0800 500 444;
www.aa.co.nz/travel
)
provides emergency breakdown services,
maps and accommodation guides (from holiday parks to motels and B&Bs).
Members of overseas automobile associations should bring their membership cards − many of these bodies have re-
ciprocal agreements with the AA.
Drivers Licences
International visitors to NZ can use their home country drivers licence − if your licence isn't in English, it's a good idea
to carry a certified translation with you. Alternatively, use an International Driving Permit (IDP), which will usually be
issued on the spot (valid for 12 months) by your home country's automobile association.
Fuel
Fuel (petrol, aka gasoline) is available from service stations across NZ: unless you're cruising around in something from
the '70s, you'll be filling up with 'unleaded' or LPG (gas). LPG is not always stocked by rural suppliers; if you're on
gas, it's safer to have dual-fuel capability. Aside from remote South Island locations like Milford Sound and Mt Cook,
petrol prices don't vary much from place to place: per-litre costs at the time of research were around $2.40.
