There are some great prices on Apollo Campervan rentals in New Zealand currently and combined with some pretty decent priced flights to the North Island this is a great trip. Not only that, the rental is a proper 'motorhome' I say this after I got a telling off when calling a motorhome a campervan recently.......some people are so sensitive ;-)
In essence, this means you get proper cooking facilities and a loo and a shower which can be good in NZ as I found that sometimes it was a long drive until any loos! Campervans are only slightly cheaper but for this bargain price I'd go for the motorhome which has more space and proper cooking facilities. The details of this top of the range motorhome are on this link and there is a very snazzy video of the van and it looks amazing. I so want to go!!!!! http://www.apollocamper.co.nz/campervan-hire-2berthst.aspx
Stopping at sites to plug in and empty toilet etc would cost around $30NZ a night depending on how many nights you stop at paid sites. You'll need to allow this into your budget as well as additional costs for upgrading any insurances etc.
If I wasn't already away I'd seriously be booking this trip!
Itinerary
You'll fly with Air China and you have a long stopover and depending on visa requirements you could stop in Beijing for a few hours. After some long flights you'll arrive into Auckland on 1st May. I've flown with Air China this year and they are OK. Not a highly rated airline and I'd really recommend taking your own entertainment as the IFE is shocking but it's bearable.
You'll make your own way into Auckland and stay at the highly rated Haha Lodge for 2 nights, enough time to do a whistle-stop tour of the city but you'll have plenty of time to revisit again later in the trip.
On 3rd May you'll get your motorhome and drive out of the city heading north towards Bay of Islands. I could go on and on about NZ but some suggestions to consider. You could stop at Waiwera Hot Pools and Matakana then on to Whangarei and then on to Paihia. I know it sounds strage but do visit the toilets at Kawakawa!! Other must sees are the Cape Lighthouse and Ninety Mile Beach and the Dunes.
You'll probably end up backtracking towards Auckland again but there are hot pools en route at Te Aroha which you can do after climbing the mountain! There are a few different routes you can take either via Hamilton and then the amazing Waitoma Caves which are fantastic! You could then visit Rotorua with its thermal eggy smells and hot springs as well as Maori culture. I'd then take the route to Lake Taupo and Napier. Again a few options but lots of good food and wine in this area if that's up your street. If you end up in Wellington and are a LOTR fan then you can really get into the spirit od things and visit Rivendell and the forest where the hobbits hid from the black riders (can you tell I'm a fan?)
You'll have the motorhome for 14 nights and you'll return it by 4pm on the 17th May and your flight isn't until just turned 7pm so you can really make the most of your trip.
I've visited NZ in March, April, May and June and May is a great time. It's technically out of season and prices are lower, tourists are less and it's a more enjoyable time and the weather can still be good.
Flights for 2 London to NZ £1105.20 @ omegaflightstore.com
1-3rd May Haka Lodge Auckland £116 @ booking.com
Motorhome rental 3rd to 17th (14 nights) $495/£224.13 @ Apollo Campervan
Total £1446.33/£723.16pp
Top comments
jasee
30 Jan 163#49
I've flown with Air China from Heathrow through Beijing, to Japan at least three times and had no problems with the flights
airbus330
29 Jan 163#3
That's a good package and price. However, I'd be inclined to spend a bit more and avoid china airlines for reasons that can be found on the web.
Also, I'd be careful with Apollo rv s. The system in NZ used to be( and I believe still is) that the vans start with the top price firms like Maui and every 2 years get passed down to another firm until they are junk. I have a feeling that when I did this trip in nz a few years back Apollo were one to be careful of.
On the other hand it's a lot of holiday for not much money, so still hot.
That's a good package and price. However, I'd be inclined to spend a bit more and avoid china airlines for reasons that can be found on the web.
Also, I'd be careful with Apollo rv s. The system in NZ used to be( and I believe still is) that the vans start with the top price firms like Maui and every 2 years get passed down to another firm until they are junk. I have a feeling that when I did this trip in nz a few years back Apollo were one to be careful of.
On the other hand it's a lot of holiday for not much money, so still hot.
rachelandgromit to airbus330
29 Jan 16#5
Air China ain't the best I do agree but not as bad as Iberia and Air Europa to be honest. You just need to be prepared in terms of lack of entertainment as the films were awful. Like any airline it's a means to getting where you want to be and unless you fly Business class it's never going to be an amazing experience...
seanrtkelly to airbus330
29 Jan 161#11
I recently flew to Thailand with air China and don't have a bad word to say about them. Provided plenty of food and drinks and was over £700 cheaper than the next airline. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again
Jenko75
29 Jan 16#4
Great price, we spent a bit of time in Oz and NZ and used Apollo a few times in Oz, they were one of the biggest motorhome companies don't think you've got much to worry about with them
dunc62
29 Jan 16#6
Bargain my flights have cost £2000 on there own
zippypants to dunc62
29 Jan 162#7
I think you was mugged (sorry ) .... Flights are coming down because of cheap oil
kimbo87
29 Jan 16#8
Amazing!! Shame I already have a holiday booked during that time, otherwise I would be all over this!! Amazing find!
rachelandgromit to kimbo87
29 Jan 16#9
Me too!!
fishmaster
29 Jan 16#10
I will never go to New Zealand, but it does look awesome and this seems cheap, so I have to vote HOT :smiley:
eatmorefish to fishmaster
30 Jan 16#40
You should. The fishing is superb (seriously). :man:
miarcerts
29 Jan 16#12
4/10 on airline quality review site.
May give a miss.
Not voted cold or hot as if others okay with 30+ hours on a poorly rated airline, thats their choice
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Opening post
In essence, this means you get proper cooking facilities and a loo and a shower which can be good in NZ as I found that sometimes it was a long drive until any loos! Campervans are only slightly cheaper but for this bargain price I'd go for the motorhome which has more space and proper cooking facilities. The details of this top of the range motorhome are on this link and there is a very snazzy video of the van and it looks amazing. I so want to go!!!!! http://www.apollocamper.co.nz/campervan-hire-2berthst.aspx
Stopping at sites to plug in and empty toilet etc would cost around $30NZ a night depending on how many nights you stop at paid sites. You'll need to allow this into your budget as well as additional costs for upgrading any insurances etc.
If I wasn't already away I'd seriously be booking this trip!
Itinerary
You'll fly with Air China and you have a long stopover and depending on visa requirements you could stop in Beijing for a few hours. After some long flights you'll arrive into Auckland on 1st May. I've flown with Air China this year and they are OK. Not a highly rated airline and I'd really recommend taking your own entertainment as the IFE is shocking but it's bearable.
You'll make your own way into Auckland and stay at the highly rated Haha Lodge for 2 nights, enough time to do a whistle-stop tour of the city but you'll have plenty of time to revisit again later in the trip.
On 3rd May you'll get your motorhome and drive out of the city heading north towards Bay of Islands. I could go on and on about NZ but some suggestions to consider. You could stop at Waiwera Hot Pools and Matakana then on to Whangarei and then on to Paihia. I know it sounds strage but do visit the toilets at Kawakawa!! Other must sees are the Cape Lighthouse and Ninety Mile Beach and the Dunes.
You'll probably end up backtracking towards Auckland again but there are hot pools en route at Te Aroha which you can do after climbing the mountain! There are a few different routes you can take either via Hamilton and then the amazing Waitoma Caves which are fantastic! You could then visit Rotorua with its thermal eggy smells and hot springs as well as Maori culture. I'd then take the route to Lake Taupo and Napier. Again a few options but lots of good food and wine in this area if that's up your street. If you end up in Wellington and are a LOTR fan then you can really get into the spirit od things and visit Rivendell and the forest where the hobbits hid from the black riders (can you tell I'm a fan?)
You'll have the motorhome for 14 nights and you'll return it by 4pm on the 17th May and your flight isn't until just turned 7pm so you can really make the most of your trip.
I've visited NZ in March, April, May and June and May is a great time. It's technically out of season and prices are lower, tourists are less and it's a more enjoyable time and the weather can still be good.
Flights for 2 London to NZ £1105.20 @ omegaflightstore.com
1-3rd May Haka Lodge Auckland £116 @ booking.com
Motorhome rental 3rd to 17th (14 nights) $495/£224.13 @ Apollo Campervan
Total £1446.33/£723.16pp
Top comments
Also, I'd be careful with Apollo rv s. The system in NZ used to be( and I believe still is) that the vans start with the top price firms like Maui and every 2 years get passed down to another firm until they are junk. I have a feeling that when I did this trip in nz a few years back Apollo were one to be careful of.
On the other hand it's a lot of holiday for not much money, so still hot.
All comments (74)
Screen shots above
Also, I'd be careful with Apollo rv s. The system in NZ used to be( and I believe still is) that the vans start with the top price firms like Maui and every 2 years get passed down to another firm until they are junk. I have a feeling that when I did this trip in nz a few years back Apollo were one to be careful of.
On the other hand it's a lot of holiday for not much money, so still hot.
May give a miss.
Not voted cold or hot as if others okay with 30+ hours on a poorly rated airline, thats their choice