Transportation in New Zealand

1. Car Rental Self-drive is a great way to explore New Zealand. You’ll have the flexibility to evolve your itinerary as you go along, and the freedom to explore places that are away from the usual tourist trails.

Our roads are generally of a very high standard. All main routes are sealed and well signposted; beyond the cities, traffic is light.Car rental companies come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find all the big names, as well as a wide range of local operators.

In most cases the longer you hire, the cheaper the daily rate. If you need one-way hire between locations, choose one of the larger companies.You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current driver's licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP) - (Note: if your overseas licence or permit isn't in English, you must carry an accurate translation) Commonly, you need to be 21 or older to rent a car in New Zealand. 2. Motorhomes or campervansA home on the road gives you the freedom to take each day as it comes. Roam the country, finding beautiful and remote places to park and picnic.

Overnight you’ll find it convenient to book a powered site in a holiday park or camping ground. The kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities are handy and many sites have great positions at the edge of a lake or by the beach. Free camping may be possible, but it’s wise to check with the local information centre before you park for the night as each district in New Zealand has different rules around where it is permitted.Campervans are available for pick up from New Zealand's main centres. Some companies will offer flexible pick up and drop off options, allowing you to travel from one point to another instead of a round trip.

Daily rental rates vary according to the season and are based on unlimited kilometres per day. Other costs include insurance and a bond that is refundable at the end of your holiday. For travel during summer and autumn, it’s best to book your motorhome before you arrive in New Zealand. The usual minimum age to rent a motorhome is 21 years.

3. Ferries and water taxisOpportunities for water travel are almost everywhere in New Zealand. Ferries and water taxis can get you from A to B, or simply take you on a joy ride. The most famous ferry route is between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.

As well as transporting you and your vehicle, this journey showcases the extraordinary beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. Sightings of dolphins, whales and fur seals are common.If you find yourself in Auckland, Wanganui or Queenstown, a paddlesteamer cruise should definitely be on the agenda. In the Bay of Islands, the ‘hole in the rock’ cruise to the tip of Cape Brett is a star attraction.Water taxis are a handy service for getting to the start of a hiking track or reaching a destination that isn’t accessible by ferry. Most water taxi operators can also put together a customised scenic tour of local sights.

4. Rail Journeys New Zealand rail travel is an exercise in relaxation. The main reason to choose a train journey is the spectacular scenery you simply can't see from the road. New Zealand’s challenging landscapes demanded some remarkable feats of early railway engineers. While our rail network isn’t vast, thanks to their skill and determination, there are some incredible voyages available. Our great train trips travel through remote national parks, across spectacular volcanic landscapes, over braided river valleys and alpine passes and along rugged coastlines with steep mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.

The kinds of journeys available:Kiwirail Scenic Journeys In the North Island, the Northern Explorer links Wellington and Auckland. A remarkable 12-hour journey through the volcanic heart of the North Island with highlights including Tongariro National Park and the famous Raurimu Spiral, an amazing feat of railway engineering.The Northern Explorer’s carriages all have large windows for panoramic views of the magnificent landscapes. At the rear of the train, a special observation carriage includes lounge-style seating surrounded by glass on three sides. There are also open-air observation areas and a buffet car for meals, drinks and snacks. In the South Island, Kiwirail runs two magnificent railways.

Between Picton and Christchurch you can catch the Coastal Pacific. The scenery is remarkable, with the Kaikoura Ranges rising steeply on one side and the Pacific Ocean swells washing over a rocky coastline on the other. Seals and penguins can often be seen on the rocks.If you have a rail pass, make a stopover at the town of Kaikoura for a whale-watching safari. The next stage of this journey chuffs across the Canterbury Plains, where vast braided rivers dissect a patchwork of horticultural and farming landscapes. In total, the Coastal Pacific carries you through 22 tunnels and across 175 bridges.

The other intrepid South Island rail route is the TranzAlpine.The fantastically scenic rail trip on the TranzAlpine - one of the world’s greatest - crosses the Southern Alps on a journey that links the city of Christchurch to historic Greymouth, a river town on the rugged West Coast. Highlights include the 73 metre high Staircase viaduct, Arthur’s Pass National Park and the Otira tunnel. The TranzAlpine covers 223.8 kilometres in four and a half hours.

There are 19 tunnels and four viaducts. An outdoor viewing carriage will get you close to the fresh alpine air and spectacular scenery. Stay put or hop on and offEach of Kiwirail Scenic Journey's great train trips can be completed as a single journey in one day. Or, with a multi-day Scenic Rail Pass, you can hop on and off to explore attractions along the way. The pass is also a convenient way to combine several of New Zealand’s great train trips into the rail journey of a lifetime. Other New Zealand rail tripsOur other rail experiences rely on the passion and dedication of enthusiasts.

Southland has the Kingston Flyer, Dunedin has the Taieri Gorge Railway and Auckland is the launching point for amazing boutique steam train trips around the whole country. While each of New Zealand’s great train trips has its own personality, they all offer warm hospitality and expert commentary as they carry you in comfort through the youngest country on earth.5. Bus and Coach transportBus and coach transport is ideal if you prefer to make your way around New Zealand without the hassle of self-driving.

A cost-effective alternative to air travel with daily scheduled passenger services available throughout the country. There’s also a multitude of coach companies serving the main tourist routes.Hop on, hop off traveller’s networks, where you buy a pass for unlimited travel, can move you around New Zealand’s major destinations very effectively. In Auckland there are buses that circulate around key attractions, allowing you unlimited travel for a fixed price.If you’re travelling with a group, charter coach companies have the flexibility to adapt to your itinerary.

The drivers are also guides, so you’ll have the added benefit of a commentary if you want one.For travellers who want the simplicity of a packaged tour, there are several companies running scheduled trips around the main tourist destinations in either or both islands. Accommodation and meals are often included in the tour price, and you’re sure to make a few friends along the way.6. Air TransportFlights in New Zealand are both easy to organise and very affordable, making air transport a popular choice for travel around the country.

You can fly between all New Zealand cities and most major towns using domestic air services. Air New Zealand and Jetstar are the main providers. Their services are complemented by regional airlines, charter companies and scenic flight operators.New Zealanders have always had a passion for aviation. Many people believe that Richard Pearse, a Timaru farmer, was the first person in the world to make a powered flight in a heavier-than-air aeroplane.

He reputedly flew his home-built aircraft on 31 March 1903, about nine months before the Wright brothers. However the documentary evidence to support this claim remains open to interpretation.Jean Batten was another famous Kiwi aviator, known sometimes as the ‘Garbo of the Skies’. In 1934 she flew from England to Australia in just under 15 days, breaking Amy Johnson’s record by six days. Two years later she made the first direct flight between England and New Zealand, followed closely by the fastest ever trans-Tasman flight.7.

Motorcycle Rental Imagine sweeping along the graceful, rainforested curves of the West Coast highway to Haast, or blasting along the Desert Road past the huge volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. With well-engineered and maintained roads, New Zealand is beautifully suited to two-wheel travel.Motorcycle rental companies can tempt you with favourite marques such as Harley Davidson, BMW, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki. One-way hire may be available, depending on the rental company you choose.

If you don’t want to go it alone, touring companies operate guided or semi-guided adventures in both the main islands. You can even organise a dirt bike tour or an elegant cruise in a side-car. Some companies also offer pillion tours for non-riders.You can legally ride in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have either a current motorcycle licence from your home country or an International Driving Permit (IDP).8.

Cycle Hire Cycling is a great way to travel if you love an active holiday that combines the outdoors, getting close to nature and making the most of your surrounds. If you want to make New Zealand’s scenery last longer, touring the country on a bicycle promises maximum exposure to the fabulous landscapes. Our well-maintained roads can take you anywhere in the country - from the sub-tropical north to the refreshing highways of Southland.There’s no need to bring your bike with you. You can rent your wheels from a cycle shop or bike hire operator.

Some cycle shops have a buy-back scheme - half the purchase price is refunded if the bike is returned in good condition.Guided cycle tours are a great option if you want to travel with company and have all your gear carried in a support vehicle between destinations. You also won’t have to worry about accommodation, even when you’re travelling on back roads. Tours can last for a few days or a few weeks. Cycles and safety gear are part of the deal.