New Zealand - General Travel Tips

1) In terms of availability, New Zealand is very similar to Australia. In fact, some of the most popular brands in Aus like Only Organic are actually from New Zealand. It's easy to stock up once you are in a major city.

2) Driving distances are long and your guides can be deceptive because although there is nearly no traffic, some roads are windy and may take longer than estimated. Further, if your car breaks down, it may take ages before anyone can help you because the population is so spread out. Therefore, I always had two meals packed for Karam, in case of emergencies.

3) Regardless of how outdoor-sy you are, it's impossible to do a country like New Zealand full justice when you are traveling with a baby. Take it easy the first time around with the bubby, and plan a return trip at a later stage so you don't stress yourself out with regret and over-planning.


Other posts in the South Island, New Zealand series:

South Island, New Zealand - Other Flights We Could Have Avoided

South Island, New Zealand - Mapping the Route

South Island, New Zealand - Baby Friendly Accommodation

South Island, New Zealand - Other Flights We Could Have Avoided

Milford Sound: Since we didn't want to do the 5 hour drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound, we decided to spring for the airplane trip which is significantly shorter, but much more expensive. What we didn't know was that it is also very subject to weather. On the day of our departure we were able to take off and land in the Sound but we couldn't stick around very long because our plane had to take off immediately or risk being stranded. Our pilot very kindly gave us a rather extended scenic tour on the way back to compensate, which meant lots of drops and curves and Karam freaking out! So I nursed him all the way back, which meant sore nipples when we got home! If you're going to do the Sound with a baby, try breaking journey in Te Anau, which is a closer drive than Queenstown. Resist the temptation to take a bus as they tend to get stuck in traffic on the narrow road in the evening, when most people are headed back.


Other posts in the South Island, New Zealand series:

New Zealand - General Travel Tips

South Island, New Zealand - Mapping the Route

South Island, New Zealand - Baby Friendly Accommodation




Kaikoura Whale Watching: Wings over Whales is a great concept, but for an 11-month, being squashed into a small seat with an imposing seat belt in a suffocating cabin is not exactly a highlight. We had to do it twice because we were amongst the 2% of customers who don't get a sighting in the first trip. We saw three in the second trip but for baby K's sake, I can hardly say it was worth it.

VERDICT: AVOID.

South Island, New Zealand - Mapping the Route

By the time we were planning NZ, Karam was 11 months old and was not interested in taking long car rides. So despite the fact that New Zealand has some of the most beautiful and scenic rides in the world, we decided to drive partly and fly a bit, to reduce time in the car.

Here's what we did:
- Flew Sydney-Christchurch: short and uneventful flight.
- Drove CC to Kaikoura: Pleasant 2.5 hour drive. We planned it around Karam's nap time so he literally opened his eyes as we pulled into the inn.
- Drove Kaikoura to Blenheim : Short 1.5 hour drive that brought us into the wineries just in time for lunch
- Drove Blenheim to Nelson: 1.5 hour drive that was completely avoidable. Nelson is a small, unremarkable town. Our purpose for visiting was catching a flight to Queenstown which could have happened from Blenheim.
- Flew Nelson to Queenstown: 1.5 hour flight, very manageable!
- Day trips from Queenstown to Wanaka and Central Otago wineries - Perfect driving distances, left after breakfast, made it back in time for dinner.
- Flew Queenstown to Christchurch: Stayed overnight in airport hotel
- Flew Christchurch to Sydney!

Cons to our approach: More expensive than just driving (domestic flights were NZ 200 each), we missed out the whole of the west coast (glaciers, etc.), and wasted some time waiting for flights, driving to airports, etc.

However, Karam had a perfectly comfortable time and gave us no trouble at all. So it was a good experience from that standpoint. We'll just have to go back when he's older to do it the right way!


Other posts in the South Island, New Zealand series:

New Zealand - General Travel Tips

South Island, New Zealand - Other Flights We Could Have Avoided

South Island, New Zealand - Baby Friendly Accommodation

South Island, New Zealand - Baby Friendly Accommodation

It was actually New Zealand that prompted me to start this blog. With so many options, on the rustic and upscale ends of the scale, I didn't know where to start when researching my spectrum. So here are my pearls of wisdom after hours of web time and actual travel:

1) Centerpoint on Colombo, Christchurch: Centrally located at a ten minute's walk from the city center, but pretty basic amenities. I think we were in a "deluxe" room which made me wonder how bad the standard rooms would be. We had a kitchenette that functioned ok, a travel cot provided by the inn and sheets I would not use on Karam. The innkeepers were gracious hosts though, so to their credit we probably didn't give their hospitality a fair shot. I would stay here if you're desperate: you and your child will survive.



2) Anchor Inn, Kaikoura: This place is known for its view but the one-bedroom we got is the only room without a view! Talk about discrimination! The place in general was clean and tidy, with bright colors and lighting making it cozy and comfortable. They don't have any dining room so you need to cook for you and bub or try some of the restaurants a few minutes away (all great food and very baby-friendly places!).



3) Vintner's Retreat, Blenheim: I may be a bit biased because I believe that wineries are amongst the most baby-friendly places in the world: open spaces, crisp air, fresh produce and mum just a little bit tipsy! The Vintner's Retreat in Blenheim was an amazing place from which to explore the Marlborough region. Each two-bedroom villa has a huge living room, washer/dryer, private patio with bbq and large gardens overlooking the wineries. Mind you, you pay the price (NZ 400 as opposed to the above places which were closer to NZ 150), but then again, you get more space and more quality. Highly recommended for larger families!



4) Pounamu Apartments, Queenstown:The Pounamu apartments provide you with sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the sight is so mesmerizing that you tend to overlook all the small, impractical things about this place. For instance, it is right on a busy main road with a long, windy driveway that is practically impossible to walk, let alone push a pram up. The apartments are also located either up or down a flight of steps. Further, the fairly steep price does not include room cleaning or room service. (Most food places in QT will deliver to Pounamu, however). Finally, it's a windy walk down to the town center, as opposed to many of the other staying options that are in downtown QT.

All these negatives aside, we enjoyed our stay so much, we extended for a night! The studio apartment was modern and beautifully designed, so that the bedroom located on the mezzanine overlooked the living room and huge bay windows. I would nurse Karam to bed every night watching the sun set behind the snow-clad Southern hemisphere mountains and then settle down to a bottle of local wine by the fireplace with my husband. Highly recommended, especially if you have been forewarned of its shortcomings!


 
Other posts in the South Island, New Zealand series:

New Zealand - General Travel Tips

South Island, New Zealand - Other Flights We Could Have Avoided

South Island, New Zealand - Mapping the Route