NZ TRAVEL TIPS
What will my currency buy in New Zealand? Is there a sales tax?
Visitors travelling on the pound, US$, Euro and Yen will find their money goes a long way in New Zealand due to a favourable exchange rate. For example, a postcard to anywhere in the world costs NZ$1.50, a Big Mac hamburger meal NZ$4-5, and a cappuccino around NZ$3-4.
All goods and services are subject to a 12.5 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in the displayed price. Visitors cannot claim this tax back, however when a supplier ships a major purchase to a visitor's home address the GST will not be charged.
What is the voltage of electricity supply in New Zealand?
Electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts (50 hertz). Most hotels and motels provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated 20 watts) for electric razors only. For all other equipment, an adapter/converter is necessary, unless the item has a multi-voltage option. New Zealand power outlets only accept flat three or two-pin plugs, depending on whether an earth connection is fitted.
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The Southern Alps provide a pristine playground for New Zealanders and nowhere more
so than at Mt Hutt, an easy two-hour drive from Christchurch. Travelling south the
road hugs the foothills to the quintessential country towns of Geraldine and Fairlie,
before ascending into Mackenzie country where the turquoise-blue waters of Lake
Tekapo and Lake Pukaki contrast sharply with the dry, rocky hinterland. SH80 leads
to Mount Cook, NZ’s highest mountain, and to the rumbling Tasman Glacier, with its
lake embedded in a vast lunar-like landscape. Further south the popular lakeside
resorts of Wanaka and Queenstown, both situated beside sparkling lakes in a stunning
alpine setting, provide endless opportunities for adventure activities.
We take three days to explore the route from Christchurch to Queenstown and begin
the journey with an unexpected snowboard lesson at Mt Hutt. We buy new jumpers in
Geraldine, spend the evening with locals at a country cinema, enjoy a scenic flight
over Mt Cook, taste 500-year old ice from the Tasman Glacier, sunbathe in Wanaka,
explore Arrowtown and relax on the shores of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu wondering
where we should begin!
day three: mt cook to queenstown
Key
- Destinations
- Apex Locations
The morning dawns damp and grey. “The mountains are gone,” says Bob mournfully.
Nevertheless we make our way early to the Blue Lakes and the Tasman Glacier View
track, a 40-minute return walk from the carpark. At the lookout we gain excellent
views of the lower Tasman Glacier, a rock-strewn river of ice rumbling through a
vast lunar-like landscape.
“It looks forbidding,” says Bob, as we return to join our Glacier Explorers tour
of the lake. Our guide, Kylie Wakelin, settles our group aboard a Mac boat, then
we motor alongside one of several floating icebergs. “It’s made from pure water
and snow that fell over 500 years ago,” she says breaking some off so we can have
a taste. Bob’s neighbour, a Japanese chap, is prepared for the occasion. He whips
out a hip flask of whiskey and a mug, adds ancient ice, and shares this heady brew
with Bob as we continue across a silty, milky-grey surface to the glacier’s impressive
bluff which begrudgingly yields its melt to the glacier lake. There’s a medley of
sound: the steady drip of melting ice, loud cracking, rumbles, creaks and splashes,
as muddy ice slumps to the water leaving gaping wounds that emanate electrifying
shades of blue.
It’s 10 am before we begin our four-hour drive to Queenstown. As we rejoin Lake
Pukaki the sky clears, but Mt Cook is completely shrouded by cloud. “Lucky we flew
yesterday,” says Bob.
On Twizel’s Lake Ruataniwha we pass rowers, and shortly after Omarama we drive through
the dramatic mountain landscape of the Lindis Pass. In Tarras we consider our lunch
options, but decide to continue to Wanaka where we eat at the information centre’s
café nestled amongst poplars and deciduous trees on the lake’s southern shores...
Please click the link to download the full
Christchurch to Queenstown scenic drive, courtesy of apex car rentals
new zealand... the kiwi way
To read more extracts from our driving holiday's guidebook please click on any of
the following links:
north island scenic drives
south island scenic drives
purchase new zealand driving holidays online
If you would like to purchase a copy of this stunning nz pictorial guidebook online
please click here (RRP $24.95 plus postage)
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With apex rental cars the longer you hire the lower the daily rate. Please click the link to view today's best christchurch to queenstown rental car deal.
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