The information below will be useful to short and long term hires but is orientated towards a trip planned mostly around camping/motels/hostels. Some of the advice may make you wonder what on earth you are letting yourself in for but in reality you'll be safe if you take a few precautions and use some common sense!

A good book on touring New Zealand will help you get the most out of your trip. It will tell you about tourist destinations, what to expect when you get there, accommodation, places to eat and just about everything else. There are dozens of books and web sites out there but many people find the Lonely Planet and Rough Guides literature incredibly useful.

General Advice

The weather and time of year to visit:
The weather is never so miserable that there's no point in going to New Zealand: there are things to see and do all year round. The warmer months (November to April) are busiest, especially during the school holidays from December 20 to the end of January. Ski resort towns are obviously busier during the winter months. If you're travelling during peak periods (especially the Christmas season) it's best to book ahead, as much accommodation and transport fills up. It's probably more pleasant to visit either before or after this hectic period, when the weather is still warm and there aren't as many other travellers around.

Accommodation:
New Zealand is extremely well prepared for the traveler and the summer months is perfect for the outdoors way of life. Campsites can be found almost everywhere and are mostly clean and well kept. You'll pay anything from NZ$10-25 per day for a two man tent. National parks and other remote areas often have bush campsites. These are off the beaten track and provide useful basic facilities such as toilets and an area for a fire (always check fire restrictions before starting one). These sites are great if you enjoy getting back to nature. You'll find birds and animals all around and there's nothing better than sitting round your fire cooking dinner, downing a beer and gazing up at more stars then you ever knew existed.

On those rainy, cold days when some comfort is welcome then motels are a good choice and will cost NZ$100-150 per night. Backpacker hostels are also good value and make meeting other travelers easy. You can either sleep in a dorm with a number of others (Approx. NZ$30-40 per night) or take a room on your own (NZ$70 per night). Call if you are hoping to stay in a hostel as they can be very busy. There are many books with details of accommodation and a good one is invaluable. I've found the Lonely Planet's guides to be excellent.

Insects and flies:
Flies can be incredibly annoying at certain times of year in some areas but it's surprising how quickly you get used to a few hanging around! Insect repellant is a must. Even if you think there's no chance of mosquitoes or sand flies (common in the south island around water) there normally is and so make it a regular routine to put it on in the morning and if you stop for long periods.

Preparation before you leave:

Firstly, always prepare a detailed list of things to take and then check it thoroughly before leaving home. Leaving your credit cards and cash at home won't make for a good start to your holiday!

Documentation:
Don't forget to take your bike/car license, passport with visa, flight tickets, booking confirmations, credit cards/cash, travel books etc. We strongly recommend you obtain personal health and general travel insurance before you depart for New Zealand.

Luggage on a bike:
The more you bring the heavier the bike and the more difficult it can be to handle so think carefully about your list of items and minimise them where possible. The bikes often include panniers but you'll probably need a rucksack (not one with a frame) and large zip up sports type bag as well. A small rucksack for everyday items is useful so that you don't have to keep unstrapping everything to get at your camera for example. Remember you will need to carry water and probably extra petrol at times. On top of that you'll need room for your tent. Cargo net type bungees are good and you'll need at least a couple of standard ones. It may be a luxury but a cheap collapsible chair means you have somewhere to sit outside your tent when you're eating. It's much nicer than sitting on the ground and keeps you away from the ants! Make sure you pack dry items in waterproof plastic bags because the rain can be very heavy.

Proper bike boots are ideal but when you're trying to save space and weight a good pair of walking boots will serve you on the bike and off it. It goes without saying that an approved motorcycle helmet should be worn at all times.

Useful extras include a small torch, headlamp, notepad and pencil, self inflating bed roll, nylon chord or string.

Riding/Driving tips:

Resting:
At some stage of your trip you'll probably spend a long time holding the throttle in one place. It hurts after an hour or two and you should plan to stop and stretch regularly. Some ingenious devices have been invented to act as a cruise control for bikes making use of various items such as radiator hoses over the bar end and throttle grip. It's obviously very dangerous if your throttle sticks open so beware. It also helps to develop a simple routine of stretches and muscle contractions if you're trying to cover a lot of ground each day.

Falling asleep:
You'll see signs all over New Zealand warning you of the consequences of falling asleep whilst driving. It is one of their biggest killers and if you feel drowsy don't take chances. Some of the mountain roads are particularly unforgiving if you're feeling drowsy.

Wind:
Some parts of New Zealand can experience extremely strong winds at times which can literally blow a bike and rider off the road! Some of the areas where it's advisable not to ride when strong winds are blowing is the road to Mt Cook and the mountain passes around Te Anau on the South Island. If in doubt ask the locals or don't travel until the wind has settled - it's not worth risking an accident!

Air conditioning:
Most cars and campers have air conditioning but you can also take advantage of it on a bike. "On a bike" I hear you say! It can get pretty hot in New Zealand at times. Tarmac reflects this heat and it's like riding in an oven. An evaporative air conditioning system is easily available. Take an old T-shirt, soak it at every opportunity and put it back on (don't use your drinking water). Do your bike jacket up and as you go along the water evaporates making you feel cool! It never stays wet for long so control the amount of cooling via the zipper.

Animals and travelling at night:
The rule for traveling at night, dawn and dusk is simple - don't! Animals feed at this time and hitting anything at night (or day for that matter) can be disasterous on a bike. Make sure you're safely tucked up in bed before the animals come out to play.

Roads:
For the most part New Zealand tarmac roads are in good shape and you can get to the majority of the tourist sites without leaving them. Many tourists want to see some of the less traveled routes and to do this you'll drive on roads without the 'black top'. The condition of these can vary dramatically and it's worth asking locals/the police what to expect. Many of them require a 4WD car/camper or a dual purpose enduro type bike. If you've little or no experience off road just take your time and drive within your abilities at all times. Don't try and be a hero. It's just not worth the consequences of a nasty accident especially in a remote location.

Speeding:
The police are extremely rigorous when it comes to speeding. Mobile cameras are used in many cities and if you are just 2-3kph over the limit you'll be in for a fine. This zero tolerance policy means that for the most part New Zealanders don't speed.

Drink driving:
There was a day when distances were measured in the amount you could drink between two places. One town to the next might be a six-pack or a long journey could be a crate! Those days have gone and drink driving is just as socially unacceptable as it is in most of the world. If you do then one large, typically New Zealand authority billboard I've seen sums you up…"If you drink and drive you must be a bloody idiot!" No expensive marketing man needed for that succinct slogan!

Water crossings:
Water crossings can be dangerous so don't go rushing in. Look carefully and walk your route first. Check for large boulders and holes. If on a motorbike take your luggage off if necessary and carry it across first. Push the bike through if it's safer rather than riding it and risking falling off and sucking water into the engine. In some regions of New Zealand water levels can rise very rapidly and the force of water can be stronger than you think. Storms are very heavy but often short. If you get stuck between two rivers the best thing to do may be to wait as levels go up very quickly but come down just as fast. You may be there for a day or two but that's better than chancing your luck in the water.

Petrol, oil and water:
Don't take chances with these. In hot areas you'll drink much more than you expect and if you reach the point where you are thirsty you're not drinking enough. Plan for about 10 liters a day - more if you need it for cooking or if you intend to walk in the bush or do other exercise. Don't rely on other travelers to have spare petrol, oil or water - they'll need it for themselves! Plan your route carefully and check that you have plenty spare when you reach the next roadhouse or town. Be very careful if you intend to go into remote regions - see sections below on planning your route and preparation.

Planning your route and daily preparation:
Always take a detailed map especially if you're in remote regions. In these areas talk to local authorities about your intended trip. Always plan your route carefully noting roadhouses and towns and work out the distances to cover. Be aware of possible wrong turns - it can literally save your life. Imagine traveling on a track when you unknowingly take a wrong turn. You reach the point where you don't have sufficient fuel to return to civilisation before realising you've gone the wrong way. You may be stuck in a hostile environment for days before anyone comes along - if you're lucky. It's no exaggeration to say that many have died making this kind of mistake. Remote trips are incredibly exhilarating but you must plan the distances and points of return properly. ALWAYS let others know (local police for example) your route and estimated time of arrival and be sure to check in as soon as you arrive. Buying or hiring an emergency radio and/or beacon may be wise in very remote areas.

Tools and useful extras:
A toolkit is often included with the bike but there's a couple of extras you might find handy. Firstly, always carry a good knife. You may only need it for opening beer bottles but it can also be put to many other uses. Another handy item is a tube of "liquid metal" or similar that allows you to mix two putty like materials together. It cures to a solid and can be used to fill holes in sumps, repair petrol tanks etc. Interestingly, soap can be used to fill a hole in a petrol tank as fuel won't dissolve it. Another outback quick fix is putting pepper into a holed radiator to stop the leak!

Breakdowns and punctures:
New Zealanders are generally extremely friendly and will help if you've broken down and are really stuck. If on a long term hire bike or car then the toolkit and spares will cover spare levers, belts, inner tubes, clutch cables and the like helping to deal with many common problems.