Buses and Planes
Exciting stuff. I’m all booked for NZ.
I’m flying Jetstar from Adelaide to Melbourne and Melbourne to Christchurch. Then Air New Zealand from Christchurch to Auckland.
Yes, I know, it seems the long way around, seeing there are now direct flights from Adelaide to Auckland (though I think it only runs once a week) but I booked the Melbourne to Christchurch leg months ago, long before I intended to do the Te Araroa Track.
Once I’ve completed the North Island leg of the Te Araroa I am taking a couple of weeks off (hopefully for Christmas / New year, as I have a friend who will be over from Australia) and then shooting down to Wanaka to volunteer as a hut warden at the French Ridge Hut.
On the subject of transport, the deal I got to head down to Wanaka from Wellington and then back to Picton (via Hokitika – I plan to stay a couple of nights at Drifting Sands, the best hostel I have ever stayed in) on Nakedbus.com is absolutely gobsmacking! Christchurch to Wanaka, Wanaka to Hokitika, Hokitika to Nelson, Nelson to Picton: eight dollars!
If you want cheap transport in New Zealand be sure to check out Nakedbus.com. I believe the first fare on each journey is only $1 (plus a $1 booking fee). Even the subsequent fares are pretty cheap. I travelled on Nakedbus.com to get from Te Anau to Twizel last year. Cost a pittance.
Peace out.
