Looking forward to driving the route through Kaikoura and going on a whale watch tour later this year! Thanks for the preview!
@virtualjourneysnz2 күн бұрын
Great to hear. The best time for whale watch are the early morning departures due to better sea conditions,
@Marks8522 күн бұрын
Thank you so much for this great video, mate
@virtualjourneysnz2 күн бұрын
Glad it helped
@virtualjourneysnz5 күн бұрын
Has anyone driving one of those road options? What are your thoughts?
@Hallowed234512 күн бұрын
Don't assume that there is air conditioning. Ask first!
@virtualjourneysnz12 күн бұрын
Yes, every property is different. Even room types!
@virtualjourneysnz13 күн бұрын
When travelling NZ maps are such a great planning tool. Has anyone else been to NZ? What are your experiences?
@thank_goodnessXXX18 күн бұрын
Hello from Florida! Just booked our trip yesterday to NZ for November travel and feeling super excited! Awesome tips!!
@virtualjourneysnz18 күн бұрын
Thanks to Florida! November is a great time for the outdoors in NZ. Enjoy your time!
@user-yw2gd2xm8z19 күн бұрын
Hi Michael, love your videos they're great for anyone planning a road trip. Is there any chance you have one planned from dunedin to queenstown? 🤞
@virtualjourneysnz18 күн бұрын
Good point! I have listed to do that section in the next few weeks. Thanks for pointing this out!
@stevenchew66619 күн бұрын
superb info input! clear and very informative
@virtualjourneysnz18 күн бұрын
Glad it was helpful for your travel planning!
@virtualjourneysnz20 күн бұрын
This is a special video as I call this region my home 🙂
@joeldavid746220 күн бұрын
Thank you for the nice overview of the Nelson - Abel Tasman region!
@virtualjourneysnz20 күн бұрын
Pleasure, glad you get value out of it!
@doroffey8824 күн бұрын
What about the Driver ID Cards? Is the international driver ID cards could be used in NZ?
@virtualjourneysnz24 күн бұрын
You need your national driving license. If this one is not written in English an International License is an official translation issued in your country. Otherwise there are approved translation services in NZ able to do the translation. You would email them a picture of your domestic license and they responded back with a doc as PDF. You print this out and use with your domestic license. Important: you still will need to have your valid national license with you!
@doroffey8824 күн бұрын
Thanks. Usefull information.
@virtualjourneysnz24 күн бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@qchhin775927 күн бұрын
Hi Michael, thanks for the great tips. Looking forward to our trip to the South Island next month.Is it a traffic offence in NZ if the rear view of the driver is obstructed by the luggage over stacking.
@virtualjourneysnz27 күн бұрын
Hi @qchhin I am not a legal expert, but I would say you, for safety reasons, it would be required having clear vision into the following traffic. Check out the NZ road code - www.nzta.govt.nz/roadcode/general-road-code/ Enjoy your time!
@robbaskerville253Ай бұрын
Aha! Kilkenny Lookout! Years ago, I was on the bus back to Nelson from finishing the Heaphy Track, and we briefly stopped there for a look, but because I was napping when we stopped I didn't know where I was and have been wondering about it ever since.
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Great story! Nice to hear you got this solve now.
@robbaskerville253Ай бұрын
I urge anyone driving through here for the first time to make the time to drive to Mt Cook and at the very least walk the Hooker Valley Track. It would be a crime to miss it if you are so close. Apart from that a, good video. Im planning to take my daughter on her first NZ trip next year, and there are SOOOO many little things to see driving around there.
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
100% @robbaskerville253 I've made another video on the drive into Mt. Cook Village and there walks there -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJa9iKiLe7xgn5Y Enjoy your time!
@joeldavid7462Ай бұрын
Thanks for the description of this drive. We'll be spending the night at Cape Foulwind and then driving to Nelson/Abel Tasmen via Lake Rotoiti. Looks wonderful.
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Those are all great spots. Enjoy your time!
@simplelife6467Ай бұрын
Hi, do you run the tour to milford sound? we are group of 7
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
From Te Anau go with Trips & Tramps. From Queenstown go with RealNZ.
@joeldavid7462Ай бұрын
Good information and well done. Wish we would have time to spend 2 or more nights at each of the areas you described, but unfortunately only single nights in Haast, Hokitika and Westport along the West Coast. Maybe another trip!
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Yes, timing is often the key challenge. Still, you will have a lovely time as the West Coast is gorgeous and one of its kind. Enjoy!
@donut_shookworthАй бұрын
Amazing and helpful video. Keep up the good work.
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Glad you like it, thanks!
@ervinslensАй бұрын
Such a beautiful and professional presentation my friend! Bravo 👏
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Thank you very much!
@AnushkaBhaktaАй бұрын
I’m planning a 4-5 week trip to see both island in November 2025. When do you advise on booking hotels and activities? If I book in advance it doesn’t offer me flexibility if weather changes the circumstances. Should I just pay when I do that activity? Or book online? Paying at the venue offers flexibility but don’t want to miss out if no open spots. For fox glacier hello hike will there be a high chance that I have to reschedule? Your advice is greatly appreciated!
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Even with 4-5 weeks time you can easily run out of it. Say, you have 35 days time (5 weeks x 7 days) you want to send 12 days or so in the North Island and the rest in the South. It's a fair bit if time, but don't underestimate how fast it goes in NZ! Yes, some flexibility is ok, but you want to have a good overall travel structure. Also, if you travel in November, often places will be fully booked. Especially in places with a low population base (e.g. West Coast , Te Anau). So, my recommendation is to secure most accommodations ahead. In respect of tours, anything with ''nature' (e.g. penguin tour) will be very hard getting a seat at last minute. With heli-hiking, if the weather is sunny everyone will want to do the tour. Again, difficult the get in at last minute. Yes, those trips are often rescheduled, it's just the nature of the terrain. Overall, I recommend, even with 5 weeks, have a good structure & strategy in place and pre-book the key elements. Hope this helps :-)
@AnushkaBhaktaАй бұрын
@@virtualjourneysnz yes it did thanks!
@joeldavid7462Ай бұрын
Great information - thanks! Do you have recommendation on where to get e-bike rentals?
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Great to hear you getting value out of the video. Yes, you can check out bikefiordland.nz/ Also, will will release a brand new walking & hiking information video on the Fiordland region on Sunday (NZ time). It's a good one, so watch out for that one too!
@joeldavid7462Ай бұрын
@@virtualjourneysnz Thanks - look forward to seeing Sunday's video
@AnushkaBhaktaАй бұрын
how much time do you think is needed to see both islands and see the must see places?! Its my first time planning a trip to NZ. Not sure if I should get a rental or do a tour? The trip is for me and my wife. If you recommend tour which tour you advise?! Thanks.
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
The more time you can bring the better! Generally 1/3 in the North Island and 2/3 in the South Island is a good mix. I would recommend the use a rental car (if you happy to self-drive) as NZ is great for that. BUT, use 1-2 domestic flights in between. Then stay as much as possible 2 nights at key locations. Check out my planning video at kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHjbp6uPmbCFjLc Cheers Michael
@indianairlinesАй бұрын
Packed with very useful information. Will definitely plan some of your suggestions in an upcoming trip. Thank so much!
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Glad it was helpful! Got a new video on Fiordland hikes and walk out next Sunday. Watch out for it!
@koa818Ай бұрын
So beautiful country
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Great to hear!
@toddconant8921Ай бұрын
Lovely video! Very detailed, thank you! I’ll be in New Zealand during August and was wondering if you think it is worth the trip from Queentown to Milford Sound? I like the idea of staying in Te Anau. I also noticed the limited accommodations in the Milford Sound area.
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Hi Todd, depending on your overall itinerary and time budget, I'd recommend staying in Te Anau. If you need to do Milford Sound from QT then join a coach tour or even better take a scenic flight. The self-drive from QT to Milford return is simple too long (in my opinion). Yes, there is hardly any accommodation in Milford. Also, the road in between Te Anau and Milford has a stunning scenery with lovely walks, view points etc. Therefore you need a full day from Te Anau to explore Milford Sound and the road. Cheers Michael
@ToExploringАй бұрын
We love how detailed this is! We were told by so many people that there isn’t much to see on the way and we didn’t find that was the case at all! We loved all these cute little stops. Thank you for your vid!
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Thanks for your comment. Yes, it's often the smaller and not 'marketed up' spot travellers find interesting and rewarding. You are right there is much more than meets the eye. Cheers Michael
@thetalkingturbanАй бұрын
I think this kind of video is quite innovative, Michael combing pics, stock videos ([ presume, unless you're shooting location and drone footage yourself) as I've seen on a couple of your other videos, combined with itineraries using maps to illustrate your knowledge base, all told from your home studio. Kudos.
@virtualjourneysnzАй бұрын
Yes, in my day job as a travel designer I understand travellers questions and 'challenges' when planning a trip to NZ & OZ. I'd wish more in the tourism industry would embrace online storytelling, instead just pumping out promo videos instead of real and beneficial information for visitors.
@barbaradvojatzki28522 ай бұрын
Excellent walk through of the area! Thank you so much!
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@kumudip98022 ай бұрын
Can you please tell me which part of the year is more suitable for this road trip? I mean which time gives more stunning view?
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Really any time of the year is good for this part of the NZ. Personally I prefer March to May as this has often the most stable weather conditions.
@kumudip98022 ай бұрын
@@virtualjourneysnz Thank you 😊
@KhurshidsChannel2 ай бұрын
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. 👍10
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
@narumons2 ай бұрын
I’ve binged watching your videos. Thank you for all the useful tips! I heard the sandfly is bad in milford. Any tips?
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Glad you get value out of the videos. Re sandflies, it really depends on the weather on how sandflies 'behave'. When the weather turns to rain they are usually most 'active'! As long as you move around you are fine. They are NOT around at nighttime. Otherwise there is some local eucalyptus based lotion you can use in the Fiordland region. Hope this helps with your travel preparation. Cheers Michael
@sandiprivett24522 ай бұрын
The rabbit and dog photography statues make alot of sense to me with the symbolism
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Sure they are!
@sandiprivett24522 ай бұрын
I love that big wooden building by the boats
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
They are nice!
@sandiprivett24522 ай бұрын
Watching the replay from Oklahoma
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Great that you enjoyed it!
@donut_shookworth2 ай бұрын
Planning a 12-day trip to NZ this year from December to early January and your video has been the most helpful for planning I've come across, so thank you! I plan to fly from LAX to Queenstown, drive to Milford Sound, Dunedin, and nearby areas on the South Island for 6 days, then spend the remaining 6 days on the North Island exploring Rotorua, beaches, and ending in Auckland. Do you have any advice for first-time travelers or solo drivers, especially those new to driving on the left? Also, how common and expensive are one-way car rentals in New Zealand, since they can be quite pricey in the US if returned to a different city… hoping to avoid backtracking before flying to the next location. Again, thank you for the quality content!
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Hi Demitri, with only 12 days time my suggestion is to spend 8 days in the South and 4 days in the North Island. Connect with a domestic flight to Auckland, pick-up a rental car and focus on the central part of the North Island. Yes, everything will be expensive during the Christmas/New Years peak holiday period. Also, everything will be fully booked. So you need to plan this now and make key reservations. Hope this helps! Cheers Michael
@cadciel2 ай бұрын
Very informative, thank you! Such beautiful scenery and wildlife.
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@avroair2 ай бұрын
I think your videos are some of the best information, thankyou.
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Glad you like them!
@patriciagabarra70392 ай бұрын
Excellent overview, as we are just starting to look into our trip to Oz and NZ in mid-late November. Thank you for putting this out there!
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful! If you intend to travel in mid Nov I would recommend to head to OZ first. Then cover the northern (e.g. Great Barrier Reef) and maybe the Outback (time permitting). Then head over to NZ. All depends on your overall time budget available. The more time you bring the better! Cheers Michael :-)
@Nyranvlog2 ай бұрын
Great video. Thank you for sharing.
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@KhurshidsChannel3 ай бұрын
Nice video. Thanks for sharing. 👍9
@virtualjourneysnz2 ай бұрын
Thanks for visiting!
@avl43133 ай бұрын
Very helpful video! If we will do this by self drive, are we still able to use our google maps? I heard the phone signals are flactuating. Thank you!
@virtualjourneysnz3 ай бұрын
There are some non mobile areas, especially between Te Anau and Milford Sound. My suggestion is to have some notes ready. Otherwise most key places as well sign posted. Hope this helps!
@user-un2lh6ty6x3 ай бұрын
I can’t find the video from invercargil to te anau? Can you provide the link please?
@virtualjourneysnz3 ай бұрын
Hi Terry, this Invercargill to Te Anau video is coming next Sunday (NZ time). Sorry, been a delay with this one. Cheers Michael
@aniketaryan28273 ай бұрын
Whatsup Michael Nees, how are you? my self aniket a professional video editor. i just wanna ask, do you need a video editor for your youtube videos. i can edit your videos if you give me permission.
@virtualjourneysnz3 ай бұрын
Thanks, but we are sorted.
@FreewayFranks3 ай бұрын
I'm glad I found your video! It was very informative. I'm a French Canadian and I just love NZ. I'm planning to do a trip there in my lifetime and Dunedin caught my attention for many reasons. Subscribed. Cheers! - Freeway Franks
@virtualjourneysnz3 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful Franks!
@spharion79883 ай бұрын
Bello, bellissimo!..grazie!
@virtualjourneysnz3 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
@KhurshidsChannel3 ай бұрын
Nice video. Thank you for sharing. 👍8
@virtualjourneysnz3 ай бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
@MTB_Nephi3 ай бұрын
Thx, very helpful.Whats do recommended rental car or motorhome , for example a 3 weeks trip? We are planning a trip in february 2025 for 3 weeks (coming from germany)
@virtualjourneysnz3 ай бұрын
Either or will work with 3 weeks time. As mentioned in the video it's about the style of travelling. If you like to drive less and stay longer at one location use a rental car & accommodations. If you like the independence of a motorhome (and travel more) then use that. For Feb you need to expect very high prices for motorhomes as this is peak summer season here. You need to make bookings NOW. Here are also a sample travel itineraries to check out -> guestnewzealand.com/new-zealand-travel-itineraries/ Cheers Michael
@MTB_Nephi3 ай бұрын
@@virtualjourneysnz thx
@heathersmiliekiwi8528Ай бұрын
Freedom camping is available in New Zealand which is great cause you can come and go as you please ( no check in check out times). Motorhomes also have the advantage of not having to pack and unpack. You can stop at any scenic spot and have lunch in your own wee home ( we now own one… and I prefer it to staying in motels Ü )