3 minute read
Travelling options to EXPLORE OUR PRIVATE PLAYGROUND
Pick your mode of transport
EXPLORING OUR PRIVATE PLAYGROUND
Are you old enough to remember that ad from tthe 1980s – ‘Don’t leave home until you’ve seen the country’? Well, that’s what many of us seem to be doing at the moment – getting out and about and exploring the country in droves. It’s as if Aotearoa has become, for a while, our private playground.
You can of course walk or bike much of the country, thanks to Te Araroa (New Zealand’s Trail) and Ngā Haerenga (The New Zealand Cycle Trail), but most of us still opt to use motorised transport to get about.
Campervans are a popular hit the road to get the best mode of travel, especially since deal going. If you’re travelling late May when Tourism Holdings between the North and South Limited (THL) announced special Islands by road you will have deals on their Britz, Maui and the pleasure of crossing Mighty campervans. beautiful Cook Strait with
Apollo also has some great either Bluebridge Cook Strait specials to check out, including Ferries or Interislander. book seven days and get two If you book and travel free, and a 15 per cent off ‘On with Bluebridge by the end of the Road Again’ offer. September, grab one of their
You shouldn’t have to pay Saver Sail fares: $50 per adult, full price for car rental either, $22 per child, $115 per car with lots of specials and $136 for a campervan on offer. Be sure or caravan up to 5.5m. to do your If your booking research Aotearoa includes at least before you has become, one adult, one child and a car, for a while, you’ll also get our private their family discount. playground. Bluebridge also offers private cabins from as little as $30, which include an ensuite and linen. And if you’re heading south during the week, you could take advantage of Bluebridge’s sleeper service which allows you to check-in early and arrive rested in Picton around 6am. It’s a great option if you’ve done the trip before and are happy to skip the sightseeing, or you’ve got a long drive either side of the crossing. If you’re travelling across Cook Strait with Interislander, be sure to check out their Plus Lounge, which offers reserved comfortable seating, plus complimentary food and drink. They also offer discount fares for families, seniors and students and a range of package deals that make holidaying in the Marlborough Sounds a luxurious and stress-free holiday option. Interislander also connects two of KiwiRail’s scenic rail experiences – the Coastal Pacific,
which runs from Picton to Christchurch, and the Northern Explorer which journeys through the heart of the North Island.
If it’s more about the destination than the journey for you, flying is a great way to go. Keep an eye on the Air New Zealand and Jetstar websites for special offers and sign-up for alerts. As a rule of thumb, steer clear of school holidays, Fridays, Sundays and peak-commuter times if you want to secure the best deal.
TOP FIVE TO-DOS
1. GREATCAMPERVANDEALS
Take advantage of the amazing deals on campervans available at the moment. Big enough for the whole family!
2. RENTALCARSPECIALS
Hunt around for the best deal on a rental car and hit the road to explore our great country.
3. SAILTHESTRAIT
Cross the Cook Strait with either Bluebridge Cook Strait
Ferries or Interislander.
4. RAILEXCURSIONS
Check out KiwiRail’s scenic rail experiences and see
Aotearoa’s sights via train.
5. TAKETOTHEAIR
