Original post
Bonjour
Nous partons en NZ en février 2009. Est-il vraiment indispensable de retenir nos hébergements à l'avance? Nous sommes un couple.
Merci d'avance pour vos réponses
ergi
Réserver les hébergements à l'avance pour la Nouvelle-Zélande en février?
by Famar
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Réserver ou ne pas réserver, vaste interrogation et j’ai également souvent hésité. Ce qu’il faut déjà bien définir c’est quels sont les avantages/inconvénients de chaque option. En rapportant cela à la Nouvelle-Zélande je répondrais :
Réserver – le pour Si l’on réserve c’est pour se rassurer et pour être efficace. Cela permet de voir beaucoup de choses en un minimum de temps. Cela permet également de bénéficier des prix les plus bas.
Ne pas réserver – le pour Dans ce cas l’avantage c’est la liberté de pouvoir s’arrêter s’il fait beau, partir s’il pleut, profiter d’un bel endroit non mentionné dans le guide. Ceci sous-entend également que le parcours n’est pas rigide, que les kilomètres sont raisonnables, bref que l’on renonce à visiter toutes les régions du pays en un seul voyage (personnellement je classe cette approche qualitative plutôt que quantitative dans la catégorie « pour »).
Réserver – le contre Il y a peu de place pour la découverte impromptue, pour le coup de coeur. Chaque jour est déjà calibré avant même le commencement du voyage. C’est aussi le risque de devoir subir la météo (la météo est très locale et capricieuse en Nouvelle-Zélande).
Ne pas réserve – le contre La galère lorsque tout est complet et que l’on perd son temps à chercher un logement ou que l’on est forcé à payer le prix fort.
La synthèse de tout cela ? Alors je dirais qu’en Nouvelle-Zélande il faut réserver pendant les vacances scolaires (20 décembre et le mois de janvier). C’est vrai qu’à cette période il m’est arrivé de ne rien trouver et de devoir payer le prix fort. En revanche en février, même si c’est encore la haute saison, je n’ai pas eu de problèmes. C’est un choix personnel, en ce qui me concerne je préfère un peu plus de liberté, mais je prévois également un budget légèrement supérieur pour m’affranchir de la hantise du « no vacancy ».
En revanche si vous voulez faire des marches (par exemple le Routeburn) alors là il faut absolument réserver les nuitées. Pour conserver la souplesse il faut soit amener une tente (si vous campez cela n’a aucun sens de réserver), soit faire des marches moins connues (et il y en a beaucoup !).
Un dernier mot dans la rubrique truc et astuce, lorsque tout semble complet il faut aller dans un centre d’information et une personne dévouée et efficace se chargera de vous trouver un toit. Bon voyage Pascal
Réserver – le pour Si l’on réserve c’est pour se rassurer et pour être efficace. Cela permet de voir beaucoup de choses en un minimum de temps. Cela permet également de bénéficier des prix les plus bas.
Ne pas réserver – le pour Dans ce cas l’avantage c’est la liberté de pouvoir s’arrêter s’il fait beau, partir s’il pleut, profiter d’un bel endroit non mentionné dans le guide. Ceci sous-entend également que le parcours n’est pas rigide, que les kilomètres sont raisonnables, bref que l’on renonce à visiter toutes les régions du pays en un seul voyage (personnellement je classe cette approche qualitative plutôt que quantitative dans la catégorie « pour »).
Réserver – le contre Il y a peu de place pour la découverte impromptue, pour le coup de coeur. Chaque jour est déjà calibré avant même le commencement du voyage. C’est aussi le risque de devoir subir la météo (la météo est très locale et capricieuse en Nouvelle-Zélande).
Ne pas réserve – le contre La galère lorsque tout est complet et que l’on perd son temps à chercher un logement ou que l’on est forcé à payer le prix fort.
La synthèse de tout cela ? Alors je dirais qu’en Nouvelle-Zélande il faut réserver pendant les vacances scolaires (20 décembre et le mois de janvier). C’est vrai qu’à cette période il m’est arrivé de ne rien trouver et de devoir payer le prix fort. En revanche en février, même si c’est encore la haute saison, je n’ai pas eu de problèmes. C’est un choix personnel, en ce qui me concerne je préfère un peu plus de liberté, mais je prévois également un budget légèrement supérieur pour m’affranchir de la hantise du « no vacancy ».
En revanche si vous voulez faire des marches (par exemple le Routeburn) alors là il faut absolument réserver les nuitées. Pour conserver la souplesse il faut soit amener une tente (si vous campez cela n’a aucun sens de réserver), soit faire des marches moins connues (et il y en a beaucoup !).
Un dernier mot dans la rubrique truc et astuce, lorsque tout semble complet il faut aller dans un centre d’information et une personne dévouée et efficace se chargera de vous trouver un toit. Bon voyage Pascal
nous partons à 4 (2 adultes et 2 enfants en NZ du 22/12 au 22/01 et n'avons encore rien réservé. Est-ce vraiment si risqué ? (car pour nous un voyage ou tout est prévu d'avance présente un interet limité...) et est-ce déjà trop tard ?
Connais-tu une adresse sympa à Christchurch ( qui est notre point de chute le 24/12) ?
merci d'avance pour les suggestions
Certes, un rêve de beignet, c'est un rêve, pas un beignet. Mais un rêve de voyage, c'est déjà un voyage.
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Voici une réponse qui se veut objective, mais elle ne reflète que l'expérience de deux voyages ayant eu lieu durant la période Noël – Janvier (en 2008 et 2004).
La période Noël – Nouvel an est vraiment la plus compliquée. Personnellement je réserverais quelques nuits. Attention également à la journée du 25 décembre, car la Nouvelle-Zélande s’arrête totalement ce jour-là et tout est fermé (j’ai galéré car je n’avais pas assez d’essence !).
Ensuite cela dépend des endroits que vous souhaitez visiter. Par exemple à Fox Glacier (c’est tout petit Fox Glacier) nous ne sommes restés qu’une seule nuit car on ne trouvait rien et on avait dû dormir dans un backpacker un peu miteux et à l’ambiance bien alcoolisée (avec les enfants s’était pas terrible). En revanche dans une ville plus importante (Christchurch, Queenstown…) il y aura toujours moyen de trouver quelque chose.
Evidemment les endroits touristiques sont ceux qui sont très demandés, mais surtout n’hésitez pas à vous arrêter dans des endroits moins connus. Après avoir dû fuir Fox Glacier on s’était arrêté à Makarora (40 habitants !) et on a passé 2 journées extraordinaires au cœur de la nature.
Mon conseil serait donc de réserver les premières nuits (Noël – Nouvel an), puis de réserver au fur et à mesure de l’avancement du voyage et selon les expériences faites.
Je ne connais pas d’adresse très originale à Christchurch. On avait choisi le Top 10 afin que les enfants aient de l’espace pour jouer (www.christchurchtop10.co.nz). Il y a un arrêt de bus qui est bien desservi pour aller au centre ville.
Bon voyage à toi et ta famille Pascal
La période Noël – Nouvel an est vraiment la plus compliquée. Personnellement je réserverais quelques nuits. Attention également à la journée du 25 décembre, car la Nouvelle-Zélande s’arrête totalement ce jour-là et tout est fermé (j’ai galéré car je n’avais pas assez d’essence !).
Ensuite cela dépend des endroits que vous souhaitez visiter. Par exemple à Fox Glacier (c’est tout petit Fox Glacier) nous ne sommes restés qu’une seule nuit car on ne trouvait rien et on avait dû dormir dans un backpacker un peu miteux et à l’ambiance bien alcoolisée (avec les enfants s’était pas terrible). En revanche dans une ville plus importante (Christchurch, Queenstown…) il y aura toujours moyen de trouver quelque chose.
Evidemment les endroits touristiques sont ceux qui sont très demandés, mais surtout n’hésitez pas à vous arrêter dans des endroits moins connus. Après avoir dû fuir Fox Glacier on s’était arrêté à Makarora (40 habitants !) et on a passé 2 journées extraordinaires au cœur de la nature.
Mon conseil serait donc de réserver les premières nuits (Noël – Nouvel an), puis de réserver au fur et à mesure de l’avancement du voyage et selon les expériences faites.
Je ne connais pas d’adresse très originale à Christchurch. On avait choisi le Top 10 afin que les enfants aient de l’espace pour jouer (www.christchurchtop10.co.nz). Il y a un arrêt de bus qui est bien desservi pour aller au centre ville.
Bon voyage à toi et ta famille Pascal
merci pour ta réponse, qui vient confirmer mon intuition.
nous avons déjà galéré pour trouver un logement à nouvel an dans de nombreux endroits ( capetown ou l'an dernier à Luang prabang) et bien sur nous allons réserver les 3 premuères nuits à Christchurch encore cette semaine. La nuit du 31 aussi sera réservée à l'avance. Pour le reste je pensais réserver le jour pour le lendemain une fois sur place ; d'après ton post cela doit être possible sans trop de risques...
peut-être pourrais-tu me livrer tes suggestions :
voila le projet initial, laissé en friche après quelques soucis de billets d'avion et donc sans doute devenu partiellemnt irréalisable... location de camping car 10 jours depuis Christchurch, boucle vers le sud et retour à Christchurch par greymouth et arthur'pass. location de voiture rendue à picton après 5 jours, visite de la région de Nelson et l'Abel tasman NP passage en bateau sur l'ile du Nord, location de voiture à Wellington et trajet jusqu' à Auckland, visite du lac Taupo, Rotorua...durant 10 jours.
Certes, un rêve de beignet, c'est un rêve, pas un beignet. Mais un rêve de voyage, c'est déjà un voyage.
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/karine-eye/
https://www.instagram.com/karine_eye/
Ton projet en friche est vraiment au stade des semences, il est donc difficile de voir fleurir des conseils pertinents 😉
Je pense que l’option camping car est intéressante (même si je ne l’ai personnellement pas testée en NZ), mais la question est : reste-t-il des campings car à louer pour cette période ? Sinon je ne suis pas certain que changer plusieurs fois de mode de transport et devoir repasser au même endroit (avec forcément des contraintes de dates) soit une bonne idée. Je dirais soit camping car à 100%, soit voiture à 100% (sans devoir restituer le véhicule à Picton et en louer un nouveau à Wellington, encore du temps perdu et des contraintes de dates). De plus j’avais constaté (à ma grande surprise) qu’il était plus facile d’avoir une place dans un ferry lorsque l’on a un véhicule que lorsqu’on est piéton (peut-être dû à un système de contingentement des places ?).
Concernant le parcours c’est avec plaisir que je peux t’indiquer quelques endroits qui m’ont marqué, mais il faudrait me préciser vos principaux centres d’intérêts et également si vous êtes des trekkeurs (j’ai fait des centaines de marches formidables… bon ok j’exagère, mais c’était vraiment formidable !)
en ce qui concerne le changement de véhicule, nous avons opté pour cette idée car une sorte d'unanimité se dégageait pour dire qu'il est impératif de réserver le ferry avec un camping car et de plus fort onéreux (j'ai vérifié sur le site) dont ... contraintes supérieures ( à mon avis ) à celles engendrées par un changement de véhicule. De plus je ne suis pas une inconditionnele du CC, donc un mois, bof bof...De toute manière, les chances de trouver un CC sont plutot minimes...
Nous privilégions les découvertes nature, quelques marches peut-être, plutot kayak ou vélo, découverte de la faune...Nous avons pas mal voyagé, c'est un peu difficile d'être surpris en Nouvelle Zélande, non ? mais c'est pourtant ce que nous recherchons.
Certes, un rêve de beignet, c'est un rêve, pas un beignet. Mais un rêve de voyage, c'est déjà un voyage.
http://www.karine-eye.com
https://500px.com/karine_eye
https://www.flickr.com/photos/karine-eye/
https://www.instagram.com/karine_eye/
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**Option 2: Day trip to Maupiti** - Morning departure from Bora-Bora at 8:30 AM. - Arrival in Maupiti at 10:05 AM. Visit the island and the motus. - Return in the evening at 4:00 PM.
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I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and advice!
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**Option 2: Day trip to Maupiti** - Morning departure from Bora-Bora at 8:30 AM. - Arrival in Maupiti at 10:05 AM. Visit the island and the motus. - Return in the evening at 4:00 PM.
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If you can shed some light on this, I’d be so grateful!!!!!!!
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Looking forward to your replies—thanks in advance! Elisabeth Marcel babeth.marcel@yahoo.fr
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I’ve blocked out 3 weeks at the end of March/beginning of April, arriving in Sydney and departing from Adelaide while following the coast.
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Thanks for your feedback.
I’ve blocked out 3 weeks at the end of March/beginning of April, arriving in Sydney and departing from Adelaide while following the coast.
Kangaroo Island is a bit of a question mark for me. If I go, I can dedicate 2.5 days to it. Is it worth the time and the cost? I’ve read plenty of travel journals highlighting the landscapes and wildlife, but I’m sure I’ll see plenty of that along my route anyway. I’m not factoring in the financial side (which isn’t negligible for KI), but I’d rather not be disappointed. What are the real added values of KI, especially since the island has been affected by fires? I’ve also come across people online calling it a tourist trap. For example, I ruled out Phillip Island because it felt too organized and structured. Sorry if I’m opening Pandora’s box here!
Thanks for your feedback.
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Hi everyone,
I’m planning and budgeting a trip to Australia for August 2026, lasting 40 days.
Here’s the current itinerary: Arrival at Port Macquarie Airport in New South Wales and return from Cairns Airport in Queensland. - South West Rock - Cap Ridge Park - Springbrook Park - Stradbroke Island - Maleny - Noosa - Rainbow Beach - K’Gari - Gladstone - Heron Island - Airlie Beach - Townsville - Magnetic Island - Cairns - Cape Tribulation
My main issue is transport to cover all of this.
The first leg is already tricky—I haven’t found a way to rent a car in Port Macquarie and drop it off in South West Rock. And if we keep the vehicle until Cleveland (8 days) before taking the ferry to Stradbroke Island, it’s already around 1000 €.
- Are there any systems where we could buy a vehicle in Port Macquarie and be sure it’s bought back at the end of the trip in Cairns?
- Do you know of any Australian online car rental sites?
As for trains, they’re not really an option for our stay in New South Wales. In Queensland, I found the Queensland Rail Travel website with a Brisbane–Cairns line, but trains don’t run every day.
- Do you know of any other train companies in Queensland that connect coastal cities from Brisbane to Cairns?
For flights, I checked Queensland with Qantas, and most routes require a stopover in Brisbane, which wastes a lot of time, and the prices are still high.
Do you know of any low-cost airlines for domestic flights in Australia?
Thanks for your tips!
I’m planning and budgeting a trip to Australia for August 2026, lasting 40 days.
Here’s the current itinerary: Arrival at Port Macquarie Airport in New South Wales and return from Cairns Airport in Queensland. - South West Rock - Cap Ridge Park - Springbrook Park - Stradbroke Island - Maleny - Noosa - Rainbow Beach - K’Gari - Gladstone - Heron Island - Airlie Beach - Townsville - Magnetic Island - Cairns - Cape Tribulation
My main issue is transport to cover all of this.
The first leg is already tricky—I haven’t found a way to rent a car in Port Macquarie and drop it off in South West Rock. And if we keep the vehicle until Cleveland (8 days) before taking the ferry to Stradbroke Island, it’s already around 1000 €.
- Are there any systems where we could buy a vehicle in Port Macquarie and be sure it’s bought back at the end of the trip in Cairns?
- Do you know of any Australian online car rental sites?
As for trains, they’re not really an option for our stay in New South Wales. In Queensland, I found the Queensland Rail Travel website with a Brisbane–Cairns line, but trains don’t run every day.
- Do you know of any other train companies in Queensland that connect coastal cities from Brisbane to Cairns?
For flights, I checked Queensland with Qantas, and most routes require a stopover in Brisbane, which wastes a lot of time, and the prices are still high.
Do you know of any low-cost airlines for domestic flights in Australia?
Thanks for your tips!
Hello, and happy New Year to all travelers!
2025 is shaping up to be amazing, as I’m lucky enough to be planning a 6-week trip to Polynesia. I wanted to buy the *Guide du Routard* (my favorite), but I discovered there isn’t one for this destination. And the *Lonely Planet* is from 2022, which I feel is already a bit outdated. So I’m looking for other resources: in your opinion, what’s the best paper guide, and most importantly, what online resources have you used to prepare a trip to Polynesia?
Thanks!
2025 is shaping up to be amazing, as I’m lucky enough to be planning a 6-week trip to Polynesia. I wanted to buy the *Guide du Routard* (my favorite), but I discovered there isn’t one for this destination. And the *Lonely Planet* is from 2022, which I feel is already a bit outdated. So I’m looking for other resources: in your opinion, what’s the best paper guide, and most importantly, what online resources have you used to prepare a trip to Polynesia?
Thanks!
Hi there,
My wife, our 3-year-old son, and I are planning a trip along Australia’s East Coast, leaving in early October and returning in mid-November. The plan is to do a 4-week road trip in a campervan, then settle down for about ten days.
The question I’m asking myself is: which way should we go? From Sydney to Cairns or the other way around? Despite all the documentation I’ve read, I’m still struggling to decide the best direction based on the climate at that time and swimming conditions.
Up north, the weather will be warmer, and the water too, unlike the south. However, in the north, there are swimming restrictions, especially because of jellyfish, whereas in the south, there seems to be less danger (apart from sharks, maybe). Are there many protected beaches in the north where we can swim safely? Also, I should consider that in the south, the Great Barrier Reef no longer protects the beaches, so I imagine there are fewer calm spots for swimming?
I’d love any tips or advice you can share, and thanks in advance!
A dad keen to make this trip a success
My wife, our 3-year-old son, and I are planning a trip along Australia’s East Coast, leaving in early October and returning in mid-November. The plan is to do a 4-week road trip in a campervan, then settle down for about ten days.
The question I’m asking myself is: which way should we go? From Sydney to Cairns or the other way around? Despite all the documentation I’ve read, I’m still struggling to decide the best direction based on the climate at that time and swimming conditions.
Up north, the weather will be warmer, and the water too, unlike the south. However, in the north, there are swimming restrictions, especially because of jellyfish, whereas in the south, there seems to be less danger (apart from sharks, maybe). Are there many protected beaches in the north where we can swim safely? Also, I should consider that in the south, the Great Barrier Reef no longer protects the beaches, so I imagine there are fewer calm spots for swimming?
I’d love any tips or advice you can share, and thanks in advance!
A dad keen to make this trip a success
What to do in Perth, Australia in March?
Hi there,
for a 6-month trip to Australia and NZ starting in NOVEMBER, I’d like to visit PNG and the Solomon Islands. Has anyone already explored these two countries?
How can you travel solo there—transport, accommodation, banking, safety—and what’s the best way to get there from AUS?
Thanks for any tips! Are there any French-language sites about these destinations?
Cheers,
jps
Hi there,
I’m leaving on March 4th for Australia from Réunion Island, landing in Perth, then a road trip down to Melbourne before flying out to Vietnam on April 15th.
I’d like to visit Perth and the surrounding area, then head southwest to Margaret River, Albany, Esperance, and back to Perth to catch a flight to Adelaide. From there, I’ll make my way to Melbourne.
1/ What do you think of this itinerary?
2/ For flights, are there any domestic airlines worth prioritizing for good prices?
3/ I’m planning to rent a car after exploring Perth and the area—I’m traveling solo. Any rental companies you’d recommend, as well as nice hotels, B&Bs, or hostels?
4/ Any tips, good deals, or info are welcome—don’t hesitate to share!
Thanks in advance.
Hello!
I’m planning a solo trip from April 16th to June 2nd!
I have to work for 3 weeks in Papeete when I arrive in French Polynesia, so I can only explore on the weekends (3-day weekends). For my first weekend, I’ll visit Tahiti; my second weekend will be dedicated to Moorea, and the last weekend to Huahine.
After my work period, I’ll continue with my vacation and keep exploring:
Maupiti - 4 nights
Raiatea - 3 nights (including a day trip to Tahaa)
Bora Bora - 3 nights
Rangiroa - 4 nights (could do 3)
Tikehau - 2 nights (could do 3)
Fakarava - 3 nights
For activities, I’m mostly interested in discovering the islands, hiking, and observing wildlife.
I’m not a diver, but I plan to do a beginner’s dive once I’m there. I love snorkeling, though, and I’m wondering if I’m spending too much time in the Tuamotus, which are famous for diving from what I’ve seen.
For travel between the islands, I’ve already looked into the Bora Tuamotu Max pass, which seems like the best option, but I’d love advice on replacing it with one or more ferries.
What do you think? I’m struggling to finalize my itinerary.
Can’t wait to read your replies!
Thanks!!
Celia
I’m planning a solo trip from April 16th to June 2nd!
I have to work for 3 weeks in Papeete when I arrive in French Polynesia, so I can only explore on the weekends (3-day weekends). For my first weekend, I’ll visit Tahiti; my second weekend will be dedicated to Moorea, and the last weekend to Huahine.
After my work period, I’ll continue with my vacation and keep exploring:
Maupiti - 4 nights
Raiatea - 3 nights (including a day trip to Tahaa)
Bora Bora - 3 nights
Rangiroa - 4 nights (could do 3)
Tikehau - 2 nights (could do 3)
Fakarava - 3 nights
For activities, I’m mostly interested in discovering the islands, hiking, and observing wildlife.
I’m not a diver, but I plan to do a beginner’s dive once I’m there. I love snorkeling, though, and I’m wondering if I’m spending too much time in the Tuamotus, which are famous for diving from what I’ve seen.
For travel between the islands, I’ve already looked into the Bora Tuamotu Max pass, which seems like the best option, but I’d love advice on replacing it with one or more ferries.
What do you think? I’m struggling to finalize my itinerary.
Can’t wait to read your replies!
Thanks!!
Celia
We’ll be in Adelaide from February 24th to March 4th and we’d like to spend 3 days and 2 nights on Kangaroo Island.
Any recommendations?
We always travel with simple accommodations
Hi everyone, we're heading to Australia next month. We have 7 days to go from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. Should we visit Kangaroo Island or not? We can't decide! Thanks for your advice.
We really want to see kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat.
We really want to see kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to NZ at the end of January.
It’s peak season—do you think it’s necessary to book activities in advance (like a cruise to Milford Sound), or is it not essential?
Thanks
We’ll be in New Zealand starting March 15th. We’re considering renting a car from Christchurch to Auckland. We’ve read that a lot of ferries have been canceled—is that true? Would it be better to rent one car in the South Island and another in the North Island? Thanks, and happy New Year!
Hi,
When I hear our French friends talk about them, they’re the most beautiful islands in the world.
For those of you who’ve traveled extensively, is that really the case?
Are the prices for accommodation, even basic ones, justified? Isn’t a room in a family-run guesthouse at 150/200 € a bit much?
Are there other islands in Polynesia (non-French) that are just as "paradise-like" but more affordable?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.