6 replies to this topic

[caslin]

Myself & 2 friends, one of which has a T5 injury, plan a self drive trip to NZ - South Island later this year (first time o/s). As it's only a short flight from oz we thought it a good place to start.

We are desperatley seeking info on accommodation and accessible places to visit. We want to plan our own itinerary as we feel that travel agents probably do not fully understand the needs of a disabled traveller.

Any info and tips on helping us to plan our trip would be very much appreciated.

Edited by caslin, 18 January 2008 - 12:19 AM.

[Bill Forrester]

That is a very broad question. I have travelled NZ extensively and would be happy to help if you can tell me which Island and for how long you intend to visit and a rough idea of what you want to see. In the meantime AA new Zealand put out an accomodation guide which does list the properties with accessible rooms and facilities. Their web site is www.aatravel.co.nz

[caslin]

Bill Forrester, on Jan 18 2008, 11:41 AM, said:

That is a very broad question. I have travelled NZ extensively and would be happy to help if you can tell me which Island and for how long you intend to visit and a rough idea of what you want to see. In the meantime AA new Zealand put out an accomodation guide which does list the properties with accessible rooms and facilities. Their web site is www.aatravel.co.nz

Thanks Bill for taking the time to respond. We intend going to the South Island for 2 weeks. We are very much into nature, mountains, scenery and history want to do the usual like Milford Sound, Queenstown etc. Thanks for website I will look into that also.
The more info I can gather, the more comfortable (I hope), my friend will be as she is very nervous. She has been in a chair for just over 20years and is a country girl, so this trip will very much put her out of her comfort zone.

[Bill Forrester]

Two weeks is a good length for the South Island so that your are not pushed for time and will allow you to see the top and bottom and the west coast. I will put some suggestions together over the next couple of days as there is a lot that is accessible and some terrific drives.

[HiltonP]

http://www.apparelyz...lfordsound.html

http://www.apparelyz...newzealand.html

[macthefox]

Sorry about this belated note – I don’t know whether you have been to New Zealand or whether it is for later in the year but I just thought that I would add this note. I spent some wonderful weeks in New Zealand this year and although travelling alone and totally dependent upon a wheelchair found that most accommodation was accessible. Hiring an adapted car was totally straightforward and my extravagance was buying a sat-nav – driving and reading a map never did go together for me.
The various tourist information centres were very effective and would make fine tuned bookings if necessary. Everybody was so welcoming wherever I went that moving on were probably the most difficult decisions that I had to make.
I found planning route beforehand became rather like choosing wallpaper the more that I read, researched and discussed with others the more confused / unsure I became so I booked the first night and then took every day as it came – no problem and it gave me the ultimate flexibility.
In my experience you cannot fail to enjoy it and the only minus is that your time will not be long enough and of course you will want to return……………..
Mac

[nomis]

Hi caslin

Just as Bill says, the AA Accommodation Guides (one each for NI and SI) give a lots of useful info. In addition to the internet version suggested by Bill, you can also pick up a hard copy from any AA office when you get to NZ.

My experience (in NZ and elsewhere) is that you can't take these guides as gospel. Sometimes I wonder how they got access status. Also many fantastic small operations don't apply for access status so when time allows I pick where I want to go then get on the phone usually to be delighted to find something unlisted that suits my needs perfectly.

If you're traveling in vulgar luxury, using topline accommodation you can trust the access symbol 100%. Otherwise, there's plenty of good accessible accommodation but keep an open and flexible mind.

Good to hear you're real people wanting to touch the wilds. I've used this brochure(pdf link) of easy access tracks in the South Island. Some of these 'walks' are simple and short, others more challenging. Be aware they are NOT necessary suitable for a wheelchair user on their own. Some tracks have steep ups and downs that require assistance.

At places like Queenstown you'll find a Department of Conservation (Doc) office where they'll be helpful in giving info on places to visit, tracks, etc. If you're planning on a winter visit, some tracks won't be fun so check out the surfaces.

Edited by nomis, 13 April 2008 - 12:29 AM.