I want to spend 16 days with the family traveling NZ starting in Queenstown october 30 ending in Auckland, the best quote for a motorhome with ferry crossing was $4700, can anyone offer a cheaper suggestion, also things we shouldn't miss on the way.
cheers Andy

How big is the family?
In Auckland and maybe other places theres a rent a bomb type place that still does
40 dollars a day depending on car and length, so you can stay at cheap Motels.

Seeing as you are doing one way, maybe check to see if any of the motor home places need to return stock up North, sometimes you can get cheap deals if you are travelling against the flow as such..

Its the wife and three kids, any Kiwis got ideas for places to visit? or cheap motels?

Get in touch with Craig (Converted) who I believe you know in Sydney. He did the trip last year with a camper and 4 kids and I remember he got a real good deal for his. His rig was so big I had to cut branches off trees in my driveway so he could make it in.

If you can't get hold of him let me know.

Hey, pleased you can make to NZ, is this your first time? At first I thought you must be going to stay in camping grounds, if you are renting a camper van this would be the cheapest accomodation considering the camper van is also your travel. If you are traveling in the the camper and also staying in motels then this must be the most expensive.
Some of the backpackers are really good for familys, sheared kitchen etc but your kids might think thats fun. It might be cheaper to rent a car and stay in cheap accommadation, ie backpackers.
The ferry crossing is expensive even for a small car $300+nzd, a camper could be double.....I,d think about ditching your car/ camper in Picton and get another one in Welly.
Things to see, Gueenstown is a great place to start. Fox or Franz glasier would be a good next place to go, then drive up the west coast of the the south Island, (maybe stay a night in Hokitica or Greymount) the west coast is very laid back and theres a pub on every corner.

it's funny you know. I've lived here my whole life, and I can never think of anything to suggest for people to go see. I thnk i take all our cool stuff for granted.
That said, when I go for a trip away, I'm always like WOW! I forgot how cool this country is. Definately check out central otago, and the west coast of the south island. Hamner springs with the hot pools are a nice spot too. If you get your jollies on earthquake damage, then come to christchurch. lol Kaikoura is nice too. I'm crap at giving advice though. You'd probably like stuff that I take for granted.

Thanks guys,I was intending to go camper and stay in campgrounds but it was very expensive just for the vehicle , so I thought of car and cheap motels as a second choice.

Cheers for all the tips please let me know if you think of anything else.