My Roadtrip - Autoshite Style

[Negative Creep]

Haven't posted in a while so best let you all know what I've been up to. Was supposed to be heading to Christchurch form Nelson (which is about 5 hours or so) after I sold my Commodore so was going to get a hire car. New Zealand even does Autoshite spec rental cars, with late 90's Corollas, Bluebirds and such like being offered. However, on that day every single company had nothing whatsoever. So, went to plan b and walked around the roads near the campsite until I found a suitable car to drive down in. That came in the shape of a 1986 Nissan Sunny saloon in bright yellow and without a radio as standard.Anyways, I stopped off for one night, then decided to just keep going and see the whole South Island. I'm presently right at the bottom, in a place called Invercargil. Anyways, over 2000km later and the little Sunny is still going strong having not missed a beat. I've had to contend with scorching heat, torrential rain, escaped animals, a sandstorm, gales, unpaved roads, blind one lane bridges, hairpins and more. In a few days I've seen rainforests, glaciers, caves, dry plains, mountains, snow, ice and all sorts of weird and wonderful animals. New Zealand is, quie simply, awesome.The trip isn't over as I have a lot more to see and do before I head back up. Lacking a radio I've just balanced my ipod dock on the passenger seat which works fine. Getting around 40-45mpg as well! Now I know you will be expecting pictures, but I am on an Autoshite spec pc at the moment with no USB, so I can't. I will try to keep updated and put the pictures on when I can.Oh and I also discovered a museum which is the biggest load of bollocks (by which I mean AS gold) I've ever seen. Pictures soon, presuming the car doesn't explode

[michiel]

Sounds like a great trip & country! I think OJC member Kyteler's from Inverthingy, look out for a big red Laurel!

[Father Ted]

So, went to plan b and walked around the roads near the campsite until I found a suitable car to drive down in.

Did you hot wire this? Did it come with a full tank of petrol or will you have to screwdriver the filler cap lock? Does NZ opperate some sort of comunal car dump thing, like you get in Japan with bicycles dumped in a pile at the railway station, you just pick one up and ride off.....

[Mr Lobster]

^ Certainly as I read it, it sounded slightly odd - unless of course thats the done thing in NZ? Interesting trip though, car stealing aside

[Negative Creep]

Ok I should add I paid for it! As promised, here are some pictures of where I've been

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[michiel]

Wow! Nice Sunny too, great colour.

[STUNO]

Ok I should add I paid for it! As promised, here are some pictures of where I've been

 

 

And the Homer tunnel taken in about 1937-8 by my Grandfather !

The tunnel was begun in 1935 and opened in 1954

 

[VWPowered]

epic roadtrip, stunning scenery, nice nissan too

[Negative Creep]

Ok I should add I paid for it! As promised, here are some pictures of where I've been

 

 

And the Homer tunnel taken in about 1937-8 by my Grandfather !

The tunnel was begun in 1935 and opened in 1954

 

was he involved in the construction? I was reading the plaques and conditions must have been horrific. I'd also say it's less a tunnel, more a shaft. Steep drop, no road markings or lights and leaks. Scary stuff!

[Mr Lobster]

Superb pics, I am rather jealous!Glad to hear you hadn't resorted to car crime too.

[Hudsonpie]

Cracking pics, and I love the Sunny.....ace stuff

[STUNO]

 

And the Homer tunnel taken in about 1937-8 by my Grandfather !

was he involved in the construction?

 

No..just went for a look while on hols.

[Negative Creep]

To update, the trip was completed successfully and 3600km later I have arrived in Christchurch. Of course the little Sunny soldiered on right to the end and is still running as well as ever. Managed 43mpg for the trip, which for a high mileage carb engine is damn impressive. A few more pictures to show the rest of my trip

 

 

So what was a one night stopover turned into a complete trip of the SOuth Island

 

 

 

26km gravel road 0 Nissan Sunny 1

 

Mount Cook, one of the last places I went and quite possibly the most stunning of the lot

 

Oh don't worry I did take plenty of photos with no car in them, I just thought I'd keep a photographic record of my travels. So to all the badge snobs and purists, you can have a great time on the road no matter what you happen to be in at the time. Also you don't need an amazing camera (Nokia N95) or lots of money (stayed in a tent or dorms and at beans and canned fruit) to have a good time.

[trigger]

Sounds like a great trip, I'd love to do something like this, It sounds like great fun!.