AUSTRALIA’S backpacker tourism industry is facing the biggest crisis in its history, with many tour operators struggling to survive following big falls in young travellers.
The number of people staying in hostels has fallen by nearly seven per cent over the past two years, down from 593,000 per year in March 2010.
Travelling between the North and South Islands of New Zealand means crossing the Cook Strait. The only way to do this with a vehicle is by taking a ferry with either the Interislander or Bluebridge which both arrive and depart from Picton and Wellington.
The Cook Strait crossing (Raukawa Moana in Māori) is the connection between the Tasman Sea on the West, the South Pacific Ocean on the East and the North and South Islands of Aotearoa.
Considered one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences, and one of the most spectacular ferry crossings in the world, crossing the Cook Strait is a top to-do on many travellers bucket list. As with many stunning vistas though, the Cook Strait is also considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable pieces of aquatic paradise around. Continue reading Crossing the Cook Strait, New Zealand by ferry: Travel times, booking, prices & other interesting information
It’s no secret that automobiles get more technologically advanced every passing year. A good deal of these vehicular innovations have a lot to do with saving gas, reducing emissions, and, more recently, teaching the driver to pilot the vehicle in a more efficient manner. If you feel like you need help in choosing which bits of techno-geekery are the best, AAA has just created a list specifically for you.
Included in AAA’s top 10 tech picks are solar roof panels and “green” driving assistance aids. Rooftop solar panels are pretty self-explanatory and can help keep an vehicle’s battery charged up or help keep the cabin cool in the hot sun. The 2010 Toyota Prius is probably the best-known example of this technology. So, what’s a green driving aid?
Honda’s new 2010 Insight hybrid uses what the automaker calls an Eco Assist dashboard that changes colors from green to blue to teach the driver to be more efficient. Ford uses something similar in the 2010 Fusion Hybrid called the SmartGauge cluster, which uses dual 4.3-inch LCDs and a graphic that shows leaves growing on a tree when you are driving efficiently. We tend to like them, but whether or not these are desirable features is definitely up to each individual driver.
Read the full article thanks to greenautoblog.com
For a free car or campervan, check out transfercar.co.nz for New Zealand or transfercar.com.au for Australia!
The Australian outback is not your most friendliest piece of landscape and it is not uncommon to hear about international travellers (and a few locals) being stranded in remote regions, or lost in heavy bush-land and at times with deadly consequences.
As Transfercar has companies offering their free cars for relocation across the Australian outback, we feel it’s worth discussing some safety tips for driving in these regions. Continue reading Driving in Australia: Surviving the outback
Finding free cars to drive overseas is relatively easy. You can visit any one of the hundreds of rental companies offering a relocation, drive away or stand by car. You can also check out one of the online relocation companies such as Transfercar who list free rentals on their website for multiple organisations.
However, just because it’s a free or incredibly cheap vehicle, this does not mean it is not bound by the regular rental terms and conditions.
For this reason it is important to know what to look for before you sign on any dotted lines. First things first though, make a list of all the questions you want to ask them, then: Continue reading Looking for a free car or rental to drive overseas? Here’s what you need to know
Tara Ewing, a New Zealand resident, has won her case for the reimbursement of $280, charged to her by a local rental company for claimed damages to the rental vehicle.
The disputes tribunal ruled that the car rental company lacked evidence of a pre-rental inspection.
Apparently the person who picked up the rental testified that he had to walk down the street to get the vehicle, and no inspection with an employee took place. No itemized invoice, photos — before or after — or other documentation of the damage was available from the car rental company.
This is a wakeup call for both rental companies and potential customers who may find themselves in this situation if careful inspection of both vehicles and small print do not take place.
Transfercar has seen this issued once before involving one of their free rental deals. In light of this recent event, Transfercar urges all parties to be diligent with their dealings and to make sure that all the correct documentation is provided as we wish to see all of our customers and suppliers satisfied with their arrangements.
Read the full article from the New Zealand Herald
