G'day lads,
I'm heading to Queenstown - NZ for a week and i just wanted to see if anyone could recommend a sim card/telco that worked well for them.
I have done some research but i wanted to see if anyone has had any person experience. I will be with the family so something with a decent amount of data would be ideal.
Many thanks
Agree with this, spark is one of the best for coverage. Partner and I went and we had a separate hotspot device. Bought the $79 sim in Willis St Wellington and they setup for me https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/travel-pack
Spark will have the best coverage.
Just returned from there and picked up a 10gb sim at the airport for $43 (otherwise $49 outside of the airport) and had them enable it as an eSim on the spot
I believe a popular thing to do was get a $2 Optus SIM and load it with a $20 roaming pack. Gets you 10 GB for two weeks: https://www.optus.com.au/mobile/plans/international-roaming/…
I think Optus does $5/day for roaming, which also isn't too bad for a short trip [if you're already using Optus in Au]. https://www.optus.com.au/mobile/plans/international-roaming/…
I've also been looking at e-sims [depending on your phone] but haven't had any personal experience. https://www.airalo.com/new-zealand-esim
I did queenstown NZ about 2 weeks ago too on optus roaming
My optus plan is a 500GB grandfathered one and came with 10GB roaming data per one for Zone 1, with option for a $10 roaming pass for 1GB / 24h if it runs out (good idea to re-check your CIS for any inclusions)
partner on a grandfathered optus plan had same option for $10 roaming pass 1GB/24h (good reminder to update that plan as the $5 per day 5GB/24h wasn't accessible, but my 10GB was enough for browsing/maps anyway)
hotel wifi was free but kinda crap (peppers beacon, queenstown), probably congested/too far from the router, but had no issues late at night though
2degrees and there data clock app
2degrees have pretty cheap data packs too, so you can get a cheap plan.and add later if it starts running out. Didn't love their coverage last time I was there but all the networks are a bit rough in some places.
I did a south island road trip with the unlimited sim card from these guys which used the Spark network. Didn't get much coverage in rural areas which is what to be expected but if you're gonna be in a city like Queenstown you'll be fine.
Kogan Mobile $5 Prepaid SIM - 15GB:
Best value out there bar none, includes free calling to Australia and is 5G, is on the Vodafone network with great reception in most areas. If you need more data, just order multiple SIM's and swap out after the first one expires.
Need to order it to hotel or Airbnb as it requires a physical SIM to work, so make sure you can get delivered to an NZ address. Would definitely suggest paying $3 more for express delivery to get courier delivery as it's way faster (1-3 business days, vs 7-14 free delivery).
Was about to order a $20 Sim. Thanks
Was going to order the express today but no option to change delivery.
Guess I need to go to my spark esim backup
Ah, seems like they potentially have removed express shipping atm because of the Auckland floods. Might not be the best option then if you needed it quickly.
I went with Vodafone when I was there, but mainly because line was massive at Spark and being mostly in Auckland and near wifi didn't think connectivity would be a huge issue .
Wrong, voda in NZ was just as bad as here. Process to get and setup the Sim was super simple though!
Bumping this one for the future travellers.
I'm going NZ next week and have done the rounds in searching.
Before you leave:
When you arrive:
I actually pre-orded a sim from harvey norman (as they are right next to the airport) even though they are out of stock in case they have them in stock. Sim was $1 so if it arrives they'll notify me to pick up.
Goodluck and safe travels. Upvote if this helped !
Edit: that Kogan sim card deal above is pretty damn good. (need an address so maybe ask your airbnb if they can accept it)
+1 for My option (risky): Skinny mobile. Currently $20/7 days unlimited data and calls and text. NOTE: Data is slowed down once you reach like 2gb.
That is what i used when i was over there and it was great!
I think they all work fine. I got spark last time. I was shocked how much mobile data costs across the ditch. Brace yourself. Check how much roaming would cost with your current telco if its a short trip.