Advice on visiting New Zealand / Australia?

I've only been to Sydney a couple times for work, and that was a long time ago. I've never been to NZ. But I have saved up enough frequent flyer miles for a ticket, and I want to go. Any advice from parronts from down under? What's the best time of year to have good weather and miss most of the crowds, I'm guessing fall? I really really want to do some tramping in NZ, been reading about the great walks especially on the South Island. And I would like to stay for a while so I'm trying to be cheap - someone told me to look at renting a camper van and staying in campgrounds and parks. That suits me fine, but is it hard to get a space? Can I camp anywhere in the cities, or find a hostel or Airbnb? I know nothing other than what I read in the guide books, just that it seems astonishingly beautiful and I want to see what I can.

Is it silly to try to see more of Australia on the same trip? It's like, 17 hours in a plane, so I'd like to see what I can because I might not get a chance to come back. My memories of Australia was that it was relaxed, everyone wa so friendly and laid back, and so un-fussy and relaxed...the harbor was beautiful as were the blue mountains and that's as far as I got.

Thanks for any words of wisdom...

Hello from the South Island of New Zealand!! I'll start from the top of your post and work downwards to the best of my knowledge....

Autumn (Fall) is my favourite season, and personally when I think New Zealand is at it's best, especially in terms of colour and scenery. It'll probably be easier to land hut spots on the great walks too. If you're intending on tramping, stock up on layers and merino though as it could still be a little cool on the walks. It doesn't have to be expensive - we love our merino and a day of opp shopping over here will sort you out.

Have you got a good sleeping bag? If you're going to be cheap, hire a car, a tent, and hit the DOC camps. This is the way our family camp. We have an old school retro pop up camper. These campsites are super cheap, have super basic facilities, and are set in some of the most stunning parts of the country with both short and long walks and tramps often beginning and ending on site.

Be aware that there is a bit of cult hatred towards freedom campers at the moment. There have been a fair few accidents lately caused by tourists not understanding the New Zealand roads, and also companies hiring out van's that aren't officially self contained. It's not uncommon for an increase in rubbish and human faeces to be found just lying around public freecamping sites. Right now it is the middle of the summer and I'd be hard pushed to take the kids to the local river swimming hole because it's just packed with vans. We don't mind so much - we have a few other secret spots - but the surge in camper numbers is winding up some of the locals. I do think Kiwi's ares till pretty welcoming, but it's probably worth being aware of what's playing out in our media so you know not to take it personally/to be sure that camping in each spot is legal and safe Actually, as an afterthought, doing a private hire like on this website https://www.shareacamper.co.nz/camperhire/ will help you dodge some of the presumptions and prejudice that you might find if you were in a commercially signwritten camper.

Personally I wouldn't bother camping in the cities. I'm a country girl, and it'd take me an hour to get from my house into the centre of the closest city. There are two freedom camping spots between here and there, and in both cases there are loo's too!

Campsite passes for campervans: Stay at a DOC campsite with a mobile home, mobile caravan, mobile home, camper van, RV If you hire a van, get one of these passes anyway, and the you'll have the best of both worlds. Where freedom camping is banned - say in Tekapo with the night sky reserve, there will be a DOC ground close by.

It's easy to tag in Oz to the end of your trip. We love flying Air New Zealand! But both Jetstar and Southern China Airlines have super cheap flights across the Tasman. We often pop over for a quick holiday (roadtripped the Blue Mountains for hubby's 30th - Amazing!) or for work - it's no major.

Just reread you post. I'll clarify a few of my points.

Commerical campgrounds and holiday parks are not cheap.
DOC (Department of Conservation sites) Are harder to come across, in the more beautiful parts of NZ, and are far cheaper.
Freedom camping / council camping sites are closer to the main centres, but often busy.
Full Campervans with certified self contained certificates are still kind of pricey, but less likely to cop flack.
Small converted minivans with buckets for loo's instead of actual plumbed loo's are where most of the anger toward freedom campers is directed.

Clear as mud?

Thank you! What month is fall? In the western US I think September and up to early October are the best months - the weather is still warm enough to hike and the kids are back in school, so it's easier to find spots in campgrounds or lodges. Does that translate to March or April being good for NZ?

I don't want to be a bad guest ... I try to be quiet and I obey the rules, and I usually pick up trash when I find it. I don't like crowds or litter either, and it does make me worry about being a foreigner interfering with people being able to enjoy their own country. The US is so huge, it doesn't make such a difference. What would the ideal foreign visitor be like, other than "back in their own country"?

Excited for you, guuuuurrrrrrrl!

I'm a chicken-hearted homebody, but I love to hear of adventures!!!!!!!!!

I reckon March/April would be spot on. End of April might be starting to get on the wet side. The thing is, here, if the weather is crap you just drive to where the weather is better - won't take that long! Feb tends to be the hottest month, with Dec - Feb and June-July being the busiest with winter tourists. That being said, in the last week we've had some pretty awesome winter storms, and it's been cold and wet today with heavy rain. Back to clothing - layers layers layers! 4 seasons in one day.

I think we still love our tourists and most people would want you around, along with the dairy industry tourism and especially adventure tourism is so much of what our country is built on.
I think the perfect overseas visitor won't be afraid to spend time an money in Kaikoura - the costal/whale watching village of the south island recovering from some quakes. Maybe 2 1/2 driving hours from ChCh. I wouldn't blame ya if you skipped it though!
They'd smile The amount of people who don't smile or say hello when we're out camping. We're heavy introverts, people aren't our thing, but a hello helps everyone feel a bit safer.
DOC campgrounds are usually pretty quiet even in the busy season.
And then it's back to the roads. They're all I really know, but supposedly they're an adventure of their own. Tourists need to be competent, assertive drivers. Stick to the speed limits or keep left in the passing lanes.
Locals will love it if you support small town economies instead of chain stores. So just the farmers markets, roadside stalls etc.
And the loo thing. As long as you ask for certified self contained you'll be right. Do not, under any circumstance, hire from this company: Campervan Hire New Zealand - Campervan Rental Auckland Christchurch Queenstown
They are often painted with offensive slogans, and when English is a second language for some tourists they're unaware of the offence. A lot of organisations have boycotted and refused them onsite.
Guide to free Motorhome, Campervan, RV camping parks in New Zealand. - This could be useful! One fee and away from the crowds, stunning views, free accomodation and helping the farmers.

Driving would absolutely be the most economical way to see as much as possible. And it gives you the autonomy to go off road a bit too. I hope I haven't put you off the idea at all! You'll be absolutely fine in the right vehicle

Also - if you're doing the great walks, I think you need to book them? And therefore will have to make plans to be there at there right times, but outside of that don't plan too much. You're aiming for a pretty safe time of year but the weather can play havoc with road conditions and driving times - it'd be better to wing it a bit.

If you fly into Christchurch, you can park up my drive for a night and have a parrot fix. We'll show you some of our photos and talk about the conditions of the roads into our favourite campgrounds and send ya off on your way. No pressure! But also an option.