New Zealand Base Lodging

Author Message   sonora jones New member Username: Mjones1954 Post Number: 5 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 173.172.168.63 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 08:11 pm:    Sorry, I was just wondering what John Fortugno was referring to in his first post-"... is there a NZ equivalent to the Australian system of lodging and campsites for ex-servicemen." I have read John D's space a on Australia and the posts on this board for a few years. My two daughters are in Brisbane housesitting a military pilot's house who has already told them that there is no lodging available like ours on their bases so I was curious as to what John F. was referring. Thank you Lane Heath for the great information!!   Lane Heath Intermediate Member Username: Heathlb Post Number: 73 Registered: 02-2008 Posted From: 69.250.109.95 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 06:50 pm:    Last October, I posted the following (I'll repeat it for the convenience of people who don't have access to the archives): We found “space available” lodging in Australia! Defence Holidays—North Queensland (www.nqahr.com.au) operates two facilities, Cocos at Trinity Beach and Amaroo on Magnetic Island. My husband and I just finished a great stay at Cocos. Cocos Holiday Apartments is a wonderful resource for service members, retirees, and their families who visit north east Australia. About a 15 minute drive north of Cairns, they are very convenient to many of the attractions that bring people to Queensland, including the beaches, tropical rain forests and the Great Barrier Reef. Cocos guests are limited to “Serving and Ex-Serving Members of the Defence Forces and their families.” The managers, Chris and Ada Neilson are both ex-Navy, and they couldn’t be more helpful. They welcome current and retired American military personnel and their families. Like most resorts, you would be particularly welcome in the “off season”, when you would be occupying rooms that might otherwise be vacant. According to Ada, the only times they are really crowded is during school holidays, especially Christmas and Easter. The weather in Trinity Beach appears to be good year round. Cocos offers one and two bedroom apartments (In addition, the couch in the living room pulls out into a double bed). Each unit is air-conditioned, with private balcony, color TV, and complete laundry facilities (washer, dryer, ironing board and iron). The complex has a swimming pool and barbeque, all within a one minute walk of a beautiful beach. They come fully furnished, including linen, dishes, and cookware. They accept reservations from retirees up to six months in advance, and their rates are quite reasonable compared to the prices of hotels in the area. For stays of more than one night, retirees can expect to pay $90 (Australian) per night ($100 for a single night stay), and for people who stay 6 nights, the 7th night is free. Wireless internet is also available for a reasonable fee ($1 for 30 minutes, $2 for 60 minutes, $5 for 24 hours). In addition, Chris and Ada offer 10% to 20% discounts (depending on whether the user is active or retired) on area tours and admissions. Trinity Beach turned out to be an ideal location for the sort of vacation my husband and I enjoy. It’s not overrun with tourists. Good restaurants and a shopping center are within easy walking distance of Cocos. A bus stop within a block serves both commuters (buses run into and out of Cairns about every 30 minutes, fare $4.10 Australian one way), and tour companies. We took two organized tours, one to the village of Kuranda and, on another day, one to the Great Barrier Reef. Both buses picked us up at the bus stop. Hope this helps. Lane   Larry W. Carnes Senior Member Username: Larry Post Number: 1150 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 139.55.99.217 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 05:26 pm:    You guys really shouldn't blow off newbies' questions. I'm sure it makes us seem like a bunch of jackasses. In case Sonora is still trying to get the info, there ISN'T any lodging (that I KNOW about) for AD, retired or ex U.S. Armed Forces personnel in Australia. Once you step out of the PAX terminal, you're on your own and must use hotels, hostels, B&Bs, campgrounds or whatever. If you're asking about lodging for ex-AUSSIE servicemen, I'm clueless. Re-read John R's response.   john fortugno Member Username: Jfortugno Post Number: 14 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 76.28.186.19 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 03:44 pm:    Thank you for the info. Looking forward to my trip to NZ.   Leland Senior Member Username: Leland Post Number: 6232 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 98.218.147.237 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 02:55 pm:    Actually, I thought John G summed it up pretty well.   Kenneth Intermediate Member Username: Keno Post Number: 52 Registered: 07-2006 Posted From: 174.107.151.143 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 02:50 pm:    John G, Did you draw a blank? Jill   John R Garrison Senior Member Username: Majorg Post Number: 2615 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 208.81.157.86 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 04:34 am:      sonora jones New member Username: Mjones1954 Post Number: 4 Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 173.172.168.63 Posted on Sunday, May 16, 2010 - 04:07 am:    What lodging is there available for ex-servicemen in Australia? Thank you for any information you have.   Bill Mathews Senior Member Username: Bill_mathews Post Number: 1199 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 173.71.47.192 Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 12:42 am:    No Mil Lodging available at NZ... I stayed at the downtown Christchurch YMCA; nice place; breakfast extra but very good; around 50NZ for a double room. And near the Trolley stop. Christchurch RSA Club is about a 10 min. walk or trolley car ride from YMCA; good place to eat: http://www.rsa.org.nz/findrsa/listings.cfm?listingID=449   Robert Visscher Member Username: Bob_v Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 97.121.235.53 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 - 11:57 am:    New Zealand has The Returned Service Association (RSA) that is very much like our VFW/American Legion Posts. Most of them have a restaurant and bar facilities. I do not know if any of the clubs have lodging facilities. I have always been welcomed at their clubs. They are a great place to obtain information on the local area. You can check them out at: www.rsa.org.nz.   Larry W. Carnes Senior Member Username: Larry Post Number: 1147 Registered: 06-2003 Posted From: 63.20.94.224 Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010 - 04:07 am:    I've never heard of U.S. retirees using NZ mil lodging. Hostels in NZ are plentiful and relatively cheap. The YHA affiliated ones are usually the nicest.   john fortugno Member Username: Jfortugno Post Number: 13 Registered: 01-2006 Posted From: 76.28.186.19 Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 04:51 pm:    Does the New Zealand military allow U.S. retirees to use the lodging on their bases? If not, is there an NZ equivalent to the Australian system of lodging and campsites for ex-servicement? Appreciate any info, or other alternatives for staying in NZ. Thanks!