Tripologist: How much time do you need on your passport to visit NZ?

I’m planning to travel to New Zealand but I would only have four months left on my passport when I return to Australia. I’ve read that you can travel to New Zealand if you depart within three months of your passport expiry, is this accurate?
A. McClenaghan, Annandale NSW

You’re in the clear. According to New Zealand Immigration, the general rule is that visitors’ passports must be valid for at least three months after the date they plan to leave. However, since Australia has diplomatic representation in New Zealand that can issue new passports, Australian passport holders may enter New Zealand provided their passport is valid for one month after the date they plan to leave.

Airlines are sometimes not fully aware of the requirements for passport validity that apply in various countries and therefore check-in staff may query travellers whose passport has an expiry date of less than six months. Therefore you might want to check with your airline to make sure this is not going to complicate your travels although if you’re travelling with Air New Zealand that’s unlikely to be a problem.

I’m proposing a trip to Bryce and Zion National Parks in Utah with my US in-laws. From that area, the family will return to San Francisco while my friend and I hope to continue to Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley before going on to Durango, Colorado. What are the chances are of our hiring a vehicle from those areas?
J. Hobson, Port Stephens NSW

Cedar City has two Enterprise car-hire outlets, one at the airport and another in the city. Cedar City is about a two-hour drive from Bryce Canyon National Park and the only practical way to get there is by car. If that’s a problem, you might be able to hitch a ride with your relatives to Las Vegas and pick up a vehicle there. From either location, you can continue to Durango and if that’s the end of your car trip, either return the vehicle there and pay the one-way car-hire fee or else return it to the original depot. According to the Durango website [durangogov.org], Alamo/National, Enterprise, Avis/Budget and Hertz/Dollar all have depots in Durango.

My wife and I plan to visit the Faroe Islands. What months are best? Is it better to rent a car in Denmark and take the ferry to the islands versus flying in and renting a car at the airport? Accommodation looks to be limited and expensive so what is the feasibility of camping or staying in hostels?
S. McKay, Springwood NSW

June to August are the best months to visit the Faroe Islands. Smyril Line’s [smyril-line.com] ferry, M/S Norrona, sails to the Faroe Islands from Hirtshals in the north of Denmark. For a small vehicle with two passengers you’re looking at a return cost of around €800 ($1310) in July or August. Return flights from Copenhagen for two to the Faroe Islands will cost around $1000. Since the cost of hiring a car in the Faroe Islands is going to be higher than from Denmark, the ferry option will likely work out less expensive. Hostels are one alternative to the high cost of hotel accommodation however there are only three in all the islands. There are several guesthouses located at spots such as Mykines Island, in the beautiful village of Gasadalur, on the southernmost islands of Suouroy and Sandoy, in Miovagur close to the airport and in Hoyvik, close to the capital, Torshavn. Book Local and Airbnb also have several self-contained properties on the islands. You need the services of a local tour operator to make the most of your visit and you can find a list on the Visit Faroe Islands website, as well as plenty more information to help make your trip memorable.

We will be in Amsterdam for Christmas this year. Hoping you can help us with a lovely restaurant for six adults for Christmas Day within walking distance of our accommodation in the Jordaan area.
P. Caldow, Carlton North