Backpacking New Zealand

Destinations

Backpacking New Zealand

New Zealand has a deserved reputation amongst backpackers as one of the top backpacking destinations. If offers the adventure and isolation of more remote destinations, combined with a developed infrastructure and lifestyle, and there are plenty of opportunities to pick up seasonal work if your budget is feeling the pinch from too much fun elsewhere. It’s not surprising then, that many backpackers pencil in a long stint in New Zealand and, aside from the practical benefits, the fact is that New Zealand truly is a truly awesome place.

With a population of only 4 million on a land mass the about the size of the UK, you really can find your own slice of paradise in New Zealand. Many backpackers elect to buy or hire a van and have their own private (and different) perfect beach vista every morning. Plus New Zealand is a relatively ‘young’ country with plenty going on in the cities for backpackers, and plenty of ‘extreme’ activities peppering the country too.

If you’re looking for different and exciting experiences in a magical place then you can’t really go wrong with New Zealand – and make sure you overestimate the amount of time you commit to the country – you can’t ‘do’ New Zealand in a week...

Where is it and what’s there?

New Zealand is in the south-western Pacific Ocean and is made up of two main islands (North and South) which are separated by the Cook Strait, and of a number of smaller islands, some of which are inhabited.

The landscape of New Zealand is incredibly varied. The North Island has active volcanoes and Lake Taupo, and the South has the snow-peaked Southern Alps. Both islands have hundreds of miles of stunning beaches.

The three main cities are Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and around half of the country’s population reside in one of these. This being New Zealand, however, all three cities are coastal so ‘city living’ isn’t what you’d expect elsewhere in the world!

Climate

Due to its long thin shape, and the different temperatures of the oceans to the north and south of the islands, New Zealand has a much more varied climate than other countries of a similar size. The north of the North Island has an essentially sub tropical climate with beach weather pretty much year round. As you head south from here, the climate becomes more temperate, and the South island can have very cold winters, hence the world class ski and snowboard resorts.

New Zealand is a beautifully green country - and this doesn’t come without plenty of rain! In general terms the western side of the islands tends to be wetter than the east, and if you are travelling around for any length of time, then you’ll need to be prepared for all types of weather – practical waterproof clothing is essential.

Getting there and visas

In terms of arriving in New Zealand, you’ve only really got one option: by air. All main airports have international links, and you can find plenty of flights to Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. Have a think about your route before you book your flight as where you land will dictate where you go.

You’ll probably want to fly in to one airport and out of another, so work out where you want to go when, and then book accordingly.

In terms of visas, nationals of most European countries and the US are automatically eligible for a three month tourist visa (six months for UK citizens). If you want to work however (even if you’re not planning on it beforehand!), then you’ll need to get a working holiday visa. Providing you’re under the age of 30 and haven’t had one before you should be eligible and can apply for one online before arriving.

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Getting around

The reality of New Zealand is that you will spend a lot of time on the road, but in New Zealand the cliché about ‘enjoying the journey’ has never been more apt. New Zealand is all about the wilderness and travelling often is the experience.

If you’re staying for a while then there is a well established scene for buying and selling campervans that have probably done a few circuits of the islands in their time. If you’re feeling adventurous then this could pay off – you may even recoup all of your cash when you’re done meaning that you’ve essentially had a free ride. Alternatively, you can hire a van which gives you more security, and may be your best bet if you only have a few weeks.

Alternatives to ‘vaning it’ include the various ‘hop-on, hop-off’ buses which traverse the islands and will take you to some of the best sites. As they cover a lot of ground, many arrange overnight accommodation on longer journeys as part of their packages too. Definitely a good option for meeting other backpackers if you’re travelling on your own as well.

There is also plenty of scope for travelling around on the country’s comprehensive bus network. Buses run locally and nationally, and can be a cheap way of getting about – especially if booked in advance. Routes can be quite meandering and the roads not always great (although not in the same league as parts of South America or South East Asia), so buses aren’t often the quickest means of travelling around.

Unsurprisingly for a sparsely populated country, rail is not a main mode of transport. There are some intercity routes (the ‘Overlander’ that runs between Auckland and Wellington for example) that can be very useful, and some great scenic journeys, but don’t expect to travel just by rail.

Things to do

Although you can see historical and cultural things in New Zealand, and you can find some lively nights out if that’s what you’re after, New Zealand is really all about the ‘doing’! There really are so many great things to do in New Zealand and, whether you enjoy spending time outdoors or ‘extreme sports’ back home or not, you can’t go to New Zealand and not get involved with some of the more adventurous activities that the country has to offer. Here’s a few ideas (and a few less ‘out there’ things too!).

Fly By Wire. Strapped into a ‘plane’ and attached to a wire, you fly around a canyon and are in charge of the plane and the engine. It’s been recorded at a top speed of 106mph, so is officially the world’s fastest ride. The price included getting taken to the site by 4x4 and the whole adventure takes 2-3 hours.

Wai-O-Tapu. Geothermal pools that are over 100,000 years old bubble, belch and fire steam into the air. Crazy colours, curious smells and one of the bizarest other worldly places on the planet.

Mokai Gravity Canyon. With either an 80-metre bungee or a 50 metre freefall bridge swing (or both!), a great place to feel the ‘not right’ sensation of accelerating towards the ground. Also home to one of the world’s fastest ‘flying foxes’ - a kilometre long zip wire that takes you at speeds of up to 100mph.

Mt Cook National Park. Close to Christchurch, and home to New Zealand’s highest mountain, the Maori name of Mt Cook is ‘Aoraki’ which means ‘cloud piercer’. A third of the national park is permanently covered by ice and snow and it’s also home to stunning and incredibly peaceful glacial lakes.

Taupo skydive. New Zealand’s most popular skydiving destination, Lake Taupo is on the cusp of the Tongariro National Park, which is home to the North Island’s most active volcano... So plenty to look at on your way down!

Christchruch. The largest city on the South Island, Christchurch has some great gothic architecture, some great shopping and a great nightlife. The Christchurch Gondola can also be taken up to the top of the city’s extinct volcano on the outskirts of the city. The city has a good scene and plenty of backpacker facilities and hang outs too.

Sandboarding. Located on the ‘as stunning as it sounds’ Ninety Mile Beach, you can take in the sights and then throw yourself down a sand dune attached to a special ‘sandboard’.

Bay of Islands. One of the North Island’s biggest draws, the Bay of Islands is a stunning natural experience. There are golden beaches, crystal clear seas and plenty of ‘Robinson Crusoe’ perfect islands, as well as diving that was rated by Jacques Cousteau as ‘amongst the best in the world’. Plus you can see Blue Penguins, Dolphins and Killer Whales. Definitely worth pencilling in a few days to soak it all up.

Shark Diving. Why not round off your New Zealand exploits in style! There are various cage diving options (and you don’t need to be a certified diver). There are companies offering 3+ day boat trips, or you can go out for the day. Definitely one of the less mainstream backpacking options, and guaranteed to get a slack-jawed reaction when you tell your friends back home.

New Zealand offers backpackers hundreds of unique experiences and, unlike other stops on a backpacking tour, nowhere else is really anything like New Zealand. It’s true to say that it suits some people more than others, but the Islands really do have something for everyone, and their attraction is perhaps best illustrated by the number of people now living in New Zealand who fell in love with the place on their backpacking trips...

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