I’ve based myself in New Zealand for the past 22 months – give or take, that’s about 660 days.
The time just slips away. They say that happens the older you get, and while I don’t doubt this is true, I’m confident the happier you are someplace and the more content you are with your life, the quicker the hours, days and weeks disappear.
I originally left home in 2007 to explore the unknown; I wasn’t ready to settle down and had a deep desire to see more of this world we live in.
I wanted to drink in foreign cultures and foreign beers; I wanted to soak up the sun of far away places and learn from the challenges of being immersed into a life far away from home.
The journey to where I am today has been a roller coaster of highs and lows – undoubtedly, the moments of pure elation outnumber the challenges.
It’s impossible to count how many times in the last three or four years I’ve been moved to almost tears from the experiences of meeting new people and taking in the beauty of this little world we inhabit.
I’ve traveled the world by way of working holidays in an effort to gain a better understanding of the cultures of the countries I’ve traveled through. In between or during these working holidays, I’ve managed to backpack to some exceptionally special places. Without a doubt, there is so much more of this world I’m yearning to see – the rest of Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, China, South & Central America and the list goes on.
Many of the posts in the archives of this blog encourage others to leave the comforts of home, pack a bag, and explore far away places. As the tagline of this blog says, Life’s a Journey; I believe the world begs to be explored, experienced and learned from.
I have a confession to make: I’m in Love.
Each day that passes here on the beautiful South Island of New Zealand reinforces my indescribable love of this area of the world. Weekly Daily, I’m reminded of how special this place is and I find this terribly frightening.
While I still have the desire to travel to new places, right now I’m beyond content with my life in New Zealand. Most of the time, at least. I do still get that itch that only those inflicted with the bite of the travel bug know. Reading about Adventurous Kate’s travels through Europe to TBU or the Mobile Lawyer’s adventure on the Ultimate Train Challenge still leave me with that taste for wanting to experience new things and face new challenges.
The problem is there is so much here I still want to do. I want to climb Mitre Peak. I want to compete in a multi-day adventure race. I want to go surfing in the Catlins. I want to ride my bike in a brevit. I want to get into backcountry snowboarding.
The list could very easily go on and take months years to complete. At what point do I throw in the towel and travel to somplace new?
I love my job, my quaint rented lakeside bach with lake and mountain views, my mates and the lifestyle that New Zealand brings on. The budding minimalist that was me in Thailand traveling with only a Macpac daypack is slowly beginning to acquire things – a bike, bike gear, a snowboarding. Potentially a kayak and climbing gear? A second bike?
At what point do I become a hypocrite who encourages others to leave home and travel the world while I stay in this comfortable bubble which I like to call paradise?
I’m not really sure.
I haven’t moved on permanently from being a backpacker. I continue to read travel blogs, add experiences to my bucket list and still yearn to see more of this world. And I will. This working holiday has simply continued on for longer than anticipated. I’m one of many who have come to Queenstown and stayed longer than expected – if you’ve traveled here, you’ll certainly understand why.
I love my life here and for the time being I’m content with that. There is certainly more of this world I want to see – but for now, that’ll have to wait for another day.
Backpacking Matt 
It’ll do that to you, New Zealand. 😉
@Dave Says the guy living in Melbs. 🙂
You could pick a worse place…
I think about my followup trip to NZ *all* the time.
@Dustin Well it’s increasingly looking like I might still be here! We’ll have to meet up and go on a big tramp. Safe travels!
Agree with Dave: NZ does that to you 😉 I guess us travellers travel not just to wander but to ultimately find that elusive sense of belonging – that ‘it’ place. ‘Grats for finding your ‘it’ place buddy, will be swinging by Queenstown hopefully soon so will require your drinking companionship again 🙂
@Dylan ‘Travellers travel not just to wander but ultimately find that elusive sense of belonging – that ‘it’ place’ So well said mate! I do love it here, however I’m fairly convinced it won’t be my permanent home – time will tell. Looking forward to seeing you – keep us updated on your Aotearoa plans!
Lived reading your blog.. As I look to start my short tour of the south island, looking forward to experiencing the best of NZ.. In limited time
Would be great to catch up with you in Q’town…. And vast more of your travels. Cheers.. Have fun.
this is my NZ number
+64291237870.. we could catch up
Ranjan, India
Every (sunshiny, summery, perfect) day that I spend exploring Melbourne, I wonder how I’m ever going to leave. I’ve fallen in love with this city, and there is still so much of the region left to explore! My job offered me sponsorship–and the only reason I refused was because I’m pretty sure if I don’t leave and explore the world now, I never would!
@Christine Very glad you can relate and enjoy Melbs as much as I do Queenstown. Perhaps a wise decision turning down the sponsorship as the longer you stay the harder it is to leave!
Stay until you’re not longer happy and content to be there. It sounds like you’re onto a real winner down there, I wouldn’t give it up on a whim.
And anyway, if you end up living there long term, would that really be such a bad thing? Sounds pretty wonderful to me.
Love your snowboarding posts by the way!
@Amanda, @Claire & @Pete Thanks for the support – really enjoying hearing all of this feedback. @Pete, glad you’re digging the snowboarding posts. I’m planning on running a photo essay of the winter later on this month. @Amanda Queenstown would only be complete if you were living here! 🙂 @Claire So well said – ‘Many people spend time looking for something that makes them happy, and it sounds like you no longer need to look.’ Love that.
The great thing about being a traveler is that your motivations and definitions of “travel” can change. And that’s okay! That’s what’s so addictive about it.
Right now, it seems like you’re content being an expat, and exploring New Zealand. While you may feel like you’re turning into a hypocrite, I’m sure there are tons of people envious of what you’re doing right now (me included!). You can still be an inspiration for people to travel even if you’re not currently living a completely nomadic lifestyle.
And, like Dustin said, you could definitely pick a worse place to be calling home right now!
Why leave a place you love if you’re not ready? Many people spend/waste time looking for something that makes them happy, and it sounds like you no longer need to look…for now!
Having just come back from there, I can’t fault you for adoring NZ so much. It is truly a beautiful place and it makes you feel at ease and charged up at the same time. I agree with Dylan about all of us looking for “that” place. I, for one, don’t think I’ve found it in Australia, but I like hearing that others like you have found yours. And you’ll never be a hypocrite — look at how many people write great travel blogs from home.
There’s nothing wrong with falling in love with an area of the world and wanting to stay there, darling. You’ve clearly been smitten with NZ for quite a long time, and it’s so nice that you found your little corner of the world, specifically, the bottom right corner of the map.
Don’t worry about being a hypocrite or anything — you are still traveling and living an adventurous lifestyle! You’re very lucky you’ve found found that level of peace — that is more important than anything else. 🙂
@Kate I picked a corner that couldn’t be much further away from … just about everywhere! Yes, I would say I’m quite smitten with NZ – thanks for the comment and support. 🙂
@Matt – hehe, yup I am. Bear in mind, though, that I’ve lived in NZ on and off for about 26 years before now!
I do love the place, but ultimately it wasn’t right for me at this point in my life. Doesn’t mean it won’t be again some day – there’s a lot of wandering in my future, and I know some of it at least will be back home.
No shame in wanting to stay put for a while…I’m doing the same 🙂
I can understand your love affair with NZ- I was there several years ago and still can’t get it out of my mind. I traveled there with my sister who still refers to a day we had in Queenstown as “the absolute perfect day”. Traveling is all about new experiences, and while seeing new places can feel like the best way to make new experiences, sometimes sticking in one place for awhile allows you to create deeper experiences, not necessarily a wider breadth of experience. I say stick around and get intimate with Queenstown! 🙂
@Jessica Yes, Queenstown seems to do the same thing to so many people – glad you and your sister enjoyed your time here. I do believe that working holidays allow you to create deeper experiences, so it makes perfect sense that a longer than expected stay will create deeper and even more intimate ties with NZ. And yah, I’m okay with that!
This is so interesting to read from the perspective of someone who already loves new Zealand, currently considers herself a backpacker but is going to new Zealand for a working holiday to see if it could appeal to me as a more long term base. I do have a slight fear that I will love it so much I’ll have to start to wonder if my life of travel will be replaced with a more static existence. In the meantime, thanks for sharing your experiences and perhaps if you’re still there in january we could catch up over a beer 🙂
@Sarah Very excited to hear you’re planning a working holiday here – without a doubt, you’ll love it. Please do get in touch closer to January – I’m looking forward to that beer!
I guess we’ll have to call it the art of slow travel. You have become a local mate and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact it’s my preferred form of travel, immerse yourself in the culture, local way of life and enjoy the ride.
@Mike I know you love NZ just as much as me! Slow travel is absolutely my preferred way of travel, this has just been even slower than anticipated!
@Jaime Would love to get up Heli Skiing – upset I missed the locals deal they had going last weekend!
While I’m thrilled that you love New Zealand….your family misses you! Come home!
Beautifully written Matt, love reading your blog, New Zealand is on our list because of you 🙂
@Lauren Thanks so much for the compliments. 🙂 NZ should be on your list, not because of me but for the stunning scenery, friendly locals and general awesomeness of the country. Come visit!
@Cat I can’t believe it’s been four years!! And we haven’t seen each other since Spain! We need to fix this. Meet in the middle? SE Asia?
We’re nearing our four year anniversary of leaving America, can you believe it? Clearly we aren’t cut out for permanent living. Here’s to a few more for both of us!! Besos and go Hawks!
…as Kate said…finding and being at “peace” is a priceless place to be. It comforts a mom’s heart to know that is where you are right now….XO
@Mom Thanks. 🙂 x
Traveling is kind of like dating. There are lots of great girls/guys out there that would certainly be a great match. It’s fun to get to know different people and experience life with them. But at some point, you meet “the one” and want to get married. There is absolutely no shame in that, even for the biggest playboy. Maybe New Zealand is “the one” for you. Or maybe you’ll just become a serial monogamist and still move from place to place, but just not in the rapid succession of your dating years. Does that make sense?
I’ll be in Queenstown for a week in late November. I would love for you to show me your “girlfriend.” 🙂
@Leah Love the analogy. Can’t wait to show you my girlfriend! Good luck planning your trip!
@Rebecca You need to plan a trip back to visit!
Can so relate to these posts and comments. I extended my stay once in New Zealand and when I was offered a job to stay even longer, I turned it down because like @christine, I knew if I didn’t travel then, I never would!
I look back and only 50% regret my decision:).
I hear ya. You oughta give Norway a try too one day.
It takes YEARS for people to find a place that they love- a place where they can see themselves settling down. Sometimes I feel that that’s why people travel. When you find a place that makes you feel comfortable and complete (is that too sappy?) don’t feel bad for staying longer than expected. We haven’t found our “place” and I don’t know if we ever will. Enjoy what you’ve found while you have it. New Zealand is a breathtaking place!
If you fall in love with a place and want to live there, I think there’s nothing wrong with it. If constant leaving makes you feel bad because you so miss that place, what’s the point? You still love to travel, so you can be based in New Zealand and travel from there wherever you want. I’ve been an expat for six years, now I’ve decided to settle a bit and travel from here. I’ve arrived a month ago and I’m already on the move, that’s ok, this is what I like, but I just needed a bit of stability after all these years of moving, relocating and losing shoes and clothes 🙂
Besides, it’s kind of understandable why you love New Zealand so much, I would get lost every day in such sceneries, they look the perfect place to get inspired for writing!
Follow your heart. 🙂 You would have never found “your” place if you hadn’t had such an adventurous spirit. It’s ok to stay put — you can really dig in and learn so much! And in the end, your happiness is what matters.
Just be thankful you found a corner of the globe that is amazing for you! I wish I could say the same about the city that I live in in Spain (stayed for love!), but I can’t and am constantly finding my joy in my travels and other things instead. Wishing you the best! 🙂
Cheers to sticking in one place for a while! You’re doing what you want with your life in a place that you’re totally smitten with, who could ask for anything better? I just started my second year as an expat, I have a steady job, future plans, great friends, and my husband is starting a band. Life is good staying put.
It’s okay to be in love. Don’t worry about not traveling enough right now. It’s not like we’re in some big competition. 🙂
That’s the beauty of backpacking…going where the wind takes you. And it sounds like you’ve found someplace special (I’ve been to New Zealand and can relate…the minute I saw Queenstown – even from the airplane – I was in love and wanted to move there!) and I think you should move on once you aren’t feeling the same sense of fulfillment any longer. Enjoy the moment 🙂
Hey Matt, yep I totally agree…I left England in 2003 to see the world and have had working holidays in Oz, Ecuador, Ghana, Kenya, Canada and New Zealand…kind of got stuck here too but it’s a great place to be stuck for now 🙂
@Rachel Glad you can relate! Yes, I very often say I’m ‘stuck’ in Queenstown but I can’t imagine a better place to be right now.
Hey Matt, I think that is really beautiful. You are so lucky to have found someplace which you love so much that lure of travel is weakened. While there are so many experiences one can have in a more nomadic lifestyle, there is a lot to experience when you put down some roots for awhile – connection, community, knowledge that comes with time spent. Plus, just because you are not traveling now doesn’t mean you never will – when you have the spirit of a traveler, that will never leave you.
@Kate Thanks so much for the positive feedback. I love this and think you’re absolutely correct: “when you have the spirit of a traveler, that will never leave you.”
A friend of mine told me about this blog, I wish I looked at it a lot sooner. When my family and friends ask about my love afffair with NZ I will get them to read this post because there is no better way to explain it. Thank you 🙂
@Mindy 🙂 Thanks heaps for the kind words, very glad you can relate!
Hi Matt, where can I find more information about Working Holiday In NZ? Thanks. What job can I work at there?
@Nicholas Check out the Immigration NZ website. With the working holiday visa you can take up any sort of employment you like for 12 months.
I recently got back from a month in New Zealand and I too fell in love with the South Island. There were times traveling through the South when I was close to tears, it was so overwhelmingly beautiful. Entering the Wanaka/QT area after a couple rainy days in Westland was a sensory overload, and had me constantly wondering HOW that last incredible view was going to be topped. And somehow it always was.
The people — backpackers and locals — are so friendly and open, each with his/her own fascinating tales to share. There’s no end to the potential sidetrips, regardless of weather conditions. Etc.
If not for obligations in the States I would’ve canceled my return flight and stuck around for awhile. Sometimes you need that extra immersion time to fully appreciate and experience a place to the fullest, and I respect your decision to do that with QT.
Backpackers are born with the the desire to explore new places, and right now that part of you is being expressed in a different form. It doesn’t simply go away.
I think that the whole purpose of travel is to fall in love, well at least one of the purposes that is. As I like to think, I cannot tell where home will be until I find it. My home may very well be in my own backyard, but until I’ve traveled the world enough to compare it against something I will never know. You’ve traveled long enough to not get caught up in the hype of temporary romance with a place just based on who’s there and what you are doing – and if you think you are you can always explore and see if you are called back to return. In falling in love with a place, you begin to find a sense of peace – a sense of self. There is no telling how long that will last, but for now at least there is nothing wrong with saying you found home. Even if it is a temporary one.
@Cornelius So well said, thanks for the comment. I’m still enjoyed the same sense of peace in Queenstown. 🙂
Hey Matt,
Just wondering if you could link me to some other travel blogs, I’m heading to thailand soon and want to get as much knowledge as I can, I’m still undecided if i Should just pick up a lonley planet book a return flight and back pack or stay with the itinerary and quote my travel agent picked up??
HELP PLEASE!! haha
Cheers
Matt, follow your heart. I think you will end up in Ireland!
Hey Matt,
I just wanted to thank you for this awesome blog. I’ve been travelling in OZ for 2 years now and was really close to give in to the “it’s time to be reasonable Eugenie” and finally head back to france renouncing to NZ. I spent the last hour stalking your blog and that’s it, i’m convinced. I’ll be there in September 🙂
Thanks again !
Eugenie
Awesome! Good luck planning!