About Matt

Hi, I’m Matt – a guy from Iowa that somehow ended up living in Queenstown, New Zealand – one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I’m the founder of New Zealand’s largest travel planning and booking website, Planit NZ. Here on Backpacking Matt, I share photos and stories of my adventures around New Zealand and the world.

I absolutely love Instagram, and share daily photos from my latest adventures there – so be sure to head on over to my Instagram page, give me a follow and say G’day.

Through this blog, I aim to offer you destination specific travel advice, stories of adventure and exploration, travel reviews and inspiration to get out and travel the world.

I live in a small but incredibly beautiful country at the bottom of the world (Aotearoa – New Zealand), and as a result the vast majority of articles on Backpackingmatt.com focus on backpacking in New Zealand. You’ll find everything from articles that feature New Zealand’s top backpacking destinations to write-ups on my adventures climbing mountains in New Zealand to inspirational pieces encouraging twenty-somethings to see the world.

How it All Began

Back in 2007, I graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Political Science. The world was my oyster. Knowing I wasn’t quite ready to settle down with your basic 9 – 5 job, I opted to instead travel to Ireland and then the UK on a working holiday. The plan? Four months working and traveling in Ireland, followed by six months working and traveling in Scotland before spending a quick two months traveling around mainland Europe.

Some 16 months later, I returned home not ready to settle down but rather with a newfound appreciation for experiencing the unknown.

In November of 2010, I booked a one-way ticket to Auckland, New Zealand. Just like many fellow ex-pats in New Zealand, I came for a year and never left. New Zealand is an incredibly addicting place, and as of yet I haven’t been able to pull myself away from my adopted home of Queenstown on the majestic South Island.

Check out some of the most popular posts on Backpackingmatt.com:

When I’m not working on this website or my New Zealand travel guide at PlanitNZ.com, I’m out riding my mountain bike, going hiking, paragliding off mountains and generally enjoying living in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Backpackingmatt.com is dedicated to giving you tips on how to travel the world and showing how living an alternative, unconventional life can be satisfying, rewarding and realistic.

For more updates, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. If you’d like to get in touch, drop me a line at matt at backpackingmatt dot com, or head on over to the Contact page.

Cheers,

(Backpacking) Matt