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backpackingmatt September 14, 2010

New Zealand’s Top 5 Backpacking Destinations

Kia Ora. Thanks heaps for checking out my blog. After you read this post, please head on over to my latest project – Planit NZ. Planit NZ is a New Zealand travel guide and booking website I’m working on full time at the moment. You can research all things travel in New Zealand on the website, and you can also book hop on, hop off backpacker bus passes, small group tours or activities. I’m a web based New Zealand travel agent, and I’d appreciate you letting me help you plan and book your trip. Thanks!

New Zealand. The Land of the Long White Cloud. Aoteroa. Whatever you call it, NZ is a country that heaps of backpackers flock to each year.

And for well deserved reasons.

New Zealand is easy to travel around, offers up fascinating landscapes in a compact sized area (think glaciers, rainforests, and beaches within a twenty minute drive of each other), and is home to a variety of thrilling adventure sports (think skydiving, bungy jumping, river sledding, and jetboating). If your idea of adventure isn’t jumping out of airplanes or off bridges, New Zealand will win you over with its world famous wine or scenic drives.

So you want to come on a backpacking trip or a gap year to New Zealand. I don’t blame you. Yet where should you go? What should you see?

If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, these are 5 places I don’t think you can miss.

1) Bay of Islands (North Island)

New Zealand Backpacking Destinations — Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands north of Auckland are a must see on your backpacking trip to New Zealand. Think blue-green waters, white sand beaches, sun, and (you guessed it) tropical islands.

The main town in the Bay of Islands is Paihia and is an ideal spot to base yourself for your time in the Northland. Paihia is a busy little town with plenty of hostels, heaps of bars, and sits directly on the bay. You’re within a days drive of 90 Mile Beach and can escape the resort like feel of Paihia with a quick ferry ride across the bay to historic Russell.

While you’re here you’ll have no shortage of things to do – spend your days sailing around the islands, dolphin watching, diving, kayaking, or simply soaking up the sun on the Paihia beachfront. To get a taste of everything the Bay has to offer, consider an overnight cruise on The Rock.

2) Coromandel Peninsula (North Island

New Zealand Backpacking Destination — Coromandel

The Coromandel Peninsula is quick one hour long ferry ride or three hour drive away from Auckland. It’s a welcomed escape from the busy (and I’d argue) characterless city of NZ’s North Island.

Coromandel offers up a varying combination of beaches, quaint fishing villages, and has great hiking options with the mountainous spine splitting the peninsula in half. A visit here isn’t complete without sampling Coromandel town’s famous smoked mussels, soaking the day away in your own private and personally dug spa at Hot Water Beach, or getting a real taste for Kiwi ingenuity at the Driving Creek Railway.

3) Lake Taupo (North Island)

Smack dab in the center of the North Island is New Zealand’s (and Oceania’s) largest freshwater lake. Lake Taupo formed thousands of years ago after a massive volcanic eruption and is simply a crater filled with water. A very deep crater with its deepest point being over 600 feet deep. On the North Shore of the lake is the town of Taupo – a busy little town rightly worn onto New Zealand’s backpacker trail.

Lake Taupo presents plenty of opportunities for the backpacker. It’s the most famous spot in New Zealand to skydive and you can only imagine the view of Lake Taupo from 15,000 feet. If you’re still keen to defy gravity, consider the Taupo Bungy which at 47 meters is the highest water touch bungy in New Zealand. Your visit to Taupo arguably wouldn’t be complete without a go at trout fishing. Lake Taupo and the rivers feeding into are home to the best trout fishing in the world.

With heaps of hostels, plenty of outdoor activities, and a busy nightlife scene, chances are you might spend a bit longer in Taupo than you originally anticipated.

4) Kaikoura (South Island)

Kaikoura sits in an absolutely epic spot at the base of the Seaward Kaikoura Range. While the town itself leaves quite a bit to be desired, its picturesque location and the nearby marine wildlife make up for anything the town itself is lacking.

Thanks to a combination of ocean currents and a unique continental shelf found offshore, Kaikora’s coast is home a a huge variety of marine mammals – think bus sized Sperm Whales and playful Dusky Dolphins. Whale Watch Kaikoura guarantees you’ll spot a whale on their whale watch tours (otherwise they’ll give you a hefty refund) and a couple companies will take you swimming with the dolphins.

The main street in Kaikoura offers up a couple decent bars for you to spend your evening in and the bakery does a bloody good Kiwi meat pie for your breaky the next morning.

5) Queenstown (South Island)

Queenstown sits in a unbeatable location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and offers up stunning views of The Remarkables mountain range. This small resort town offers up something to please even the most dedicated of thrill-seekers – you can do it all in Queenstown, just make sure you bring enough cash.

You’ll want to add bungy jumping at one of AJ Hacketts three bungy jump sites to your list as well as a trip on the famous Shotover Jet. If you’re keen to relax, consider a scenic hike up Queenstown Hill or go for a drive to sample some of the famous Otago Pinot Noir from nearby wineries.

The nightlife scene in Queentown is sure to satisfy the backpacker looking for a good night out. With new bars and clubs popping up monthly, don’t be surprised if you’re coming home at 5am after drinking and dancing the night away.

New Zealand is bound to impress you regardless of where you travel. It’s a country with fascinating landscapes everywhere you turn, friendly locals, and is extremely backpacker friendly.

Have you traveled to New Zealand? Add your favorite destination in the comments section below.

Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:

backpackingmatt July 4, 2010

A Budget Option in Queenstown – Hiking to Queenstown Hill (Photo Essay)

New Zealand, Travel Photos 11 Replies

Queenstown bills itself as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World.’ You can experience a number of heart-dropping activities here from jet-boating, to bungy jumping, to white water river sledging (yes, really). Needless to say, a trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, can very easily break your budget.

Yet it doesn’t have to. There are many budget friendly activities to keep you busy in Queenstown. While I’m basing myself in Queenstown for the winter season, I’ll run a couple options for the budget conscious traveler in Queesntown. Today, I’m featuring a photo essay from my recent hike to the summit of Queesntown Hill.

It will cost you nothing and the views from the 800 meter summit are superb. The walk leaves from town and is well sign-posted. The path is in excellent condition and takes you through a pine forrest before reaching the summit of Te Tapu-nui (Mountain of Intense Sacredness). If you’re in moderate fitness, you can expect the walk to take about two hours return – yet I’d allow more time at the summit to relax and take in the stunning 360 degree views. Enjoy.

Queenstown Hill Hike (Photo Essay)

Queenstown Hill Hike — Nearing the Summit

Hike To Queenstown Hill, New Zealand — Lake Wakitipu

It’s an excellent hike to the summit, and well worth your time if you’re visiting Queenstown. Best part about the hike? It won’t break your budget like the rest of Queenstown will.

backpackingmatt June 30, 2010

5 Ways to Travel Around New Zealand

New Zealand 55 Replies

Kia Ora. Thanks heaps for checking out my blog. After you read this post, please head on over to my latest project – Planit NZ. PlanitNZ.com is a New Zealand travel guide and booking website I’m working on full time at the moment. You can research all things travel in New Zealand on the website, and you can also book hop on, hop off backpacker bus passes, small group tours or activities. I’m essentially a web based New Zealand travel agent, and I’d appreciate you letting me help you plan and book your trip. Thanks!

So you’re considering a trip to New Zealand? Why wouldn’t you? It’s a country known for dramatic landscapes, friendly people, succulent lamb, and stunning vistas. There is something here on each island to please the thrill seeking backpacker, the wine sipping connoisseur, or lovers of the outdoors. It’s an excellent place to come to as a backpacker (so long as you’re not on a strict budget). Yet you’re wondering the best way to travel around the country.

Check out the list below for five of the best ways to travel around the land of the long white cloud as a backpacker or budget traveler:

1) Campervans

Campervan in New Zealand — Creative Commons: darrenkw

New Zealand is a prime spot for backpackers who want to travel around the country in their own vehicle. There are many joys of traveling in your own campervan. You can determine your own schedule, stop when and where you want, and you’ll inevitably see more of both islands if you have your own transportation. While a van will cost you more than a car, you’ll save money on accommodation costs by either staying in campervan parks or freedom camping where it’s allowed. Does spending the night in your van listening to the sound of the surf sound appealing? If so, consider seeing New Zealand from behind the wheel of your campervan.

If you’ll be here for a month or more, consider buying your own campervan. Assuming your van doesn’t blow up (as mine did) this will potentially be a cheaper option than renting. Whether you rent or buy, beware that gas prices in New Zealand are quite expensive.

2) Bus Passes

There are a number of companies in New Zealand that run terrific, budget friendly services around the country. Seeing New Zealand by bus is a budget friendly option and still affords you plenty of flexibility. Intercity or Naked Bus both run frequent services between most towns and cities in New Zealand. As long as you’re willing to put up with longer bus rides, there aren’t many places that you can’t get to in New Zealand with one of these companies.

If you’re considering this option, don’t book your journeys individually. Instead, consider buying one of the backpacker passes each company sells. These will give you a certain number of journeys around New Zealand and will often include a ferry crossing from the North to South Island.

3) Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in New Zealand — Creative Commons: Bob Elderberry

Hitchhiking is a very realistic way to travel around New Zealand for the dedicated backpacker or budget traveler. I spent three months touring New Zealand in my campervan and saw very few hitchhikers. Not because they’re not here, rather because they get picked up so quickly. Clearly common sense should be utilized when hitchhiking – you’re better off as a pair, and solo travelers (especially women) may want to think twice before considering the option.

If you think it is right for you, it’s a cheap (free) way to get around the country. You’ll have to be flexible and willing to to wait when getting to out of the way places, yet you stand a chance of meeting friendly locals and fellow travelers. Here are some tips for hitchhiking around New Zealand:

Stand on the side of the road with traffic gong in the direction you want to go
Position yourself on the outskirts of town so the traffic that passes is definitely going the direction you want to go
Use more than a thumb – make a sign which says the town you’re hoping to get to
Make sure there is room for your potential ride to pull over allowing you to get in safely

4) Backpacker Buses

One popular way for backpackers to get across New Zealand is by a backpacker bus. This option allows you to hop on and hop off throughout New Zealand. You’ll be guaranteed flexibility, convenience, and have the added bonus of meeting other travelers. If this is your first major trip abroad, one benefit is your travel activities and accommodation can be booked for you – often with a significant discount. There are two major backpacker bus operators in New Zealand: Kiwi Experience and Stray.

Kiwi Experience has a younger demographic that’s most keen on partying their way around New Zealand; Stray has a much more diverse group of travellers and does a better job getting you, ‘off the beaten track.’

Through my Planit NZ Travel Guide, I can organize your New Zealand backpacker bus pass on your behalf – often doing a better deal than what you find advertised online. Contact me to find out more.

5) Train Travel

Train Travel New Zealand — Creative Commons: much ado about nothing

Traveling by train isn’t a common way to get around New Zealand. You can’t get to smaller, out of the way destinations. Yet considering the breathtaking scenery which New Zealand is known for, you can imagine there are a couple epic train journeys you might want to fit into your schedule while traveling here.

The Tranz Alpine journey takes you from the West Coast of the South Island in Greymouth to Christchurch over the rugged Southern Alps. It’s ranked as being one of the world’s greatest train journeys and is worth your time. Also, consider leaving Christchurch on the Tranz Coastal route which heads north along the Pacific Coast. You’ll pass beautiful Kaikoura where you can stop to go whale watching. The journey ends in the ferry town of Picton where you can head to the North Island.

New Zealand is a small country by all practical standards and is quite easy to get around. Consider all or some of the above options on your backpacking trip to New Zealand.

Have you been to New Zealand? How did you choose to travel around the country? Leave your comments below.

Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:

backpackingmatt June 22, 2010

7 Tips For Dealing With A Long Haul Flight

Travel Advice 38 Replies

Chances are, your Round the World trip will result in you taking off on a long haul flight to some far off destination. I prefer most methods of travel over airplane travel, but inevitably you’ll be forced to board a jet knowing very well you wont be going anyplace else for the next six, eight, or twelve hours. Even for those who don’t suffer from claustrophobia, the thought of being confined to an airplane for extended periods of time can be daunting.

And rightly so. Even for seasoned travelers, the thought of a long haul flight and the aftereffects of one (severe jet-lag) can be quite stressful. Yet these 7 tips for dealing with a long haul flight should allow you to have a much more comfortable experience – on the plane and off when you arrive at your destination.

1) Make Minimal Transfers On The Way

Believe it or not, much of the planning for your long haul flight starts before you even get on the plane. And this tip starts long before you head to the departures terminal. Your long haul flight will be significantly easier if you don’t transfer five times on the way. Get to your departure airport as quickly and directly as possible – and the same goes for the destination. This can be difficult as a budget traveler, as we’re always looking for the cheapest option. Consider your options though, and if you can, avoid those annoying two hour layovers.

2) Get Heaps of Exercise The Day Before You Fly

Make a point to get lots of exercise the day you fly out (or the night before if you’re flying early). The day I boarded my 13 hour flight from LAX to AKL, I went on a half day bike ride along the beach. The benefits of exercising the day you fly are twofold.

First, exercising releases chemicals in your brain that helps to reduce stress. For the same reason you might go for a jog after a long day at the office, you should go for a jog before your long haul flight. You’ll be much more relaxed and less stressed about the upcoming half-day spent in the air. Second, if you get a good exercise in, you’ll be much more likely to get tired as the day goes on. If your body is exhausted, you stand a better chance of a deep sleep and catching some Zs in that cramped airline seat.

3) Reserve a Window Seat In Advance

When booking your ticket online, try and reserve a window seat for the long portion of your journey. You’ll want to try and sleep, and nothing is worse than getting woke up by the man in the middle seat who suffers from a weak bladder. If you forget to do this online, talk to the ticketing agent at check-in and see if they can secure you a window seat.

4) Grab Empty Seats Before The Seatbelt Light Goes On

This one takes a bit of practice, skill, and determination. It’s an art you could say – one it pays to master. If you’ve traveled before, you know the situation. You’re snugly smushed against your neighbor in the two window seats, while the same situation is going on at the other window. Yet between you and your fellow cramped traveler are three vacant seats in the middle row. A sleeper’s paradise.

When do you decide to take them? Right before the seatbelt light goes on. Too soon? You risk taking a late arrivals seat. Too late? Someone else jumps in ahead of you and you spend the night with your newfound travel partner’s head on your shoulder.

5) Drink Lots Of Fluids

Spending hours confined to an airplane will result in you getting dehydrated. That airplane air is not only cold, it’s also extremely dry. The effects of dehydration are the last thing you want to deal with in addition to your jet-lag. So, drink heaps of fluids before you get on the plane and continue drinking as you fly. Most long-haul flight operators make a point of bringing water and juice around – yet bring a big bottle of water for yourself as well.

That complementary beer and wine will be hard to turn down, so limit it to a couple to take the edge off and help you sleep.

6) Avoid The Post-Flight Nap

Regardless of when you arrive at your destination, do everything you can to avoid taking that quick ‘one hour’ snooze. It won’t work. You’ll hit the pillow, crash into dream land, and chances are you’ll feel worse when you wake up. Power on through the day (by following the next tip) and go to bed at a normal hour. You’ll feel much better the next morning.

7) Get Lots of Sunlight and Fresh Air When You Arrive

Sunny Day — Creative Commons: tylerdurden

It won’t be easy to avoid that nap. Despite how excited you’ll be to have arrived in a new country, it will still be hard to stay away from a pillow after a long haul flight. Make it a point to stay active and explore your newfound city. This will result in you getting exercise, fresh air, and the sun’s Vitamin D. This will help keep you alert and allow you to make it to bedtime.

While these seven tips should help you deal with a long haul flight, you’ll inevitably feel a bit off when you arrive to your destination. That’s okay. Deal with it – be kind of tired, slightly delirious, and somewhat nauseous. Enjoy it for being a part of traveling and get excited to be someplace new.

What do you think? There are certainly more tips to dealing with a long haul flight – please leave yours in the comments section below.

backpackingmatt June 13, 2010

Running of the Sheep in New Zealand

New Zealand, Travel Photos 17 Replies

Just as much of New Zealand is overrun with tourists, much of New Zealand is overrun with sheep. Take for example, the King Country south of Auckland. It’s a rural heartland that raises All Blacks, sheep, and is much greener than my rural home of Iowa. A visit to New Zealand’s King Country on the North Island deserves more than the required stop in Waitomo to view the underground caves. In fact, if you’re there in early April, skip the Waitomo Caves and instead head to the small farming town of Te Kuiti.

New Zealand claims to be famous for many things and while some of these are worthwhile claims to fame (World’s Best Sauvignon Blancs – Marlborough), some of these aren’t (Home of the World’s Biggest Carrot – Ohakune). Te Kuiti is another small New Zealand town that greets you on arrival with a billboard claiming its spot in the world. Te Kuiti is,

The Sheep Shearing Capital of the World

And rightly so.

I was lucky enough to be passing through Te Kuiti in early April. Late March or Early April is when Te Kuiti holds the Great New Zealand Muster. An end of summer festival that features two must see events:

A Sheep Shearing Competition and the Running of the Sheep

After months of driving around New Zealand, I have become quite accustomed to seeing the forty-odd million sheep that inhabit New Zealand’s countryside. They’re cute wooly beasts that sometimes quite literally stretch as far as the eye can see. The typical New Zealand postcard features a car stopped on a highway while sheep cross the road and says, “New Zealand Traffic Jam.”

It’s a relatively common sight on New Zealand’s roads. As is seeing the old farmer driving along the road on a four-wheeler with two dogs on the back and a stray sheep under one arm. In one way or another, sheep are all over New Zealand: in its fields, on its dinner menus, flavors in its bags of crisps, and they keep you warm in your slippers, boots, or jackets.

So while sheep are everywhere in New Zealand, until April, I had never really stopped to consider how they’re sheared. And let me tell you – it’s a sight to see.

Sheep shearing is a sport in New Zealand. A sport with a regulating committee, detailed rules, and regular competitions. One of these competitions was going on in Te Kuiti during the Great New Zealand Muster and paying the $15 entry fee might have been the best $15 I’ve spent in New Zealand. The men and women in this competition were shearing full sized ewes in under a minute – one right after the other. Sheep shearing looked to be a physically demanding sport that takes skill, serious strength, and endurance.

The competitors would pull one sheep after the other out of a pen, flip it up and around, while taking long clean swipes with what appeared to be an oversized, electric beard trimmer. While the poor wee suckers looked shocked as they were flipped, turned, and twisted around, they were treated quite well. Any flesh wounds resulted in a penalty for the sheerer. And it was hot in Te Kuiti, so I trust a shorn sheep was more comfortable than an un-shorn sheep.

The day finished out with an event that would arguably put the yearly festival in Pamplona to shame. Forget the running of the bulls, Te Kuiti has the Running of the Sheep.

The main street in Te Kuiti was blocked off to prepare for the running of over 2,000 sheep. I wrongly expected the sheep to come rushing down the deserted street. As soon as one daring sheep would start running down the road, it would get spooked, turn around, and all 1,999 others would do the same. After ten minutes of coaxing from dogs, men, and horses, the whole flock finally made their way to the end of town – leaving plenty of sheep poop in their wake.

Finding Te Kuiti and the Great New Zealand Muster was definitely not in my travel plans, yet it is one of those events you mistakenly stumble on to and love. I often find the best destinations you find in travel aren’t places you read about in a book, but rather places you find by random chance. This was one of them. Check it out if you can. It’s a great day out for a budget traveler and an iconic New Zealand experience.

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New Zealand’s Top 5 Backpacking Destinations

And for well deserved reasons.

1) Bay of Islands (North Island)

2) Coromandel Peninsula (North Island

3) Lake Taupo (North Island)

4) Kaikoura (South Island)

5) Queenstown (South Island)

Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:

A Budget Option in Queenstown – Hiking to Queenstown Hill (Photo Essay)

Queenstown Hill Hike (Photo Essay)

5 Ways to Travel Around New Zealand

1) Campervans

2) Bus Passes

3) Hitchhiking

4) Backpacker Buses

5) Train Travel

Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:

7 Tips For Dealing With A Long Haul Flight

1) Make Minimal Transfers On The Way

2) Get Heaps of Exercise The Day Before You Fly

3) Reserve a Window Seat In Advance

4) Grab Empty Seats Before The Seatbelt Light Goes On

5) Drink Lots Of Fluids

6) Avoid The Post-Flight Nap

7) Get Lots of Sunlight and Fresh Air When You Arrive

Running of the Sheep in New Zealand

The Sheep Shearing Capital of the World

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Hello! I’m Matt. Thanks for checking out my blog. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for loads more New Zealand travel inspiration. Comment on one of my photos so I know you came from here!

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Tag Archives:Budget Travel

And for well deserved reasons.

1) Bay of Islands (North Island)

2) Coromandel Peninsula (North Island

3) Lake Taupo (North Island)

4) Kaikoura (South Island)

5) Queenstown (South Island)

Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:

Queenstown Hill Hike (Photo Essay)

1) Campervans

2) Bus Passes

3) Hitchhiking

4) Backpacker Buses

5) Train Travel

Found this post useful? Awesome! Don’t leave, check out the posts below:

1) Make Minimal Transfers On The Way

2) Get Heaps of Exercise The Day Before You Fly

3) Reserve a Window Seat In Advance

4) Grab Empty Seats Before The Seatbelt Light Goes On

5) Drink Lots Of Fluids

6) Avoid The Post-Flight Nap

7) Get Lots of Sunlight and Fresh Air When You Arrive

The Sheep Shearing Capital of the World

My Instagram

Recent Posts

As Seen On

Free Air BNB Travel Credit

Tag Archives:
Budget Travel