As a backpacker in New Zealand your experiences will be diverse, mixing nature and the outdoors with a splash of adventure, in a rich and pure environment.
When you’re young (or young at heart) there’s no better way to travel than with a pack on your back and a country at your feet. And if you’re looking for a place to start, there’s none better than New Zealand.
Backpack around new Zealand and your experiences will be richer, purer and more authentic than anywhere else – there’s a reason New Zealand is often labelled heaven on earth.
It’s a place where the outdoors is celebrated; where you can take a tour or head off on your own, hiking and camping along an amazing number of tracks and trails. It’s the place of the working holiday, a bit of time here, a bit of time there, catching the locals and catching the scenery.
It’s a place of the must do’s and the gotta do’s, with adventure activities abound. But it’s also the place for quietness and contemplation, meeting people, finding friends and, the big secret of New Zealand, finding yourself.
Don't know where to start? Check out The Great Backpacking Adventure Handbook (pdf), and Backpacking New Zealand Map (pdf) for all the information you need.
Backpacking New Zealand is a breeze...
Being so compact it’s easy to get around and you'll find that you will meet people from every nationality of the world as everyone tends to meet up in the same towns and cities as they travel the country.
Getting Around
Transport is as flexible as you like. Roads in New Zealand are well maintained; it's hard to get lost, traffic is minimal and you can stop pretty much anywhere you like along the way. So travelling by campervan or rental car is a great option.
Campervans are a cost-effective option for groups of people travelling together. So many people want to pick up a hire vehicle in the North Island and drop it off in the South Island, or vice versa, that rental companies offer excellent ‘relocation rates,’ generally from south to north.
If you want to hop on a plane, New Zealand has a comprehensive domestic flight service. Domestic air travel is affordable and booking online makes it even cheaper, and simpler too. A great website for getting the cheapest deals of the day from all airlines is Seeya.
But don't forget the traditional backpacker bus. A number of companies offer hop on and hop off options as well as more structured passes.
Accommodation
With affordability top of mind, hostels are often the first choice for backpackers and staying in hostels is a great way to make new friends and get the ‘inside-info’ on backpacking New Zealand.
Activities
The options are endless! New Zealand is known for extreme adventure and you won't be disappointed. But there is so much more on offer. From guided tours, boat cruises, bungy, caving, cultural attractions and a whole lot more, there are things to do for everyone. The question is, where do you start?
