#immigration nz queenstown

[tominrm]

March 27, 2024

After one calendar day of travel from Queenstown NZ to Da Nang with stop overs in Sydney, Australia, and Hochimin City, Vietnam I made it to Da Nang in one piece. No travel is drama free, and this is no exception. I filled out eVisa (cheapest option - only $35) online and did not enter my middle name because the form has so many questions and I did not enter because it was not asked. They reviewed a rejected my application because the name on the passport that includes middle name doesn’t match my eVisa application. So I made a modification and resubmitted. Obviously in the process my gender changed from male to female and that’s what my eVisa says. It was noticed by an airline employee in Queenstown but after consulting with her boss let me board. When I arrived in Hochimin City, the immigration examiner noticed and send me to area for people entering without prior visa. First, a young woman approached me and said “you need an Emergency Visa.”

I said, “what is it and how much is it?”

She said, “I don’t know, maybe a thousand USD, maybe a little less.”

I said, go and find out. I think I will just get out of Vietnam and go to my next destination, Cambodia. Then she disappeared and didn’t return. She was at bat for immigration officers because she speaks some English. She didn’t wear official uniform. A few minutes later a young man without uniform (same reason - he speaks English) approached me and said I can re-apply visa there for $100 USD, discounted from normal $125. I told him I had a visa but there was an honest mistake. All you have to do is go into computer to change it. I will not pay and I will get out here by the next plane to Cambodia. This man left. A few minutes later a supervisor looking man in uniform came to me and handed me my passport and led me to the front of waiting line to process.

I took a Grab (like Uber in this region) to hotel in the downtown area. It is a decent hotel but very reasonable.

Went out to have a lunch for $4.5 at a local food court.

The hotel has free breakfast and afternoon tea.

after three nights I will move to Hoi An, my destination in Vietnam..

[shahronak47]

Trip to New Zealand - South Island.

After some (?) complications we finally were excited to travel to New Zealand. Our flight was one-stop flight, so we went from KL to Sydney and then from  Sydney to Queenstown. Enjoyed interacting with Sydney immigration officer, loved their accent. Surprisingly, no-one asked for transit visa in AUS nor even NZ visa when entering their country. Maybe they already have it in their record against our passport details. The view in Sydney to Queenstown flight was amazing. The sight of Remarkables mountain is breath taking.

It was summer in NZ and the first day sun set around 9.30 pm. It was very bright till that time. We had already booked car from Yes rentals.  They came for pickup at the airport and take us to their showroom. Completed formalities and drove away the car. After reaching to our destination, we unloaded our luggage and went for some Grocery shopping. The place where we were staying was a secluded area but at the same time the view from the top was awesome. Once it went dark it was very cold at night. First day driving in NZ was challenging. Still trying to understand the roads signs and rules.

DAY 1

We woke up a bit late and mostly relaxed in the first half of the day. It was raining when we woke up and the rain continued till around 2 pm. We left the home when it was raining and roamed around in Queenstown street. It has good restaurants and places to eat. St. Omer Park was next to it. The park has nice view of Lake Wakatipu has a long trail for a walk. Ate an ice cream at Patagonia, it was very different and tasty.

Brought some groceries from an Indian grocery shop and back to home.

Day 2

This was a very pleasant morning as the sun was out since morning.

Today we had to reach Te Anau which was 170 km from Queenstown. The best thing with NZ is there are lot of spots on the way where you can stop and enjoy the nature. In fact, there are road signs indicating that such stops are coming up in 2 kms etc. In the morning we went to Queenstown garden,  had coffee and breakfast there and continued our journey to Te Anau. Queenstown garden is very big and we also saw rose garden. Thanks to awesome climate we could enjoy the stunning views that NZ had to offer today. Turns out Queenstown garden is at the same place where we were yesterday but it was just another end of St . Omer park. Everyone was sunbathing in the garden. Next we went to Kingston lake park which was a refresh stop and lot of caravans were parked here. Some of them from overnight stay. It had lake as well and this time we dared and stepped in the lake. The water was freezing cold. The sun was out since morning and it was around 3 pm now but the water was dangerously cold. Couldn't be in the water for more than 5 seconds. We had our lunch here under the shade of tree and took rest.  I also read couple of chapters of the book I was reading.

Finally, we left for Te Anau at 4 pm and drove for an hour and half to reach here. The place that we were staying in Te anau was a quite neighborhood but it was so beautiful. As soon as we reached our stay we took a cup of coffee and straight went out for a walk to explore the neighborhood. Everyone had their own simple home with garden of its own and it was very beautiful. I mean in our 30-40 mins of strolling outside we only saw one old lady who had came out for walk. Didn't saw any other human on the road there. It was very empty but we loved it.

Day 3

Milford sound is 120 kms from Te Anau. Lot of people drive directly from Queenstown to Milford sound and back on the same day. However, we didn't want to over exert ourselves so we took a stop at Te Anau. Te Anau is also last town before Milford Sound. We left at 10 am for Milford sound and on the way there are many photo stops and beautiful places. It was very difficult to resist and not stop for them. For many stops we said that we will wait here while coming back but few of them were too beautiful to resist. After couple of stops we did realize that we were getting late so decided to wait for them while coming back. The good thing about visiting NZ in summer is that there is visible sunlight till 9-9.30 pm so we do get good amount of time to be outside. Milford sound was a cruise ride to different waterfalls and mountain views.

It was very windy and the temperatures was very low. We went to the uppermost deck however, after 30 mins or so it became unbearably cold so we went down in the closed area of the ship. They serve coffee and some snacks on board which is paid of course. The tour lasts for 2 hours however, I was not too impressed by it. It costs us 145 NZD per person which also seemed super expensive. The only good part about going to Milford is as I mentioned all the scenic spots on the way where you can stop for toilet, relaxation and some photos.

Day 4

We left from Te anau and our next destination for night was Fairlie which was around 500km. This was going to be longest drive of our trip. As Queenstown was on the way we decided to have lunch there as we were aware about the restaurants there from day 1. Parking however can be a problem near Queenstown street. We took multiple breaks on the way. We had a booking at Tekapo springs near lake Tekapo. It had stargazing and hot pools experience combined. However, our booking was at 11.30pm.  Since in summer the sun sets late, only available slot were 10.30 and 11.30 pm. 10.30 pm was fully booked so we had to take 11.30pm slot even when we did the booking in advance. Star gazing was okayish , you could see lot of stars with naked eye itself. After the sun set, there were so many stars visible in the sky. Haven't seen sky so full of stars in a very long time. We expected a detailed view of some of stars through telescope in star gazing experience however, we were disappointed as the view was not as our expectation. The host was not very engaging as well as she only spoke about the things that she had memorized. Space is such an interesting topic , I tried to ask her one question but she did not answer it so I stopped those questions. We skipped hot springs as we were super tired by the drive and it was already 12.30 am. We were not willing to wait another hour and then drive back home at 1.30 am. Fairlie was around 50 km from lake Tekapo and it had become super chilly and windy at night when we were leaving. It was impossible to be outside. The drive was scary as well because it was pitch black and there were hardly any cars in the road at 1 o'clock. The only light that we could see was of our headlight. No lights in the front or back.

Day 5

It was super relaxed as we had came late at night from lake tekapo. We left home after lunch at 2 pm. Went to Good shepherd church as it is one of the places to visit when nearby.

Later, we went down straight to lake Tekapo to sit at the shore. Yesterday, although we were at the same place but couldn't spend time near the lake. A warning was issued that it is going to be windy today and so it was super windy wherever we went. We just had a nice cup of coffee there.

For later part of the evening we rested mostly. Watched a movie on Netflix while preparing dinner and eating it.

Day 6

Drove from Fairlie to Christchurch. Surprisingly, there was nothing much to do on the way unlike what we had experienced till now. The route not scenic as well. I think we are already spoiled by NZ in the first week itself expecting everything to be scenic all the time :P. After reaching Christchurch, we went to Hagley North park,  had lunch there on park bench. Checked in to our home,  had some rest and went for grocery shopping. We mostly prepared and ate our food at home itself, so grocery shopping was a big task wherever we went. First impression of Christchurch not too great. Too many traffic signals on the road, reminded me of Singapore where it was the same. Maybe it was because this was a big city. Saw some indiscipline on road for the first time in NZ from the locals. Otherwise till now, be it driving or pedestrians on the road everyone followed traffic rules. No place to park in the city. We went to new Regent Street where we had high expectations but it wasn't lively. Maybe we went at the wrong time of the day.

Day 7

When researching about things to do in Christchurch everyone suggested Tram and Punting on the Avon River. Both of the things we were not interested in. It didn't leave us with much options and we had 3 days here. Went to Quake city which is a museum about history of earthquakes in Christchurch. Christchurch is high earthquake prone zone and gets a lot of earthquakes. The one on 22 Feb 2011 was a major one where 175 people lost their lives. This museum shares the stories of the people , the people who experienced it first hand. It shares the science behind earthquakes and has some fun experiments related to it. Ticket was 20$ per person. After that, we visited Botanical garden and saw some wonderful flowers there.

Finally, at the end we went out to nearby beach. It was 15 kms from city center so close to Christchurch and there was literally no one on the beach. It was completely empty.  It was windy and we were surprised to know that no one was at this beautiful beach so close to the city. Anyway, that worked out good for us.

Day 8

We were going to spend one more day in Christchurch. First, we went for shopping in Central city area. Had food in Riverside Market. Then we spent some time playing with the birds in the Avon river and then went to 2$ thrift shop where there were things (mostly clothes ) starting from 2$. I bought myself couple of novels to read for 2$ each.

Day 9

Finally, left from Christchurch,  visited Racaia George. The water was beautiful and blue.

We loved our time there. This was one of the most recommended place but still it wasn't over crowded. I think there were around 20-25 people when we were there.

We spent rest of the evening at Fables which was a lovely place.

For the entire trip we had booked AirBnB's but this was only an exception. It was a lovely hotel with a very big landscape. It was very huge and view from the room was very beautiful.

After dinner we sat outside drinking coffee at the sunset and playing nice romantic music in the background.

Day 10

We did breakfast at the hotel and left for Hoktika. It was very windy today since morning. Hoktika was 250 kms from the hotel and the road was challenging. Steep ghats and turns along with wind and rain made the journey even more challenging. It rained the whole day without a break. Apparently,  it was a wet day is what our host said after reaching their place.

Day 11

We didn't do much yesterday after reaching hoktika since it was raining the entire evening. In the morning we checked out and went to nearby Grocery store to buy some essentials. After that we went to Hoktika beach where the waves were very strong. Maybe it was because of the wind or geography of Hokitika.

After strolling there for a bit we went to nearby cafe which was surprisingly very full. Had some sandwiches and coffee there. Roamed around the street, visited few shops and bought some clothes as they were on discount. In the afternoon we left for Fox Glacier and did wait for couple of stops on the way.

Day 12

Our main activity for the day in Fox Glacier got postponed. We had booked snow landing in glacier with helicopter ride. However, there was a very high cloud cover today affecting the visibility so it was not possible to do this today. We had one more day in Fox glacier so we were going to try again tomorrow. Later we went to lake Matheson which had a beautiful reflection point.

It was an easy walk and had different points to visit. Later on, we strolled near the town Centre.

Day 13

The day started with another bad news that the weather is not clear today as well and there are lot of cloud cover near the landing area. This was strange since it was sunny today and the climate was much better than yesterday. The good thing about this glacier landing we were going to get refund if the flight was cancelled. We saw few other companies still taking people on rides, it was only our operator who said that it was cancelled. We enquired at them and they had one flight available. It was expensive 330$ per person. The one that we had booked was for 250$ doing the same thing. After thinking for a while we decided to book it. They took us to a helipad nearby which was a 5 mins drive and then the helicopter flight was around 10 mins. The glacier was a very close spot. They land on the glacier and we spend around 10 mins there for photos. As it was sunny today, the snow was reflecting very brightly.

The pilot mentioned that it is 14km glacier which is present all the year around. Lucky for us we were also sitting in the front along with the pilot. In one helicopter ride there are 6 people, 2 in the front and 4 at the back. 330 seems expensive for the short 30 mins flight but it is the tourist season now, so no regrets. After that we were driving to Wanaka today. It was 280 kms drive and we had nice stops this time on the way. We reached Wanaka at around 5.30 pm after taking 4-5 stops.

Went out for lunner (lunch/dinner) and came back to home. We were very tired from the ride and slept very early today.

Day 14

Left home after breakfast and went to lavender farm. Beautiful flowers and landscape. However,  entry there is not free. It costs 15$ per person. Spent the afternoon there, clicked some nice pictures , came home and did lunch.

Went out for some shopping in town centre and visited wanaka lake which is in town center as well. Roamed around the shops there. Had dinner at a nice restaurant and came back to home.

Day 15.

Today we had to drive from Wanaka to Queenstown. After checkout we want to #thatWanakaTree and had nice breakfast at Dougbin bakery before leaving for Queenstown.

It was a nice 70 kms drive which we completed in little more than hour. This was the last place of our stay. My wife was not feeling well so we mostly stayed in the apartment for today.

Day 16

Today the only thing to do in our agenda was shopping. We had to buy Souvenir for friends and family back home.

Day 17

After checkout out had some time so went out to have ice cream at patagonia and gave back the car at Yes rentals and they dropped us to the airport. However, it did not end there :(

Looking back at the entire here are some reflection points.

Things we did well -

1. Self managed everything. I was a bit skeptical about this but it was the best decision. We could tailor made itinerary for us. We had enquired with some tour organizers however, we decided to do it on our own. Yes, it was not 100% successful but still the houses we stayed in, routes we followed were specially made for us keeping our likes and dislikes in mind by us. 2. Self drive. Before coming to NZ, I must have drove car for around 200 kms, my lifetime total. Whereas in NZ, I drove for 2300 kms here but the kind of flexibility it provided was amazing. Couldn't imagine doing this via tour or a dedicated driver as well. Btw, having a dedicated driver is twice as expensive. 3. Travelling in February instead of August. Previously, we were planning to travel to NZ in August for my wife's birthday. However, it is winter during that time and things are unreliable. Roads are closed due to snow, weather changes frequently. You need to check the road condition before leaving for every trip. Additionally, the days are shorter where sun sets much earlier.

Things we'll do differently next time -

1. Reduce duration of trip. There were days when we were bored and didn't have much to do. NZ is very expensive as well, so everyday you stay adds an additional expense to your pocket. 2. Include insect repellent. It is nice to visit in summer in nature but while being in nature also brings lots of insects that bite. It would be much better if you have an insect repellent with you. 3. Don't include overnight activities especially when we have full day travel. The stargazing experience in lake tekapo taught us that.

Few things that are special to NZ - 1. Except within the city in Christchurch and some parts of Queenstown everything in NZ is a single lane road. More than 90% of road that we drove on was single lane. 2. NZ is home to all modes of transportation. Hiking,  walking,  cycling,  biking, car driving,  RV's and campervans. 3. Very common to see people jog at any time of the day. 7 am, 2 pm, 12 pm. Seen people jogging/running at any time. 4. Made in NZ products mostly throughout the country. Be it shampoo, detergent, ketchup, spices most of the ones that we picked up from grocery was made in NZ. 5. Abundant parking wherever we went. Abundant seating places. There was never an issue for them. I think less population in NZ makes it possible to do it. 6. 10 am check out everywhere in NZ. 10 am seems too early but I guess this is the standard they have. Although, check-out is early but check in is still at normal time i.e 2pm or 3pm. 7. Viewpoints at every highway. I have mentioned this multiple times but if you are travelling from point A to point B, there are going to be multiple stops on the way for you to appreciate the beauty of NZ. 8. Every town/village has town center which is a central place where you can find everything.

I hope you enjoyed this trip to NZ with us. Here are some final few photos from NZ.

[zealandimmigration1]

Apply For New Zealand Tourist Visa To Witness The Beauty

Are you dreaming of exploring the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich culture of New Zealand? A New Zealand Tourist Visa is your key to unlocking a world of adventure and unforgettable experiences. Zealand Immigration offers the best New Zealand Immigration Services.

In this blog, we will walk you through the must-visited places of New Zealand if you are coming here or applying for a New Zealand Residence Visa. Let's start our trip together:

Auckland: Auckland, is the heart of New Zealand. It is a bustling, multicultural metropolis with a lot to serve tourists. It is a fantasy place to begin your journey to New Zealand as it has a breathtaking landscape, world-class museums, and restaurants.

Queenstown: Queenstown is a well-liked relaxing and enjoying spot and is well-known for its adventurous pursuits including bungee jumping, white-water rafting, and skydiving. Also, as per its name, it is encircled by mountains and lakes and is a great place to unwind and take in the beauty.

Lake Tekapo: The South Island of New Zealand's Lake Tekapo, a glacial lake, what other we can say the beauty of a glacier justifies everything itself. You will be amazed by its stunning stargazing and crystal-clear waters.

Wellington: Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is an appealing town with a relaxed vibe. There are plenty of things to see and do in Wellington, including visiting the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, taking a ferry to Somes Island, or hiking up Mount Victoria.

The list does not end here. But these are some places that should be on your bucket list if you are traveling to NZ.

But remember first it’s mandatory to apply for New Zealand Visitor Visa before living these moments in real.

If need any assistance we, the top New Zealand Immigration Consultants are here a call away from your to reach. Ring us now.

[aptcitizenship]

New Zealand residence through the active investor plus visa

New Zealand is consistently ranked as one of the best countries globally for quality of life, prosperity, freedom, governance and natural beauty. Known for its stunning landscapes from majestic fjords to pristine beaches, New Zealand offers unparalleled natural wonders. Vibrant cities like Auckland and Queenstown also contribute to its high livability scores.

It has a stable political climate, robust economy, and excellent healthcare and education systems. The friendly, welcoming locals represent the nation's open and inclusive culture. With its many advantages, it's no wonder New Zealand has become a top destination for investment migration and economic residency programs.

Active investor plus visa

Introduced in September 2022, the Active Investor Plus visa requires an investment of NZ$5-15 million over 4 years into diverse assets like NZ businesses, managed funds, equities, and philanthropic endeavours. The visa offers extensive benefits: - Indefinite residence for you, your spouse/partner, and dependent children - Work and study rights in New Zealand - Pathway to citizenship after 5 years - No tax on foreign income, inheritance, gifts, or wealth

Key requirements to qualify

To qualify for the visa, main applicants must: - Invest the minimum NZ$5 million across approved assets - Demonstrate business experience and acumen - Prove good health and character - Show commitment to living in NZ long-term - Dependent family members must also meet English language and residence requirements.

Applying for the visa

The application process includes: - Submitting forms, fees, and documents - Undergoing health/character checks - Waiting 8-9 months for processing - Meeting ongoing investment commitments Immigration advisors can provide guidance on preparing a strong application.

Benefits of gaining residence

As an NZ resident, you can: - Live, work and study anywhere in the country - Access healthcare and education - Own certain residential property - Travel freely to/from NZ - Sponsor parents for residence You'll need to meet minimum presence and tax residency obligations.

Pathway to citizenship

Those holding New Zealand permanent residency typically need to live in the country for 5 years before qualifying to apply for citizenship. There are fast track options which can reduce the residency requirement to 3 years for those who establish a business or invest substantially in the country. Gaining New Zealand citizenship provides benefits like access to a New Zealand passport allowing visa-free travel, voting rights, and the ability to stand for public office. The citizenship ceremony is a meaningful milestone. With its investor-friendly policies, transparent application process, and many lifestyle advantages, New Zealand offers an appealing choice for investment migration and residency by investment. The innovative Investor Plus visa provides investors the opportunity to actively participate in New Zealand’s economic growth story while also gaining residency rights in this thriving Pacific nation. Read the full article

[nzimmigration20]

Finding the Best Immigration Advisor in Queenstown

With a team of knowledgeable Immigration Advisers in Queenstown, NZ Immigration Advisers claim to be your destination. Reach the help desk immediately for assistance! https://nzimmigration.info/queenstown/

[nzimmigration]

[countrygrlswrld]

New Zealand: Then and Now

“Only the mountains know where they have come from and where they are going and what will happen when we are gone.” —Brian Turner, “Listening to the Mountain” (1985) as seen at the Sir Edmund Hilary Mountaineering Museum

The electric blue waters are still electric blue. The peaks still tower above. The rolling green hills still conjure images of hobbits and orcs, but a lot has changed in New Zealand since Spanky and I first visited a decade ago on our inaugural trip around the world and then again just five years ago when we spent two months of the South Island alone. We returned this time for six weeks on the South and were both comforted by the sameness and shocked by some of the major changes over the years.

So, what’s changed?

Bigger vans, less freedom camping

Ten years ago you’d be hard pressed to find anything other than one of those rapey-looking Wicked campervans (made rapey-er still by sayings such as “Let’s take off our pants and cuddle”). Now, the van rentals are taller, longer, have a more sterile, hospital appearance and usually come with a Mercedes-Benz logo on the front. The hippie backpackers are still around, but as is the case in so many places in the world, the gap seems to be widening—and the travel climate is a perfect metaphor. You’ve got the rich, gray-haired travelers with their $10,000-per-month Maui and Britz vans juxtaposed by the dirt poor, 20-something Euro backpackers who bought some shitty, no-name van for $3,000 and will sell it back after their visa runs out in a year for $2,000. They’re the ones dropping trou in the parking lot to change out of the harem pants they’ve been wearing for the past 17 days; you know ‘em when you smell ‘em, I mean, see ‘em. The in-betweeners like Spank and I are becoming a rare breed, though mid-range Jucy vans like the one we rented for $2,500 for six weeks are pretty common (renting one also comes with the very serious duty of waving happily and flashing your lights every time you pass another bright green and purple van on the road #jucytribeforlife). Still, there aren’t a whole lot of 30-somethings out on the road, which is exactly why we excitedly accepted the offer of Jaeger shots from a pack of four American guys in Queenstown—uh, only someone who hit their drinking prime in the early 2000s orders Jaeger shots; it’s basically a telltale sign of someone well on his or her way toward a midlife crisis. That and getting way too amped when 50 Cents “In Da Club” comes on at the pub.

Aside from the upgrade in van sizes, New Zealand has cracked down a bit on freedom camping. We went back to some of our old off-the-road parking spots and they now have “No overnight camping” signs in where we once set up our picnic table and chairs. It’s sad, but I understand that they don’t want tourist dumps all over the place. I don’t blame them one bit, especially considering most tourists are from the city and don’t know how to properly dispose of their dumps. I mean, hello, have you ever been to San Francisco? If not, this is your courtesy warning: Watch your step; that wasn’t Fluffy.

Better beer

No, we didn’t just drink Jaeger shots and Sauvignon Blanc on this NZ trip. We also dabbled in hops, and what we found were IPAs and APAs and, heaven forbid, Sour Gose! That’s right, New Zealand has arrived on the beer scene. Just five years ago you were lucky to find anything other than a pilsner or lager—think Bud and Coors. Not only are their beers more varied now, but they’ve got the whole locale down. In Wanaka we stumbled on the brewery Rhyme & Reason bumping 90s gangsta rap and sandwiched next to a CrossFit gym in the industrial part of town. Wait, are we in America??

More rich people—more people, in general

With the campervan shift comes a shift in the demographic. Not only are there more travelers, but there are just more people in New Zealand than when Spank and I first visited a decade ago. It’s one of those heartbreaking realities when your special little spot is discovered by the masses. Thanks a lot Frodo. I blame you and your hairy, hobbit feet. You just had to go tramping all over Aeotera pretending it was Middle Earth and showing everyone how raw and unique it was. “Frodo!” (*In the voice of Jerry Seinfeld cursing his nemesis Newman.)

There aren’t just more people; there are more people with coin to throw down. They put a Louis Vuitton on the Queenstown waterfront overlooking Lake Wakatipu for sobbing out loud. Bleh. And, the housing market has followed suit. There are new houses and condos being built by the Chinese tourist busloads, which is to say there are a lot and they just keep coming. And, we heard a Kiwi throw out a figure like “the average Kiwi makes $40,000 and the average house is $1 million.” There went our dreams of buying a house in New Zealand—it’s as bad, or worse, than the California housing market right now. Plus, the Kiwis apparently passed legislation to keep us outsiders from buying property. Again, I can’ blame them. They are struggling dearly to keep their Kiwiness in tact, and having one hell of a time doing it.

It’s lost a little luster

All this to say that New Zealand will always have a special place in our hearts, but it has lost a little of its luster. It probably didn’t help that we hiked in the Himalayas and Chile’s Torres del Paine then drove the Canadian Rockies to Alaska and back two years ago; those sights didn’t totally trump the natural gems of NZ, but they did give it a good run for its money.

One more thing: There are still sandflies...and I still hate them.

Still, a lot has remained the same...

Natural beauty and Kiwis ideas of conservation

People love to idealize Kiwi concepts of conservation without really understanding them. Sure, they want to preserve their native species, but the ones that aren’t native? You dead. I mean, they mow down red deer, tahr, opossum and stoat with extreme prejudice. Good for them. Kiwis realize which critters were here and which ones were brought over later on, and they don’t try to protect the ones they knowingly brought over. They could care less about those, really. Plus, they aren’t too proud to say, “Yeah, we screwed up when we were trying to play God.” Americans, however, tend to want to protect everything—native or non-native. In every hut along the Routeburn Track we heard about the nuisance of the stoat and the traps set out for them. The hut wardens were unapologetic about snapping their little stoat necks to save the precious native birds; I admired their transparency and lack of political correctness.

Kiwis also treat timber as a renewable resource, a crop that is cut down and replanted. Drive around and you’ll see neatly lined rows of Douglas Fir all the same height ready for harvest one day. It’s like one giant tree farm. Again, we want to save, save, save to the point that a fire comes along and happily gobbles up the whole lot that has not been thinned or taken care of, and boom, it’s gone just like that, but that’s another soap box for another time. Don’t worry, I won’t even touch immigration or gun control with a 10-foot pole right now.

Of course, what I love the most about New Zealand is the natural beauty, and though the throngs of people ruin that for me a bit, you can still escape and get off the beaten path and away from the masses. It’s all about choosing places that aren’t listed on every tourist site (i.e. the Hooker Valley Track at Mt. Cook that was just overrun with people) and choosing longer hikes (the longer the hike the fewer people up for the challenge, which means more high-altitude sights all to yourself!)

Incredible amount of access to the outdoors

Despite the restrictions on some freedom camping, there is still so much access to the outdoors. You can’t throw a stone and not hit one of those little yellow and green Department of Conservation signs. You see them wherever you go, and they signify a track or conservation camping area but most of them mark out tracks aka hiking trails. New Zealand just recently opened a nearly 2,000-mile thru-hiking trail from the North to the South Island on top of the huge amount of trails they already have. They continue to add new Great Walks, all of which have fantastic hut systems for overnighting backpackers. In total, New Zealand has nearly 1,000 huts so people can explore and enjoy the outdoors.

Kindness of Kiwis

I hope they never lose this, but as countries “progress” toward consumerism and what ultimately just feels like the almighty goal of Americanness and thus sameness, people seem to care less for each other and more about getting ahead. I still didn’t feel that overwhelmingly in New Zealand, but it’s a slow fade. It sneaks in. Plus, we spent next to no time in the larger cities, where I tend to feel that fade the most. All in all, we still sense that Kiwi hospitality. Backpackers still hitchhike without fear of being abducted or mugged and they still open their homes to perfect strangers, as we experienced with the gracious Kiwi couple from Nelson that we met at the Hokitika Wild Food Fetival amongst another group of friendly Kiwis. Even in Queenstown, where there are very few born-and-raised Kiwis, we met a group of timber guys (i.e. loggers) from NZ and hit it off right away. Before even speaking they were buying us a favorite spirit and cozying up next to the fire with us for a chat about politics, which went rather well, considering we shared many of the same views. I just hope these Kiwis can withstand the change of time and not end up on the endangered list like their national bird.

[bestmigrationservices]

Plunge in migration deepens New Zealand labor shortage, chokes businesses

Plunge in migration deepens New Zealand labor shortage, chokes businesses - Best Migration Services

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand pub owner Chris Dickson worries his staff is overworked. He expected employment visas for two new overseas workers to be approved weeks ago, but the paperwork was delayed with no clear reason given.

He may be left with no choice but to close down for a day, so the chefs and bartenders at his Smiths Craft Beer House in the South Island tourist hotspot of Queenstown, can get some rest. “We are struggling to find people,” Dickson said. “It’s an epidemic.” A plunge in net immigration is intensifying New Zealand’s labor shortage and hurting the economy to the point that the country’s central bank singled out the issue when it cut interest rates for the first time since 2016 this month. Some businesses complain work visas are taking longer and are harder to get than previously since the election of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the young leader who has been cast as something of a liberal antithesis to U.S. President Donald Trump. Ardern came to power in 2017 promising measures predicted to reduce migration by tens of thousands a year and restrict foreign homebuyers. An overheating housing market and strained infrastructure had left many New Zealanders feeling resentful despite stellar economic growth rates. Unemployment is at decade lows, though at 4.2% it is not unusually low by global standards. Economists say demand for foreign labor is specific to sectors where New Zealanders don’t want the jobs - such as agriculture and hospitality - or lack certain expertise, such as construction. Those three sectors, unfortunately, are what the nation of 5 million relies on for much of its growth. “Migration has been an extremely dominant feature of our economic cycle and we do think it’s easing and that is contributing to the slower growth profile,” said ANZ Senior Economist Miles Workman. The central bank this month forecasted annual net immigration of working-age people to fall to 29,000 in 2021 from 40,000 in 2018 and a mid-2017 peak of 72,400. The moderation is partly due to tightened work visa restrictions introduced in the last months of the previous center-right National government’s tenure, but it has been persistent under the Labour-led coalition. Ardern’s government said in December it would tighten rules for temporary worker visas to give more opportunity for New Zealanders, and recently also rolled out plans to improve vocational training. It hasn’t tightened any broader immigration rules yet, but some businesses say the government has adopted a tougher stance in a more discrete way, with closer scrutiny on the recruitment process and slow visa processing. They also say frequent tinkering with policies such as post-study work visas, parent visas and skilled worker visas has created uncertainty. The immigration ministry agreed there were delays, but blamed it on “operational issues”. “I am concerned about visa delays and Immigration New Zealand is giving me regular updates about the work being done to improve processing times,” Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway told Reuters in a statement. Lees-Galloway, however, said the government did not want businesses to reach for migrant labor as the first resort. Some foreign work visas for cafe and restaurant manager roles were declined recently due to a lack of evidence that effective training and retention strategies were being implemented by the industry to employ New Zealanders, he said. “This doesn’t mean they can’t employ migrants, it just means they have to satisfy a labor market test before recruiting migrants,” he said. Pub owner Dickson said businesses in Queenstown are trying to hire local staff but just can’t find enough people. “The government needs to create a task force with local businesses to find a solution,” Dickson said. NO CHEFS, FRUIT PICKERS Addressing labor shortages in a pre-budget media conference on Monday, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the government was focusing on immigration for high-need regional areas and improving the skill level of New Zealanders to meet needs. “I don’t think we need more people coming in, but we need to make sure we are getting the right people into the right parts of New Zealand,” Robertson said. The budget will be announced on Thursday. Migration and labor costs are weighing on business confidence, lingering at decade lows. Fleur Caulton this year shut down one of her restaurants, Madam Woo, in the South Island city of Dunedin. “The delay in finding chefs puts added stress and pressure on the remaining kitchen teams which is not sustainable,” Caulton told Reuters. “We fully support the government’s objective of putting more kiwis into jobs however we struggle to find kiwis for our roles,” said Caulton. A seasonal labor shortage was declared this month in the Bay of Plenty region, which will impact the NZ$1.2 billion ($782 million) kiwifruit export industry. Hospitals and schools have also complained of shortages. The construction industry says it needs over 50,000 skilled workers by 2023 to meet demands. Fletcher Building Ltd, New Zealand’s biggest construction firm, last year shut and sold loss-making units due to spiraling labor costs. Big infrastructure projects, such as the Auckland underground train system, are facing cost blow outs by more than NZ$1 billion. “We need to get the capability on board to deliver,” said Shane Ellison, the head of Auckland Transport, which is handling the underground rail network project. “If we don’t deliver now, we won’t be able to deliver in the coming 2-3 years,” he said. Industries are working hard to try and attract overseas skills and know-how. “We need top infrastructure people in New Zealand right now,” said Hamish Price, who runs an industry-led campaign called Looksee Build, particularly focused on British workers. “We make no apologies for targeting the best of British during their period of Brexit uncertainty. ($1 = 1.5347 New Zealand dollars) SOURCE Read the full article

[daniellezta]

It’s that time of year again for one of my favorite holiday customs: reflecting back on the previous year and taking time to share the love with some worthy charities. I’m not one for posting frequent updates on my adventures, but love sharing pictures and memories from my trips in person. If we meet for a beer in the year ahead, make sure to ask me about any or all of the following that made for an absolutely fantastic 2018:

• Bungee jumping in the adventure capital of the world (Queenstown, New Zealand)

• Cartwheeling on top of the Franz Joseph glacier (during a helicopter stop)

• Dolphin watching, kayaking, and camping in the glorious NZ landscape with great friends

• Runsploring Central Park and fun with local & visiting friends during multiple weekends in NYC

• Admiring the beautiful sculptures at the annual Ice Festival in Harbin, China

• Taking in The Bund and scrumptious Xiao Long Bao in Shanghai

• Shopping the Ladies Market and hiking The Peak Trail in Hong Kong

• Finally getting comfortable skiing in the beautiful Swiss alps in Villars-Sur-Ollon

• Enjoying Kirs, the cute town of Cassis, and glorious seaside hikes in Marseilles, France

• Taking a chance that paid off to explore the stunning elevated trail of Caminito del Rey

• Admiring the works of Pablo Picasso in the city of his birth: Málaga, Spain

• Snow shoeing near the Pyrenees of Catalonia, Spain

• Rappelling near waterfalls and birthday celebrating in Rupit and Girona, Spain

• Runsploring through glorious scenery in Costa Brava, Montserrat, Ibiza, and more with the ever fun R2A crew

• Chillaxing on the beautiful island of Mallorca

• Welcoming my new niece, Avery, to the world 😊

• Reuniting with my running buddy, Felix, and my favorite STL park

• Trail running in Genk, Belgium and then day tripping to Aachen, Germany

• Shaking the dust off my bicycle to explore the well-marked trails along the Schelde River

• Camel-riding, hiking, poorly negotiating, and sensory over-loading in Marrakech, Morocco

• Walksploring the amazing historic sites of the Forum, Colusseum, Vatican, and more in Rome

• Cheering on the Red Devils in one heck of a World Cup run

• Rocking out to James Bay, Jack Johnson, Pearl Jam and more at an epic Rock Werchter

• Reminiscing with longtime friends during a girl’s weekend in Napa Valley

• Finally witnessing the infamous flower carpet in Grand Place

• Reconvening with two of my faves to explore new parts of cities, towns and nature in The Netherlands

• Admiring the phenomenal sunsets and beaches in Santorini and Mykonos, Greece

• Acropolis adventuring in Athens, Delphi ruins day-tripping

• Powering my way through a nighttime 15k beach run in Koksjide, Belgium

• Picking up some of the alleged “best beer in the world” (Westvleteren). Although I must politely disagree that the title belongs to Leffe Royale Cascade IPA

• Humbly remembering the tragedy and sacrifice on September 11th at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in NYC

• Getting into the Christmas spirit at the German markets in Cologne and Munich’s airport

• Lots and lots of snuggles with my kitties, Hunter & Preston, who are still my favorite cuddle buddies

• Capturing my adorable nieces and loving family in a photo shoot last weekend. 😊

These pictures capture some but not even close to all the fun. For those interested in following more closely you can still find me regularly updating my Tumblr blog here: http://daniellezta.tumblr.com/.

I’m grateful to everyone who shared in this year’s adventures and for those who allow me to re-live them over beers and picture sharing. The positive vibes I get reflecting on a well-spent year always inspire me to give to causes I care passionately about. I post them here not for judgment, but in case it motivates others who might feel inclined to do the same.

• St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital – dedicated to finding cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases

• Life After Hate – dedicated to inspiring individuals to a place of compassion and forgiveness for everyone, including themselves.

• Brady Center - develops and implements extensive public health and safety programs and utilizes the courts to reduce gun violence

• Coalition to Stop Gun Violence - seeks to secure freedom from gun violence through research, strategic engagement, and effective policy advocacy

• Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation – supports educational and philanthropic needs for an outstanding community of women

• Planned Parenthood - delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide

• KIND (Kids in Need of Defense) – fighting for a world in which children’s rights are protected as they migrate alone in search of safety

• ACLU – defending reproductive freedom, fighting LGBT discrimination, safeguarding the rights of refugees and immigrants, and protecting free speech and the right to protest

Please consider giving to some of these worthy causes if you’re so inclined. Either way, all my best wishes for a relaxing holiday season and a happy and healthy year ahead! :-)

[willswalkabout]

New Zealand. I've put off writing this blog for an obscenely long period of time. And it really isn't that I didn't have the opportunity. I think I just know it takes time so it does become daunting, and this only increases as the amount to get in also becomes greater. Technically it's now been a day under 3 weeks since I last posted (at the time of writing). I'm sitting in a hut on the Kepler track so won't be able to post till tomorrow night at the earliest. The plan is to split it into 3 but we'll see how it goes. When I last wrote I was about to land in Auckland and join up with Ellen so I'll pick up from there. I got into Auckland very late and then exiting the airport took ages as my tent had to go through customs. It had been tightly wrapped for storage but was returned to me in one massive pile of material, as they'd had to somehow inspect every inch. Eventually I got an uber to the air BnB Ellen was staying in. She'd had the last two nights on the island of Waiheke, with some contacts called Nick and Beth, who I hope to visit later in the trip. The next day we started a 9 day road trip to Queenstown, during which we would cover a total of 1418 miles. The descriptions of these days may seem pretty lightweight, but there was often a lot of driving. We learnt to embrace this and just enjoy the stunning scenery, but this acceptance was not immediate. Day 1 we picked up the car and trying to do a decent amount of shopping that would hopefully cover us for the majority of the trip. We drove to our campsite on the South side of lake Taupo, via a visit to the Huka falls. The campsite was really nice and though we'd actually had a booking for the day before we successfully convinced the campsite this wasn't the case and managed to keep the night. My all in one stove was used for the first time since early September, to great success as we dined on mushroom risotto. Day 2 we drove to Wellington, one of NZ's 3 biggest cities. We would have been doing the volcanic Tongariro crossing however sadly the weather meant it was closed. Wellington is supposed to be quite young and hip however sadly we didn't get to indulge in this culture due to the long drive. We did however visit New Zealand's national museum which had some very impressive exhibitions on their immigration history, as well as involvement at Gallipoli. We stayed the night at our weirdest air BnB experience. The house belonged to an elderly man who had appeared to have resorted to living and sleeping in his living room so that all his bedrooms could be rented out. However this meant that the wardrobes were full of his clothes, and stuffed toys filled the property. It was a little creepy, and after a long days driving we took advantage that evening of NZ having cheap dominos. Having spoken to people later in the trip it seems Wellington was not done justice and I would like to return. Day 3 involved getting the 9am ferry across the Cook Straight, to Picton on the South Island. It's quite an expensive crossing when you're taking a car, however the 4 hours are beautiful, especially as you meander into Picton harbour, a route which is hard to describe in words so I'd advise looking up Picton on a map. The ferry had a couple of nice restaurants and we got chips, before disembarking to drive along the stunning Queen Charlotte's drive. It is viewpoint after viewpoint as you begin to round the island's north coast, making it sometimes difficult to keep your eyes on the road. We drove to a beautiful Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite which was practically deserted. We also made a trip to the beautiful Cable Bay beach, with white sand deceptively cold water. After stocking up on supplies in Nelson we went back and made some pretty decent pasta that night. Day 4 was a very long drive to Abel Tasman, probably the only real disappointment of the trip. Though it was fun to pick up a German hitchhiker for part of the day, the drive was long and windy, and what met us at the end was a tad underwhelming. This campsite was also empty but felt like it would be packed during the summer. I had read about opportunities to rent kayaks and do other watersport activities, however on consulting the workers of the campsite this is a summer season thing, and nobody comes with the kit when they are not going to be in demand. We did do one beach walk before making some noodles and going to bed before we were eaten alive by the resident sand flies. Day 5 and we had to get to Punakaiki on the north west coast. The five hour drive was daunting at first but turned out to be very manageable, assisted by good ice cream about half way through. We both loved Punakaiki and its famous 'pancake rocks', which look like a stack of American variety. There was a beautiful prehistoric looking beach where it was overlooked by a dense rainforest. We managed to use the shadows created by the sunset to take some awesome photos, and had a very lazy pot noodle for dinner. There was a massive Aussie cub camp group at the campsite, whose antics and irritation of the leaders provided amusement. Day 6 we drove down the Franz Josef Glacier. We stopped on the way to do a short walk in the town of Ross, known for its gold mining past. We also bought some chocolate hot cross buns, something I've found many of in Australia and New Zealand, for the trip. After 3 consecutive nights camping and with 2 more to come we decided to take a night off and stay in a hostel. We chose a good one too, as we ended up getting a 4 bed dorm all to ourselves, and were able to wash our clothes and use their fully kitted out kitchen. The 1 hour walk to the glacier was a whole experience in itself, and added yet another landform to our incredibly varied list from NZ so far. We spent the evening chatting to some Germans, who I'm convinced have now overtaken Kiwis in terms of most populous nationality in the country. Day 7 was one of the best drives of the trip, down to Wanaka, past lakes Wanaka and Hawea. We had actually planned to stay at a campsite between the two lakes which didn't need booking. Though on arrival there were no other campers, it was off the highway, and generally had nothing going for it with zero cooking facilities. We chose to drive on to our site in Wanaka and stay for 2 nights. This was the campsite with the best view by a long way, looking out straight onto the lake. Wanaka is a gorgeous lakeside settlement with mostly high end restaurants along the front, with a couple more affordable. We got fish and chips, and a falafel burger. Day 8 was nice as we didn't have to clear out in the morning, having the pitch for 2 nights. We had three plans for the day and in the end only managed about one and a bit. We first planned to paddle board, as Ellen had so enjoyed doing in Waiheke. However the sun was deceiving and instead we settled for a pie, from some shop that had won way to many awards not to be investigated. We did however go to Puzzle World, probably the oddest attraction I have ever seen. It is one pretty odd dude's dream, and is a mixture of illusion rooms and a massive maze. It's hard to describe exactly what the rooms were but they made you feel like you were on a steep slope when in fact you weren't. Whereas another had over 200 concave faces that all followed you around the room as you moved. The maze was also not messing around and was exhausting. We did the 'easy challenge' which was supposed to take a maximum of 90 minutes. We laughed at this estimation, believing ourselves to be decently intelligent. It took us 107. In the afternoon we attempted to do the Roy's peak track. We had massively underestimated its difficulty and duration, as well as Ellen's hamstring situation which is still feeling the effects of a tear suffered last year. That evening we had a massive bowl of pasta and went to bed pretty early. Day 9 marked the end of the trip, and we drove the hour and 15 to Queenstown. We'd booked a hotel for this night, our last before around the 25th July in nearly 4 months time. After a swim in the hotel's pool, we had a short look around the town and went to a great Thai place for dinner. After the past 9 nights accommodation we did also order room service chips solely for the experience. The next morning we had the hotel's buffet breakfast and I dropped Ellen off at the airport for her 11am flight. She was to go to Auckland, followed by a 12 hour layover in Beijing and then home. A total journey time of well over 40 hours. It will be tough not seeing her for so long but I'm also incredibly grateful she made New Zealand work around university holidays, and we had an amazing 10 or so days. In the next post I'll meet up with Eleanor, a school friend, the same day Ellen was dropped off, and spend a few days in Queenstown before the Milford Track.

[nzimmigration20]

Immigration Advisers in Queenstown | New Zealand

How long have you been finding the best Immigration Advisor in Queenstown? Then you must reach NZ Immigration Advisers for assured services at an affordable cost!   https://nzimmigration.info/queenstown/

[nzimmigration]

[rollinbrigittenv8]

8-Day New Zealand Road Trip (Detailed Itinerary)

After a strange immigration experience at the Queenstown Airport, one that involved my girlfriend and I being interrogated in separate rooms about our online businesses, our 8-day New Zealand road trip finally began.

Yes, New Zealand would prove to be spectacular, so much so that it far exceeded every expectation, every single day. If the country, at least the south island as that was all we had time for, is not the most beautiful location on this planet, it is definitely as close to the top of that list as it gets.

And while 8 days is not sufficient time to thoroughly cover every corner of the south island of New Zealand, it is sufficient time to get a taste of what it offers, and to have an absolute ton of fun doing so.

If you’re thinking about a New Zealand road trip, here’s the details from our own adventure:

8-Day New Zealand Road Trip

Day 1: Queenstown (arrival)

Rental car pickup – we chose Omega Car Rental and for $30 NZD per day we had a mid-size car that was a few years old but in excellent condition; Omega offered great service, convenient locations and an easy rental process

Queenstown wander – driving straight into town, we roamed around Queenstown for an hour; the town is small, pleasant and full of activity; it’s also quite crowded and very expensive

Accommodation – Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park in Arthur’s Point (5 km from Queenstown); it’s an odd name but we had a comfortable small cabin in a peaceful spot surrounded by mountains; it was great value and we preferred to be among nature and not directly in town

Arthur’s Point walk – we found a path across from our accommodation that led down to a narrow gully and we ended up on a great walk along the Shotover River (we loved this about NZ – you can find trails everywhere and most of them are empty)

Queenstown at night – back in town, the evening vibe is worth experiencing for dinner and a sunset walk along Lake Wakatipu

Day 2: Queenstown

Skyline Queenstown – just a couple of minutes walk from the town center, the Skyline Queenstown gondola took us up to the top of a mountain for perfect views out over the region and a chance for some fun luge-riding at the summit

Glenorchy – a 1 hour drive along the lakeshore and we arrived in the small town of Glenorchy; it was more about the drive and the truly unbelievable landscapes than the town itself, although the Glenorchy Lagoon trail looked worth it (we had to skip it due to heavy wind and rain)

Paradise Road – craving even more stunning scenery, after a stop in a cafe until the rain stopped, we drove along the Glenorchy-Paradise Road for another hour, heading towards Kinloch; there’s nothing specific to see or do here but we must have pulled over a dozen times just to admire the mountain views; and we pretty much had the entire road to ourselves

Day 3: Queenstown to Te Anau

Drive to Te Anau – driving south along State Highway 6, it took us 3.5 hours to reach the town of Te Anau, the gateway to the Fjordland National Park; naturally, we found an infinite number of places to pull over along the way as the views really never get old!

Accommodation – Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers; decent place with small, inexpensive private rooms right by the lake

Te Anau wander – 1.5 hours is all it takes to walk along the picturesque Te Anau Lake and through the entire town, making for a good afternoon stretch after the long drive

Early night – after dinner, we went to sleep early in preparation for the VERY long day ahead

Day 4: Te Anau to Milford Sound to Wanaka

Did I mention this will be a long day? Long but oh so worth it!

Te Anau to Milford Sound – leaving Te Anau at 7:30am, the drive to Milford Sound only takes 2 hours, but we gave ourselves 4 in order to stop en route at Mirror Lakes, The Chasm, Eglinton Valley, Lake Gunn and Hollyford Valley; the peaceful Mirror Lakes and Eglinton Valley were our favorite stops; you also need some time to get through the one-way Homer Tunnel as you can end up waiting for up to 30 minutes to enter

Milford Sound cruise – we arrived at Milford Sound an hour before our 2-hour Milford Sound cruise that departed the harbor at 12:30pm; this cruise needs to be done on any New Zealand road trip as I can’t recommend it enough!; we booked our cruise with Go Orange Cruises through their website the night before (see below for more details)

Fjords – the fjords are simply spectacular and we couldn’t turn away for the entire 2 hours; waterfalls, dolphins, Mitre Peak, the Tasman Sea and endless other sights, not to mention an interesting narration from our captain the entire way

Milford Sound to Queenstown – after the cruise, it’s time to once again pass through the impressive Homer Tunnel and begin the long journey to Wanaka, some 450 kms away; the first stage follows a familiar route back towards Queenstown for 4.5 hours; we really wanted to get going at this point and we were happy that we had made all of our stops on the way to Milford Sound in the morning

Queenstown to Wanaka – with the second stage of this journey, from Queenstown to Wanaka (2 hours), the landscape changes dramatically; suddenly we were on a road wedged into narrow gorges, winding through rocky mountains towering all around us; if you’re there in the late afternoon/sunset time, the colors are surreal (it was my favorite part of the road trip from a driver’s perspective)

Accommodation: Oasis Yurt Lodge – awesome, comfortable yurts in a quiet, beautiful location just outside of town; definitely the best place we stayed at and well worth checking out!

Day 5: Wanaka and surroundings

Late morning – naturally, this was a good morning to sleep in, not just because we were in a very cool yurt but also because we were exhausted from the long journey the day before

Wanaka town – for lunch, we went for a stroll through quaint Wanaka town and choose one of the cafes on the main strip, with views straight out over Lake Wanaka

Hiking – it was then time to burn some calories and luckily, there are several options for an afternoon hike, depending on the amount of time you have and level of difficulty you prefer: Roy’s Peak trek, Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain, Mount Iron walk and the Rob Roy Glacier Track are some of the most popular

Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain – we chose the Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain hike, a moderate level walk of about 3 hours return, with unsurprisingly gorgeous views along the way; we kept stopping, taking a seat on the ground and just soaking in our surroundings (see below)

Random roads – from one of the viewpoints during the hike, we spotted a river not too far away with what looked like a beach; after the hike, we took some random roads and found the spot and it turned out to be a perfect post-hike location for a rest; this is another bonus of a New Zealand road trip – spending a few hours without following the map every now and then, just turning on to random roads, will always lead to a rewarding excursion (on this same day we also accidentally ended up on a private farm, hung out with a pony and had a great chat with the friendly owner)

Day 6: Wanaka to Franz Josef

Wanaka to Haast – we took our time in the morning and then embarked on a relatively easy 4 hour drive, twisting around lakes, winding up over the Haast Pass and driving through rainforest, with several short walks as breaks; Thunder Creek Falls, Blue Pools and the Tunnel Hike are all worth a stop before arriving in the tiny settlement of Haast for lunch

Haast to Fox Glacier – leaving Haast, we continued along the coast to mysterious forest-lined beaches, picturesque cliffs and nature walks through all kinds of landscapes; eventually we reached the Fox Glacier

Fox Glacier – unfortunately, access to the Fox Glacier was closed when we were there but if it’s open, you can take the walking track that leads closer to its face

Franz Josef town – from Fox Glacier, it’s just a short 30 minutes drive to the small community of Franz Josef, a good spot to spend a couple of nights, which is what we did

Accommodation – Chateau Franz Backpackers; we booked a private room here because it was central, affordable and almost all the other places in town were sold out by the time we got around to booking; it wasn’t our favorite place as the rooms were quite grimy but it did the job

Franz Josef wander – you can easily take an evening walk around the entire town, with plenty of options for dinner afterwards and a decent sized supermarket if you plan to cook on your own

Glow worms – once darkness fell, it was time to go searching for glow worms!; at the south end of town, between the fire station and the St. James Historic Church, there’s a walking trail on the east side of the main road; we walked right in, let our eyes adjust and started looking into the trees until we spotted glow worms; in the end, we saw thousands and it was far more impressive than we imagined!

Day 7: Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier – we drove the few miles to the main parking lot and then followed the walking trail towards the famous Franz Josef Glacier; the walk takes about 40 minutes each way and is quite easy as it meanders through some impressive scenery until you get a decent view of the glacier; if you want to splurge, this is probably one place to do it by taking a helicopter trip to the top where you can also go for a walk on the glacier itself; we simply enjoyed the walk and called it a day

Lake Mapourika – in the evening, we drove 15 minutes north out to Lake Mapourika to watch the sunset and it didn’t disappoint as we found a beautiful spot to hang out right off the main road

Day 8: Franz Josef to Christchurch

Franz Josef to Hoktika – starting at 8:00am, we began the final stages of our New Zealand road trip by traveling north 2 hours until we reached the town of Hoktika, a good place for breakfast and to fill the car up with petrol for the rest of the journey

National Kiwi Centre – located in Hoktika, this is a sanctuary for native animals of New Zealand, including the kiwi bird; the centre was a bit rundown but the staff were wonderful and we thought it was well worth the entrance fee to catch a glimpse of the kiwis and learn more about them

Route 73 – Arthur’s Pass – Christchurch – a short distance north of Hoktika, we turned east onto Route 73 and began the 3.5 hour, coast-to-coast journey across the mountains and Arthur’s Pass; as you can guess, there are view points, walking paths, parks, small towns and more to stop at all throughout the route

Christchurch – just like that, we came out of the mountains and found ourselves in Christchurch, on the opposite coast from where we started our day; after a quick lunch and a wander through downtown Christchurch, we returned the rental car and took the shuttle to the Christchurch Airport; at 6:30pm we were on a flight to Sydney and our New Zealand road trip had come to an end

Yes, it was a little rushed. We could easily have spent 2 or 3 or even 4 weeks on the south island alone. But we did what we could with the time we had and, without a doubt, we absolutely loved every day of our stay. I don’t think I’ve ever been as in awe of my surroundings as I was during this trip.

And to be honest, no matter where you end up going in this remarkable country, it’s hard not to have the same reaction. Whichever route, activities and sights you choose, you shall be rewarded.

You’ll see what I’m talking about!

(I’m already looking forward to heading back for another New Zealand road trip once I get my new passport.)

Useful Links

ACCOMMODATION: Use this Booking.com link to save up to $30 off your booking (I’ll get up to $30 too): Booking.com $30 discount

TRANSPORTATION:: We enjoyed hiring a car but many travelers prefer to rent camper vans instead. There are all kinds of options for vans of various sizes. If you go with a camper van, here’s a good app that lists all campsites in NZ: Rankers Official Camping NZ App

MILFORD SOUND CRUISE: There are at least 6 companies running these cruises and they all have great reviews. I would go with the one that offers the best deal for the day you’ll be there. With a little research you can easily find heavily discounted tickets, even on the official websites for the cruise companies. (We paid $90 USD total for 2 people with light lunch included.) I would avoid going in the mid or late afternoon as there is a higher chance that heavy cloud cover arrives and your visibility will be greatly reduced.

COSTS: New Zealand is indeed an expensive country but there are ways to keep your costs down. Accommodation and food are pricey, but you can also stay in hostels, guesthouses or campsites and you can always cook your own food to save money. Every place we stayed at had a communal kitchen. Also, the good news is that almost all of the places I mention above do not have an entrance fee. While activities such as a Milford Sound cruise and Skyline Queenstown cost money, all of the walks, hikes, views, scenic routes, glaciers, waterfalls and other stops we made every day didn’t cost anything.

Any questions about taking a New Zealand road trip? Any input to share from your own experiences?

[charllieeldridge]

The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking New Zealand

In a land far away where snowcapped mountains dot the country and rugged coastlines shape it, New Zealand is a magical place. Although a journey to get to, there are so many reasons why New Zealand should be your next backpacking destination.

Filled with world-class adventure activities such as hiking, skiing and bungee jumping, this country has become a haven for outdoor lovers and adventure junkies.

Boasting some of the most beautiful coastlines and mountains in the world, New Zealand urges to be explored.

It comes as no surprise, that it is a mecca for tourism with double-digit growth in annual visitors.

While it is also a popular destination for vacationers and honeymooners, the best way to see the country is to strap on your backpack and spend some quality time exploring.

Mount Awful, Aspiring National Park. Photo by beardandcurly.com

Backpacking New Zealand is the trip of a lifetime! Check out this in-depth guide for all you need to know about travelling here.

When to Visit New Zealand

Tourism in New Zealand is very seasonal.

Unless you are looking for winter activities such as skiing or snowboarding, it’s best to visit between November and May.

The summer, from December to February, gets very busy at tourist attractions. Campsites and backpackers tend to fill up quickly during this time.

Our favorite time of the year is April and May.

The temperatures start dropping quickly, but so do the tourists. This is a great time to hike and you should still be able to access the entire country before snowfall hits.

The best time to visit New Zealand really depends on what you’re interested in doing. But in reality, there’s no bad time to visit the country!

Visa Options for Backpacking New Zealand

Visitor Visa – If you want to stay longer than three months or you are not from a visa waiver country, you must apply online before your trip. This visa is valid for up to nine months stay in New Zealand.

Visa Waiver Visitor Visa – If your passport is from a visa waiver country, you do not need to apply for a visa prior to arriving. Visas are granted for three months. Some of the visa free countries include Canada, the USA, and the UK.

Working Holiday Visa – If you are between the age of 18 and 30 and mostly want to come to New Zealand to travel, but also want the option to work or study, this may be a perfect option. The visa is valid for 12 months and requires proof of $4,200 NZD ($3,000 USD) equivalent in your bank account as well as full medical insurance.

To read more on visa options related to your country and interest, check out the New Zealand Immigration page.

A waterfall in the Catlins. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Sim Card

Skinny Direct was our preferred mobile carrier of choice. They have the best rates for a prepaid monthly plan and very good service backed by the Spark Mobile network.

Prices are $30 ($21 USD) per month for 3GB of data or $50 ($36 USD) per month for 10 GB of date. All plans come with unlimited text and minutes.

Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance for your trip to New Zealand. It’s the one thing you should always pack. World Nomads is a popular choice for adventurers and travellers. Enter your details below to get a free quote.

  Banking in New Zealand

If you are planning to work, you may consider opening a local bank account. We recommend a free basic checking account with ANZ Bank.

A document, such as a vehicle insurance or registration, with a local address and a working holiday visa was enough to open an account. 

This was also very useful when selling a car. We could transfer New Zealand dollars to our own bank for under $100 ($72 USD), less than any other wire transfer option. ATMs are wildly available and most establishments take credit card.

Get a car that (hopefully) will not cause you any problems

Transportation

There are numerous ways to get around when backpacking New Zealand. Here are some of the popular options:

Shared Rides

Shared rides are very common with backpackers. This could include hitchhiking. The best way to partner up with another traveler is by posting on Backpacker Boards or the New Zealand Backpackers Facebook group.

Public buses

Between major cities there are some public buses, however, we felt their prices were very high considering the distances. For example, a bus from Wanaka to Queenstown cost $50 ($36 USD) for an hour drive.

Campervanfinder

One great option for finding a campervan around New Zealand is Campervan Finder.

They’ve been helping travellers and road trippers source the best deals on motorhomes, campervans and 4×4 campers since 2006 and they work with over 30 rental companies across New Zealand to help you find the best deal.

Their website works much like any booking site. Just enter your pick up & drop off locations, as well as the dates and times you’d like to rent and their algorithm will search through their 30+ partner rental companies to find the best deal.

Hop-on/Hop-off Bus

There are two major companies in New Zealand, Kiwi Experience and Stray Travel. Prices range from $650 NZD ($470 USD) for a two-week package to $1200 NZD ($860 USD) for a 6-week package. These services gear towards a younger backpacker crowd.

Rent a Vehicle

Renting can get expensive, but is the best choice for those coming for only a few weeks or one month. New Zealand is perfect for self-driving enthusiasts and having your own vehicle allows the freedom to create your own itinerary.

If you are looking for a smaller campervan, check out Wicked Campers and Jucy.

Costs range from $700 ($500 USD) to $1,500 ($1,080 USD) for one month. They come stocked with beds and cookware.

For those looking for a larger motorhome, check out Maui Rentals with prices ranging from $2,000 ($1,440 USD) to $6,000 ($4,300 USD) depending on the camper size.

Buy a Vehicle

If you’re staying for more than two months, buying a car or campervan is the most economical option.

This is very popular in New Zealand and a great way to save money. Try to find a vehicle with good resale value and consider the timing of buying/selling.

It is common to buy in the summer and sell just before winter. Depending on when you sell there is sometimes potential for a serious loss.

We recommend buying a station wagon such as a Nissan Wingroad. The seats fold flat and can sleep two, they are much better on petrol, and have a better resale value.

There is a lot of information to read in advance before making a purchase. Check out Beard and Curly’s article the Ultimate Backpackers Guide to Buying a Campervan in New Zealand.

Self-Contained Vehicles

Many areas of New Zealand allow freedom camping.

There are approximately 350 free campgrounds that are allocated only for self-contained vehicles. Although not as plentiful, there are free options for regular campervans.

There is a large cost increase to purchase a self-contained vehicle, but you can almost always find a free campsite to sleep at. For more on self-containment, check out the NZ Motor Caravan Association.

Some camping essentials. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

☞ Click here for more free travel guides!

Accommodation in New Zealand

There are lots of options for accommodation, many of which are great for budget backpackers.

Campsites 

A great option to cut down on costs is to camp. Campsites are either private or run by the Department of Conservation. They can range from basic with only vault toilets and no running water to full kitchens and shower/laundry facilities.

Costs range from $6 to $18 ($4 to $13 USD) per person. There are also a decent number of free campsites for both self-contained vehicles and non-self-contained vehicles.

In cities, there are limited campsites available and freedom camping is almost always prohibited.

Holiday Parks

If you are looking for an upgrade from camping, holiday parks are your best bet. They usually come stocked with wifi, electric hookups, showers and laundry facilities. Prices typically range from $40 to $60 ($28 to $43 USD) per camper.

Backpackers 

In cities, backpackers are a great choice to meet other travelers and to stay right in town.  Check out Base Backpackers or Nomads, both have hostels in major cities. Backpackers charge between $20 and $30 ($14 and $21 USD) for a dorm bed.

Airbnb 

We stayed at AirBnB’s while we were in a few of the major cities. As a couple, we often found prices lower than staying at a backpackers hostel. You can find a nice private room for $30 – $40 ($21 – $28 USD). Click here to check out Airbnbs in New Zealand, and click here to get your discount coupon.

Hotels 

Not many backpackers stay at hotels while in New Zealand, but if you want to splurge, hotels start from $100 ($70 USD) per night.

☞ Click here to compare costs of hotels in New Zealand on Booking.com

Must-Have App For New Zealand

Before going to New Zealand, download the Campermate App on your mobile device. It is crucial and we used it daily.

It provides information such as top things to do, wifi hotspots, toilet locations, supermarket locations, and most importantly, campsite information. The user reviews and comments are also helpful, especially when picking between campsites.

Recommended Campsites

There are hundreds of campsites in New Zealand, but these stuck out to us as a great deal or just an overall amazing campground:

Whatipu campground – $7.50 ($5 USD) Earl’s Paradise Coromandel – $10 ($7 USD) Mangaowkewa Gorge Scenic Reserve – Free Kidd’s Bush Lake Hawea – $8 ($5.75 USD) Lake Pukaki Reserve – Free Mrs. Woolly’s campground Glenorchy – $16 ($11.50 USD) Moke Lake – $13 ($9 USD) Lumsden parking area – Free Milford Sound Lodge – $27 ($19 USD)

Wwoofing

Wwoofing is an opportunity to work on a farm in exchange for housing and food. Although typically unpaid, during high season, paid jobs may be offered.

This is one of the top travel jobs for backpackers! Check out more information at www.wwoof.co.nz.

What to Eat in New Zealand

Restaurants are expensive in New Zealand and are not ideal for most backpackers. In cities such as Wellington or Queenstown there are some more affordable and great cheap eats for dishes under $12 ($8.50 USD).

Great Backpacker Food Options. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Takeaway is widely available throughout New Zealand and is typically fish and chips, Chinese food, or burgers. Takeaway can be cheap with meals for $6 ($4 USD), but at times could creep up to $10 ($7 USD).

Cooking for yourself is the best idea since most campervans come equipped with a stove and cookware.

Where to Stock Up

Four Square – small convenience store size supermarkets with all basic needs. Slightly higher priced, but not by much, sometimes with cheap veggies Countdown – large supermarket chain, often with the best prices New World – more upscale supermarket with good quality products, some prices are good Pak’N’Save – only located in larger towns and cities, has very good prices and good options for dry food and bulk The Warehouse – some stores carry dry food, cheapest option for canned chickpeas, four bean, peanut butter, chocolate, and candy Bunnings or Mitre 10 – building supplies stores (fuel and kerosene options)

Specialty Stores

Fruit and Veg – there are many fruit and veg stores throughout NZ, especially located within proximity to farming areas. There are also often fruit and veg stalls or fresh produce sold directly from farms with signs on the road. Asian – Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and some other cities have good Asian supermarkets with great specialty Asian/Indian items.

Awesome Food Options for Backpacking New Zealand

Cheese – Mainland Vintage Cheddar 1kg $11.49 ($8.25 USD) Tuna pouches – Sealord Lemon, Sesame & Ginger Tuna pouch $2.50 ($1.80 USD) Soba noodles – Hakubaku organic noodles from $3 ($2.15 USD) Indian spice mixes – Mother’s pre-made sauce and spice mixes $1.79 ($1.29 USD) (Only saw these in Auckland so stock up) Watties WOK creations – Thai Coconut Chili and Lime, Ginger and Sesame 3 for $5 ($3.60 USD) Pad Thai noodles –  Erawan noodles from $2 ($1.45 USD) Thai curry paste –  Mae Ploy green curry paste (spicy) $1.50 ($1.10 USD) Ramen: Just Noodles – Mexican Salsa, Indian Butter Chicken $6 for 5 packets ($4.30 USD) Bars – Mother Earth Baked Oaty Slice bars, Afghan and Sultana & Manuka honey flavors 2/$6 ($4.30 USD) Dehydrated Peas –  Continental Surprise Garden Peas $6 large bag ($4.30 USD) Hot Sauce –  Mr Number One Sriracha hot chili sauce $6 ($4.30 USD)

Our favorite beach in New Zealand, Wharariki Beach. Photo by beardandcurly.com

How Much Time Is Needed?

The more time the better. We spent three months in New Zealand, with one month in the North and two months in the South Island.

We could have stayed much longer.

While it is not always possible to come for several months, we do not recommend going less than two weeks. With less time, focus on a smaller area such as Mount Aspiring and the Fiordlands on the South Island.

How Much Will Backpacking New Zealand Cost?

New Zealand can be an expensive country to visit, but road trips and epic hiking does not have to be expensive. Renting a vehicle will be the biggest expense, but if you are staying long enough to buy a vehicle, this can significantly cut down costs.

To save money, cook your own meals and try to stay at free campsites.

If you enjoy hiking, especially multi-day hikes, consider the DOC Hut Pass. It costs $92 ($66 USD) and covers any hut aside from Great Walks and a few others.

We spent on average $85 ($60 USD) per day between two people, and sold our car the same price we bought it for, making New Zealand an affordable destination for us.

For more budget tips and ways to save money when travelling in New Zealand, check out this 3 week road trip itinerary for budget travellers.

Typical Costs when backpacking New Zealand

Total Daily Budget – $60 to $100 ($42.50 – 70 USD) per couple, not including cost of renting/buying a vehicle

Basic Campgrounds – $6 – $10 ($4 – 7 USD) per person

Dorm Rooms at a Backpackers – $20 ($14 USD) per bed

Fuel/Petrol – $1.70 – $2.20 ($1.20 – 1.55 USD) per liter

Eating – $5 – $15 ($3.50 – $10.50 USD)

Alcohol – $8 ($5.70 USD) pints at a bar, $12 ($8.50 USD) for a six-pack at a supermarket, $8 – $12 ($5.70 – 8.50 USD) bottle of wine or $20 ($14.20 USD) box of wine at supermarkets

Things To Do in New Zealand

There are many amazing things to do and places to visit in New Zealand. Here are some of the best.

Road Trippin in New Zealand

Road Trip

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without an epic road trip. Whether you plan to search for the best surf spots, waterfalls, mountain hikes, or complete the drive from Cape Reinga down to Bluff, road-trippin’ should be #1 on your list. It is a perfect way to explore New Zealand.

For the best road trip, we recommend starting in Auckland and ending in Christchurch. Spend more time on the South Island. There is much more to see!

Go Surfing

New Zealand has some stunning coastline. While the water is cold, it does have some pretty good surf.

Some of the popular surf spots are Raglan, Piha, Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara Bay, Fitzroy Beach, St Clair Beach, Kahutara, Westport and Colac Bay. Don’t forget to bring a wetsuit!

Adventure Activities

Take your pick at one of the ohh so many adventure activities. Queenstown is a perfect base and known as the adventure capital of the world.

Choose between bungee jumping, skydiving, white river rafting, canyoning, cave exploring, jetboat tours, and for those craving some fresh winter snow, nothing tops heli-skiing.

Activities are very expensive in New Zealand and can range from $100 ($70 USD) to several hundred for tours. Heli-skiing starts at $1,000 NZD ($700 USD) per person.

Hiking the Kepler Track. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Hiking

Great Walks – There are nine Great Walks in New Zealand (soon to be 10) and these are the most popular tracks in the country. They are marketed by the DOC and have world-class infrastructure and huts. Because of their popularity, they can feel like a highway at times and are not good for solitude.

We recommend the Tongariro Northern Circuit, the Routeburn track, the Kepler track, and the Milford Sound.

These hikes require bookings in advance and cost between $30 and $70 ($21.50 and $50 USD) for a bunk. Read Beard and Curly’s full article on the Nine Great Walks of New Zealand for more information.

Hut System – With over 1,000 huts across New Zealand, this is a perfect way to explore the outdoors and immerse yourself into some Kiwi culture. The DOC manages 950 huts, most of them are very affordable.

Buy a Backcountry Hut Pass for $92 ($66 USD) for 6 months which covers your stay at nearly all the DOC huts. There are only a few popular huts which are excluded from the pass in addition to the Great Walk huts.

Brewster Hut. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Day Hikes – There are so many day hikes with views that are completely out of this world. Our favorite day hikes were Mount Taranaki, Roys Peak, Isthmus Peak, Diamond Lake, Mueller Hut, Ben Lomond, Gertrudes Saddle, Key Summit, Lake Marian, and Avalanche Peak.

Multi-Day Hikes – Where to begin. One of the main reasons we went to New Zealand was for this alone. While it does require more gear (portable stove, sleeping bag, camping gear), it is completely worth it. Our best memories of New Zealand were days in the middle of the mountains with no people or towns in sight.

Our favorite multi-day hikes were the Tongariro Northern circuit, Travers-Sabine circuit, Cascade Saddle, Gillespies Pass, Mount Brewster, Copeland track, Routeburn track, Kepler track, and the Milford Sound track.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Trekking & Camping the “O” Circuit, Paine del Grande Chile

Places To Visit in New Zealand – North Island

90 Mile Beach, Northland. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Northland

The northernmost region of New Zealand has stunning coastline and many places to see. The drive through the Northland on its own is worth it. Check out the Bay of Island, 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga.

Piha Beach. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Waitakere Regional Park

Piha is one of the country’s most popular black sand beaches and great for photos. Our personal favorite beach was nearby Whatipu with very few people and a great coastal walk called the Omanawanui Track.

Cathedral Cove, Coromandel. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Coromandel

One of our favorite spots on the North Island, Coromandel has white sand beaches and the famous Cathedral Cove. Check out New Chumms Beach, Hot Water Beach (low tide only), Cathedral Cove (low tide), and the Karangahake Gorge.

Rotorua geothermal springs. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Rotorua

Bursting with volcanic activity and geothermal hot springs, Rotorua is one of the most popular and expensive tourist destinations in New Zealand. Wai’o’tapu is the main attraction, but Hellsgate Geothermal Park and Kuirau Park are other options.

Entry prices are around $30 ($21.50 USD) per person. Also, check out the Redwood Forest for some short hikes and world-class mountain biking trails. If on a budget, soak in the free natural hot springs, kerosene creek and secret spot.

The Emerald Lakes, Tongariro. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

There are numerous hot pools (both natural and manmade) around the North Island. There’s no better way to relax your aching muscles after backpacking and hiking around New Zealand. Check out this epic list of 40 pools that can be found in and around Aukland.

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro is known for its famous alpine crossing, the most popular day walk in New Zealand. This hike is truly something special. The Lord of the Rings has made this location even more famous.

Mount Ngauruhoe, the main volcanic peak on this track was filmed as Mount Doom. The stunning emerald lakes alone are reason why this is a must-stop for all visiting New Zealand.

Puakai Tarns, Mount Taranaki. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Mount Taranaki

This volcanic peak stands alone and on a clear day can be seen from hundreds of kilometers away. It is strikingly beautiful and one of the best day hikes in New Zealand. It also is one of the hardest, so for those not able to make it to the summit, a hike to the Pouakai Tarns is much easier and might have a better view.

Castlepoint Lighthouse. Photo by @mitchperfect.nz.

Castlepoint

One of the most stunning coastal areas and New Zealand’s best lighthouse resides at Castlepoint. It is only a 45-minute walk out to the lighthouse which comes with amazing views along the way.

Cape Palliser Lighthouse. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Cape Palliser

Check out the seal colony on the way to the Cape Palliser lighthouse. The nearby Pinnacles is a great 1 hour walk through unique rock formations that were featured in a scene of the Lord of the Rings.

Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Wellington

Ferries between the North and South Island depart from Wellington, so this likely will be in your travel plans. With that said, it was our favorite city in New Zealand.

There are so many great cafes to lounge during the day and hipster bars for the evening. The Te Papa National Museum is one of the best in the world (and free), and still to this day talk about our two for $40 ($28.50 USD) offer on large pizzas at Tommy Millions.

Places to Visit in New Zealand – South Island

Abel Tasman National Park. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Abel Tasman

One of the most popular national parks in New Zealand, Abel Tasman has stunning coastline and emerald water. Boats offer shuttles to nearly any beach in the park.

As a result, the coastal track which is a Great Walk, is like a superhighway. We recommend skipping the walk and sticking to a kayak rental with R&R Kayaks starting from $60 ($43 USD).

Wharariki Beach. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Golden Bay

The cute hippy town Takaka is a great stop for some grub on the way to our favorite beach in New Zealand, Wharariki Beach.

Come in the afternoon for sunset. From the seal pups, caves, rock arches, and reflections, this might be one of the most photogenic beaches in the world.

The Pier at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Nelson Lakes

The pier at Lake Rotoiti is one of the best in New Zealand for photographs, but aside from this, the national park is best explored by hiking.

Mount Robert is a good day hike and with time, stay at Angelus Hut for some spectacular views. If into trekking, a visit to the Blue Lake is a must. It is considered the clearest lake in the world. It takes a couple of days to hike to Blue Lake, usually part of the Travers-Sabine circuit, a 7-day hike.

Hokitika Gorge. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Hokitika Gorge

This glacier-fed river cuts through a forest creating the Hokitika Gorge. The short walk over a suspension bridge is a must. This is some of the brightest emerald green water we have ever seen.

Lake Matheson, West Coast. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

West Coast

When driving down the West Coast, the main attractions are the glaciers. We felt these are over-hyped. These glaciers have receded significantly in the past twenty years. For those not intending to do hiking in the South Island, it is worth the one hour walk at Franz Josef Glacier.

For those intending to hike, skip this altogether. Head up to Brewster Hut and get up close to the Brewster Glacier or save your glacier moments for while at Mount Cook. The best sight near the glaciers is not the glaciers themselves, it is Lake Matheson.

Roys Peak, Wanaka. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Wanaka

Wanaka was our favorite town in New Zealand. A smaller more laid-back version of Queenstown nestled on a picturesque lake with mountains towering in the backdrop.

Some of the best day hikes in New Zealand are around Wanaka. The incredible Roys Peak hike is only 6km from town. Nearby Lake Hawea is maybe even more picturesque and is much quieter. Check out Isthmus Peak for a similar hike but a tenth of the crowds of Roys Peak. Don’t forget a picture of that Wanaka Tree.

Hiking in Mount Aspiring National Park. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Mount Aspiring

Mount Aspiring National Park was our favorite for multi-day hikes.

From Wanaka, head over to Rob Roys Glacier where there is an abundance of hikes to Aspiring Hut, French Ridge, Livermore Hut, or our favorite hike in New Zealand, the Cascade Saddle over to the Rees Dart Track.

This climb is not technical, but it is challenging and is a deathtrap in poor weather conditions. On clear days, this may be the best mountain shot in New Zealand.

Mount Cook. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Mount Cook

Ohh Mount Cook. Where to begin. The tallest mountain in New Zealand has its own national park.

The drive in from Lake Pukaki is one of the most scenic, and arriving into Mount Cook village truly has a special feel. Massive peaks, glaciers, jagged ridgelines, and the glacier-fed lakes beneath Mount Cook are stunning.

There are several great hikes in the park. Mueller Hut is one of the best day hikes in the country, and if you score a reservation, you can stay the night watching the last sunlight on Mount Cook. The complete silence mixed with thunderous booms from nearby collapsing glaciers is incredible to experience.

Hiking on the Routeburn track. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Queenstown – Glenorchy

Queenstown has become very popular and is the most touristy city in New Zealand. From hiking the Ben Lomond or skiing the Remarkables in the winter, Queenstown is a must-stop on the South Island. It is the adventure capital of the world and every other storefront is selling tours.

The drive to Glenorchy is considered one of the best in the world, and the surrounding area has endless spots that leave you in awe. The famous Routeburn track begins near Glenorchy.

McKay Falls on the Milford Track. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Te Anau – Milford Sound

Te Anau is a small town that is the last frontier of the wild Fiordlands National Park. From here, the Milford Sound road leads you on a two-hour journey of one of the most picturesque drives we ever experienced.

Finishing at the Milford Sound is the icing on the cake. Mountains rise vertically from the glacier-carved fjord. It is a magnificent sight.

Nugget Point Lighthouse, Catlins. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Catlins

The Catlins Forest Park is a large area, mostly uninhabited, with coastal rainforest and stunning, rugged beaches. It is also home to the rare yellow-eyed penguin. Known for waterfalls, check out McLean Falls, Purakaunui Falls, and the Matai Falls. One of the most beautiful rocky coastlines is at Nugget Point.

A rainy morning at Moeraki Boulders. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Dunedin & East Coast

Dunedin is a college town with some good nightlife and proximity to amazing nature. Tunnel Beach is a famous sunset location, the rugged coastline near Sandymount has a great walking track to view the Chasm and Lovers Leap, and there are heaps of animals including seals and penguins. Just north of Dunedin are the famous Moeraki Boulders.

Driving to Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula. Photo by beardandcurly.com.

Banks Peninsula

Christchurch was our least favorite city in New Zealand, so instead head out to the Banks Peninsula. Akaroa is a charming little town with a French influence and a perfect city getaway for those looking for a romantic B&B.

Looking for something more rugged? Check out the Packhorse Hut and hike up to Mount Herbert.

The Pros of Backpacking New Zealand

Nature – OK I know it has been stated several times already. But the truth is, there are few places in the world like New Zealand. If you enjoy the outdoors and immersing yourself in nature, your vacation or extended holiday probably will turn into a research project on how to immigrate to New Zealand. 

Hiking – This is one of the best places in the world for hiking. Not only can you get lost in the mountains completely alone and get connected with nature, but you can also do so with access to an amazing hut system.

For beginner hikers, it is also very special because a short hike can result with amazing alpine views. If hiking is your thing, New Zealand will leave you wanting more.

Road Trips – For self-driving enthusiast, pack your gear and hit the road. The scenery is stunning from the rugged coastlines to the Southern Alps. Driving is safe and easy in New Zealand, resulting in a top destination for a perfect road trip.

Hiking can bring you to amazing places. For example…glaciers. Photo by beardandcurly.com

The Cons of Backpacking New Zealand

Weather – Not only is the winter very rough and cold, but the weather in general is also completely sporadic. Because New Zealand is in the middle of the ocean, the subtropical weather can change very quickly. In our three months, we experienced two major cyclones.

The weather in the mountains can change in a matter of minutes. Every day in New Zealand we looked up weather reports and we always found ourselves chasing the good weather.

Costs – New Zealand is an expensive country. We made it cheaper by spending 30 nights in huts while hiking, and always looked for free campsites. Most of all, we never went out to restaurants or bars.

Staying in backpackers hostels and doing some of the activities in New Zealand will add up quickly, making it very easy to blow a budget. Because of this, we recommend trying to do all activities independently.

Lots of Tourists – The downside of how beautiful New Zealand is, is the number of tourists flocking in each year. Because the tourist season is short, the summer is just straight up hectic. I

t is not a large country. We would see people on the North Island and bump into them two weeks later somewhere on the South Island. As a result of the crowds, we recommend going in autumn to avoid the summer crowds.

What our picture looks like:

Reality:

Should You Visit New Zealand?

Our experience in New Zealand was incredible. We met some amazing people, saw some epic landscapes, and had a killer time with one of our favorite passions, hiking.

After spending forty-five days hiking over 800 kilometers, we still to this day dream of going back to hike some more.

We never thought we would fall in love with a place so much that it was truly hard to leave. New Zealand was definitely that place for us. It is time to book your flight and pack your bags. New Zealand is waiting…

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