Melo Villareal
Backpacking in New Zealand
A country that features non-stop, stunning and diverse beauty, New Zealand is definitely one-of-a-kind! Made up of jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, active volcano zones, and scenic beaches, the country is picturesque from all angles of its two islands.
Also Read: Ski Adventures: New Zealand
Aside from its beauty, New Zealand is one of the most backpack friendly countries in the world. Here are a few tips though before you pack your bags:
Bring the plastic, not the paper.
New Zealand has more ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) per capita than any other country in the world and every Hostel within the country accepts electronic payment. In addition, you will be a lot more frustrated if you lose a ton of cash, compared to a credit or debit card, which can always get stopped and reissued if lost or stolen.
A car can come in handy.
New Zealand is a great country to be explored behind the wheel. Whether it is a camper van or car, consider renting a vehicle rather than utilizing public transportation. It will provide you with a lot more flexibility and can also save you a ton of money on accommodation costs. Rentalcar.co.nz offers great rates on a variety of car hire options, and has numerous locations, making it convenient.
Get an inflatable pillow.
No matter how you travel throughout the country, travel times can be long. By having an inflatable travel pillow can make the transit a lot more comfortable while at the same time not take up a lot of space in your backpack.
Pack fewer shoes, but include flip-flops.
Flip-flops are the most common type of footwear when traveling through New Zealand, no matter what the climate is. They are even accepted in many nightclubs and will for sure keep your bag much lighter in transit!
Bring a waterproof bag.
This will help protect your valuables including your camera from the unpredictable stormy weather that New Zealand sometimes incurs.
Unlock your phone.
By unlocking your phone before you arrive will allow you to purchase a New Zealand friendly SIM card when you arrive. This will allow you to make calls internationally without having to pay a fortune. You may also want to utilize a service such as Skype to communicate with loved ones as most places in most cities throughout New Zealand have Wi-Fi that is either free or have just a minimal charge. In contrast, utilizing computers and their Internet services in hostels can be very expensive.
Also Read: Adventures in Auckland, New Zealand
Backpacking throughout New Zealand (official Tourism Website) is an experience you will for sure never forget. Do your homework ahead of time though as there are a wide variety of things to do and see. Unless you have an unlimited amount of time you probably won’t be able to take it all in, which is okay. Enjoy the stuff you can see properly in the time you have to give it.
Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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Also read: Benefits Of Travel Insurance
