New Zealand is an amazing place that has a lot to offer to everybody who decides to come for a visit. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking sceneries worthy of your Instagram or a unique culture you can learn more about, you can find it all here. Moreover, there are more than a few ways to travel around New Zealand, so if you intend on visiting more than one place, here are seven best ways to explore New Zealand.
1. Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking in New Zealand is fairly safe, and it’s a great way to actually immerse yourself in the local culture by meeting local people and making new friends along the way. It’s also very popular among backpackers, so you might even have some competition. Just keep in mind that here, cars drive on the left side, so know where you should be standing if you want to be picked up. That being said, nowhere is completely safe, so hitchhiking might not be the best option if you’re traveling completely alone.
2. Hiking
Naturally, this is the slowest way to travel, but it can still be just as fun as any other way. It allows you to focus on the present moment, meet new people, and enjoy amazing sceneries all day. However, keep in mind that if you’ll be traveling for a while, you want to have a reliable mode of communication. For example, if you’re from Australia, you can get a New Zealand sim card, which would make your trip much easier, as it would allow you to access the Internet, make calls, and send messages without worrying about the bill you’d get if you were using your usual card in roaming.
3. Train
If you prefer something a bit more relaxing and less dynamic, you should consider exploring the country by train. It would allow you to read a book, listen to music, or simply plan your trip while still being able to see some of the most beautiful views that you would not be able to experience otherwise. Of course, the price of the ticket depends on how far you want to f, but it’s a fairly affordable option.
4. Plane
If you have a nice budget but not that much time, you can always travel by plane. It’s definitely the fastest way that would allow you to focus on the most important parts of your trip. However, since you wouldn’t be spending that much time “on the road”, make sure to plan your itinerary in advance, so you can actually make use of all the time you have.
5. Bus
For many backpackers, the “hop-on-hop-off” concept is still pretty new, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll see it’s pretty simple. It’s perfect for those who want to see as much of New Zealand as possible, but with much more freedom. You can shape your trip the way it suits you, and simply hop on and off buses to match your route. Just make sure to do some research in advance, especially if it’s your first time traveling like this. It might not be a bad idea to do it with somebody who’s already familiar with the concept, at least for a part of your trip, so you can feel more comfortable hopping on your own.
6. Car
If you love going on road trips with your friends or family, you should consider renting a car in New Zealand. The best thing about this option is that you can explore everything at your own pace. You can stop to take photos whenever you want, you can take breaks, you can visit some places that are a bit less crowded, and you can have picnics in nature. Just keep in mind that while adventure, freedom, and spontaneity would make your road trip much more fun, you still need to do some planning – you should always know where you’ll be sleeping, eating, and filling your gas tank.
7. Camper van
If you’re looking for a bit more comfort on your road trip, you can also rent a camper van. It would be perfect for your entire family, and since you’d have a bit more room inside, you could go on longer trips too and see more of the country. However, there are some rules you should be aware of when renting a van, so make sure to do your research before you start your road trip. This way, you’re more likely to enjoy your trip to the fullest and less likely to deal with any unpleasant surprises.
New Zealand is an amazing country that every avid traveler should visit at least once in their lifetime. There are many ways to explore it, but no matter which one you choose, with some planning, your trip is bound to be fun, exciting, and memorable.
