New Zealand is the first country I travelled to and I would say my favourite. Split into 2 islands this place is perfect for anyone who enjoys getting outdoors. Take at quick look at the stops to make your visit to New Zealand unforgettable.
Recommended time to do this would be 6 weeks
Expected spending £400 per week
This goes North to South in the order the Kiwi Experience Bus goes.
North Island
Auckland | Bay & Cape | Hot water beach | Waitomo | Rotatura | Taupo | River Valley | Wellington
South Island
Kaiteriteri | Westport | Franz Josef | Wanaka | Queenstown | Milford Sound | Lake Tekapo | Christchurch | Kaikoura
Entry: Free 6 month visa on arrival.
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Accommodation: Starting from £20 a night, check out the accommodation page for suggestions.
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Getting round: I massively recommend doing the Kiwi experience for new travellers, if you're wanting to do you own thing look into renting a campervan.
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Food: All your standard food, to stick to a budget cook for yourself as much as possible.
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TOP TIP: I love this country, my tip would be to literally do everything you can afford!
Auckland
New Zealand's biggest city hosting around one third of its popular. Enjoy touring the city and check out the view from the sky tower by day and night. I also recommend getting the ferry across to Rangitoto for a hike around the volcano. Head north to visit the bay & cape. If you are heading south make sure to stop off at Cathedral Cove on the way.
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Top things: Mount Eden | Sky Tower | Rangitoto
Bay & Cape
Take a walk to the waterfall or enjoy the beach, you can also get the ferry across to Russell which is lovely. In the cape you drive across the 90 mile beach which is about 55 miles long, try some sand boarding and check out the lighthouse. On the way to the Bay & Cape to/from Auckland you can visit the pink sheep and Wangarei Falls.
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Top things: Waterfall walk | Ferry to Russell | 90 Mile beach | Lighthouse
Hot Water Beach
With very limited things to do just dig your hole and enjoy the thermal water on the beach. Make sure you dig in the right place the water gets really hot. On the way to Waitomo stop off at Karangahake walking tracks and take a walk round the rivers and mines.
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Top things: Hot Springs on the beach
Waitomo
Stop off in Waitomo and go caving, there is a range of tours you can take around the caves just pick the one that's right for you. If you don't want to pay for caving go for a hike, if you want to do both you will probably need 2 days. After leaving Waitomo on the way to Rotorua you can take a tour round Hobbiton which I recommend to anyone that's a fan.
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Top things: Caves | Hiking
Rotorua
North Island
Rotorua is known for geothermal activity and Maori culture. Check out the geothermal pool and visit the geysers. I definitely recommend paying to attend the Maori evening and taking a look into there culture. You can go rafting here which I also did this is good but after doing it I would suggest waiting and doing rafting in River Valley if that would be something you were interested in. Then on your way to river valley stop and have a walk down to Huka falls.
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Top things: Geothermal Pools | Maori culture evening
Taupo
Unfortunately when I was in Taupo there was a cyclone so we barely got out of the bar. While you're here you can check out the lake. While I was here I really wanted to walk up mount Doom but it was closed due to the weather.
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Top things: Mount Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom) | Other hikes | Water sports
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River Valley
River Valley is a basically just a single hostel in a Valley. Take a short walk round and enjoy the river. If you are keen to do some rafting this is the place to do it.
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Top things: Rafting
Wellington
Wellington is New Zealand's capital. Climb up the hill and look out over Wellington, visit the museum and enjoy one of the few places you can walk round a city and enjoy a choice of bars.
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Top things: Walk up the Hill | Museum | Bars
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South Island
Kaiteriteri
Kaiteriteri is another small place at the top of the South Island, I definitely recommend walking on the Abel Tasman Coast Tracks and checking out the beaches and views in the National Park. If you're not into walking you can take a boat or kayak round there are some amazing views. You can also relax on the beach in Kaiteriteri and go for a swim in the sea. You can also do skydiving here if you get a clear day you can see across to the North island. On the way to the to Westport you will stop off at an amazing lake with a sweet mountain view.
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Top things: Abel Tasman National Park | Beach
Westport
There isn't much happening in Westport, this is just a good place to stop for the night after a day of hiking between here and Kaiteriteri. We just spent the evening chilling around the hostel.
Franz Josef
Franz Josef is home to some of New Zealand's best glaciers. Take a trip up either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. I went up Franz Josef because it's recommended by the Kiwi experience but I think they're very similar. While here I would definitely take a trip on one of the glaciers, these trips are expenses but well worth doing. On the way to Wanaka from Franz Josef you will stop at Lake Matheson walking tracks where there's nice walking and lovely views.
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Top things: Glacier Trekking
Wanaka
Is hard to believe the change in weather from Franz Josef to Wanaka but getting inland of the mountain range comes with dry sunny weather. I really enjoyed Wanaka it's a lovely little place with some nice hiking around. If you want a short walk you can hike up mount Iron and if you're looking for something more challenging make your way up mount Roy, the views are incredible. On the way to Queenstown you can stop and go to Puzzle World and also stop at the AJ Hackett bungee shop and see people bungee jumping and book your bungee.
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Top things: Hiking Mount Roy | Mount Iron
Queenstown
Queenstown is a great place to meet up with other backpackers as it has so many great activities. Take a hike up to the to the luge or take the skyline, try out canyon swinging and bungee jumping or go for a ride on the speed boats. If you have travelled with the Kiwi experience you are likely to meet up in Queenstown with a lot of people you've met while on your trip, this is a great place to party and chill out with the people you've met. You will probably be tired from all the activities and hiking you have done in New Zealand and this is a great place to chill out by the lake and spend a couple of days relaxing.
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Top things: Hiking | AJ Hackett Bungee/Canyon Swing | Speed Boating | Relaxing | Night life
Milford Sound
Milford Sound can be done as a day trip from Queenstown. You have to go there to see it for yourself this is one of the most unbelievable places I've ever been and you have to witness the size of it for yourself.
Lake Takepo
Lake Takepo is another lovely little town, during the day enjoy the unbelievable views and then in the evening go and check out the skies from the observatory.
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Top things: Lake | Observatory
Christchurch
Christchurch isn't that nice really, after being hit by the earthquake a lot of the buildings were destroy so there is a lot of construction going on and a lot of temporary buildings.
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Top things: Walk round the city
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is the last stop of the Kiwi Experience again a little seaside town. Here you have the opportunity to swim with dolphins. I didn't do this and have regretted it since if I were you I would definitely recommend taking the chance to swim with the dolphins while you're here.
Top things: Short Coastal walk | Dolphin swimming tour
If you're lucky while you're on the boat across the islands you will be able to see dolphins so if you're feeling up to it have a look in the sea around the boat maybe you'll be lucky.
New Zealand is set up very well for backpackers and if you chose to do the Kiwi Experience it will be made very easy for you. If you decide to go it alone most of these places are well worth a visit. If you have any other suggestions for people or want to read more please find what people have said in our online members forums
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If you have any questions please contact me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
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If you're looking to Book anything please check out our booking pages
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