NEW ZEALAND
Do you love nature and the outdoors? If so, New Zealand is THE place you need to visit on your next adventure! Each destination is more jaw-dropping than the next and you will see the world’s most vibrant colors here - cotton candy blues, bubble gum pinks, electric greens, and royal purples to name a few. Aside from majestic colors, both of New Zealand’s islands host a surplus of natural wonders. The beauty across this country is truly unmatched and should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Updated COVID-19 Travel Information:
Currency:
The official currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand (or Kiwi) Dollar (NZD)
$1 USD = $1.40 NZD
Pricing for Leisure Travelers:
Average Hotel Expenses = $110-$130 NZD/Night ($80-$95 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = $42-$62 NZD/Day ($30-$45 USD/Day)
Pricing for Backpackers:
Average Hostel Expenses = $25-$40 NZD/Night ($18-$28 USD/Night)
Average Food/Drink Expenses = $25-$40 NZD/Day ($18-$28 USD/Day)
Communication:
English is the main language spoken across the country. If English is not your first language, no need to worry though; on both islands, there are plenty of translators at all main attractions. The nation’s two other official languages are Māori and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).
Transportation:
Car/Camper Van: Renting a vehicle is the way to go when traveling throughout New Zealand! The drives are short since the country is so small and it gives you flexibility to explore places not on the normal bus routes. Learn more about pricing and options by reading my blog post on the subject!
Bus: If you are not interested in renting a vehicle, this is the next best option seeing as though it is the cheapest of the bunch. That said, New Zealand is known for its windy roads so be prepared for some lengthy bus rides. There are two main types of bus lines - A to B buses and Hop-On-Hop-Off buses.
A to B Bus Lines: These are your standard buses taking you from Point A to Point B. Prices are low and you have the freedom to create your own itineraries. The most trusted company is Intercity Bus. They offer normal single-ride tickets as well as FlexiPass and TravelPass options. FlexiPass is an hours-based bus pass in which you can create custom packages or select from 10 to 80-hour itineraries. Keep in mind these are estimated travel times, not actual times, to protect against bus breakdowns and/or traffic eating up your hours. This option gives you flexibility to travel where you want and comes with the option of adding hours to your pass at any time. TravelPass, on the other hand, offers pre-planned itineraries to the most-visited travel destinations across New Zealand. There are 14 different options servicing both islands (including ferries) ranging from $125 NZD to $1,045 NZD. Both FlexiPass and TravelPass tickets are valid for 12 months.
Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Lines: These bus lines are designed for backpackers and offer guided travel to set destinations. You have the freedom to hop off wherever and whenever you like on your chosen route and can stay as long as you want since passes last for 12 months. When you are ready to go to the next spot, just hop on the next bus! This is a great option if you are not a “planner” because all overnights and sites are pre-determined. There are two main companies and both always seem to have discounted rates on their websites - Kiwi Experience and Stray Bus. Kiwi Experience has 30+ packages with trips from 1-28 days in length; prices range from $85 NZD to $1,779 NZD. Stray Bus offers 7 packages with trips from 3-24 days in length; prices range from $990 NZD to $2,464 NZD. Your choice in company/route will depend on what you want to see and how many days you have to travel!
Airplane: This mode of transportation can be cost-effective depending on how much time you have. Air New Zealand has 20 different domestic travel destinations and the longest direct flight between islands is 2 hours. Find great deals on their website but keep in mind that not all of New Zealand’s main attractions are nearby airports.
Train: Although there are rail lines in New Zealand, they are not very popular among travelers. You can find more information by visiting Rail New Zealand’s website. They have packages with a combination of train and bus rides.
Taxi/Uber: Most cities and towns in New Zealand are small enough to be walkable but there are plenty of taxis and Ubers around if you would like to go that route.
Miscellaneous:
New Zealand is made up of two islands. The North Island has a warmer climate and is mostly known for its geothermal hot springs, active volcanoes, and white sand beaches. Conversely, the South Island is generally chillier and known for its snow-capped mountains, captivating glaciers, and cyan-colored lakes. Due to the mountains, the South Island’s West Coast has cooler temperatures and more rainfall than the East Coast.
New Zealand’s entire population is just under 5 million people. Of that number, only 1 million live on the South Island making it very vast and spread out! The nature is breathtaking at every turn!
Before booking or purchasing tours, be sure to check out Bookme.nz - this site always has loads of discounts and great deals!
Most cities and towns in New Zealand will have a Department of Conservation (DOC) office. Before going on treks or excursions, stop in to get the latest weather and safety information. New Zealand is known for drastic weather changes in short periods of time which can cause trail closures during any month and season. As often as possible on my travel guides, I link hikes/trails to the corresponding DOC webpage to ensure you have all of the information you need.
Speaking of the Department of Conservation, are you a Lord of the Rings fan? If so, check out their website to find the real-life locations of where scenes were shot in the films! As Bilbo would say, “I’m going on an adventure!”
