New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, from pristine beaches to snowy capped mountains it has it all. With more sheep than people New Zealand is the perfect place to get away and explore the incredible countryside and marvel at the wide array of nature.
Getting Around New Zealand
Probably the best way to travel would be to hire a camper van. We didn't go for this as we thought it would be cheaper to rent a car and stay in hostels. The advantage of having you own transport is you can rally get of the beaten track and see some really great places. It also means you can stop when you like and get that photo of the beautiful scenery whenever you want.
Where to stay in New Zealand
We stayed in all sorts of places form cheap dorm rooms in hostels to bedrooms in ancient hotels. Its all about finding the cheapest place for the night.
New Zealand Costs
New Zealand is cheaper than Australia, but when you compare it to Southeast Asia its pretty expensive. To try and cut down on the costs we stayed in the cheapest Hostels we could find and cooked all our meals ourselves. This does mean however that often you'll be staying at the non party orientated hostels as the real popular ones charge alot more.
Flying to New Zealand - Check out flight prices with the Airline Network
Declared the eighth Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling Milford Sounds is New Zealand’s most famous tourist destination, and not without good reason. Probably my highlight of a trip to New Zealand, located in the Flordlands of the South Island of New Zealand, Milford Sounds has got be some of the best scenery I’ve ever seen.
The Moeraki Boulders are huge spherical boulders lying scattered along a stretch of Koekohe Beach between Palmeston and Hampden. They are created from the erosion of mudstone by the waves. There extremely old and look amazing in the swell of incoming tide.
The Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki, are a unique natural attraction on New Zealand’s South Island West Coast. They are formed from layers of water sculpted limestone. The fasantating rocks are well worth a stop of if you’ve got your own transport, if your there at the right time you can see the tide shoot up into the air through the many blowholes.
There didnt seem to be alot else worth hangining aroud for but a brief walk around and lovely costal views are a welcome break from the roads.
Lake Tekapo Youth Hostel is surprisingly, located right in front of Lake Tekapo in the centre of New Zealand’s South Island. Its main attraction is the huge window with an incredible view of Lake Tekapo and the mountains and has got to be one of the best views I’ve ever had in a Youth Hostel.
A trip to Australia or New Zealand would not be complete without sampling the national dish, the pie.
In new Zealand a detour to the little town of (need to remember the name!) is the best place to enjoy the incredibly tasty pastries.
In Australia, (I can’t remember what the bakery was called but I remember many visits) a drunken night out would not have been complete without a visit to the 23 hour pie shop in Byron Bay. It was on the main street and as with most pie shops in Australia and New Zealand the array of different pies available was incredible, from spaghetti bolognese to steak egg and cheese.
Don’t miss this national dish, I know i do now I’m not there
Located on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, approximately 29km from Greymouth is famous for being the birth place of the New Zealand Labour Party.
