All the Ways New Zealand
Queen Charlotte sound from the top of mt Stokes
On October 2019 my girlfriend and I got to Zealand, we knew in advance we wanted a different trip then other travelers in New Zealand.
We wanted to see and feel the natural and cultural world of New Zealand.
So that's what we did.
Walking
My girlfriend walking in the traverse with all the gear she has
There is a Trail that walks the length of New Zealand from Cape Reinga to Bluff, it is called Te Araroa.
That was the first thing I did in New Zealand, I went to the northern most point and started walking, in the rain, in the sun, around 25 km a day.
I did that for about a month, the experience was amazing even if I did only a small portion of the trail.
That was the first thing I did in New Zealand, I went to the northern most point and started walking, in the rain, in the sun, around 25 km a day.
I did that for about a month, the experience was amazing even if I did only a small portion of the trail.
You get a chance to feel the real might of New Zealand's nature and you meet people who truly love the outdoors, on the other hand, it is extremely hard to walk long distances every day and you are in a rush to get to camp everyday before the sun sets, it's difficult to enjoy the amazing views of New Zealand when all you do in the day is walk, that's what made me stop walking it.
On top of that you can only see the part of New Zealand that the path goes through.
On top of that you can only see the part of New Zealand that the path goes through.
Me on the trail with the heavy backpack in the middle of a native forest
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is a great way to move around New Zealand, especially if you are a social individual.
You meet really kind people whether if you pick your thumb up on the side of the road or if you meet someone in a hostel or on other occasions.
You meet really kind people whether if you pick your thumb up on the side of the road or if you meet someone in a hostel or on other occasions.
It is faster then walking and in most occasions faster then public transport and it is free, I would highly recommend to hitchhike in New Zealand.
Some down sides of it are that sometimes it takes a long time to get a ride especially if you are on the side of the road.
Some down sides of it are that sometimes it takes a long time to get a ride especially if you are on the side of the road.
Sometimes it's really hard to get to specific places, so keep an open mind or be prepared to walk a little, also it is better if you pack light and don't have too many things with you.
There are WEIRDOS out there so be careful and don't hop on a ride if it feels weird, also don't be afraid to ask to get off a ride if it gets too much for you.
NEVER travel alone and ALWAYS make sure you have a way to protect yourself if things go south.
There are WEIRDOS out there so be careful and don't hop on a ride if it feels weird, also don't be afraid to ask to get off a ride if it gets too much for you.
NEVER travel alone and ALWAYS make sure you have a way to protect yourself if things go south.
My girlfriend lifting a finger to catch a ride
Driving
Sunset at Kaikoura beach
Driving is the fastest and most efficient way to move around New Zealand
It is also the most popular way to do so.
It is easier to get places and view as much as you possibly can, it is also easier to plan out your trip and carry more things with you, on the other hand it is much harder to meet new people and even more difficult to meet locals, another down side is the carbon footprint you leave on the planet, things in New Zealand are spread out and far away from each other, so if you're doing a long drive try to bring more people along with you to minimize the impact you do to nature and also meet new, fun people
If you don't have a lot of time to spend in New Zealand or you are a really planned out person then driving is the preferred way.
It is also the most popular way to do so.
It is easier to get places and view as much as you possibly can, it is also easier to plan out your trip and carry more things with you, on the other hand it is much harder to meet new people and even more difficult to meet locals, another down side is the carbon footprint you leave on the planet, things in New Zealand are spread out and far away from each other, so if you're doing a long drive try to bring more people along with you to minimize the impact you do to nature and also meet new, fun people
If you don't have a lot of time to spend in New Zealand or you are a really planned out person then driving is the preferred way.
Lake Alexandrina wildlife reserve an example of a place that is easier to get to by car
WWOOFing
Tending to bees was one of my jobs while working on the farm
WWOOF is a network connecting individuals with farm owners.
The point is that you work a specific amount of time on the farm and in return you get food and accommodations for free.
The point is that you work a specific amount of time on the farm and in return you get food and accommodations for free.
It is really fun, especially if you like farms and animals and a simple way of living.
You get to meet the locals and often you get a chance to see the area you work in to greater depth.
Down side is that you are working and not traveling per say. I enjoyed my time on the farm and didn't feel like it's a job, but everybody is different.
You get to meet the locals and often you get a chance to see the area you work in to greater depth.
Down side is that you are working and not traveling per say. I enjoyed my time on the farm and didn't feel like it's a job, but everybody is different.
On our spare time we could play with the ducks or ride the horses, in the picture the ducks are fighting who will be the one we'll pick up and play with
House Sitting
Morpok (New Zealand Owl) in a bird hospital next to the house we were sitting in
House sitting is also a network that helps you find free accommodations.
With this network you are connected with a local that is going travelling or leaving the house for a period of time and needs someone to look over the house.
When you do that, you have certain duties you have to do through out the day, the rest of the time you can do as you please, this way you can easily explore areas in more depth with no pressure of actual hard work and not worry about where you're sleeping today.
The down side is that you are committing to staying in one place for a determent amount of time.
With this network you are connected with a local that is going travelling or leaving the house for a period of time and needs someone to look over the house.
When you do that, you have certain duties you have to do through out the day, the rest of the time you can do as you please, this way you can easily explore areas in more depth with no pressure of actual hard work and not worry about where you're sleeping today.
The down side is that you are committing to staying in one place for a determent amount of time.
While house sitting we could do small side trips and see nature, in the picture is me with mt Taranki in the background
Fishing
My fisherman friend and I fishing for Barracuda off of a boat
Fishing is a big deal in New Zealand, in a lot of places you either need a license or to be with someone with a license and you have restrictions on the amount of fish you are allowed to pull out of the water.
It is a great deal of fun whether you're on a boat or on the shore, you get time in nature and a break to think and process things.
It is a great thrill to catch a fish I tell you that!
It is even more fun to eat it afterwards.
It is a great deal of fun whether you're on a boat or on the shore, you get time in nature and a break to think and process things.
It is a great thrill to catch a fish I tell you that!
It is even more fun to eat it afterwards.
My fisherman friend showing the catch of the day a large Snapper
Nights
Starry Night, Star trail over mt Taranki
Nights in New Zealand are special.
Especially for astronomy and night photographers like me.
In many places there aren't a lot of people and there is very little light pollution, what means you get to see a lot of stars especially not in big cities, you can also see the milky way year round, if you want to see the core, then it is visible in the fall and the spring but the best time to it is winter (if there is a clear night).
New Zealand is also the house of the southern most star reserve in the world, so it is very advised to go out at night and look at the stars if you are in nature.
Especially for astronomy and night photographers like me.
In many places there aren't a lot of people and there is very little light pollution, what means you get to see a lot of stars especially not in big cities, you can also see the milky way year round, if you want to see the core, then it is visible in the fall and the spring but the best time to it is winter (if there is a clear night).
New Zealand is also the house of the southern most star reserve in the world, so it is very advised to go out at night and look at the stars if you are in nature.
The Milky Way over a holiday park we slept in
Natural World
Tomtit sitting on a branch in the middle of a native New Zealand forest
New Zealand originally had no mammals except for two small species of bats, what resulted in a very diverse and special ecosystem of birds.
There are so many types and niches of birds it is hard to count and explain about in a short paragraph.
If you love animals and birds in particular then New Zealand is the place to be!
You go into nature, sit quietly and wait, then all of the sudden you hear and see the birds.
It is an amazing experience and personally I love that feeling.
Also New Zealand is the home of the rarest bird in the world, the South Island Kōkako, so if you're up for the challenge there is a 10,000$ prize to the one who will bring hard proof it still exists.
There are so many types and niches of birds it is hard to count and explain about in a short paragraph.
If you love animals and birds in particular then New Zealand is the place to be!
You go into nature, sit quietly and wait, then all of the sudden you hear and see the birds.
It is an amazing experience and personally I love that feeling.
Also New Zealand is the home of the rarest bird in the world, the South Island Kōkako, so if you're up for the challenge there is a 10,000$ prize to the one who will bring hard proof it still exists.
New Zealand Scaup relaxing after a failed fishing attempt
