Category: Travel Tips

New Zealand is a popular tourist destination for international tourists. It is a country with untouched nature, fascinating culture, and gorgeous beaches. Even though New Zealand is relatively far away and a plane ticket might cost you a lot, it doesn’t mean that traveling around should be expensive as well. You can explore this destination without spending too much money.

So if you are a student who is working with a limited travel budget, there is no need to worry because you can get around without breaking a bank. There are many affordable options out there that will allow you to experience this beautiful country to the fullest.

Public transport

Every major city in New Zealand has public bus routes which will take you almost anywhere in a matter of minutes (or hours). The ticket prices are not so high either, and you can save up some money by purchasing daily passes that will allow you to ride the bus throughout the day. Not to forget that some places offer free bus shuttles in the downtown area. These are excellent options for students who are not keen on guided tours but want to visit popular sights during their visit.

Intercity coach buses

While train travel is not very popular in New Zealand, especially among the younger crowd, busses are definitely the best way to move around the country. The bus companies operating in New Zealand really did their best to expand the available bus lines, and you can get almost anywhere on the islands. Yes, the bus rides might be a bit lengthy, especially if you are traveling to another side of New Zealand, but the tickets are very budget friendly which is suitable for students.

Since there are many backpackers visiting New Zealand, a couple of bus companies offer special passes for them as well. They are even more affordable, so consider getting one if you are trying to stay within your budget. You will get more than one ride with the pass, and it will also cover the cost of the ferry between the islands. It is good to remember that the prices of bus tickets are cheaper during the offseason. So if you don’t mind traveling to New Zealand in slightly colder months, you can get a great deal when it comes to the bus tickets.

Hop-on-hop-off buses

Created especially for the younger travelers, these buses are very convenient and affordable. The buses have planned routes and several stops along the way. You can hop off at any location you find interesting, spend a couple of days there, and then hop back on to another bus that is traveling on the schedule. You are supposed to take care of the food and accommodation yourself, so it is not a guided tour through the country. What makes hop-on-hop-off buses ideal for students? The tickets are cheap, and you will be in charge of your entire trip. So if you feel like exploring a place, simply get off the bus, and continue the ride later. Plus, you will meet a lot of new people who are traveling around New Zealand.

Train

As previously mentioned, trains are not commonly used by tourists in New Zealand. They only connect the major cities, which is a deal breaker for many travelers who want to experience nature. On the other hand, train rides are quite exciting in New Zealand due to the gorgeous nature and breathtaking views you can experience while traveling. The tickets are more expensive when compared to the buses, and you have a limited number of destinations you can visit, but you will experience New Zealand from a whole new perspective.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is not a popular way of transportation in a lot of countries around the globe, but it is legal in New Zealand, and many people use it to get around. According to a travel writer David Jones from ProWriting, it is an excellent way to meet new people and get to your destination without spending any money. The locals are very friendly and willing to pick up hitchhikers as well. However, keep in mind that you might end up waiting a bit while trying to get a ride. So if you are on a tight schedule, consider using another means of travel … like using a FREE RENTAL CAR booked on www.transfercar.co.nz.
And always be on a lookout because hitchhiking can also be risky.

>Free rental cars

Yes… that’s probably the best solution you could ever dream of… and it is a reality!

Conclusion

New Zealand is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places you can visit. It is a blend of magical landscapes, welcoming locals, and interesting cultures. Tourists of all ages come here throughout the year, regardless of the season. If you want to visit New Zealand, but you don’t have unlimited resources, you need to be knowledgeable about the different means of traveling on the islands. There are many ways to explore New Zealand without blowing your budget, so use them to your advantage, and enjoy your time in this enchanting place.

Lucy Benton is a writing coach, an editor who finds her passion in expressing own thoughts as a blogger, and currently works at www.assignmenthelper.com.au. She is constantly looking for the ways to improve her skills and expertise. If you’re interested in working with Lucy, you can find her on Twitter.

New Zealand is one of the most camper-friendly countries in the world, and there’s no better place to take your campervan or motorhome than out and about exploring the natural wonders of NZ. Freedom camping is becoming increasingly popular as the years go by, and today we’re going to share with you some common dos and don’ts of freedom camping, as well as some amazing spots you can call your home for a couple of days.

What is freedom camping?

In essence, freedom camping means you can set up camp somewhere outside the official camping grounds. Now, this doesn’t make it illegal, but you could end up paying substantial fines if you set up camp where freedom camping is not allowed.

When you do find a free camping site, you want to make sure you have all the necessities at hand and that you follow the rules and act responsibly, or you’ll have to deal with a disgruntled parks officer. While there are hundreds of free holiday camping sites scattered across the two islands, you can also make use of the affordable powered camping sites if you find yourself unable to find a place to freedom camp for any reason whatsoever.

It’s all about a responsible behaviour and common sense   

Your motorhome needs to be self-contained to meet the freedom camping criteria. You should also act in accordance with the following rules:

• Do not leave traces of your visit. Unfortunately, some people have treated different public spots quite poorly in the past, forcing local communities to make those places ‘No Camping’ zones. So simply clean up after yourself as you don’t want to spoil it for others.

• Never use waterways or the bush as a toilet. This is pretty self-explanatory, so make use of either your campervan toilet or public toilets.
• Obey the ‘No Camping’ sign (unless you’re OK with being handed an on-the-spot fine).
• Keep soap, toothpaste, detergents and other chemicals out of the waterways (having a bath in a lake is out of question, then).
• Use approved dump stations to dispose of waste.

Now that you understand that freedom camping does require certain equipment and adequate provisions and a conscious behaviour, here are my top five spots.

Puketapu

Located just outside Napier in Hawkes Bay is Puketapu Park, a freedom camping zone perfect for families and group activities. You can stay for up to two nights, but you will have to keep the place clean. The place has a great playground for children, it’s riddled with trees and greenery, and you can make frequent visits to the village itself, Napier and its beaches.

Koha

Unlike the previous camping site, Koha campgrounds do not have toilets on site, so your motorhome really needs to be self-contained. Otherwise, the camping ground is a beautiful riverbank natural oasis where you can stay for a single night. The gates open at 3pm and close at 8pm.

The only thing you need to do it to rate them on social media and give your feedback, and you’ve welcome to camp!

Lake Pukaki

The breathtakingly beautiful scenery of Lake Pukaki, largely influenced by the unreal blue colour of the water created by glacial flour, is the perfect place to freedom camp with the family of your significant other. You’ll have the chance to wake up each morning with some magnificent views, and all of you Lord of the Rings fans will be happy to know that The Hobbit trilogy was filmed here.

Upper Waitohi

Waitohi is a great place for those of you looking to find a peaceful camping site, and stay there for the entire holiday. With up to fourteen days at your disposal, the only thing you need to do is refrain from lighting any fires, and leave the grounds as you found them.

Oh, and no pets allowed for some reason, so that’s a bummer, but a wonderful experience for nature lovers and backpacking enthusiasts as you will be going on long excursions into the great outdoors.

Port Ohope Reserve

Finally, Port Ohope, situated in the Whakatane region of the North Island, is a lovely quiet place on the shore, perfect for a couple’s getaway. You can stay for up to two nights, and there’s even a toilet block just a brisk walk from the site, but unfortunately there is no playground for children. Be sure to bring your snorkelling gear though.

There’s nothing quite like soaking in the charm and beauty of NZ’s countryside in the summer, so grab your free campervan, act responsibly, don’t forget you camera, and let the good times roll!

 

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The winter is over, and so with the warmer weather come all of the exciting festivities that will grace every part of New Zealand this spring. Every spring, NZ is host to hundreds of festivals, local gatherings, art installations, foodie events and many, more that will offer you loads of fun and enjoyment. Here’s our pick of the most exciting attractions during this festive season.

Nelson Arts Festival, 11 – 27 October, 2017

Starting at the northern part of the South Island, the Nelson Arts Festival in Nelson hosts numerous performers and art programmes, from theatre plays to concerts and dance spectacles all the way to visual installations and plenty more. Be sure to book your tickets in advance because many of the programmes can be sold out for weeks prior to the opening.

Aoraki Mackenzie Starlight Festival, 13 – 15 October, 2017

While recovering from the spectacles at Nelson, be sure to venture a bit south to visit the Starlight Festival at The Hermitage where you will get the chance to witness everything from scientific lectures to concerts and photographic exhibitions. You can find your tickets at the festival’s official website. If you’re anything resembling a space nut, this is the event for you!

Auckland Diwali Festival, 14 – 15 October, 2017

Travelling to the North Island, the city of Auckland will welcome you to its Diwali Festival at the Aotea Square. This festival is all about Indian culture, imbuing your mind, body and soul with the colours, aromas, sights and sounds of this rich and ancient civilisation. The festival lasts only two days though, so be sure not to miss it.

Queenstown Jazz Festival, 20 – 23 October, 2017

Time to hurry back south again to Queenstown for the Jazz spectacle of the year. Fortunately, you’ve got plenty of time to get here from Auckland. Entering its 40th year, the festival hosts more than 150 musicians from across the globe. And you want to find yourself in the middle of it all, surrounding by timeless tunes and wild times.

The New Zealand Cider Festival, 4 November 2017

Okay, you’ve had your break, time to get back on the road to Nelson, where you’ll get the chance get responsibly plastered at the NZ Cider Festival located at Nelson’s Founders Heritage Park. Not only will you be trying the latest cider crafting accomplishments from national and international artisans, but you will also be enjoying fine dining and entertainment in a more casual setting.

FAWC! Food and Wine Classic, 3 – 12 November, 2017

As if the sheer beauty of Hawke’s Bay isn’t enough to visit the region this spring, they had to put a foodie festival there to make sure you absolutely wouldn’t skip making this trip. Situated amidst the stunning natural scenery of Hawke’s Bay, the festival hosts culinary masters from around the country, as well as numerous connoisseurs and winemakers from around the world.

Sculpture on the Peninsula, 10 – 12 November, 2017

You weren’t planning to spend nine days eating fine food and drinking wine, did you? Better cut the trip at least one day short, because back in the South Island, the Sculpture on the Peninsula exhibition taking place in Christchurch and is an absolute must-see. This is the largest sculpture exhibition in NZ, and you will get the chance to support various charities by purchasing some of the artwork.

Tarawera Trail Marathon & 50K, 11 November, 2017

Feeling like going for a run? The North Island Tarawera Trail Marathon & 50K kicks off this season in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and finishes at Mt Tarawera. The reward? Soaking in the natural, heated geothermal waters of the area – there’s nothing quite like it and it’s an excellent way to end your spring adventure.

As you can see, there are plenty of amazing events to be witnessed in New Zealand this spring. We suggest leaving your car back home and grabbing a reliable free transfer car in order to navigate between destinations with ease.

 

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Fishing – an ancient skill that has long since become one of the most popular pastimes around the world. There is nothing quite like opening a cold one and imbuing yourself with the natural wonders while you patiently wait for the catch of the day, and in my case, taking photos of the magnificent scenery.

New Zealand is a vast country, with numerous popular as well as secluded fishing spots to appeal to your senses, and today I’m going to share with you the fishing regions I found to be the worthiest of exploration. Mind you, they are not necessarily close to each other, so you will need personal transportation, as a free transfer car. Let’s dive right in.

West Coast

If you are looking to start your fishing expedition, spring is the perfect time to set sail, as the entire west coast of the South Island becomes whitebait country. Be sure to bring a net because whitebait is plentiful from September to the end of November.

There are numerous lodging options here, and you can find affordable accommodation wherever you end up casting your net. I stayed at the amazing Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki from where I roamed the coastline.

Otago

Now, Otago is quite a big region, and it would be a shame if you were to skip the sightseeing or exploration opportunities. Be sure to devote plenty of time for this fishing excursion, as there are numerous lakes and rivers rich with brown trout just waiting for you to cast bait.

I decided to lodge at the affordable Clutha Gold Cottages as this location gave me the opportunity to go fishing up and down the rich Clutha River. Be sure to take your car up to Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, as well!

Canterbury

From Otago, naturally, I took the road to the breathtaking scenery that awaited me at Canterbury, a region riddled with fly-fishing opportunities on the banks of its beautiful braided rivers. If it’s sea-run trout or salmon you’re looking for, then head to the south of Christchurch to the Rakaia River.
Myself, I stayed at the Ashley Gorge Holyday Park because it is close to the Waimakariri River, a place of sheer beauty where you can enjoy professional fishing trips complete with jet boats and guides.

Bay of Plenty

Time to head north to the famous Bay of Plenty, home to the White Island and numerous coastal fishing opportunities, of which I found – plenty. There is no shortage of excitement here, and you can expect to meet other fishing aficionados on your journey, from catching hapuka, terakihi, trevally and bluenose at the White Island to lodging in and around Whakatane.

Coromandel Peninsula

Up the coast from the Bay of Plenty lies Coromandel Peninsula with its breathtaking, idyllic countryside and, you guessed it, numerous fishing opportunities. Some of the best fishing areas here are around Whitianga and Cooks Bay, where you can give it your best to catch a snapper or a kingfish. I was left emptyhanded, but with a bounty of beautiful photographs. Don’t forget to go snorkelling at the magnificent Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve while you’re there.

Marlborough

Fancy a trip back south? Across the coast of Wellington lies a natural wonder, or should I say, a natural maze of islands and peninsulas too vast to discover and experience in a single lifetime. And yet I gave it a shot.

I stayed at the somewhat affordable Lochmara Lodge, located at the Lochmara Bay, from where I had access to all kinds of fishing opportunities. From charter fishing trips to open ocean experiences, there’s something for everyone, so be sure to devote plenty of time to this particular adventure.

If there has ever been an angler’s heaven, it’s somewhere in New Zealand, that’s for sure. I hope you find these locations interesting enough to pay them a visit this year. I suggest taking a transfer car from location to location in order to navigate your journey quickly and stress-free.

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