Secret Traveler Guides: New Zealand
After all the hard work of choosing which country you should visit, you’ve finally decided on New Zealand– what a great choice, seriously. This place is unreal and you’re going to have a blast! If you’re interested in hiking, you’re an adrenaline junkie, or your a photographer wanting to know the best spots, keep reading.
General Tips and Good-To-Know's
- The currency is New Zealand Dollar (NZD).
- You can get a visa on arrival (unless your stay is >3mo, then you’ll need to apply for one). Check with your government’s travel site for more information.
- The most common languages spoken are English and Maori.
- Must have eats: fresh fish & chips + Fergburger in Queenstown
- People that live in New Zealand are called Kiwis, not to be confused with the fruit.
- Rent a car, or a camper van and travel around New Zealand. This is by far the best way to visit explore and see everything first hand
- Here’s some Kiwi & Australian slang to help you get around:
- Bugga – Damnit
- Sweet as – That’s cool
- Bro – Friend
- She’ll be right – Ok No worries
- Jandals – Flip flops
- Bloke – Man
- Tomato sauce – Ketchup
- You’re all good – It’s ok thanks
- Knackered – exhausted
- Skint – Broke
- Skull – Drink your whole drink without taking a breath
- Chips – Fries
- Crisps – Chips
- Dairy – Corner Store
- Torch – Flashlight
- Heaps – Lots
- Cuppa – Cup of tea/coffee
- Flat out – Real fast
- Hard out – Totally agree
- Munted – Broken
- Bach – Holiday home
- Suss – Investigate
- Sunnies – Sun glasses
- Petrol – Gas
- Ta – Thanks
Keen for a hike?
New Zealand if full of amazing hikes, whether you’re interested in the mountain views, the chill hikes or the long ones that get you to amazing destinations. Below is a decent list of some decent hikes that I think are the most beneficial to know about. My favourite would have to be Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the North Island and Hooker Valley in the South Island.
“Hiking is the answer. Who cares what the question is.”
North Island
• Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Mount Maunganui
• Coromandel
• Mount Victoria
• Te Urewera
• Mount Eden
• Whangarei Heads
South Island
• Fox Glacier
• Franz Josef Glacier
• Roy’s Peak
• Rob Roy Glacier (link coming)
• Isthmus Peak Wanaka (link coming)
• Mount Cook National Park
• Fiordland National Park
• Ben Lomond Queenstown
• Tasman Glacier
• Hooker Valley
Looking for a chill out day?
Trust me, we all have those days on our holidays when we’re tired of constantly driving, exploring, moving or doing. Most of us probably don’t take enough time to relax during our holidays, but in New Zealand, we can sightsee and relax at the same time.
Keen for a spa? Some of the most beautiful views while relaxing in a spa are the Tekapo Hot Springs, Morere Hot Springs, Onsen Hot Pools or Nugget Point in Queenstown or Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools.
Perhaps you’ve got a palate for wine? What a coincidence, New Zealand has some of the most amazing wines. The most exciting part about doing a wine tour, is not only drinking the wine, but cycling from winery to winery. Fitness and wine, what more could you ask for?
“I just rescued some wine, it was trapped in a bottle.”
Maybe you're a thrill seeker?
In that case, you are probably going to fall in love with Queenstown. This city is the adventure capital of the world and these thrills are not for the light-hearted. Skydiving, bungee jumping, swinging across gorges, zipping down mountain forest on zip lines, white water rafting, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, zorbing down a hill in a giant inflatable ball or hopping on a crazy speedboat. I’d honestly even put the Haunted House in this category because it’s so scary! Let’s just say, you’ll always have something to fuel your adrenaline.
“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all”
Don’t miss any attractions!
The most known attraction is, of course, Hobbiton. Although this experience is decently priced, it’s kind of a must-do when you’re in New Zealand; as well as all the Lord of the Rings views all across the country.
Do you like the smell of farts? Most likely not, but you’ll be able to bear it when checking out Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. This beautiful walk filled with bubbling liquids of all sorts of colours from the ground is just magical.
Love that city view? Sky Tower in Auckland is a great way to check out the views from up above while eating a delicious meal. I’m not a big spender, but it’s certainly something I’d enjoy doing every once in awhile.
Have you ever seen a glow worm, or heard of one? There are tons of glow worms all around the country ready for you to explore them and the staff is eager to tell you exactly what a glow worm is! Waitomo Glow Worm Cave is such a blast. Ascending, zip lining and swimming through caves to see these pretty shiny worms.
Are you looking for the perfect photo opportunities?
“If you didn’t capture it on camera, did it even happen?”
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’m also obsessed with finding these amazing places! There are literally too many beautiful places to name, but I’ll do my best to gather the ones who were most dear to my camera. Or perhaps ones I know I would love to visit.
• Cathedral Cove
• Milford Sound
• Doubtful Sound
• Mount Cook
• Lake Pukaki
• Franz Josef Glacier
• Tongariro Crossing
• St Bathans
• Lake Wakatipu (from Bennett’s bluff lookout)
• Mount Taranaki
• The Remarkables Queenstown
• Moeraki Boulders
• Skippers Canyon
• Hooker Valley
• Tasman Glacier
• Cape Reinga
• Rippon Vineyard Wanaka
• That Wanaka Tree
• Tunnel Beach
You’re on your way to New Zealand.
Cheers mate! Now practice your Kiwi Slang, write down all the best spots to visit and pack all your epic vacation gear! I’d suggest packing more than you need, only for the reason that you’re going to want to live here as soon as you arrive. Speaking from experience, this beautiful place has kept me here for 2 years, when I wasn’t planning on staying that long at all.
You’re going to have a blast, see you here!
Written by Nikki Bee
Instagram: @_beaniesandbikinis
Website: www.beaniesandbikinisblog.com
