New Zealand Backpacking Trips - Do you have Tried Backpacking in New Zealand?Have you tried backpacking just before? It is really an experience. This is a must-try while we are still young. The best part is that you get to meet interesting people from across the world in your dormitory room!
Okay, I haven’t been to as many backpacking trips. But New Zealand is certainly backpackers-friendly. I am comparing this with Singapore. Guess I can’t imagine lugging a heavy backpack in Singapore subway trains.
Five explanations why New Zealand is backpacker-friendly:
1) The temperature is generally cooling. Carrying huge backpack and walking around the hot and humid tropic can be tiring, and dehydrating.
2) Trains and buses are not jam-packed. There is definitely room for a huge back pack.
3) It is simple to manoeuvre around with a bulky carrier. The walkways are wide enough and doors are big enough. Believe me, some of the walkways in Singapore can be very narrow.
4) There are heaps of affordable backpacker accommodation conveniently found in the heart of town (about NZD $24 for a 4-bed female dorm).
5) You don’t spend enough time waiting in queues (standing using your heavy bag). Anywhere with more than 5 people ahead of you in line is quite rare.
Almost everywhere in New Zealand is backpack-able. However , many of the places could be a tad bit more challenging than others. Mainly, it is the going to and fro airport, bus/railway station.
Three locations that can be just a little tricky for backpackers:
1) Auckland International Airport to and from Auckland Domestic Airport. I remember needing to carry my luggage off and on the bus, and walking from one terminal to another location. Heaps of thanks to the friendly Kiwis who helped me!
2) Travelling from Wellington bus station to and from downtown accommodation. There isn’t any other option other than walking. Anyway, Wellington is undulating. Going against gravity with heavy backpack isn’t funny.
3) Transiting between bus, train and cruise. It is logical that these places are some distance apart by foot. The most memorable one was moving from Picton train station to port, and then from Wellington port to bus terminal, also include back and forth accommodation.
Getting around New Zealand by Bus – From One Island to Another
If you need to cross between the North and the South Island, the cheapest way to go is by plane. Also, there are ferries linking the islands. It’s virtually impossible to get between the two islands by bus.Getting around New Zealand by Bus – Within the Same Island
Buses are a cheap way to get from one city to another on the same island. If you book online, you might even get some bargains.The companies offering coach services in New Zealand are:
- InterCity Coachlines – the national coach company, connecting more than 600 destinations nationwide. They also operate vessels so if you need to travel between the two islands, it’s possible to book the ferry ride as well, along with the bus ride. It’s a good idea to pre-book the ticket online in order to get the discounted rates.
- Naked Bus – is a low-cost company which offers city to city links. It is definitely the cheapest option for those who plan ahead.
- GreatSights New Zealand – is the daily sightseeing operator in New Zealand and offers 30 days sightseeing tours in the country.
- Flying Kiwi Adventures – is the original adventure bus tour company. Trips range from 3 to 27 days and cover both islands.
- Atomic Shuttles – is a low-cost company operating shuttle services in parts of the South Island
- Backpacker buses – offer trips around New Zealand. You can hop on and off at your will.
Getting around New Zealand by Bus – Within a City
Bus travel is very popular in Auckland . If you don’t mind to walk to the bus station, you can easily do without a car in this city. However, at peak hours the buses aren’t that reliable and delays of up to 15 minutes are common on all routes. The bus system in the city is not integrated, so there are different bus companies serving different parts of the city. The largest operator is Stagecoach.
In Hamilton, the bus service is also a good option to get around the city. The operator is Environment Waikato and covers the entire city. One way tickets are good for 2 hours (and cost $2.60NZ).
Wellington also has an extensive network of buses, including a number of routes served by electric trolleybuses. Free maps are available in locations around the town. For the travelers, the best option is to get an all-day central bus pass. Rotorua, on the other hand, has a bus service for is limited. Although Christchurch’s bus system has been improved over the last years, it’s still a good idea to plan to use a rental bike while you are here. And in Queenstown the bus service is also limited, with only three routes available.
