New Zealand Travel Tips You NEED to Know! • 2024

Do You Want to Travel FOREVER??

Pop your email in below to get a FREE copy of ‘How to Travel the World on $10 a Day!’.

Please leave this field empty.


Please leave this field empty.


Please leave this field empty.

I consent to my personal information being processed in accordance with The Broke Backpacker’s Privacy Policy

Get Your FREE Copy

Δ

New Zealand is made up of two main islands, North and South. Both are bloody amazing but very different. The North Island is the more “tropical” of the two, and it flourishes in summer. You’ll find beautiful beaches, Maori culture, and some pretty epic geothermal activity hot spots.

The South Island is more “rugged” and much less populated. It’s home to around 1/5 of the entire population of New Zealand (which is only 5 million in the first place!). You’ll find some of the most incredible landscapes in the world on the South Island of New Zealand. Some of the most famous spots to visit include Queenstown and Milford Sounds.

My first tip for travelling to New Zealand is to visit both islands. Obviously, time may be a constraint but if you have more than 3 weeks in New Zealand – try to explore a bit of both (more on time constraints in tip #17).

No bridge connects the two islands. You can either catch the Inter-islander ferry (yes, you can take your car on the ferry) from Wellington to Picton, or you can jump on a plane.

Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand and from the moment you arrive at the airport, you’ll see the language and culture everywhere. Many of you will recognise and know of the infamous All Blacks Haka, this stems from Maori culture.

A top New Zealand travel tip is to brush up on a few Maori words. Unfortunately, it is not as widely spoken in New Zealand as it once was. However, many of the cities and towns in New Zealand are Maori names and you will see many uses of Maori language all over the place.

Here are a couple of greetings that you can use:

• Kia ora: Hello
• Morena: Good Morning

You’ll see that many locals, particularly Maori, wear a Pounamu (or a Greenstone) around their necks. A Pounamu is steeped in Maori history, culture, and beliefs. They are beautiful pieces of art and come in many different designs each with a different meaning. Don’t be afraid to ask others about their Pounamu meaning and to find your own that best resonates with your values.

One of the best places to learn about Maori culture is to head to Rotorua (in the North Island). The Mitai Maori Village has an awesome Maori Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet where you can learn more about the history and culture.

On either a Saturday or Sunday, across the country, you’ll find epic little farmers markets to explore. From locally made feijoa wine and roasted coffee to baked treats and rich oils. You’ll come across plenty of incredible locally-produced goods at the New Zealand farmer’s markets

Not only do they have some delicious local products, but they often also have fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers. You’ll leave these farmer’s markets with a happy, full tum and maybe a few treats to take home. It’s one of the best things to do in New Zealand, especially when exploring small towns.

My top picks for markets to visit in New Zealand are:

• Matakana Village Market
• Keri Keri Weekend Market
• Clevedon Sunday Market
• Hawkes Bay Farmers Market
• Wellington Underground Market
• Otago Farmers Market

There is no beating around the bush here, the sun is harsh. Especially if you’re staying in New Zealand over the summer.

Without sunscreen, you will get burnt and it will hurt. Aloe Vera will become your best friend. But prevention is always better than cure. So, as the Kiwis say “Slip, slop, slap” that sunscreen on when you head out into the sun.

If you’ve ever had a chat with a Kiwi before, you’ll have noticed that we use some pretty random words. My pro New Zealand travel tip is to brush up on Kiwi slang. Here are some common ones that you should know before you go:

When a Kiwi says “Six” or their “Deck”, you may have a chuckle before you realise what they are saying. Our accent often mixes up ‘e’s and ‘i’s…

Kiwis also love to add “aye” after everything they say. Exhibit A(ye): “It’s pretty hot today, aye”. But you’ll get used to it and I bet you’ll start picking up the Kiwi slang in no time.

Good lord, New Zealand is a hiker’s dream. From the top of the north to the bottom of the south island, New Zealand is packed with hikes. Some of my favourite hikes are on the south island but that doesn’t take away from the north – they’ve got some goodies too.

My favourites are The Abel Tasman and the Tongariro Circut. New Zealand also has some epic shorter/ day hikes such as Roys Peak down south or The Pinnacles up north.

So, don’t forget to pack your favourite hiking boots because attempting some of these walks without good shoes, ain’t going to be pretty. My go-to hiking boots are the KEEN Targhee II Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots, they’ve got me through some pretty tough terrains.

Ok, this is a real thing. You’ll be relaxing in a T-shirt and shorts one minute and the next you’ll see the clouds start rolling it. The unpredictability of the weather means that you should always be one step ahead. My top New Zealand tip is to make sure you add a jacket to your packing list.

You know that moment before you leave the house where you consider picking up a jacket but think “Nahh, it’ll be right”. I tell you now, pack that jacket!

So, be sure to have a good quality travel jacket on your packing list. My favourite travel jacket is the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket – it’s warm and stylish AND it packs down into a small down so it’s super easy to travel with. Top bloody notch.

If you’re a solo traveller in New Zealand and not so keen on camping or using a campervan route, hostels are your best bet. It’s a great way to meet travel buddies who you can then explore with.

New Zealand has loads of great hostels to stay at. Especially when staying in bigger cities and tourist hot spots, like staying in Wellington, Auckland, Queenstown, etc.

My favourite hostel on the north island is The Marion in Wellington (seriously, one of the best hostels ever). With some of Wellington’s best entertainment venues on Courtenay Place and Cuba Street at your doorstep. It’s a bit pricer than others around, but it’s well worth it.

The best hostel on the south island (in my humble opinion) is Absoloot Hostel, Queenstown. This hostel is something of a flashpacker hangout, with Playstation, X-Box, and Wii. Plus, you’ll have god damn epic views of the lake and mountains.

New Zealand is blessed with some pretty incredible water from the rivers and lakes. You can expect that most of the places that you travel to will have beautiful drinking water readily available from the taps.

However, not all spots will. If you go really “off-grid” you may find the water is not treated. The best thing to do is to get a water bottle that filters water for you, like the Grayl Geopress – then you don’t have to worry about a thing. If you are travelling with a cooker or kettle, you can also boil water to ensure it’s safe before drinking.

Save $$$ • Save the Planet • Save Your Stomach!

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress rigorously from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

View on REI Read the Review

Do you dream of white sand beaches, or do you prefer the ruggedness of a rocky, rough beach? Well, you’re in luck because New Zealand offers the best of both worlds.

East Coast, northern beaches are some of the best beaches in NZ. My favourites are those along the Coromandel Peninsula (there is a great road trip route along here). From Whangamata to Kuatounou, you’ll find some pretty stunning spots to relax on golden sand beaches.

Whereas, the west coast beaches such as Piha or Muriwai (just north of Auckland) are often black sand and more rugged. The west coast often has a bigger and more consistent swell than the east, making the seas often rougher. If you head to Muriwai, check out the Muriwai gannet colony that hangs out there from August to March. They are smelly but pretty epic to see.

I like a smaller wave and a big board, so the East Coast is my best friend. Beaches like Mount Maunganui or Kaikoura are great surf spots, they are less consistent than the west but on a good day, they are lots of fun. 

If you’re more of a pro, you can head to the rugged west coast – Raglan is an epic surf town to check out and gets pretty consistent surf. Now, for the very beginners, or those who just want to brush up on their skills you can join a surf lesson in Raglan. You’ll be riding like a pro in no time!

Another epic spot up north is Apihara, with few people around, you can often score a shit load of waves here. Apihara is home to one of the best left-hand breaks in New Zealand. The sunsets here are also STUNNING.

If you head down south to surf, be prepared to be cold. Especially in winter, you’ll probably need to layer up in wetsuit booties and a hood. If you head down to surf at the Catalans, you may even surf with a sea lion or two. They are pretty safe, but they do like to play!

As many will already know, New Zealand is famous for its wine. Their Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir in particular. They do make a bloody good drop!

So, it’s no surprise that the country is packed with wineries. There are specific hot spots around the country that are packed with them. Most New Zealand wineries offer tastings and winery tours at a pretty affordable rate! They do hope you’re going to buy a bottle at the end, but no biggie if you don’t.

My favourite spots to visit are:

• Waiheke Island
• Marlborough
• Gisborne
• Hawkes Bay

Waiheke is one of the most visited due to its proximity to Auckland and man it’s a fun day out. I’d 10/10 recommend jumping on a Waiheke Island Wineries’ Tour and sipping your way across the island.

In fact, not a lot in New Zealand comes cheap. New Zealand is pretty expensive to travel. However, all hope is not lost. There are ways that you can save while you travel – especially when it comes to how you feed yourself. Here are a few tips to save on food in New Zealand:

• Book accommodation with a kitchen. Most hostels have a kitchen so you can whip up your own meals. Going out is mighty expensive, especially when you go out for most meals.
• Shop seasonally. Fruit and vegetables can be mega-pricey as they are highly seasonal. You find cucumbers for 1USD when they are in season and 6USD when they aren’t. So, find out what’s in season and shop accordingly.
• Shop at Pak’n’Save. There are only three big supermarkets in New Zealand and they are known to be pretty expensive. Pak’n’Save (the big yellow one) is the cheapest by a mile, so I’d recommend doing the bulk of your shops there.

Sure, you have some unreliable trains in Auckland and a few other lines here and there. But trains aren’t a mode of transport used to get around the country. You’re better off jumping in a car or van (as mentioned in tip 3) to explore the country. Or, buses will be your best friend.

The main bus company is Intercity and they have loads of routes all over the country. They are a pretty cheap and easy way to get between cities.

If you’re up for meeting new people, you could also try sticking your thumb out and hitchhiking. Who knows who you might meet along the way? From truck drivers to family campers, hitchhiking adds to the adventure. New Zealand is pretty safe, however, as always take precautions and be a safe hitchhiker.

Is This the Best Backpack EVER???

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

View on Osprey View on REI

Never fear, you won’t have to worry about running around trying to find the closest ATM here. New Zealand is not a country that requires you to carry cash around.

Even these little islands at the bottom of the world have tap-and-go. Rarely, do you find somewhere that is cash only! (Unless you’re at the local markets that I mentioned in tip #3 – I’d take cash to those).

However, you may still have to insert that card every now and then. I wouldn’t rely solely on Apple Pay unless you’re in the thick of the city. I’d recommend carrying your debit/ credit card with you just in case.

Loads of people travel to New Zealand to see Hobbiton. I am one of those crazy Kiwis who has never seen the movie (please don’t hurt me). I will get around to it one day, I swear.

But apparently, it is such a good movie that people travel from all over the world to visit the movie set – I’ve heard some people have even gotten married there! So, it’s definitely worth booking a tour of the Hobbiton movie set.

The reason the travel tip for New Zealand #16 is “visit Hobbiton, then move on” is because as cool as Hobbiton is, there’s nothing else around it. Hobbiton is located in a small, farming town in New Zealand called Matamata and it doesn’t have a lot going for it. Except Hobbiton.

So once you’ve seen and experienced Hobbiton, hit the road to your next spot. One town that is close by, is one of the coolest, surfy towns in New Zealand, Mount Maunganui (just an hour’s drive from Matamata). If you’re travelling in summer, this is a must-visit hot spot to add to your list.

One mistake that loads of people make is not allowing enough time in New Zealand. To make the most out of your adventure, you need to slow down your trip. You’ll be hard-pressed with just a week to see what this epic little set of islands has to offer.

Creating a realistic itinerary for New Zealand is important. If you’ve only got two weeks, I’d recommend choosing either the north or the south island. In an ideal world, you would have at least four weeks to spend here to really get the most out of your trip.

I’ve done a van trip on the south island of New Zealand over two weeks before and honestly, I wish I had a week or two more. We did it and it was goddamn incredible! But it was a lot of driving to make sure we got to see everything on our list.

New Zealand is pretty remote and getting there is no easy mission. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many. So, my New Zealand travel tip is to save your trip until you have the time to do it well.

Without a doubt, a road trip is the BEST way to experience New Zealand. Some of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand are pretty remote, and having your own mode of transport and place to stay is the best.

When it comes to campervanning in New Zealand, you’ve got a couple of options:

Option 1: Rent a van! This is definitely the easiest way to do it and the most common. JUCY Rentals are my absolute favourite, they are pretty iconic vans in New Zealand. With their bright green and purple branding, they really pop on the roads! Most of the time, you can pick up in one location and drop off in another (however, you’ll pay a bit more for this).

Vanlife seems like a low-cost adventure, but the cost of hiring a van can add up pretty quickly. Vans can vary from $50NZD to $500NZD a night depending on the season, the length of the rental, and the type of van you decide to go with. For more of a cost breakdown, check out our full guide on campervanning in New Zealand.

Option 2: Buy a van when you arrive, explore the nation, and sell it when you leave! Assuming you can find someone to buy it at the end of your trip, this is the cheapest option as (ideally) you will get your money back. If you’re going to be in New Zealand for at least a couple of months, I would definitely look into this option.

However, once it’s yours it’s yours (and so are its problems)! Be sure you check it over properly (ideally with a mechanic) before you buy. This van will be your little home on wheels in New Zealand. It’s a big investment, and you want to make sure it’s perfect for you!

A few tips for campervanning and driving in New Zealand:

• We drive on the left side of the road. So, don’t be a noob and drive on the right. That will be very dangerous.
• If you do buy a van to travel in, note that you will need to make sure it has a blue self-contained sticker. A blue sticker means that your van is verified “self-contained” which will allow you to use the freedom camping spots.
• If you rent a van, be sure to get yourself the right insurance. I recommend using Rental Cover.
• If you do go off-grid, make sure you have enough fuel! Take a look before you head off where the petrol stations are, there are some long stretches in New Zealand where you may not see a gas station for miles.
• Drive safe. New Zealand is renowned for having some pretty windy roads. Beautiful, yes. But windy.

New Zealand is an epic place for freedom camping, but sadly, some campers have taken the piss over the years. So, New Zealand has become pretty strict in what you can and can’t do when it comes to freedom camping around the country.

So if you’re going to freedom camp, please be a responsible traveller. The only thing you should leave at your campsite is memories and maybe a few footprints. Pick up your rubbish and leave the place nicer than when you arrived.

I would 10/10 recommend anyone travelling to New Zealand to give freedom camping a try. It’s a great, cheap way to travel around New Zealand. But you’ll need to keep in mind the following:

Vanlife: If you’re in a campervan, be sure that it has a blue self-contained sticker. This is what the government has introduced to make sure that those who are in vans are self-contained. You’ll need to have things like a sink, a toilet, etc.

Camping: The government has DOC (Department of Conversation) campsites across the country. They often are areas of grass with a long drop and maybe a sink where you can pitch your tent for a few bucks. They are often pretty remote and in beautiful spots around the country.

If you’re after the best backpacking tent to travel with, my absolute fav is the MSR Hubba Hubba tent. It’s super lightweight to carry around and mega durable.

When backpacking, you never know what can happen. While travelling, I’ve had several unfortunate accidents where travel insurance would have saved me so much anxiety and trouble.

Take it from me, make your New Zealand trip anxiety-free and get solid travel insurance.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

For all you ski bunnies out there, staying in Queenstown and Wanaka are the spots for you. With four main ski fields here, you’ll be in a snow-lovers heaven. From Cardrona and Treble Cone to Coronet and the Remarkables, you’ll have your pick of ski fields to choose from. As a skier, I love Treble Cone but my snowboard buddies love Cardrona.

If you’re in the North Island, you’ll find Mount Ruapehu, which is close to Taupo. The snow is not as consistent here, but when you get it on a good day – it’s pretty on.

My favourite spot to stay when I go skiing down south is, The Canyons B&B. It’s in a great location for getting to the ski field and it has a hot tub – an absolute dream to relax in after a day on the mountain.

Although you’ll see many Kiwis kicking about in their jandals (remember, tip #5 jandals are flip-flops), you’ll also find many of them with no shoes at all. Yes, even in places like the supermarket.

Obviously, in winter it’s a lot less common, who wants cold toes? But in summer, don’t be surprised to see lots of shoeless Kiwis around. If you’re feeling wild, why not join em’?

If you want to see the iconic Kiwis (the flightless bird, not the humans) and experience authentic, rugged New Zealand life. The island is located 30km from the bottom of the south island and is the perfect spot to have an “off-grid” escape. Surrounded by nature, you’ll get to experience a slower pace of life.

You can get to Stewart Island either by sea or by air. Whether you want to hike, spot kiwis, or just explore the island, it’s a cool place to visit. Taking a Village and Bays Tour of Steward Island is a fun way to see what goes on in the southernmost community of New Zealand.

As I’ve mentioned in travel tip #17, many people don’t get themselves enough time – so Stewart Island is often missed. But if you do, Stewart Island should take a firm spot on your New Zealand bucket list.

Ahh Auckland! The place you’ll probably fly into and the city I called home for 6 wonderful years. It’s actually a pretty vibey city and is surrounded by some cool nature spots. There are quite a few beaches around the place and it’s built on 52 volcanoes so you’ll always have a hill to walk up nearby.

But who travels to New Zealand for the cities? People travel from all over the world to visit New Zealand to bask in the OUTRAGEOUSLY beautiful landscapes!

So, my tip for travelling New Zealand #24 is to stay in Auckland for just a couple of days – head for a night out on K road, catch a rugby game, walk along Mission Bay and do some shopping in Ponsonby.

Then, once you’ve ticked off the best things to do here, skip, hop, and jump out of there and get yourself closer to New Zealand’s beautiful outdoors.

Every other man and his dog seems to have a brewery in New Zealand, and I’m not complaining. Craft beers are everywhere and they are damn delicious. You’ll find most of the breweries in Wellington, Auckland, and Dunedin.

Some of my favourite brews are Emersons (Dunedin), Garage Project (Wellington), Parrotdog (Wellington) and Monteiths (Greymouth). Most of the breweries in New Zealand have funky bars to go and enjoy a brew in.

Plus, many of them offer tours showing how they make their liquid gold. If you’re heading to Greymouth, check out Monteith’s brewery tour and beer tasting.

Staying in a remote Airbnb is an epic way to embrace nature during your stay in New Zealand. And there are some pretty awesome places to choose from. From New Zealand baches (remember tip #5, a bach is a beach house) or cabins in the mountains, you’ll have many to choose from.

My favourite remote Airbnb on the north island is The Treehouse: Off-grid Retreat. Want to know why? Because you can live out your childhood dream of staying in a (luxury) treehouse that has a HUGE slide! I don’t believe anyone who says they haven’t dreamed of staying somewhere like this. It’s so bloody cool.

On the south island of New Zealand, there are so many incredible Airbnbs to stay in. I couldn’t resist highlighting this gem: Luxury Wilderness Cabin on Private Lake. You get to stay nestled into the wilderness of Franz Josef in a luxury cabin with some of the most incredible views EVER.

I may be biased as I grew up on this liquid gold, but I truly think New Zealand is home to some of the best coffee roasters in the world. From small-town such as Raglan Roast to big-city roasters such as Ozone.

There are more coffee roasters in New Zealand than craft breweries… and that says a lot! (more to come on the craft breweries in tip #25)

We Kiwis take pride in our coffees and you’ll find the country has a massive cafe culture. So, why not join in? Grab yourself a delicious locally roasted coffee from your local roastery. Relax and enjoy every sip!

Don’t listen to TLC, make sure you chase as many waterfalls as you can! New Zealand is chocker with them. From small ones to HUGE ones, you will find them all over the country – you just need to know where to look. Luckily you’ve got me, your local Kiwi guide here with all the tips.

My absolute favourite waterfalls in New Zealand are:

• Wairere Falls – This one is huge! It’s the biggest in the North Island.
• Acland Falls – Just outside of Christchurch.
• Bridal Veil Falls – In the Waikato.
• Devils Punchbowl – Near Arthurs Pass.
• Huka Falls – Near Taupo, this one is HEAVY! You can’t swim here but you can jump in a speed boat trip at get up close and personal with the falls.

No mushy peas or curry sauce is to be seen here. Just fresh fish and salty delicious chips (or ‘chups’ as the Kiwis say). Wrapped in old newspapers, this delicacy is very popular on Friday evenings at the beach across the country.

So, my top tip for travelling New Zealand #29 is to ask around the locals for the best Fish and Chip shop in town and enjoy them at the beach. Don’t forget to bring your tomato and tartare sauce from home!

Having a SIM card is a life-saving New Zealand travel tip! I recommend getting an international eSIM ahead of time.

You’ll be adventuring on some pretty rugged paths that you may need the internet’s help to navigate. You don’t want Google to be “rerouting” with no connection!

The Future of the SIM Card is HERE!

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and ditch the plastic.

Grab an eSIM!

As you can probably tell, I’m slightly biased and completely obsessed with the land I call home. I’m lucky enough to have travelled to many INCREDIBLE places around the world but nothing quite compares to New Zealand.

From the heights of the snowy mountains down south to the tropical beaches up north, there is such variety in what you can see and do in New Zealand. Whatever time of year you decide to visit.

I hope that my 30 New Zealand Travel tips have been helpful. Print them out or scribble them down in your notebook – I know they will come in handy.

No matter what you do and where you stay on your trip, I know you’ll be welcomed by friendly Kiwi faces who will help you out along your travels.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!