Hey all, I'm at the starting point of planning a trip to New Zealand. As the title says i am a travel virgin so have no idea about what i'm getting into which is why i need your help!
Hi Grizza
I'm not going to New Zealand but I can give you some suggestions about what I've done. I'm going to Australia, always wanted too, not sure why, but a little older than you
I guess a good place to start is internet research and guidebooks etc, just for some suggestions as to places you want to go to, the kinds of things you'd like to do. I always find them useful for a brief overview but then don't get too bogged down in them, as while you're there I'm sure other things will take your fancy so you'll probs want flexibility. I think the NZ website is supposed to be really good (a friend went to NZ last yr) and offers suggestions for how long you're going to be there.
Other things:
Do you want to work or just travel? You'll need visas. Check out the NZ govt website for what you need.
What's your budget? I've been saving for a while, don't have masses but hope to work and travel while I'm away. Some website and people on these forums can usually give good advice about how much to budget for places.
Going it alone or with friends? If you're unsure about the former there are groups etc. you can go with. Don't know any specifics sorry but places do, do organised trips with other people if you'd prefer the company.
Once we'd worked out the basic areas we wanted to go we booked flights (we're going to Oz where we needed to take into account internal flights), sorted travel insurance and now I'm looking more into accomodation etc and some activities.
Sorry my answer isn't very specific to NZ but hope it helps. I think just browsing the travel guides, internet, guidebooks etc. will give you an idea pf places people like to go and then I'm sure you'll see what suits you....then take it from there....
Good luck, it's been daunting but exciting planning my trip so hope it's the same for you.
x
If you're interested in working and travelling then it's definitely the best time of year, there's usually a fair bit of fruit picking work about- Central Otago and Nelson regions will have cherries and stone fruits coming ripe.
Now obviously I don't know you at all, but, if you're here at the right time, I would thoroughly recommend checking out as they play lots of NZ music as well as a couple of good international acts (or at least they have done previously). It's a region that not everyone makes it to, and honestly, I think that the Gisborne/East Coast area is a very typical example of Kiwi summer- sun, surf and good times Three days of party and fun in the sun. If thats the sort of thing you like of course!
South Island isn't as exciting in Summer I don't think, except maybe Nelson/Marlborough region. Canterbury and Otago are just too hot and dry, they're really winter playgrounds. Although Central Otago (Wanaka, Queenstown etc) is really a bit of an alien landscape all year round, and they have lots of nice things in summer too. It's just too hot from my experience!
Isnt it winter down there now?
I would definitely recommend going to the Able Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island - It's gorgeous. You can go tramping there which is cheap or you can rent a bach if you are going with friends which can be quite cheap as well. Or if you wnat to do something different they do kayaking trips.
Also I think that the Bay of Plenty region is really nice, particularly Ohope. If you enjoy the surf Omaha beach near Auckland is a goody.
You probably want to head to the bigger cities too and if you have to pick and choose I would avoid the South Island cities and stick with Auckland and Wellington. Both have plenty of activities in the summer and you can take day trips on the ferries out to Eastbourne in Wellington or Waiheke in Auckland.
New Zealand isn't overly expensive so you can do it on a tight budget but if you're planning on staying a few months you may want to get a job and as Asfaloth said there's heaps of fruit picking and stuff. Most people are really friendly in NZ and because tourism is such a big thing here most people are willing to give tourists a chance.
If you want anymore info particularly with Wellington let me know.
Hey :D thanks for the replys people, im soo excited lol. still dont know what im going to do but hey, got plenty of time to plan this amazing hol! xx
I'm doing exactly the same thing!
Travel Virgin, heading to NZ for 10 months, on my own, starting this October and I'm only 18. If you still haven't gone by late October, feel free to send me a message and I'll let you know how it's going!
Good Luck!
Steph x
I am also doing pretty much the same thing, going to New Zealand in October and travelling/working all summer [their summer of course]. How much are you guys thinking of taking? And how much is a 12month working holiday visa?
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