Planning a trip to New Zealand? Love adventure or sports travel?
Then a backpacking trip across New Zealand is the perfect way to spend
your vacation. There's a reason the Land of the Long White Cloud is
regarded as a mecca for trampers. Not only will you find fabulous
scenery and diverse geography to explore, there are plenty of places
along the way offering everything you need for a backpacking trip you'll
remember for a long time.
What to Bring
Let's
start with the basics - before you even hop on that plane to New
Zealand, pack carefully to ensure you have everything necessary, but
make sure it fits in a single bag.
What you absolutely must bring with you:
- Passport - necessary to board the plane (visas are only essential if you plan to work during your trip).
- Travel insurance - always a good idea.
- Credit card/cash - there are lots of ATMs throughout the country to get cash as needed.
- Sturdy, soft-sided bag - it travels well in the plane, in a car or on the plane.
- Clothing for all types of weather - you will need warm clothing as
well as beach wear and everything in between - even party clothes -
since there is a big variety of climates.
- Walking shoes - more than one pair of sturdy shoes is ideal (in case the first pair gets wet).
- Camera/camcorder - don't miss any opportunity to take lots of gorgeous shots!
Getting Around
First
things first, you must arrive at the Auckland Airport, the biggest city
on New Zealand's North Island. Since you will need to drive around the
country (you won't get too far if you solely plan on tramping), make a
reservation to pick up a rental car at the airport for convenience.
There are many Auckland Airport car rental companies so take the time to
find one that allows for convenient pickup/drop off based on your trip
itinerary.
If you would prefer staying in your own digs rather
than finding rooms at a hostel along your journey, consider hiring a
campervan. This is an excellent way to get around where you want to go,
when you want to go there - and it's really an inexpensive alternative
to renting a room and dining at restaurants.
Plus, this is a great
way to truly experience the great outdoors; you can simply park on the
beach and wake up to the sound of the surf and the sight of the sun
cresting the horizon. Campervans also provide a place to stow a bike
(it's easy to find a rental company just about anywhere) so you can take
a break from backpacking on foot. You will find many Auckland Airport
car rental companies that offer campervans for your backpacking trip.
Start in the North then Head South
Chances
are you will be flying into the Auckland Airport so why not start your
adventure on the North Island? There are plenty of places to check out
there before you take the Interislander Ferry system to the South Island
without backtracking - and you should be able to drop off your rental
car there without having to return north (if not, find a different
Auckland Airport car rental company!).
More Tips
Do
you have an international calling plan on your cell phone? If not,
consider buying a sim card in New Zealand. Just pop it into your mobile
phone and you can make calls, send and receive texts and even use
smartphone capabilities for one low price. And speaking of the internet,
be aware that Wi-Fi access throughout New Zealand is iffy at best, and
expensive. Look for one of the few internet cafés to get connected.
So
much to do, so little time. If that's a problem, focus on some of the
more iconic backpacking trails, such as a Great Walk through one of the
national parks. There are a total of nine Great Walks throughout the
country to plan your trip around. This is especially good for first-time
visitors to get a better feel for where the best scenery is located.
Ready
to plan your backpacking trip to New Zealand? Get your airline tickets,
make your rental car reservations and then go for it! You won't see
scenery like this anywhere else in the world.
Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? In conjunction with Snap
Car Rental, I offer all the inside information you need to get around
the country, see the best sights, and enjoy the most exciting activities
the Land of the Long White Cloud has to offer!
Looking for tips
on how to get around, transfers between the North and South Islands and
how to best enjoy New Zealand via car, SUV or campervan? Offering
convenient pickup and drop off services on both islands, Snap Car Rental
is your one stop shop for seeing the country from the comfort of a
reliable rental vehicle. Please visit our rental cars Auckland Airport blog for itinerary ideas and travel tips and then reserve your rental car at Auckland Airport for an exciting, unforgettable holiday in New Zealand.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_J_Easton
Backpacking is a low-cost travel and a fun way to enjoy the
beauty of the world. It is travelling with simplicity, taking all
unnecessary off your travel and enjoying the things that really matters:
experience and adventure.
When backpacking, take note that you
should make your carrying equipment as light as possible. It is
advisable that your backpack, sleeping bag, and tent should be five
pounds or less combined. The reason behind this is that you don't want
your luggage to become a hindrance once you go hiking. It will also
become a reason that you won't explore the place well enough. Also, you
want to avoid having back aches. In some rare occasions, carrying a
heavy luggage can be detrimental to your health.
You can become a
backpacker even if you're doing it for the first time. If you're in for
some adventure and be a backpacker, here are some backpacking tips for
beginners:
Plan Ahead
You always have to plan ahead
before traveling. You have to research well on what kind of environment
you will be in. So before leaving to your destination, always check the
weather condition and be acquainted on the nature of the terrain. In
this way, you'll become more prepared. Also, always bring a map of the
trail.
As a beginner, you should start with a short one to two day
adventure. You can go travel to a local tourist site or you could opt
to travel to a nearby country.
What to Bring
As
stated earlier, you should make your carrying equipment as light as
possible. It is recommended that your sleeping bag, tent and backpack
should be five pounds or less combined. When backpacking, you should put
your safety as your priority so don't bring unnecessary things. You
should only bring things that will help you survive. Food, water,
clothes, waterproof matches, first aid kit, knife, map of the trail,
compass, flashlight, extra money and a whistle for emergency situations
are some of the things that you should bring. Other things that you
could bring are umbrellas, jackets, sunblock and a camera.
Don't
bring too much food. Bring only an extra meal or two. Also, pack your
things ahead of time. Make a checklist of the things that you need to
bring and double check so that you won't forget anything.
Basic Outdoor Survival Knowledge and Skills
If
you travel for an adventure as a group, it should be necessary to have
at least one or two in the group who have the skills and knowledge in
outdoor survival. You'll never know what you'll experience along the way
so it's imperative to have basic knowledge and skills on outdoor
survival like knowing how to do first aid and treating a snake bite.
Go
backpacking now with your friends and create your own experience that
you'll cherish for the rest of your life. It is what T.S Elliot said
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far
can one go". Travel and see how far you can go.
The Author: Ernest O. Griffith is a businessman as well as a
serious backpacker. He enjoys traveling across the globe to enjoy the
beauty of the Earth. He shares his insights and his experiences in his
site, Backpacking World.
In his site, there are also a few tips and other useful information
about other countries that you want to visit. Feel free to visit the
site and provide comments, suggestions and feedback.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ernest_O_Griffith
The great nature up-close personal experience
There is
something about backpacking that brings out the best in those who do it.
Maybe it's the freedom of choice you have and not being tied to any
particular place. Or, it's seeing a country, the people and nature
up-close and personal. Whichever way you look at it, backpacking in New
Zealand is a personal adventure, with every scenario, an experience.
There is always the sensation of wanting to see what is over that hill,
or mountain in the distance.
When planning your backpacking
adventure, you can book your ongoing accommodation in advance or look
forward to some random, but always great Kiwi hospitality, wherever you
stop.
Welcome to the Land of the Long White Cloud
New
Zealand is a backpacker's destination that has well tried trails from
across the globe. This is a country that is not only magnificent, but is
extraordinary in being one of the most budget-backpacking-friendly
countries to visit.
It is for many, observed as the land of kiwi
fruit, sheep and the great All Blacks rugby team, which could possibly
be attributed to the country being relatively free of media attention.
However, its fame and appeal as an idyllic backpacking destination lie
in its snow capped mountains, green forests and land, pure lakes and
friendly population.
Your Kiwi nature adventure
You have
probably seen pictures of the magnificent mountains and fjords that
contribute to the huge and varied scenario that is New Zealand. It is
recognized by a large number of experienced backpackers as the ultimate,
natural destination. With over 25% of the country dedicated to national
parks, specified reserves and more than 900 back-country huts for use
by the public, there is a nature's paradise to be explored. To fully
appreciate and enjoy the country, on foot backpacking is the answer, to
becoming a part of it.
A backpackers dream
If you are
looking for adventures between isolated nature and high adventure, then
backpacking in New Zealand will provide it. There are very few places on
the globe that offer so many options to experience in a short space of
time.
Within the period of one week, you can snowboard and ski,
swim with dolphins, horse trek on the beach, climb a volcano and take a
hike through a rain forest and a lot more including bungee jumping! This
is an outdoors dream come true and when you get hungry, you can get
satisfaction from a lamb rack that has no comparison.
Getting to know New Zealand
Backpacking
gives you the opportunity of seeing things and meeting local people,
whom the average tourists usually miss. You have the chance to learn and
get top know what actually is the makeup of a country. New Zealand is
that type of place.
Wherever you go on your journey, or stop for
rest, you are assured of a friendly, warm reception, value for your
money and the opportunity of never being very far from the nature that
the Kiwis love and cherish, so will you!
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brett_Kincaide
