As a Lord of the Rings fan for two decades, New Zealand has been the ultimate dream destination for me. When I was planning my big trip with my campervan, my mom asked, “so are you going to go on a Lord of the Rings tour while you’re in New Zealand?” And, without missing a… Read More Lord of the Rings Film Locations to Visit in New Zealand
I’ve spent most of my time in New Zealand living in Twizel, a small town in the Mackenzie region on the South Island. It’s a beautiful area, with so many good walks and hikes to do! As I haven’t had a car, I’ve done essentially every walk in Twizel that can be done without a… Read More The Best Walks in Twizel, New Zealand
For Lord of the Rings fans, a pilgrimage to the Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand is something you must do at least once in your life. Even if you aren’t a fan, the experience of touring the Shire is wonderfully engaging and interesting. I went with someone who wasn’t a fan, who still loved… Read More What to Know About Visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set: A Dream Come True
The day I hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is one of my favorite travel days of my life. With poor weather forecast for the entirety of my time in the area, I’d given up hope that I’d be able to do this phenomenal hike. At 9pm before the first full day, the… Read More Tongariro Alpine Crossing: What to Know About New Zealand’s Most Epic Day Hike
Abel Tasman National Park, on the northwestern edge of the South Island, was one of my favorite destinations of my six-week New Zealand road trip. This is truly a slice of paradise: pristine sandy beaches, epic hiking trails, a remote stillness and sense of peace. I had just a short amount of time here, but… Read More Kiwi Paradise: A Travel Guide for Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand is a dream destination for many – myself included! But it ain’t cheap; New Zealand is one of the most expensive countries I’ve visited, let alone lived in. While there is a high minimum wage here that helps balance things out if you’re living in NZ, as a tourist/visitor the prices can be… Read More How to Save Money Traveling New Zealand on a Budget
Hiking Roy’s Peak was one of my favorite days I’ve had in New Zealand so far. It’s a challenging climb, and not one to be underestimated: this is a hike up a real mountain, and you need to be prepared. It’s also a very popular route, with the crowds to match (especially for sunrise). Here’s… Read More The Most Epic Hike in Wanaka: What to Know About Roy’s Peak
Mount Sunday was one of my first destinations on my big New Zealand road trip earlier this year. And it was also one of my favorite places from the entire trip! This epic hill in the Ashburton Lakes region was the stand-in for Edoras, the capital of Rohan, in the Lord of the Rings movies.… Read More Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Mount Sunday (Edoras)
Queenstown is a must-visit destination on any trip to New Zealand. It’s full of adventurous things to do, and the scenery around Lake Wakatipu is breathtaking. There are so many good walks to do in the area, it can be hard to choose! Here are the most beautiful day hikes to do around Queenstown, New… Read More The Best Day Hikes Around Queenstown, New Zealand
So, you’re heading to New Zealand on a working holiday visa? Congrats! Moving abroad is one of the hardest but most rewarding things you can do – I would know, I’ve done it three times now! A working holiday visa is a fantastic way to live abroad short-term, explore a new destination, and experience an… Read More Moving to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa: How to Start Your Life (2024 Guide)
New Zealand has been a dream destination of mine for decades. After spending a year Down Under in Australia, I knew I wanted to visit New Zealand and finally explore this spectacular country. I spent the first six weeks of my working holiday visa in New Zealand traveling, before settling down to work. As always,… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand for 6 Weeks? (2024 Budget)