Vins and I not too long ago traveled to New Zealand. And sure, New Zealand was a dream. Like, ridiculously stunning. A kind of locations the place you begin questioning if it’s even actual. However as gorgeous as it’s, touring round got here with a couple of surprises, missteps, and “Wait, WHAT?” moments we didn’t precisely see coming. Now that we’re again (a little bit sunburned, barely broke, however very a lot in love with the nation), we thought we’d spherical up the journey errors we personally made or nearly made, so that you don’t need to.
From underestimating drive instances to forgetting simply how intense that Kiwi solar actually is, take into account this our humble little PSA from one set of vacationers to a different. As a result of as magical as New Zealand is and the way pleasant Kiwis are, New Zealand can even humble a traveler actual fast, particularly if it’s your first time.
So earlier than you pack your baggage and say “Kia ora!” to the journey of a lifetime, proceed watching this video that includes our listing of journey errors to keep away from.
1. Reserving too late.
We nearly didn’t make it to Hobbiton. And it will’ve been such a disgrace as a result of it’s one of many largest sights that we have been trying ahead to earlier than the journey, and we nearly didn’t seize tickets.
One factor it’s best to learn about Hobbiton is that today, you may solely discover it with a information, so you will need to ebook a Hobbiton Film Set Tour. There are a lot of methods to do it:
- When you choose to drive or take a public bus by yourself, you may simply buy a ticket.
- You’ll be able to be part of a day tour from Auckland or Rotorua, which already consists of transfers. Most excursions depart from the Shire’s Relaxation, a café that serves because the gateway to Hobbiton.
Once we tried to ebook, tickets have been offered out! This was one month earlier than our goal date. We knew it was fashionable, however we have been ready for everybody within the group to be granted a visa earlier than we ebook.
Fortunately, there are a couple of excursions departing from Matamata iSite. We have been a bunch of 5, and by sheer luck, we have been capable of get the LAST 5 TICKETS! Discuss meant to be. Every thing went effectively in the long run.
However sure, whether or not you’re becoming a member of a tour or shopping for a ticket solely, greatest to safe it upfront.
✅ RESERVE A HOBBITON SLOT HERE!
2. Winging the visa software.
When you’re required to safe a visa previous to arrival in New Zealand, like us, I’ve excellent news and unhealthy information. The excellent news is, it’s really fairly simple to use for a customer visa. The listing of necessities isn’t too lengthy and the entire course of (100% of it) is completed on-line.
The unhealthy information is, simply because it’s simple to use doesn’t imply it’s simple to be granted a visa. This isn’t only a formality or easy e-Visas given by different much less strict international locations; they actually do consider functions meticulously, so you may’t simply wing it.
For instance, whenever you have a look at the listing of supporting paperwork, solely three are tagged as REQUIRED: passport, picture, and itinerary. You’ll be able to technically submit an software with simply these three attachments. However that doesn’t imply you’ll get authorized. After all, it’s endorsed that you simply add different paperwork that visa officers can use to evaluate your software particularly proof of real intent or rootedness, and proof of funds in the event you declare you’re shouldering the price of the journey your self.
It will be significant that you simply paint a full image of your background and your plans in New Zealand, and show that you simply intend to go away the nation and never overstay.
We now have a separate article about it. READ: NEW ZEALAND VISA APPLICATION GUIDE! ✅
I do know individuals who have been denied a visa, so take your software critically.
Talking of denied…
3. Not reapplying when rejected.
Let’s say your software is declined and you’re refused a visa. What now? Are you able to attraction or ask for reconsideration?
NO, in the event you utilized outdoors New Zealand and I’m assuming most of you studying this will not be primarily based in NZ. Right here’s an excerpt from a refusal letter that my buddy acquired.
However that doesn’t imply there’s nothing else you are able to do. What you are able to do is reapply. This implies you’ll want to begin a brand new software and pay one other visa price.
However earlier than you reapply, be sure to have new supporting paperwork so as to add that might handle the explanations for refusal. When you’ll be submitting the very same pile of paperwork, you would possibly simply be losing one other NZD 100.
When you’re presently in New Zealand, YES, you may attraction so long as you make the request inside 14 days.
However please be aware that what I share ought to NOT be taken as official Immigration recommendation. Consider me as only a buddy sharing my expertise. Try the official New Zealand web site or seek the advice of an immigration advisor for official recommendation or help.
4. Failing to Declare Danger Objects Upon Entry
Agriculture and tourism are two of New Zealand’s largest industries, and the federal government does every little thing they’ll to guard the setting and guarantee biosecurity. That’s why they’re very strict on the subject of what enters their border.
It will be significant that you simply’re acquainted with gadgets which are allowed, restricted, and downright prohibited, and comply with their insurance policies so that you received’t run into any downside on the airport. You should additionally pay attention to the gadgets that you will need to declare.
Earlier than your journey to New Zealand, you can be required to perform the New Zealand Traveller Declaration Kind, which has two sections particularly about what you’re bringing into the nation. The primary is BIOSECURITY, and you need to declare in the event you carry in your hand baggage or check-in baggage gadgets like:
Danger Objects
- Any meals: cooked, raw, recent, preserved, packaged or dried, together with chocolate, candies, potato chips, crackers, biscuits, cookies, instantaneous noodles, espresso, tea baggage, smooth drinks and even snacks served contained in the airplane.
- Animals or animal merchandise: together with meat, dairy merchandise, fish, honey, bee merchandise, eggs, feathers, shells, uncooked wool, skins, bones or bugs
- Vegetation or plant merchandise: fruit, flowers, seeds, bulbs, wooden, bark, leaves, nuts, greens, components of vegetation, fungi, cane, bamboo or straw, together with for spiritual choices or medicinal use
- Organic merchandise: Animal medicines, organic cultures, organisms, soil or water
- Tools: Tools/clothes used with animals, vegetation or water, together with for gardening, beekeeping, fishing, water sport or diving actions?
- Out of doors gear: Objects which have been used for outside actions, together with any footwear, tents, tenting, looking, mountaineering, golf or sports activities gear
I used to be carrying candies and different meals merchandise, so I simply declared them.
Restricted Objects
You’ll even be requested in the event you’re carrying greater than the allowed quantity of restricted gadgets like medication and alcohol.
On the airport, the border officers simply requested what gadgets I declared and directed me to the best lane. It was fairly easy. I’m guessing as a result of it’s simply candies and snacks.
So if it’s meant to be declared, declare them. You will get fined in the event you fail to take action.
5. Underestimating New Zealand’s measurement and distances.
While you’re a map, it’s simple to see New Zealand as a bunch of small islands within the far nook of the Pacific, particularly when the ginormous Australia is in the identical body. It simply seems to be snack-size in comparison with its neighbor, which is a full continent, however don’t assume New Zealand is small. New Zealand’s land space is greater than the UK and only a bit smaller than the Philippines. When you superimpose it on Europe, you’ll discover that it stretches from Denmark all the way in which to the South of France.
So no, it is going to be impractical to imagine it solely takes a couple of days to discover or which you can see all of it in per week.
Identical goes for distances. Simply because Milford Sound seems to be sitting fairly subsequent to Queenstown doesn’t imply it solely takes a fast drive. To get there from Queenstown, the route goes across the mountains and takes nearly 4 hours, excluding stops and belief me, you’ll make some stops as a result of the route is simply so scenic.
Waitomo Caves, which is commonly a favourite vacation spot from Rotorua or Auckland, is definitely 2 to 2 and a half hours away. Even Hobbiton is just not “simply outdoors Auckland”. It’s 2 hours from the town middle, too.
Because of this it’s necessary to construct a strategic and strong itinerary, particularly in the event you’re driving.
6. Driving on the Mistaken Facet of the Highway
Driving in another country is commonly unnerving. However whereas in idea, driving in New Zealand must be simple as a result of most roads are paved and there are many indicators all over the place, there are some things you could keep in mind earlier than you determine to take the wheel.
First, New Zealand drives on the left aspect of the highway. And in the event you’re used to driving on the best like the place I’m from, it’s fairly disorienting. It takes some getting used to. It’s not simply the place of the wheel contained in the car or your place on the highway. You’ll need to unlearn sure issues particularly when taking a flip at intersections.
I additionally observed that New Zealand’s roads deeper into the countryside are normally two-lane and slim, however automobiles transfer quick right here. And as a substitute of stoplights, there are plenty of roundabouts, which is nice in minimizing visitors jams.
However know that whenever you’re utilizing Waze or Google Maps, you’ll be counting exits rather a lot. It’s not tough, nevertheless it simply takes some getting used to.
It’s greatest to have a navigator or a co-pilot driving shotgun so you may give attention to the driving and there’s somebody to remind you in case you get confused.
Additionally, gasoline stations or petrol stations are few and much between particularly when driving between cities, so whenever you see one, seize the possibility and replenish as a result of the following one is perhaps many, many miles away.
7. Considering It’s Troublesome to Probe for Non-Drivers
Once we began posting about our New Zealand journey on Instagram, we acquired plenty of questions on whether or not it’s attainable to discover the nation even in the event you don’t know methods to drive. And the reply is YES.
They are saying that one of the simplest ways to discover New Zealand is to hire a car and drive. And I agree. It’s additionally cost-efficient in the event you’re a bunch. However not everybody is ready or prepared to drive. For that, you may take public transportation like Intercity Buses. However be sure to sync your itinerary with the out there bus journeys as a result of for some routes, the choices are restricted.
Some non-drivers would take the bus to a different metropolis after which take a day tour of one other attraction. Instance, a typical apply is to remain in Auckland then go on a day journey of Hobbiton after which return to Auckland. Then the following day, take the bus to Rotorua.
However there are one-way excursions out there. As an example, there’s an Auckland-Hobbiton-Rotorua one-way tour. This fashion, when you’re accomplished with Auckland, this tour can decide you up within the metropolis, make a cease in Hobbiton so you could possibly discover after which after, drop you off at your subsequent resort in Rotorua. It’s like a tour and switch in a single. And sure, you may carry your baggage with you.
We acquired to attempt the Christchurch-Queenstown one-way tour. The shuttle picked us up at our resort in Christchurch together with our baggage. And alongside the way in which, we stopped at numerous vacationer spots like Lake Tekapo and Hooker Valley within the shadows of Mt. Cook dinner earlier than terminating in Queenstown.
It’s an excellent choice for non-drivers and can find yourself less expensive than taking a roundtrip tour in the future after which boarding an intercity bus individually.
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8. Skipping sunscreen.
New Zealand’s local weather is fairly delicate, and it could actually nonetheless get cool even in summer season months, so that you would possibly assume “Sunscreen? Nah, I’m good.” And by lunchtime? Growth—your face is redder than a blushing teenager. This occurred to me. Effectively, kind of. I apply sunscreen earlier than leaving the resort however I normally overlook to reapply.
The chilly environment can lull you right into a false sense of security. However the factor is: New Zealand has one of many highest UV ranges on the planet particularly below the crisp, clear summer season skies.
So don’t overlook to carry sunscreen with loads of SPF and really use it. And pack a hat, when you’re at it.
9. Lacking the working hours.
When you’re used to staying out till late night time, know that in lots of locations in New Zealand, some institutions shut a lot earlier, particularly in smaller cities. For instance, in Rotorua and even in Queenstown, most cafes have a tendency to shut at round 3 or 4pm. Some as early as 2pm. Starbucks in Rotorua closes at 5pm most days, and Starbucks Queenstown at 6pm. That’s to not say that ALL cafes are like that. You’ll be able to nonetheless discover some that stay open at night time, however it is going to be more durable. However don’t fear, bars and malls are usually open a lot later than cafes.
This isn’t distinctive to New Zealand, although. We additionally observed this in some cities in Australia. Could possibly be one thing to do with wages and work-life steadiness.
Some sights additionally shut early. Te Puia in Rotorua is just open till 4pm and Wai-o-Tapu till 4:30pm, understandably. Christchurch Gondola solely operates till 5pm and the final journey down is at 5:30PM.
We additionally observed that automobile rental firms shut early, aside from airport branches. Europcar in Auckland metropolis middle closes at 4pm on weekdays, and 12 midday on weekends. Some branches are closed on Sundays too.
So make sure that to test working hours when constructing your itinerary.
10. Paying for water.
Faucet water in most locations in New Zealand is protected to drink. Not less than in all of the locations we visited. So that you don’t really want to spend cash on bottled water on the comfort retailer or grocery store. It’s not low-cost.
When you’ve got a refillable water bottle, you may simply fill it up at your resort or when you may. It’s only a matter of style, typically.
When you’re becoming a member of full day excursions like Milford Sound or Lake Tekapo and Hookers Valley, there’s an enormous likelihood they are going to be offering a bottle of water too.
11. Underestimating Costs.
New Zealand is pricey. My native buddies at all times inform me that the price of residing right here is fairly excessive. And so is the price of journey.
The lodging charges alone may eat up an enormous chunk of your price range. There’s a motive Auckland is the one cease the place we stayed at a correct full-service resort. In Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown, we spent our nights at a hostel primarily due to the price.
That is how a lot we paid for a personal room for two per night time.
- Auckland: SkyCity (Resort)
NZD 170 (USD 102, PHP 5740) - Rotorua: Rock Strong Backpackers (Hostel)
NZD 147 (USD 87, PHP 4950) - Christchurch: Haka Home
NZD 183 (USD 109, PHP 6145) - Queenstown: Black Sheep Backpackers (Hostel)
NZD 215 (USD 128, PHP 7240)
Simply have a look at how a lot we paid per night time for our Queenstown room. This was already the most cost effective centrally-located properties we discovered on the time — the most cost effective – and this room doesn’t have its personal rest room and tub. We nonetheless had an awesome keep, although. We really cherished all these hostels.
We’re most likely gonna create a separate evaluate of all these lodging choices, so in the event you don’t wish to miss that, make sure that to subscribe to this channel, ring the bell beside it and choose ALL so that you’re at all times up to date.
For a meal, put together to shell out:
- Quick meals: NZD 15-20 (USD9-12, PHP506-675)
- Full-service restaurant: NZD 25-40 (USD 15-24, PHP 845-1350) for a important course, however greater for extra premium dishes like steak or ribs
However one factor I observed is {that a} serving is normally enormous, even after they say it’s good for only one individual. Even their burgers listed below are ginormous. Since we have been a bunch, we normally simply share the meals and cut up the invoice, though some eating places have a one meal per individual coverage.
One of many causes we like staying at hostels is that they normally have kitchens the place you may put together your individual meals. It’s particularly helpful for long-term vacationers. Consuming out day-after-day will not be sustainable. If budgeting will get a little bit tight, simply purchase one thing at a grocery store or comfort retailer and eat on the hostel.
12. Not staying lengthy sufficient.
That is one factor we’re responsible of. One of many first issues we stated once we acquired house from our New Zealand journey was, “That was fast.” We spent 10 days considering it was lengthy sufficient, however we actually felt like we must always have prolonged our journey. And we’d have if we had extra moolah to spend.
New Zealand isn’t actually a stopover form of vacation spot. It’s the principle occasion. The headliner. The Beyonce of your itinerary. And very like Beyonce, she deserves your money and time. Hahaha.
One of the best locations in New Zealand are unfold out, so the drives are lengthy. They’re price it, however they’re lengthy. And there’s rather a lot to do in each vacation spot. Queenstown alone can oh-so-easily fill a week-long itinerary.
We additionally regretted not spending extra days in Christchurch. We simply didn’t count on it to be so filled with attraction. And since we wished to see rather a lot, we tumbled into the pitfall of treating our journey as an inventory of sights to tick. However once we have been there, we discovered New Zealand to be a spot to decelerate, linger, and soak up the environment.
So give your self no less than two weeks if you wish to discover each islands with out spiraling into an Superb Race episode. Extra in the event you can swing it.
When you’ve got questions, pontificate within the feedback part under or tag us in your Instagram tales and X (Twitter) posts. You can too comply with us there and on Tiktok.
That’s all for now, keep in mind, plan good, journey protected, and make each journey WORTH IT!
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