If you’re planning on coming to New Zealand for a self-drive holiday, or you want to buy a campervan in New Zealand, this is a list you need to read. Here are ten things you should know about driving in New Zealand: New Zealand has a lot of unsealed roads. When you encounter an unsealed road, it is important that you drive slowly and remember not to break suddenly. Not only can the gravel cause Read more…
New Zealand is a country made up of islands, which means there’s a beach in every direction. Choosing the ‘Top 10 Best New Zealand Beaches’ was difficult to say the least. In the end, I largely ignored popular opinion and went with my heart. Have a read and tell me what you think: Cathedral Cove Pretty much every New Zealand beach is beautiful, but the beauty of Cathedral Cove is on a different scale. Hidden away on Read more…
When packing to come to New Zealand, it is important to consider the following. New Zealand is a unique yet delicate country – a small island – and the introduction of a foreign biohazard, such as a disease or a pest, has the potential to cripple the economy and throw the ecosystem into chaos. This is why New Zealand has especially stringent customs laws, which could affect you when you enter the country. Aside from Read more…
Part of what makes New Zealand so special as a country is its native wildlife. New Zealand’s isolation has nurtured creatures that exist nowhere else in the world – creatures that are just a little bit weird. Since the arrival of human beings on the islands, most of New Zealand’s unique species have become endangered and some, like the moa, have disappeared entirely. Of course, conservation efforts are in place, and you can support them by taking Read more…
A fair amount of organisation goes into a successful New Zealand campervan holiday. There’s a lot to think about – not to mention the distraction of being in such a beautiful country – so it’s not surprising that some people manage to forget a few silly things. Here’s a list of ten common things that catch campervanners out in New Zealand: The toaster will not work unless the campervan is connected to a powered site. It’s amazing how many Read more…
I moved to New Zealand with my family when I was ten years old. At first, I hated my parents for wrenching me away from Mother England, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way. New Zealand is a great country to live in and here’s why: Nice weather It’s common for New Zealanders to complain about the weather. The phrase ‘four seasons in one day’ is used annoyingly often, yet while it can Read more…
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dolphin tourism operators in New Zealand. Basically, you get on a boat, sail around a bit until you find dolphins, and hope they’re attracted to your bow wave. They usually are. It’s apparently marvellous fun for them to swim in. Then, if the dolphins don’t have any calves with them, you’re allowed to get in the water. Sometimes the dolphins will come right up to you; sometimes they Read more…
Packing for a big holiday can be stressful. I know I get paranoid about forgetting things. If you’re about to embark upon a campervan holiday in New Zealand, you might find the following list quite useful. Most campervans available for hire in New Zealand come with a range of equipment such as bedding, towels, cooking implements and crockery – for a comprehensive list check out this example of a campervan rental, but you will need to supplement this Read more…
Tauranga is the retirement capitol of New Zealand, but don’t let that fool you. There’s so much to do, and Tauranga is the sunniest place in the country to do it. There’s stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, exquisite restaurants and a myriad of exciting activities. Take it from someone who lived there, you’ll never want to leave. With so much to choose from, you’ll be needing this list – the top 10 things to do in Read more…
The bubbling city of Rotorua is a must-see (as well as a must-smell) for anyone travelling around New Zealand. I’ve been there a few times and I’m still keen to go back for more! So here, from my experience, is a list of the top 10 things you can do in Rotorua: Wander through Kuirau Park There are countless places in Rotorua in which you can observe hot pools, mud pools, steam vents, yellow rocks Read more…