Vins and I not too long ago traveled to New Zealand. And sure, New Zealand was a dream. Like, ridiculously lovely. 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 number of surprises, missteps, and “Wait, WHAT?” moments we didn’t precisely see coming. Now that we’re again (slightly 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 should.
From underestimating drive occasions to forgetting simply how intense that Kiwi solar actually is, contemplate 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 greatest sights that we have been wanting ahead to earlier than the journey, and we nearly didn’t seize tickets.
One factor you must learn about Hobbiton is that nowadays, you’ll be able to solely discover it with a information, so you could e book a Hobbiton Film Set Tour. There are lots of methods to do it:
- In case you desire to drive or take a public bus by yourself, you’ll be able to simply buy a ticket.
- You may 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 e book, tickets have been offered out! This was one month earlier than our goal date. We knew it was standard, however we have been ready for everybody within the group to be granted a visa earlier than we e book.
Fortunately, there are a number of excursions departing from Matamata iSite. We have been a bunch of 5, and by sheer luck, we have been in a position to get the LAST 5 TICKETS! Discuss meant to be. Every little thing went properly ultimately.
However sure, whether or not you’re becoming a member of a tour or shopping for a ticket solely, finest to safe it prematurely.
✅ RESERVE A HOBBITON SLOT HERE!
2. Winging the visa utility.
In case you’re required to safe a visa previous to arrival in New Zealand, like us, I’ve excellent news and dangerous information. The excellent news is, it’s truly 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 dangerous 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 purposes meticulously, so you’ll be able to’t simply wing it.
For instance, once you take a look at the listing of supporting paperwork, solely three are tagged as REQUIRED: passport, picture, and itinerary. You may technically submit an utility with simply these three attachments. However that doesn’t imply you’ll get authorized. After all, it is strongly recommended that you just add different paperwork that visa officers can use to evaluate your utility particularly proof of real intent or rootedness, and proof of funds for those who declare you’re shouldering the price of the journey your self.
It will be important that you just paint a full image of your background and your plans in New Zealand, and show that you just intend to go away the nation and never overstay.
We’ve got a separate article about it. READ: NEW ZEALAND VISA APPLICATION GUIDE! ✅
I do know individuals who have been denied a visa, so take your utility severely.
Talking of denied…
3. Not reapplying when rejected.
Let’s say your utility is declined and you might be refused a visa. What now? Are you able to attraction or ask for reconsideration?
NO, for those who utilized exterior New Zealand and I’m assuming most of you studying this usually are not primarily based in NZ. Right here’s an excerpt from a refusal letter that my buddy obtained.
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 start out a brand new utility and pay one other visa price.
However earlier than you reapply, be sure you have new supporting paperwork so as to add that might handle the explanations for refusal. In case you’ll be submitting the very same pile of paperwork, you may simply be losing one other NZD 100.
In case you’re at present in New Zealand, YES, you’ll be able to attraction so long as you make the request inside 14 days.
However please notice that what I share ought to NOT be taken as official Immigration recommendation. Consider me as only a buddy sharing my expertise. Take a look at the official New Zealand web site or seek the advice of an immigration advisor for official recommendation or help.
4. Failing to Declare Threat Gadgets Upon Entry
Agriculture and tourism are two of New Zealand’s greatest industries, and the federal government does the whole lot they will to guard the surroundings and guarantee biosecurity. That’s why they’re very strict in terms of what enters their border.
It will be important that you just’re accustomed to objects which can be allowed, restricted, and downright prohibited, and comply with their insurance policies so that you gained’t run into any drawback on the airport. You have to additionally pay attention to the objects that you could declare.
Earlier than your journey to New Zealand, you can be required to perform the New Zealand Traveller Declaration Type, which has two sections particularly about what you’re bringing into the nation. The primary is BIOSECURITY, and you must declare for those who carry in your hand baggage or check-in baggage objects like:
Threat Gadgets
- Any meals: cooked, raw, recent, preserved, packaged or dried, together with chocolate, candies, potato chips, crackers, biscuits, cookies, prompt noodles, espresso, tea baggage, mushy 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, elements of crops, fungi, cane, bamboo or straw, together with for non secular choices or medicinal use
- Organic merchandise: Animal medicines, organic cultures, organisms, soil or water
- Tools: Tools/clothes used with animals, crops or water, together with for gardening, beekeeping, fishing, water sport or diving actions?
- Outside gear: Gadgets which were used for out of doors actions, together with any footwear, tents, tenting, looking, mountain climbing, golf or sports activities gear
I used to be carrying sweets and different meals merchandise, so I simply declared them.
Restricted Gadgets
You’ll even be requested for those who’re carrying greater than the allowed quantity of restricted objects like medication and alcohol.
On the airport, the border officers simply requested what objects I declared and directed me to the appropriate lane. It was fairly easy. I’m guessing as a result of it’s simply sweets and snacks.
So if it’s meant to be declared, declare them. You may get fined for those who fail to take action.
5. Underestimating New Zealand’s measurement and distances.
Whenever 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 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. In case 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, will probably be impractical to imagine it solely takes a number of days to discover or you could see all of it in every week.
Similar 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 usually a favourite vacation spot from Rotorua or Auckland, is definitely 2 to 2 and a half hours away. Even Hobbiton shouldn’t be “simply exterior Auckland”. It’s 2 hours from the town heart, too.
Because of this it’s necessary to construct a strategic and stable itinerary, particularly for those who’re driving.
6. Driving on the Mistaken Facet of the Highway
Driving out of the country is usually unnerving. However whereas in principle, driving in New Zealand needs to be simple as a result of most roads are paved and there are many indicators all over the place, there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind earlier than you determine to take the wheel.
First, New Zealand drives on the left aspect of the highway. And for those who’re used to driving on the appropriate 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 automobile or your place on the highway. You’ll should unlearn sure issues particularly when taking a flip at intersections.
I additionally seen that New Zealand’s roads deeper into the countryside are normally two-lane and slim, however autos 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 once you’re utilizing Waze or Google Maps, you’ll be counting exits lots. It’s not tough, nevertheless it simply takes some getting used to.
It’s finest to have a navigator or a co-pilot driving shotgun so you’ll be able to concentrate on the driving and there’s somebody to remind you in case you get confused.
Additionally, fuel stations or petrol stations are few and much between particularly when driving between cities, so once you see one, seize the prospect and replenish as a result of the following one may be many, many miles away.
7. Considering It’s Tough to Probe for Non-Drivers
Once we began posting about our New Zealand journey on Instagram, we obtained plenty of questions on whether or not it’s potential to discover the nation even for those who don’t know the best way to drive. And the reply is YES.
They are saying that one of the simplest ways to discover New Zealand is to hire a automobile and drive. And I agree. It’s additionally cost-efficient for those who’re a bunch. However not everybody is in a position or keen to drive. For that, you’ll be able to take public transportation like Intercity Buses. However be sure you 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 standard 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 illustration, there’s an Auckland-Hobbiton-Rotorua one-way tour. This fashion, when you’re carried out with Auckland, this tour can decide you up within the metropolis, make a cease in Hobbiton so you would discover after which after, drop you off at your subsequent lodge in Rotorua. It’s like a tour and switch in a single. And sure, you’ll be able to carry your baggage with you.
We bought to attempt the Christchurch-Queenstown one-way tour. The shuttle picked us up at our lodge in Christchurch together with our baggage. And alongside the way in which, we stopped at varied vacationer spots like Lake Tekapo and Hooker Valley within the shadows of Mt. Prepare dinner earlier than terminating in Queenstown.
It’s a very good choice for non-drivers and can find yourself more cost effective 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 gentle, and it may nonetheless get cool even in summer season months, so that you may suppose “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 lodge however I normally neglect 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 neglect 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.
In case you’re used to staying out till late evening, 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 may nonetheless discover some that stay open at evening, however will probably be more durable. However don’t fear, bars and malls are typically open a lot later than cafes.
This isn’t distinctive to New Zealand, although. We additionally seen this in some cities in Australia. May very well be one thing to do with wages and work-life steadiness.
Some sights additionally shut early. Te Puia in Rotorua is barely open till 4pm and Wai-o-Tapu till 4:30pm, understandably. Christchurch Gondola solely operates till 5pm and the final trip down is at 5:30PM.
We additionally seen that automobile rental firms shut early, except for airport branches. Europcar in Auckland metropolis heart closes at 4pm on weekdays, and 12 midday on weekends. Some branches are closed on Sundays too.
So ensure to examine working hours when constructing your itinerary.
10. Paying for water.
Faucet water in most locations in New Zealand is protected to drink. At the least 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.
You probably have a refillable water bottle, you’ll be able to simply fill it up at your lodge or when you’ll be able to. It’s only a matter of style, typically.
In case 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 all the time 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 lodge. In Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown, we spent our nights at a hostel primarily due to the associated fee.
That is how a lot we paid for a personal room for two per evening.
- Auckland: SkyCity (Lodge)
NZD 170 (USD 102, PHP 5740) - Rotorua: Rock Stable 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 take a look at how a lot we paid per evening 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 bathtub. We nonetheless had an awesome keep, although. We truly beloved all these hostels.
We’re in all probability gonna create a separate evaluation of all these lodging choices, so for those who don’t need to miss that, ensure to subscribe to this channel, ring the bell beside it and choose ALL so that you’re all the time 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 principal course, however larger for extra premium dishes like steak or ribs
However one factor I seen is {that a} serving is normally big, even after they say it’s good for only one individual. Even their burgers listed here 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’ll be able to put together your individual meals. It’s particularly helpful for long-term vacationers. Consuming out on daily basis might not be sustainable. If budgeting will get slightly 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 bought residence from our New Zealand journey was, “That was fast.” We spent 10 days pondering 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 primary occasion. The headliner. The Beyonce of your itinerary. And very similar to Beyonce, she deserves your money and time. Hahaha.
The most effective locations in New Zealand are unfold out, so the drives are lengthy. They’re value it, however they’re lengthy. And there’s lots 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 anticipate it to be so filled with allure. And since we needed to see lots, we tumbled into the pitfall of treating our journey as a listing of sights to tick. However once we have been there, we discovered New Zealand to be a spot to decelerate, linger, and take in the environment.
So give your self not less than two weeks if you wish to discover each islands with out spiraling into an Superb Race episode. Extra for those who can swing it.
You probably have 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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