New Zealand Backpacking

1. Port Hills These are those "mountains" you see in the distance when you are anywhere in Christchurch. However, once you get there, you realize they are just hills. Take the gondola or better yet, hike up to the top. It is about a 30min hike and is fairly steep but not too bad compared to the rest of New Zealand's hikes. Once you're at the top, you'll receive a stunning view of all of Christchurch and of Lyttleton Harbour on the other side. There is also a gift shop and a really good restaurant at the top. PS - Sometimes the road at the top is open and you can drive up. 2. Lyttleton Harbour View of Lyttleton Harbour from Port Hills Just a short bus ride away is Lyttleton Harbour. If you're there on a Saturday, you can enjoy their popular farmer's market on London Street from 10am to 1pm. For dinner, consider eating at Fisherman's Wharf, a popular seafood spot right on the harbor. Just a warning, it might be a bit pricey for your average bac

Time: 7-8 hours Cost: ~$30 per person for the shuttle or just drop your party off and only send one person on the shuttle to save money Skill: You don't need to be particularly skilled in any way just be able to walk the whole day and go up and down a steep elevation. What to Bring:  The peak elevation of this hike is very windy and cold even in the middle of summer so pack some warm clothes -Multiple bottles of water -Snack and possibly lunch -Some toilet paper (the portapotties along the way don't always have it) -Hat -Light jacket -Hiking boots The Hike: Please note this is a one-way hike, not a loop. You will need to start at a certain end of the trail so you don't make the mistake we made. You will need to park your car at the end of the trail then take a shuttle to the beginning. The majority of shuttles only run in the morning not in the evening so there will be no one to pick you up if you start at the wrong end. The Mangatepopo road is the end whe

View of Tew's Falls  Time: 1-1.5 hours Cost: $10/Vehicle + $5/person (attendant on duty)           $15 total (no attendant on duty) How to Get There:  If it is a weekday , park in Webster's Trail Parking off of Harvest Road in Hamilton, ON. If it is a weekend , you will need to park at Christie Lake Conservation area and take a shuttle to the park. This only applies from April 19th to October 27th. Otherwise, treat every day as a weekday. *Do not try to park along the road, you will get a $60 ticket* The Hike: This is a very simplistic loop trail. Within the first 5 minutes of walking, you can find Tew's Falls on your right side. The rest of the hike leads to a beautiful overlook and loops back around. We went in the middle of August and there was virtually no one there. If you would like to see Webster's Falls, take the trail in the parking lot that goes to the right. It's just a trail with no signage and will lead to Webster's Falls. You can

Christchurch --> Queenstown or vice versa If you’re on a tight time schedule when seeing the south island, this is the itinerary for you. These must-do’s are all you need. Day 1: Christchurch --> Lake Tekapo Driving in New Zealand takes longer than what google maps will tell you. With the winding roads and many distractions to look at, you’ll probably end up pulling over to every scenic viewpoint if it’s your first time there. You can grab a rental car or campervan near the Christchurch airport at a few different places such as JUCY, Spaceship etc. The Church of the Good Shepherd Then make your way out of town on highway 73 where you'll reach your first stop in just under an hour. The famous Sheffield's Pie Shop! Eating a meat pie might sound weird if you're not from New Zealand but trust me you'll want to try these. All of the locals rave about them. My personal favorite is the Salmon but they have many different flavors and other bakery good

5.)  Barup This first bar is a good place to either start or wind down the night. It has a small intimate setting that almost feels like you're at an exclusive club. Don't forget to try the money shot while you're there!                                            4.)  Bungalow Mario Kart. Yes, that's all that needs to be said about this bar. They have a projector in the back that you can play Mario Kart 64 on all while getting drinks served to you. Don't worry if you can't get a turn because this place still has a great atmosphere and a DJ later in the night. During the summer months, the front window wall opens up and makes this place even more chique.                                             3.) Winnie's Alcohol and pizza, the best combination am I right? This place is known for its pizza but the variety of shots and great dancefloor will keep you there.                                             2.)  The World Bar During the day, this is you

The campgrounds are definitely more expensive in the north island than the ones on the south island. Being the broke college students we are, we were not planning on spending over $20 per person for a campground. Here are my top 4 cheap campgrounds around the north island: 4.)  Rarawa Beach Campsite Cost:   This is a doc owned campsite that costs $13 per night per person. Where: This site is located in the middle of the northern peninsula. It's a great halfway point on the way to or from Cape Reinga.  About: The best part of the campsite, by its name, is the white sand Rarawa beach which is a 2-minute walk from your camper. It's sad that you can't see it from your campsite but you can easily walk over to watch the sunrise. There are also plenty of flushable toilets with toilet paper which is a bonus and an outside cold shower. For more information visit this link: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/te-paki-recreation-reserve/