I went to New Zealand when I was 18. I had a couple weeks off from volunteering (in Australia) and a friend of mine was heading down to New Zealand so I met up with him there and we traveled around.At first we just bummed around for a bit but then got serious, flew to the south island, rented a car and explored. If you want to see New Zealand at your own pace and stop at some amazing but tucked away beauty or unique shops then for sure renting a car is the way to go.
It’s hard to describe New Zealand in one sentence but I would say its like Canada with its different climates, oceans, mountains, beauty and eco systems but all in a small little country which you can drive around and experience so much quicker and better! (Ok, that was a really long sentence)
Things you have to do (according to me):
Get something pierced or tattooed
Check these guys out!
Go white water rafting
Drive around on both islands coast to coast
On your drive around the islands you'll see lots of waterfalls and driving into the bush a little to find some more in a must!
Swim with the dusky dolphins!
Go into any and every free gallery you can find
Go to the markets and craft sales (most are only seasonal unfortunately)
Take a street cart in Christchurch if you can.
Explore the city (Christchurch) on foot.
Play chess on the huge chess board downtown in Christchurch
Go for a drive around this lake! (Honestly, I don't know the name because we just sort of found it along the way!)
On your drive stop at this hotel for a coffee and muffin break!
Climb Mount Maunganui 
After your hike up the mount take a break on the beach
Things I wish I had done: Had more then 2 weeks there
And I wish I would have had time to go to Auckland.If you could go to New Zealand what would you see and do?
New Zealand is one place I really want to go before I die. It looks amazing!!! Bust Magazine did an article on Wellington and after reading it Paul and I really want to go and well Flight of the Concords is from there so how would you not want to go!
ReplyDeleteI love the opening sentence of how Gemma Gracewood explains Wellington New Zealand: 'If you crossed San Francisco with and Italian fishing village, you'd end up with something pretty close to Wellington.' Now that sounds like a place I want to go and just sit and have a cafe by the water or on a cobble stone street!
Great article Mandi! I always love hearing your travel stories and reading your posts because I know you have traveled a lot in your short life :)