Home Destinations

FROM A TO NZ: The best ways to travel around New Zealand

New Zealand is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes our planet has to offer. From rolling green hills, to snowy mountain peaks – they’re all at your fingertips […]

New Zealand is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes our planet has to offer. From rolling green hills, to snowy mountain peaks – they’re all at your fingertips without the need for extra stamps on your passport! The question remains, what is the best way to see this stunning country?

Well, fear not. We have comprised a definitive list of the ULTIMATE ways to make the most of your trip to NZ and the different ways you can explore the amazing scenery around you.

 

CAR

karryon-car_punakaiki_612x350

Credit: Matt Crawford

Using your own car gives you complete freedom to explore. You don’t have to adhere to the restrictions of an arbitrary clock – time is yours for the keeping! This is a convenient transport method which ensures you’ll get to see all you want to, with total independence. If you choose to buy your own car, as opposed to renting, you can simply sell the vehicle on when you choose to finish your trip, which can be very cost-effective.

Of course, using a car means you can travel as far off the beaten path as you desire (depending, of course, on just how beaten this path may be..) A popular route for road trips on the South Island, the Southern Scenic Route, journeys from Queenstown to Dunedin via the Catlins, and can be completed between 4 – 5 days.

 

CAMPERVAN

karryon-campervan_arrowtown_612x350

Credit: David Wall

Did you know New Zealand is a responsible freedom camping nation? There are over 500 locations across New Zealand where you can park up and settle in for the night. A campervan is unquestionably the best way to both travel around with ease and snooze under the blanket of New Zealand’s starry skies. All you need is a self-contained vehicle and a sense of adventure, following some basic rules along the way to make sure you camp responsibly – take away all waste and use recycling facilities to help protect New Zealand’s pristine environment. Why not head to the South Islands dream-like Tōtaranui and set-up camp close to the Abel Tasman Coast Track? This is a perfect spot to access the famed Abel Tasman Coast Track as well as a great base for activities.

 

BUS TOURS

karryon-NZ-road-generic_612x350

If you’re backpacking, a bus tour might be one of the most sociable ways to explore the islands of New Zealand. This mode of transport ensures stress-free travel along predetermined routes, taking you from point A to Z smoothly whilst hitting all the major viewpoints and towns within both the North and South Island. Bus tours are especially useful if you only have a limited period of time to explore, and the inclusion of accommodation and meals with most bus-tour packages means you don’t have to waste any precious time on hostel websites or scavenging for food! The most popular bus tour available for the younger demographic, is Kiwi Experience, which is a hop-on, hop-off bus, has proven to be very popular with travellers due to it’s wickedly fun and social vibe.

 

TRAIN

karryon-train_612x350

Travelling via train in New Zealand is the ultimate way to combine relaxation with spectacular scenery. Famed journeys such as the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific,  showcase engineering feats and breathtaking scenery not accessible from the road. You can travel with ease between Auckland and Wellington in the North Island, or Christchurch and Greymouth in the South, whilst relaxing with a cup of coffee and the spectacular sights for company.

 

PLANE

karryon-plane_612x350

This might seem obvious, but choosing to travel by plane can be a cost-effective, fast and easy way to get from one end of New Zealand to the other. There are 25 domestic airports connected by flights in NZ alone, meaning it’s super easy to get to where you need to go, especially if you’re in a hurry! If you’re travelling between the North and the South Island, for example, plane travel might be the most effective way of making it to your destination with time to spare.

To discover more information on how to travel New Zealand visit Tourism New Zealand’s Travel Trade Page.

Written by Emily Hollings, a KARRYON contributor