Aotearoa is an amazing country. We have loved living and working here on our vanlife adventures for the past two years. We think it should be high on your travel bucket list and want to share with you 5 things we love about New Zealand. If you were unsure about visiting the country, we are pretty sure this list will convince you to come! If not, check out some of our pictures over in our print store to see how truly beautiful this country is.
There is something for everyone in Aotearoa whether you are an adrenaline junky or a nature lover, to foodies or culture lovers New Zealand has it all. Here are our favourite things to get you started on your love affair with New Zealand.
Be sure to check out our Instagram to see all our travels around Aotearoa!
Incredible Scenery
Coastal views, mountain views, glacial views, island views, Fiordlands, sounds and volcanoes. Is there anything that New Zealand doesn’t have? It’s crazy when you think about all the different environments and stunning range of views you get in such a small land mass. The glaciers here have been likened to Finland.
There is a tropical feel to the north island and a rugged winter wonderland waiting for you on the south. Black sand beach, white pristine beaches and rugged cliff side beaches. There is just so much to see here. We would know, we’ve been here for over 2 years now and still haven’t ticked it all off our list!
Vanlife
Vanlife here is really made so easy. There is an abundance of freedom camping sites all over the country, along with many holiday parks and even a few cheaper camping options when there are no freedom camps nearby. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has a lot of cheap camping options too. Dump stations for your waste water and to fill up your water tanks are also free and so easy to find.
If you are visiting, we’d say vanlife is the easiest and cheapest way to really get to experience New Zealand. We use a few apps to make vanlife here even easier so check them out here before hitting the road.
Chill Vibes
We love the chill vibes here. Everyone is pretty laid back and lots of fun. We’ve made some great friends here and generally love the people we meet. Especially in the vanlife community but also just complete strangers, everyone seems pretty willing to lend a hand or have a quick chat.
We have had great encounters with people coming up to us when we are freedom camping to chat or pass around some feijoas they need eaten. It’s pretty good vibes, especially when you’re in the smaller towns. It’s just sweet as bro.
Affordable Travel
The cost of living is pretty high here, but it’s a great place for a budget holiday or vacation. Food is the main thing that will set you back, but everything else is cheap if not free! The highlight for us in New Zealand is its many hikes, all of which are free to do. Add to that all the freedom camps you can stay at in a van and you have yourself a pretty good budget destination.
There are lots of tours and tourist activities you can spend some money on too, but it really is easy to have a good time here and stick to a budget. Check out our vanlife tips to save money to really get the most out of your time here.
Delicious Food
You can’t come to Aotearoa and not try Hangi, a traditional Māori way of cooking food. Traditionally cooked in the ground, Hangi is one of our favourite things to eat in New Zealand, closely followed by boil up and all the seafood!
The best Hangi we have had so far in Aotearoa has been on a Māori cultural night we did in Rotorua with Tiff’s parents. The Hangi was so good that Tiff didn’t bother with dessert. She just went back for seconds of the stuffing and potatoes (both kumara and white potatoes, might we add). The tour was run by Mitai Māori village, an evening cultural experience with a buffet dinner featuring their renowned Hangi. We highly recommend the experience.
Whilst we are at it, make sure you learn about Māori culture when you visit New Zealand. It’s intrinsically entwined with the country and you can’t really say you’ve visited Aotearoa without supporting and learning about Māori people and their culture, history and connection to the country.
Keen for more inspo? Be sure to check out:
- Day Hike – Hooker Valley Track
- 10 Eco-Conscious Vanlife Tips for a Greener Journey
- How to Make Money on the Road
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