Hi my name is Julie and I just returned from doing a South Island trip in New Zealand. I had a fantastic time! The Kiwi Experience staff are outstanding and there are lots of inclusions. My favourites were the Poo Pub party (at Mahinapua Pub - the owner/operator Les is 82!!) and guided walks and unique overnight stops. The accommodation recommended is above-par and very centrally-located.Now is a great time to travel to New Zealand especially if you want to experience snowboarding or skiing in the NZ Alps! AWESOME!!!

Julie, BWT, Cairns

Well what can I say the South Island of New Zealand is absolutely breathtaking with all the beautiful snow capped mountains, rainforests, lakes, waterfalls and beaches.  We met many great people on our trip especially the wonderful Les who is 83 years old and owns the Mahinipua Hotel (Poo Pub) which is a very interesting unforgettable overnight stop for all Kiwi Ex passengers.  

The Franz Josef glacier is just magnificent but make sure you are very fit to do the full day hike, otherwise highly recommend the Helihike, where you are flown to the top and go on a 2hr hike, amazing photo oppotunities here make sure you have plenty of film or memory left on you camera.  

Queenstown, is party central and a great base for any skiing or boarding enthusiasts as the mountains are very close and the ski transfers pickup from your accommodation or very nearby.  Queenstown is the adrenaline capital with Bungy, Canyon Swing (109m high, with a 60m freefall then a 200m arc across the canyon - just a big giant swing really - but what an amazing rush !!!!!), Shotover Jet Boat, Quad Biking and much much more to do in this very pretty town.  My most favourite spot out of them all, so much to see and do or just relax around an openfire with a hot choccie or a beer if thats what you like.

Laura, BWT, Airlie Beach

Hey I am just back from Kiwi wonderland

Spent a few days travelling round the South Island with Kiwi Experience, had a ball, headed across Arthers pass to Franz Josef, where we done a full day Glacier hike which was amazing, bit of hard work on the old muscles but worth it for the scenery !!!Then cruised down to Queenstown passing by Wanaka.

Cruised down to Milford Sound for the day this is the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand , cruising through Fjords, waterfalls, we were very lucky to see seals, dolphins and lots of birdlife so great !!!

Queenstown is pumping at the mo, party central, couldn’t go to Queenstown with out doing an extreme adventure: Canyon Swing it was the elvis cutaway was the name of my jump oh my goodness hanging over a canyon with a harness on, well what can I say and the guys were telling me to relax yea right , 60mtr fall through the canyon then finish with a swing !!! oh my goodness it was scary but adrenalin pumping  !!! there slogan is true ( even my S— was scared !!!)

Well deserved beer or 2 or 3 in Queenstown , then it was back to sunny Christchurch !!

New Zealand one of the most spectacular countries to visit, must go and check it out !!!

Happy days

Laura, BWT, Brisbane

Hi all , I‚m Valentina, Italian , born and bred in Rome, but I’ve been an ‘Iwi’ (as in Italian-Kiwi) for the last 3 years. I‚ve also been a Japanese tour guide and tour Leader and travel consultant in Italy. I have backpacked my way around Europe, Africa, North America, South East and East Asia and of course Oceania. I fell in Love with New Zealand 7 years ago, I still remember the exact moment: it was a mid November morning, I was paddling my way around the Abel Tasman National Park in a 2 seater sea-kayak (my first time on a kayak too) and maybe it was the way the sun was shining and the sky was so blue or the emerald color reflecting from the water! If you’re in Auckland, please come and see my at Base Travel, Auckland - it’s where all travelaholics stop by! Ciao, Valentina x

Have you been thinking about going to New Zealand?

Now is a great time to go - prices are cheaper as it’s the start of Winter now, so it’s an excellent time to get out there and see all the beautiful wonders this country has to offer.

Right now there are HEAPS of different specials on, saving you $$$, and offering loads of FREE travel options too! For example, you can save HUNDREDS of dollars off the awesome hop on/hop off bus tours, like Kiwi Experience, Stray and Magic. It’s also super cheap to hire a car or campervan - starting from around $19NZD per day! *You can even score yourselves a free lift pass for each day that you hire a vehicle!

And for all you Snow Bunny’s - both the North and South Island have world-class Ski fields, and there are great packages available that will combine your transport, accommodation, lift passes and more! All starting from around $735 for 8 days! 

Backpackers World Travel can help you out with everything you need for a trip to New Zealand - flights, accommodation, transport, activities and more! So what are you waiting for? Go visit one of our stores today, to start planning your big NZ adventure!

Cheers, Bree

New Zealand is a great place to replenish the travelling funds. Once you have your visa, the challenge is getting yourself sorted with – the most important thing to have is a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, a tax file number (IRD Number), and a NZ Bank Account, which New Zealand Job Search can help out with.There are a variety of jobs available all over New Zealand at any one time. This can range from fruit-picking to horse trek guiding, from office and admin work to Hotel food and beverage work, just to name a few.

Most employers only require a minimum 3 month commitment, so this means you can work and travel your way around the country, perhaps trying your hand at a range of jobs. Most jobs do require previous work experience in order to apply for them, but many (ie: housekeeping, fruitpicking, labouring, kitchenhand etc) just require a can-do attitude and enthusiasm. The pay for this kind of work generally starts at around $11.00 per hour. Another way to have flexiblity while travelling around New Zealand and to save money is to join a WWOOF (willing workers on organic farms) or FHINZ (Farm Helpers in NZ) membership, where you work in exchange for food and accommodation.

Looking for work in New Zealand can be as simple as checking out backpacker websites, contacting recruitment agencies, and keeping an eye out on the job vacancies listed in the local newspapers. Our top choice for getting you started is a specialist backpacker recruitment agency called NZ Job Search. Based in Auckland, they help you get a tax file number and NZ bank account and then help you get all sorts of work. For more information on this, post a comment here or visit www.nzjs.co.nz. Good luck!

If there were an award for spectacular locations, New Zealand’s South Island would take out the Oscar. Heck, there’s even a place that’s called ‘Paradise’. Nowhere else in the world combines rugged landscapes, truly unique experiences, and adventures to simply take your breath away!How to get around:
It’s really easy to get around this pocket sized adventure paradise. There’s fully inclusive tours, hop on/off buses that combine flexibility with all the conveniences of guided travel, cars and campervan hire, as well as the world famous ‘Tranz Alpine’ train that stretches across to the gorgeous West Coast.

MUST SEE, MUST DO!

National Parks:
The best way to see the South Island is to just get out into the national parks – such as Abel Tasman in the north, or Fjordland in the south-west – and “tramp” (hike) your way across the countryside. The Milford Track rates as one of the best walks in the world, but you’ll also find something to suit every age, timeframe and fitness level.

West Coast:
A cruise or scenic flight is the best way to check out Milford Sound, with its cascading waterfalls and beautiful wildlife. If you’re feeling adventurous then hike or take a helicopter flight up the ancient Franz Josef or Fox Glaciers, to explore the spectacular ice formations that flow through lush rainforest.

Queenstown:
The adventure capital of the world! It’s renowned for superb winter sports and all year round excitement in the form of bungy jumping, skydiving, mountain biking, rafting, jet boating and anything else that can get your heart pumping and your brow sweating!Christchurch:
The international gateway and largest city in the South Island has plenty of hostels and a backpacker friendly nightlife. The International Antarctic Centre is worth a visit – the ‘snow & ice experience’ is almost as much fun as taking a ride on the ‘Hagglund’ (an Antarctic all-terrain amphibian vehicle).

“The bottom bit”:
The town of Bluff over looks Foveaux Strait, and is home to the famous Bluff Oyster. Bluff is also the gateway to Stewart Island – New Zealand’s rugged southern-most island. Stewart Island has one small township – Oban – in Halfmoon Bay. 28 km of sealed roads, amazing beaches, they just take your breath away. It is a haven for native wildlife, which you can discover on many bush walks from half an hour to three days. See songbirds such as Bellbirds, the Tui and if you’re lucky – Kiwi feeding on remote beaches at night. The waters are sparkling clear and excellent for kayaking, fishing, snorkelling and diving. The Island certainly has a special feel about it, with it’s own microclimate.

Hobbits:
Don’t forget the Hobbits! One visit here and you’ll soon see why director Peter Jackson chose his homeland as the back drop for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Of course there are plenty of tours that will take you to the films set locations, but just exploring the countryside yourself will deliver the same spectacular views.

So come visit the South Island, because as the locals say, its “Sweet As” – but be warned, you may never want to leave!

Where - North Island New Zealand
Capital - Wellington
Biggest City - Auckland
Language - English, Maori
Currency - NZ Dollar
Time Zone - UTC + 12
Quirky Fact - Sheep outnumber people in NZ 15 to 1Hey guys,

Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Rachel and I’m a Travel Consultant for Backpackers World Travel. I work in our Brisbane Elizabeth Street branch and I am soooo excited to be able to write all about my favourite place in the World…NEW ZEALAND!!!

My purpose is to inform all readers on everything that is happening over in NZ’s North Island. Keep checking this page for regular updates. If you have any specific questions, just drop me a line and I promise to get back to you ASAP.

This is my first blog entry so I’ll just start with the biggest city … AUCKLAND.

Otherwise known as the city of sails, Auckland is NZ’s main air gateway. Imagine an urban city, surrounded by beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and a beautiful harbor. Add in some Polynesian culture blended with modern city lifestyle and voila, you have Auckland.

Once you arrive, catch the airbus. It runs 7 days a week, all year and costs only $15 one way. It departs every 20 minutes and drops off at most major Hotels and Backpackers.

Accommodation:
BASE Backpackers - clean, modern and centrally located. Fantastic Bar and ensuite rooms. Dorm rooms start at $24.

Auckland Central Backpackers - right in the heart of Auckland.

What to do:
Absolutely, Positively, you must do Auckland’s famous SKYJUMP!!! Come on I know you want to!!!

Why not begin your Kiwi Adventure by taking a 192m leap off the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. That’s right, free fall for 15 seconds at speeds of 85kph before gently landing smoothly at the bottom. Yes you will live and what a rush. Unforgettable!!!

Well that’s it for this week guys but keep reading for more new and exciting NINZ info

Cheers
Rach