New Zealand: The Ultimate Empty Space:  

If you’ve been dreaming about pulling the trigger on some major international travel, but the thought of navigating a foreign country feels a bit daunting, let me let you in on a secret: New Zealand is the least intimidating place on the planet to visit.

It is ridiculously easy to navigate, and the tourist infrastructure is hands down the best of any country I’ve ever stepped foot in.  Because of that, it’s a massively popular vacation spot.

Being down in the Southern Hemisphere, their peak summer runs from December through February.  Now, if you’re a winter person and actually enjoy a crisp chill in the air, you can easily dodge the crowds and avoid peak pricing by visiting in the colder months or hitting the shoulder seasons.  But you’ll be sacrificing the warm summer sun and the chance to hang out on some of the world’s finest beaches.  Being the unapologetic beach bums that we are, Barbie and I chose the warmth.  We spent all four of our months chasing the sun across New Zealand.

The wild thing about NZ is that despite this being our fourth extended visit, we still found heaps of undiscovered spots.  It’s a place where it’s easy to go off the beaten track even when you’re not trying to.  With a total population of less than 5 million people, don’t be shocked if you find yourself completely alone.  There were times we had some of the most jaw-dropping beaches and coastal tracks entirely to ourselves.

That empty space is exactly what makes it magic.  Driving the open roads on both islands just confirms it: New Zealand is mostly vast, rural farmland with far more sheep than humans.

Life Inside a Fairy Tale

Road-tripping here feels less like driving between destinations and more like being completely engulfed in one massive, endless national park.  Whenever Barbie and I plot out a new country to visit on our round-the-world journey, we place a massive emphasis on beautiful landscapes, sweeping coastlines, and lush nature.  We need that environment to feel comfortable and at peace.

Lucky for us, New Zealand has that in spades.  The entire country—especially the South Island—looks straight out of a fairy tale.  It makes total sense why they filmed The Lord of the Rings here.  No matter where you are, you are always about 15 minutes away from something spectacularly beautiful, and a stone’s throw from a vista that will make your jaw drop.

It easily ranks as one of the most beautiful countries we’ve ever visited, which is exactly why we chose to do a repeat, four-month deep dive here despite having so many other untouched corners of the globe left to see.  Two other massive perks for the flashpacker budget?  A strong dollar that keeps your costs down, and a strictly “No Tipping” culture.

Kiwi culture revolves around camping, hiking (or “tramping,” as the locals call it), and living outdoors.  Without a doubt, the absolute best way to experience it is to rent a car and explore at your own pace.  There is nothing like the freedom of choosing your own adventure, visiting exactly what you want, with the flexibility of your own vehicle.

If you love a road trip packed with nature and mind-blowing scenery, New Zealand needs to be at the absolute top of your bucket list.

Now, campervaning is huge here.  On the South Island, it felt like every second vehicle on the road was a compact camper outfitted with a tiny kitchen and a bed.  Barbie and I decided to pass on the campervan life, though.  We opted to rent a standard car and split our nights between comfortable Airbnbs and the occasional random backpacker joint.

We loved mixing it up at the local lodges to partake in the camaraderie of fellow global travelers. There is something awesome about sharing a beer and chatting with people from all corners of the world who seemingly have the exact right outlook on life.  Interestingly, we rarely ran into any Americans.  I’ve heard that only about a third of Americans even hold a passport, which is a real shame.  Heck, when we road-tripped the US national parks in Utah years ago, we encountered more foreigners than US citizens in our own backyard!

The Friendliest People on Earth

Over the last few years on the road, we’ve crossed paths with Kiwis all over the globe, and we were always struck by how kind they were.  That said, nothing prepared me for just how deeply ingrained that friendliness is on their home turf.

Of all the countries we have stamped in our passports, New Zealand takes the crown for the nicest people in the world.  Just being around the locals made me hyper-aware of my own attitude and vibe.  I’m confident I’ll be leaving New Zealand 100 times friendlier than when I arrived—I just don’t know how long that filter will last once I get back into the real world outside of this oasis!

Saying goodbye to our big Kiwi outdoor adventure felt like leaving home.  It’s one of those rare places where before you even board your flight out, you’re already planning the itinerary for your next trip back.  If I were ever to seriously consider moving abroad, packing up for a country filled with the happiest, friendliest people on earth would make a good choice.

The Island Breakdown: North vs. South

New Zealand is split cleanly between the North and South Islands, and each offers a distinctly different flavor.

• The South Island: Boasts the heavy-hitting natural attractions, towering peaks, and dramatic, rugged scenery.
• The North Island: Gets the definitive edge when it comes to stellar, warm-weather beaches. (Though a quick shoutout to the Nelson and Abel Tasman region at the top of the South Island—they have some absolutely killer beaches too).

We spent anywhere from 3 to 6 nights in each of the hubs listed below during our four months on the road.  If you’re blessed with the time to hit these spots, you’re going to have an epic trip.

Big Doug Pro-Tip: Every major town has a super helpful, official “i-SITE” information center. Pop in when you arrive—they make planning local tracks and booking activities incredibly simple. (For the deep-dive stories from our very first scouting trip here, make sure to check out my dedicated North Island and South Island archive posts).

Here is the ultimate flashpacker hit list from our four months across the islands:

The North Island

Bay of Islands

A tropical playground up north packed with stunning bays.

Auckland

New Zealand’s largest city. Honestly? If you’re pressed for time on your trip, skip the concrete jungle and move onto the nature spots.

Waiheke Island

Just a short, easy ferry ride from downtown Auckland. It’s an absolute must-visit for a few nights during the summer months to hit the fabulous beaches and soak in the world-class wine and relaxed island vibe.

Coromandel Peninsula (Hahei & Whitianga)

Take the incredibly scenic drive up the western coast of the Coromandel Peninsula and base yourself in the town of Hahei. This area serves up some of the absolute best beaches in all of New Zealand.

Rotorua

Yeah, it’s a bit touristy, but the sheer volume of wild geothermal features, bubbling mud pools, and cultural activities make it well worth the stop.  Barbie was fascinated by this town!

Waitomo

The big ticket here is exploring the magnificent underground caverns. Definitely spend the cash and book a full-day adventure option like Black Water Rafting or abseiling down into the caves.

Raglan

A legendary, ultra-cool surf town boasting a completely mellow, retro 1970s beach vibe.

Taupo

The ultimate lake hub. All the best action here revolves around the massive expanse of Lake Taupo and the powerful, crystal-clear waters of the Waikato River.

Ohakune (Tongariro National Park)

The staging ground for the world-famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing—easily one of the best single-day day hikes on earth—plus tons of alternative trails and winter ski resorts.

Wellington

The capital city, proudly dubbed the “Coolest little capital in the world.” It has zero corporate city stress and feels more like a vibrant, compact coastal town.

The South Island

Nelson

Marahau / Kaiteriteri (Abel Tasman National Park)

You absolutely must visit this golden stretch during the peak summer months. It’s the ultimate launching pad for stunning single-day or multi-day coastal walks and sea kayaking.

Golden Bay (Pukawau & Tata Beach)

A remote, beautiful slice of paradise at the top of the island packed with eccentric art communities and wild beaches best explored in the dead of summer.

Cape Foulwind / Punakaiki

Home to the famous Pancake Rocks and loaded with incredibly scenic coastal walking tracks tracking right along the rugged Tasman Sea.

Franz Josef

The Heli-Hike glacier walk is an absolute non-negotiable bucket list item. Splurge on the chopper ride onto the ice.  Hopefully, global warming doesn’t make this gem obsolete.

Haast

A wild, remote highway stretch packed with massive waterfalls and dense rainforest lookout spots.

Wanaka

The cooler, slightly more laid-back sibling to Queenstown. Phenomenal mountain hikes (like Roys Peak) set against a stunning alpine lake.

Queenstown

The undisputed adventure capital of the world. The town is constantly buzzing with action, high energy, and superb views across Lake Wakatipu.

Te Anau (Milford Sound)

This is nature on absolute steroids. Use Te Anau as your base to witness the incredible fiords of Milford Sound and tackle some of the world’s most famous multi-day Great Walks.  A great nature hangout.

The Catlins (Pounawea & Curio Bay)

A completely wild, wind-swept, and untamed coastal region at the bottom of the world. Tons of open space, hidden waterfalls, and petrified forests to explore.

Dunedin

A vibrant, historic small city with a great university atmosphere and excellent wildlife access on the Otago Peninsula.

Mt. Cook (Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki)

Home to NZ’s tallest peaks and spectacular alpine hikes. The neon-blue glacier water of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki will completely mess with your head.

Christchurch

A completely transformed city that has been rebuilt after the devastating earthquakes.

Akaroa

Arguably one of the most uniquely scenic French-settled bays in New Zealand. You’ve got to catch this historic town on a bright, sunny day when the water color completely shines.  And a visit to the alpaca farm is a must.

Arthur’s Pass

A spectacular, dramatic mountain pass cutting right through the heart of the Southern Alps, loaded with rugged trails inside the National Park.  Tons of hikes on tap here.

Hanmer Springs

A mellow, small alpine village designed entirely for relaxing and soaking your sore muscles in the thermal hot springs.

Kaikoura

Marine life central. We’re talking fur seals lounging on the rocks, whale watching, and pods of dolphins. This is another coastal spot you need to time with a sunny day to fully appreciate the dramatic contrast of the ocean colors meeting the mountains.