New Zealand is an amazing place – a unique blend of local culture, British history and unmatch natural beauty. As you think about a trip to New Zealand, we would like to share with you our advice on the mandatory photo ops, the best way to get around and more. To cap it off, we’re also supplying you with our unique Printable Travel Planners – an 8.5×11″ .pdf that you can use to record all important info for your future trip.

Planning Your Itinerary:

The details of travel can get out of hand if you’re unprepared. Our Travel Relic Planner is a great way to keep the details of travel organized – the locations, the hotels. the flight, and more – in one easy to create location. Just download and print (standard 8.5×11″ print), and you can track the important information for your upcoming trip.

How to Get Around:

The two main entry points into New Zealand are Auckland (North Island) and Christchurch (South Island). If you’re coming in on a long-distance, international flight, you’ll most surely be arriving in Auckland. Once you land, you’ll need to get around. Buses are the ideal way to travel among islands. If you plan to travel between islands, avoid the ferry between islands, as its cost is equal to or higher than flights between Christchurch and Wellington.

Bus Companies for Travel Between the Islands:

Our favorite: Atomic Shuttles. With the ability to schedule pickups with an easy phone call, it’s cheaper and faster than other bus lines, this was our choice option during our time in New Zealand. Here’s a link to their schedule of bus arrivals and departures: Atomic Shuttle Timetable.

Other options include:
-  InterCity Coachlines: the national bus option. A tad bit nicer, they’re the more expensive option, but with a less flexible schedule.
-  Naked Bus: as the new guys to the show, they are a blend of bus transport and a siteseeing tour operator. With unique package option, these guys may be your easiest option for cheap travel and getting between the sites you’re intending to see.

Where to Stay:

Our favorite hostel chain in the country is BASE Hostels. Featuring great package deals that make discounted stays possible no matter where you are in New Zealand, they’re ideal for those looking for inner-city, exciting stays. If you’re looking for a hotel, Mainstay Hotels offers access to hundreds of hotels in the country.

Things to See and Do:

The North and South Islands offer vastly different vistas but pretty similar activities. The mecca of outdoor adventure is by far Queenstown, on the South Island. With hundreds of ways to strap yourself in and pump up your adrenaline, it’s followed by Taupo (parachuting) and Auckland (bungee, nightlife).

South Island: as the more distant option from the Auckland airport, it may be a little more difficult to get to, but don’t let that stop you. As our favorite area of New Zealand, it’s more rugged natural beauty lends itself to outdoor activities. Make sure to:

• Hike the Franz Josef Glacier
• Ski outside of Queenstown
• Bungee at the world’s first bungee site
• Visit the English-like city of Christchurch
• Take a brewery tour in Greymouth
• Hike the Milford Sound

North Island: with rolling green pasteurs and a more cosmopolitan atmosphere, the North Island has many options not found on the South Island. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Bungee from the Auckland bridge
• Parachute in Taupo at one of the world’s most inexpensive parachute sites
• Surf the north coast

Don’t Miss Photo Ops:

As you travel by bus, your driver will most likely stop at unforgettable vistas to let you take some pics. Here are some you just shouldn’t miss:
North Island: Auckland from a high viewpoint, Wellington harbor, the northwest coast
South Island: “Mt. Doom”, Lake Wanaka, top shots over Queenstown, the western coast south of Greymouth

We hope that helps. Our time in New Zealand helped rank this small and beautful country as one of our top five favorite locations in the world. Get there as soon as possible!

-The Travel Relic Team

Royalty Free Photos and Images of New Zealand (Christchurch, Auckland and more)

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