New Zealand - Southern island
We promise to be as concise as possible, but, telling the story of a trip to New Zealand without going into detail is nearly impossible! If you're thinking about visiting this incredible island, know that two weeks will never be enough to fully enjoy it. Sure, with a well-planned itinerary and a lot of determination, you might try to squeeze the experience into 14 days… but get ready for an intense, exhausting, and probably not-so-budget-friendly trip.
For us, the journey started long before boarding the plane. Choosing to leave everything behind to become backpackers meant cutting every unnecessary expense and finding alternative ways to travel as long as possible without blowing our budget. That’s when Workaway started to be part of our plan. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a platform that connects travelers with families, farms, or organizations looking for help in exchange of food and accommodation. Months before our departure, we reached out to three families and started planning our itinerary based on their availability to host us.
But the real challenge of a trip to New Zealand isn’t just the planning… it’s the flight hours! It took us 28 hours to get there, and by the time we finally landed, we were so exhausted that Giulia, stepping off the plane with completely numb legs, immediately twisted her ankle. If you’ll stick around, you’ll soon find out that things like this happen to her a lot… you’ll get used to it too! 😆
Queenstown - Our first impression
After 28 hours of flight, we finally arrived in Queenstown. First, though, we have to get through border control, which in New Zealand is pretty strict: no food, no animal products, and even the soles of your shoes are checked to be sure you’re not bringing soil from other eco-system into NZ. A tip? Clean them well before you leave your country! And of course, make sure you have all your documents in order, including a visa if needed.
Besides our New Zealand visa, we also applied for a transit visa for Australia (technically not required) but we preferred to be prepared for any situation.
Getting out of the airport feels like a mission: we’re exhausted from the journey, jet lag is hitting hard, and all we want is a bed. But the moment we step outside, Queenstown’s crisp and fresh air makes us forget the fatigue. It’s one of those places that welcomes you with a natural embrace, towering mountains all around and Lake Wakatipu shimmering under the sun.
And this is where we made our first silly mistake: we hadn’t booked a place to stay. Nothing. The realization hit us only when they the airport’s security asked for our accommodation address. So, a little piece of advice: book at least your first night. After such a long trip, you’ll need to recharge for the next day. We started our adventure already in survival mode.
Queenstown is a young town, perfect for adrenaline lovers. You can do everything here: rafting, skydiving, golf, and, of course, bungy jumping. But not just any bungy jump, the first-ever bungy in the world, the historic Kawarau Bridge jump. Three days here were enough to soak in the atmosphere before we decided it was time to hit the road. 🚐🏔️🌿
On the Road - Arrowtown, Lake Wanaka, Lake Pukaki e Mount Cook
First mission: finding a car. If you're planning to travel for an extended period, buying a car might be worth considering (which is surprisingly affordable in New Zealand). However, we chose to rent different vehicles throughout our trip, taking advantage of relocation deals, a system that allows you to move cars from one location to another for ridiculously low prices, sometimes as little as €1 per day (fuel not included and covered by the driver).
To find a car, we used transfercar.co.nz and rentalcars.com, while for vans and campers, imoova.com was our go-to. Using relocation deals is an incredibly budget-friendly way to travel, but it requires a lot of flexibility since there are very few vehicles available, and you don’t get to choose the route!
Once we found a car, we hit the road towards Mount Cook. The roads felt straight out of a movie: golden valleys, endless blue skies, and miles of postcard-worthy landscapes.
First stop: Arrowtown, a charming little gem frozen in time. We grabbed some delicious fish & chips and then continued towards Lake Wanaka. Seeing the famous lone tree emerging from the water, one of New Zealand’s most iconic images, was truly magical.
You’ll soon realize how many hours you’ll spend driving, but with views like these, the journey will be much faster and far more enjoyable.
When we reached Lake Pukaki, the color of the water left us speechless with an unreal, almost photoshopped, shade of blue. If you’re lucky, from Peter’s Lookout, you’ll catch a glimpse of Mount Cook’s peak as well.
At this point, we realized, once again, that we had nowhere to sleep for the night. Luckily, fate was on our side: a local i-SITE tourist center (isite.nz) helped us find a campiste where we could sleep in the car, saving us at the last minute.
If you prefer a more comfortable option, White Horse Hill Campground is a great choice, located at the foot of Mount Cook and surrounded by nature, is perfect for an early-morning start on the trails. We ended up staying at Glentanner Park Center, which also offers rooms and all the comforts you might need after a long day on the road. 🚗🏔️🌿
We have to admit, we didn’t sleep very well that night, but the next morning, we witnessed the most beautiful sunrise of our lives, and in an instant, all the fatigue disappeared.
The plan for the day was to reach the famous Mount Cook Valley. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, and with a hint of disappointment, we set off for our next destination.
Lake Tekapo was our next stop. The gray, windy weather gave the place a mystical atmosphere, and we truly enjoyed our time there. If you visit in spring (November to February), you’ll have a great chance of seeing the stunning lupin bloom, endless fields of vibrant purple flowers that are simply breathtaking.
Before leaving, take a few minutes to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, a small stunning chapel overlooking the lake. Then, hit the road again, more adventures await! 🚗🌿💜
Christchurch and our first Workaway
We stopped in Christchurch not only to explore the city but mainly because we had found a family willing to host us through Workaway in exchange for some help.
Completely rebuilt after the devastating 2011 earthquake, Christchurch has a young and resilient spirit. We strolled through the Botanic Gardens, had lunch at Riverside Market, and made a quick stop at New Brighton to dip our feet in the ocean.
But the real adventure began when Simone, our host, picked us up and drove us to her farm in the New Zealand countryside. The nearest town? Over an hour away. We spent two weeks there, sharing a small house with a French traveler and waking up every morning surrounded by nothing but rolling hills and cows.
As for the work? A little bit of everything: feeding over 70 chickens, picking fruit, cleaning gutters, mowing grass, moving firewood, and fixing old poultry farm equipment that had been left untouched for years. A true taste of rural life! The first few nights were tough, we felt completely out of place. But over time, we settled in, and when it was finally time to leave, we almost didn’t want to go. 🚜🌿🐓
Our original plan was to continue north to New Zealand’s North Island, but Cyclone Gabrielle changed everything. So, we decided to take advantage of the extra time and go back to explore the South Island.
Milford Sound and the Aurora Australis
Within a few days, we managed to find a campervan and set off again towards Mount Cook, where we finally got to see its snow-capped peak and hike the Hooker Valley Track, an easy walk and breathtakingly beautiful. The hike takes about three hours round trip, starting from White Horse Hill Campground, and leads right to the base of the majestic mountain.
Another six hours on the road took us to Milford Sound, New Zealand’s only fjord, formed by the erosion of a glacier. It is part of the Te Wahipounamu park, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting to the fjord requires careful planning, depending on the season. The road can be narrow and winding, with unpredictable weather conditions. It’s crucial to check the road status and make sure it’s open. Also, be sure to fill up your gas tank in Te Anau, as there are no fuel stations beyond this town.
Milford Sound is a place everyone should see at least once in their life. The best way to explore it is by cruise, the tour lasts about two hours and costs 99 NZD. We were lucky enough to spot seals and dolphins, making the experience even more unforgettable. A tip? Bring insect repellent, sandflies are everywhere and can be extremely annoying!
After such an incredible experience, you’d think it would be hard to be amazed again. But after Milford Sound, we headed back towards Queenstown, and along the way, something truly extraordinary happened: we saw the Southern Lights.
For those who don’t know, aside from the famous Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), it’s also possible to witness the Aurora Australis in the Southern Hemisphere. If you want to increase your chances of seeing it, we highly recommend downloading the Aurora app, where you can track geomagnetic activity in real time and find the best moment to see this natural wonder! 🌌✨
The trip we hadn’t planned
This trip wasn’t perfect. We made mistakes, found ourselves without accommodation multiple times, and had to change plans at the last minute. And probably that’s exactly what made it so special. New Zealand is a country that keeps surprising you, even when you think you’ve seen it all. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that here, adventure is always just around the corner.
Our next stop had to be slightly adjusted due to the weather conditions, but if you have time and the forecast is in your favor, we highly recommend an even more scenic alternative. Drive to Picton and take the ferry to Wellington, a 3.5-hour journey across the Cook Strait, one of the most breathtaking ferry routes in the world!
Not only is this option cheaper than flying, but it also gives you the chance to explore the cities of the North Island at a slower pace, truly savoring every part of the journey.