|
The
Definative Backpackers Experience?
New
Zealand provides a unique travelling
experience for the thousands of backpackers
who visit New Zealand every year from
all parts of the world. We have specialist
backpacker facilities throughout the
country, unlike other regions in which
backpackers travel. We have a spectacular,
varied, and accessible natural environment
that invites active participation. We
have an excellent array of activities,
facilities and transport to accommodate
this exploration.
Why New Zealand?
Backpackers are overwhelmingly positive
about their time in New Zealand. New
Zealand is a seen as a pristine, beautiful
natural world to discover, and one that
is especially easy to navigate and explore.
Backpackers speak about New Zealanders
as very friendly people, far beyond
their original expectations welcoming
and genuinely interested in travellers.
Backpackers from the Northern Hemisphere
tend to split their travel time between
Australia and New Zealand in a 2/3 to
1/3 ratio based on the countries’ relative
size. The perception is that Australia
is larger and therefore will offer more
activities to do and places to see.
However, in hindsight some backpackers
regret this decision. Although New Zealand
is geographically smaller than Australia,
its compact size means it can offer
backpackers more to do and see within
a small area.
"I went on Oz Experience – then Kiwi
… sometimes Oz it was just hours and
hours on the bus … not the best country
to travel by land. New Zealand, everything
is within an hour or two."
Why Backpacking?
Backpacking is an inexpensive and
adventurous way to travel independently
for a long time. It offers opportunities
to meet new people while learning about
other cultures. It lends itself to the
outdoors and outdoor activities. It
provides a sense of freedom and independence
that other forms of travel don’t offer.
It allows greater flexibility and choice
in travel. Changing plans is as simple
as putting on a pack and heading in
another direction. There are no bookings
to change, no places they need to be.
"When you backpack you are totally
self reliant … can stay anywhere … in
a hostel or camp ground …you can bush
walk or take a bus when you feel like
it … you’ve always got a tent for back-up."
Beautiful, Unspoilt, Uncrowded!
Australians see New Zealand as a
less exotic location, low cost and relatively
accessible. Some travel to New Zealand
specifically to experience landscapes
that Australia does not have eg, high
mountains, ice climbing, glaciers. Canadians
see New Zealand as pleasantly similar
to their homeland, but with much more
to see and do within a relatively small
area. They see New Zealand as having
a warmer climate with a more varied
and dramatic landscape. New Zealand’s
distance from Canada gives travel an
adventurous feel. North Americans and
Europeans tend to see New Zealand as
especially unspoilt and uncrowded, offering
a strong contrast to their homelands
as well as having the appeal of a remote
and far away land.
"It’s very far and not cheap … I
don’t mind this now but I had to think
about it before I came".
Who are backpackers?
Many are ‘first-timers’, young travellers
away from home in a break in study between
secondary and tertiary education. ‘Older’
backpackers (aged 25 to 35) are usually
single and tertiary educated with no
dependants. They have worked for two
to three years and have chosen backpacking
as an extended break from working life
before settling down. Backpackers’ perceptions
of New Zealand as a backpacking destination
vary. For first-timers from the Northern
Hemisphere, backpacking in New Zealand
seems exotic while still Western in
culture and a relatively safe place
to travel for their first trip away.
Older backpackers see New Zealand as
a less challenging backpacker destination,
where they can relax and enjoy nature
without having to struggle with extreme
cultural differences.
"I thought it was a beautiful place
but didn’t know that there was so much
to do here".
The core drive for independence
means that backpackers have more similarities
than differences. They generally prefer
travel that meets their needs to physically
interact with the environment, meet
new people, seek renewal and restoration,
be exposed to different cultures. Backpackers
seek a destination that offers physical
activities that provide them with a
challenge and/or a feeling of excitement,
such as bungy jumping or sky diving.
They may also seek more traditional
but challenging activities such as mountain
climbing, tramping or diving.
"I get up in the morning and know
that I am going to do something new
… bungy or skydiving … perfect day …
once in a lifetime … I just can’t wait
… feel more alive …"
Backpackers also look for social activities
that allow them to feel a general sense
of togetherness and sociability, such
as a shared bus trip or the opportunity
to join the party and bar scene. Older
travellers tend to prefer a small group
while younger travellers in general
prefer larger groups.
"Rented a car with others … really
fun … just laid back … we got along
so well … the perfect group."
For relaxation backpackers need
seek out experiences that allow them
to feel relaxed, restored and reflective,
such as cycling through the scenic South
Island, bushwalking, and kayaking through
the Milford Sounds. The ideal backpacking
experience embodies an introspective
and calm experience in a beautiful natural
environment.
"We just went all silent, lost in
our own thoughts for hours in our kayaks
… thought about my life and everything."
Backpackers enjoy learning about other
cultures, such as staying at home-stays,
being invited into the home of a New
Zealander, undertaking a working holiday
and hitchhiking around the country.
"New Zealand is easy to get
around, is backpacker friendly, has
lots of places to stay, has friendly
down-to-earth people who welcome travellers,
is English speaking, familiar, and safe
with a Western culture."
New Zealands Geographical Isolation!
New Zealand’s isolation from the
rest of the world is a real benefit
to backpackers who seek a sense of independence,
adventure and escape from home life.
Perceptions of the country’s geographical
location relative to Australia vary
considerably, from less than an hour
to several hours. However the two countries’
general proximity is well known and
adds further travel options. It means
they can travel to more than just one
country, an important part of making
the most of being in the South Pacific.
Overall, backpackers describe the New
Zealand landscape as far surpassing
their expectations, especially in the
landscape diversity and proximity of
places and activities. The landscape
is described as extraordinarily varied
and remarkably accessible, and exceptionally
beautiful.
"Always something new to see around
the corner. Alps and then beautiful
beaches … incredible." "Everything you
want to do is in a small space … climbing
and diving … not far away."
Specialised Accommodation!
Backpacker hostels in New Zealand
are unlike European or North American
hostels that have a 10pm door close,
and in some instances no kitchen facilities.
New Zealand accommodation offers a wide
range of facilities for travellers,
such as kitchens, bars, lounges, televisions
and laundries. Some offers extra facilities
such as spa pools and cottages. Generally,
New Zealand hostels cater specifically
for backpackers, unlike hostels overseas
which may also host school groups and
families. Camping facilities, also common
in New Zealand, are avaiable to backpackers
who want to keep costs down.
"There is so much too do … everywhere
you go … something to see … dolphins,
seals … bungy jumping sky diving. I
just thought there would be bungy and
walks."
Backpackers unanimously agree New
Zealand is a very easy place to backpack.
|
