Category Archives: New Zealand

Transfercar featured in Road Trip article

Posted on December 18, 2013 by noel in Driving, New Zealand, News, Rental Companies, Sights & Attractions, Transport

We love it when journalists discover the wonderful world of Transfercar and this week Richard Meadows How to score a cheap road trip from Fairfax New Zealand wrote about How to Score A Cheap Road Trip. Back in August, surveyor Taryn Martin and a couple of mates took off in a hired van for a wee road trip around the West Coast. They jumped out of planes in Queenstown, hiked up Fox Glacier, and toasted marshmallows at the Cardrona Pub. “It was wicked,” says Martin. How much did Jucy charge the band...Read More

Wwoofing around the world

Posted on May 30, 2013 by noel in Australia, New Zealand, Travel Tips

The concept of working for your food and accommodation while travelling is not a new one and many a budget conscious traveller has walked this well-worn path. Wwoofing however is a little more specialised. Originally an acronym for “Working Weekends on Organic Farms”, the definition changed over the years to “Willing Workers On Organic Farms” as the need for assistance over longer periods arose. Due to the word “work” however causing some problems, the name finally settled to being...Read More

What to do when visiting a Marae in New Zealand

Posted on February 21, 2013 by noel in Culture, New Zealand

When travelling around New Zealand, it is highly likely you will be taken to visit some of the local Marae. These are sacred meeting houses for Maori and are symbols of tribal identity. Considered by Māori as tūrangawaewae – (standing places or places of belonging), they facilitate public discussions and debates, funerals and celebrations and other local gatherings. They are often elaborately carved and designed community spaces equip with a dining hall and cooking area and the marae ātea (sacred...Read More

Black sand and burnt feet: Navigating the West Coast beaches of New Zealand

Posted on July 3, 2012 by noel in New Zealand, Sights & Attractions, Travel Tips

New Zealand is a country of contrasts. From the rolling hills of the North to the majestic, snow capped peaks of the South, it truly is a place of epic variations. Where the East is home to smooth waves and white sand, the West is united by jet black coastlines and turbulent waters loved by surfers worldwide. Both are as beautiful as the other, and can leave you breathless with wonder or lifeless if care is not taken. Welcome to the Wild...Read More

Crossing the Cook Strait, New Zealand by ferry: Travel times, booking, prices & other interesting information

Posted on June 19, 2012 by noel in New Zealand, News, Sights & Attractions, Transport, Travel Tips

Travelling between the North and South Islands of New Zealand means crossing the Cook Strait. The only way to do this with a vehicle is by taking a ferry with either the Interislander or Bluebridge which both arrive and depart from Picton and Wellington. The Cook Strait crossing (Raukawa Moana in Māori) is the connection between the Tasman Sea on the West, the South Pacific Ocean on the East and the North and South Islands of Aotearoa. Considered one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences,...Read More

The dos and don’ts of travelling abroad: Backpacking in New Zealand

Posted on May 25, 2012 by noel in Backpacking & Accommodation, New Zealand, Travel Tips

So you’ve decided to travel to New Zealand for a backpacking experience of a lifetime? Great! New Zealand really is the adventure capital of the world. It’s a popular place among backpackers and those with round the world tickets, as tourism in New Zealand really caters to the budget and backpacker minded. NZ loves international travellers, so here are a few tips that will help you get the most out of your trip: Personal: Smile! Kiwis are generally a friendly bunch and appreciate good...Read More