AUSTRALIA’S backpacker tourism industry is facing the biggest crisis in its history, with many tour operators struggling to survive following big falls in young travellers.
The number of people staying in hostels has fallen by nearly seven per cent over the past two years, down from 593,000 per year in March 2010.
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:
Fantastic blog by Benny Lewis , Original Story
Eight years.
That’s 416 weeks, or almost 3,000 days.
This is the amount of time that I have not had a fixed home; moving to a new country, culture and language every few months and taking absolutely everything I own with me. It has been a significant percentage of my life, and it’s still long from over.
I had actually done some travelling before – a couple of summers in the states, and an entire month already in Spain. But about this time back in 2003, on the week of my 21st birthday, I left Ireland for good. I had graduated university a few days before, and knew that I’d only be coming back “home” for visits (I’ve never once missed the family Christmas dinner). But it’s not really my home any more. Since then, “wherever I lay my hat, that’s my home”.
After devoting my life to them, university and schools had taught me nothing of any real importance. I had gone through as many books as I could and thought I knew it all, but the fact of the matter is that I have become the person I was meant to be in the last 4/5 of a decade, while on the road. And I certainly still have a lot left to learn.
Read the full article on Daily Good
For your free cars and campervans check out transfercar.co.nz & transfercar.com.au
Jerome Luepkes is a Berlin-based business consultant and travel writer.
For most people, travel is about seeing new places, experiencing new things and meeting new people. Apart from the fact that travel can take time and cost money, there is also a small matter of what to take with you when you set out on your next expedition.
I believe that travellers can improve their overall experience by simply learning what to do without, and only taking those things which are essential for a safe and healthy trip.
Here’s a list of the top 10 things to take on the road:
Check out the full article by Jerome Luepkes on Couchsurfers
If you are looking for a cheap ride check out Transfercar.co.nz or Transfercar.com.au!
Often Transfercar receives questions about where you can park your car or campervan overnight for free. It’s fair enough we think, that if you
already have a place to sleep in, you shouldn’t have to spend extra cash on accommodation, so we’ve found a website that that has the answers you seek:
The Department of Conservation (DOC rocks!!) manages over 250 vehicle-accessible camping areas on conservation land. Although not all of them are free, many are and others are really cheap. But remember, you get what you pay for. Many of these patches of dirt have only basic amenities such as water and toilets, but hey, it’s still free!
Be aware guys that parking campervans and camping on the side of the road in many regions and towns is prohibited so stick to these areas if you can.
Happy travels!!
Transfercar is pleased to let you all know that 8 out of the 9 HAPNZ (Holiday Parks NZ) are now open and ready to take in visitors to the region following the devastating earthquake that hit Christchurch city on 22 February.
Continue reading Holiday Parks in Christchurch back in business
