Be sunsmart: Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap
any 🥝
Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat, Slip, Slop, Slap! Even on cloudy days, use 50+ sunscreen. Unless you have crazy Kiwi genetics, that big ol’ hole in the sky will make any backpacker run for their hat. Like the guy in that picture above.
Free? camping
The blessing of the blue sticker
We got tricked into buying a DOC campground pass. This pass entitles you to a month of camping at any DOC campground, beginning the day you purchase it.
We were unaware that certain DOC campgrounds were not the most accessible or conveniently situated near must-see locations…As it turned out, we’ve only camped on a DOC campground a few times. The sad definition of a waste of money.
Since we got our dull blue self-contained sticker, we’ve been able to camp for free at free camping spots throughout NZ though. Just Google it and read the reviews. Some of those spots truly are wonderful places near lakes and beaches. They often have toilets. Perfect, since we would never ever want to use our portable toilet anyway. No one does. That’s how well this self-containment system works.
We fueled up at a gulf or pack and save gas station (Diesel= 2 – 2.30 NZD/liter), left Auckland behind, and explored some of the North Island.
OUR ITINERARY
After indulging ourselves in Auckland’s frequent showers, we drove the Coromandel Coastal Drive. Saw Hahei beach and asked other tourists to take pictures of us in front of Cathedral Cove of course (low tide). This all was remarkable to say the least (surely the Auckland weather).
We moved on and stayed in a good-old traffic congestion in Tauranga. It’s a beautiful city with impressive traffic jams. That moment reminded us of a small country in between France and Germany, just under The Netherlands.
From Belgium, euh we mean Tauranga, we drove south to Rotorua. We looked at old, big trees in the redwoods and looked for inexpensive hot springs. We found a natural one near Lake Taupo, a bit more south. We advise everyone to not leave any valuables in their car. Ask any local why.
We did some stargazing at our free campground near Lake Taupo. Taupo’s most affordable activity!
We booked an adventurous cave exploration activity and witnessed worms glowing in the dark while tubing in a cave in the Waitomo region. If you’re not afraid of heights we would strongly recommend it!
We drove further south in an attempt to reach Pouakai hut before Gabrielle (a beautiful name for the worst cyclone in NZ history ) would hit. The 3-minute glimpse of Mount Taranaki reflecting in a tiny tarn was worth it! Got ourselves a few Asahis afterward. Great Calf workout!
The next stop was a hotel in Wellington (for Gabrielle). The day after we visited the Weta Workshop. It’s worth doing if you’re into “The lord of the Rings” or any other movie.
“All ferry’s going to Picton (the South Island) are at full capacity for the next weeks”
all ferry companies
Mmmmh, This is frustrating since we made no booking yet. We’ll see how it goes.
latest update on 13/02 9pm: We’re basically stuck on the North Island (Wellington) for the coming weeks/months.
While you’re on the road
Do activities. We know that this can be a hefty cost, and you’ll likely want to take in as much of mother-free nature as possible, but tubing in a glowworm cave, seeing Hobitton for the first time, or hiking the Tongariro crossing is simply worth it. You can find good deals on activities on Bookme.com
Bookme.com
Alright, it took us some time and money to figure this all out, but here it is:
1. Go buy your food at pack and save. They are the cheapest.
2. Always check your discounts at the counter. Mistakes happen here a lot! No idea why.
3. If you look under 47, always bring your passport when shopping 😉 . Asahi super dry is delicious!
4. Don’t go to the first gas station in town: better go to a pack and save or gulf gas station.
5. Let people pass on passing lanes while driving on NZ roads. They say NZ roads are different (which is 100 percent accurate), but the people also drive like madmen!) We have never seen anything like this. We have no clue why, but it’s extraordinary that drivers will never stop or slow down, even for pedestrians. Crazy stuff really.
6. Go for that hike either early morning or in the late afternoon. Drive during the day. In summer, It’s scorching mid-day. Then it’s better not to hike.
7. Make your own coffee and tea and save at least $5 per cup.
8. Dinerwise: Check out daily deals in cities like Wellington and Auckland. Sometimes it’s more affordable to go out and have dinner instead of cooking those high-priced veggies.
9. Listen to Fleetwood Mac or country music. (Alan Jackson’s Little Bitty is a good start)
10. Get windscreen crack insurance after you’ve had your first window chip (you’ll never forget this moment).
Until next time!
13 February 2023 at 10:11 AM
You are real adventurers, so you will find a solution for this too. Above all, don’t lose heart. It is more pleasant to be stuck there than in a metropolis without nature.