During my trip through New Zealand I spent two weeks with a friend in Nelson. After hosteling for the past 6 months I wasn’t sure if the two weeks would be a disaster or loads of fun. Thankfully it was the latter. My time as a local was action packed with hikes, excellent food, and great people. I would consider Nelson to be the California of New Zealand. Known for its perfect weather, consistent calendar of events, and tasty food, being in Nelson was a little like being home.
The South Island’s West Coast is an area many travelers skip over. This is understandable because of its remoteness and lack of regular services. However, the West Coast offers several stops that make the venture into this part of New Zealand worthwhile. With some planning and a little luck with the weather it can be one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
New Zealand has 9 Great Walks that consist of spectacular scenery and well maintained campgrounds/huts. Perhaps this is why the 9 Great Walk are so popular. There is a ton of information on these walks, so it’s a great option for people of all levels who are looking to get outside. As much as I wanted to do every one of them there was simply not enough time. 3 of the 9 Great Walks are in Fiordland and I opted for the 60km Kepler Track because it is a loop. Milford and Routeburn are supposed to be wonderful, but finding transportation from one end to the other made my head spin. There is no need to worry though because Kepler Track is full of excitement, weather, and views.
After being in New Zealand for two months I’ve seen some truly incredible places. It’s difficult to decide which parts have been my favorite but Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is definitely in my top three. The drastic scenery, crazy weather, and challenging hikes all add to the beauty of this National Park. This part of my trip was certainly a roller coaster ride but I look back on it with fond memories. The mountains, glaciers, lakes, and meadows all bring together this fantastic part of New Zealand that I am not likely to forget.
Lords of the Rings, Hobbit, and Chronicles of Narnia are just a few of the movies filmed in New Zealand. With stunning landscapes around every corner it’s easy to see why directors like it here. Although New Zealand isn’t a large country per se, there is a wealth of scenery to drool at. During my first two weeks I drove from Christchurch to Queenstown and hiked every chance I could. Eventually I got worried that I had already seen the best there was to see in New Zealand. I quickly found out the beauty here is unlimited, and I want to introduce you to some of my favorites during those first few weeks.
Prior to my trip to the Blue Mountains my friend KN emailed me to say she had bought a last-minute ticket to Sydney. She would be visiting for seven fun-filled days. She likes hiking as much as I do so we had to explore the Blue Mountains together. They’re only 100 km away from Syndey and easy to get to. I was happy to see a friendly face and excited that I had someone to check out this beautiful part of Australia with.
When I first planned my trip to Australia I gave myself a full month in Tasmania because it seemed like there was a lot to do. However, while I was traveling around Australia people kept telling me a month was too long to spend in Tasmania. Everybody said 2 weeks as plenty of time to see everything. I typically take advice I am given and settled with a happy medium of 3 weeks. I wish I hadn’t listened because I could have easily spent a month in beautiful Tasmania. I missed out on Port Arthur and Bay of Fires, which are not on this list but are two fantastic sights. Still, I am very glad for what I did see because Tasmania has a lot to offer.
After my first two months in Australia I made a post about the differences I had noticed between Australia and California. My Australia trip has come to an end, and upon request of some silly Australian friends, this is a final list of differences I have found between the two countries. Making these posts is fun because they’re all silly little things that don’t make a big difference. That being said, it can be the little differences that make things exciting, and even though Australia and California are very similar, there are many things I will miss.
So without further ado I would like to introduce 12 more differences I have found after 5 months of travel in Australia. If you want read about more differences between the two countries check out my 1st month and 2nd month.
While travelling through Australia I discussed Tasmania with another hiker. Frenchman’s Cap, a hike in Tasmania, was in his Top 3 hikes. Naturally, I was intrigued and wanted to explore it for myself. After completing the Overland Track I wanted something more challenging. From what I’d heard, Frenchman’s Cap was the hike I was looking for.
Seven days after completing the Overland Track I found myself in Strahan, a tiny seaside town an hour and a half from Frenchman’s Cap Trailhead. The weather had been suspiciously perfect the last five days and the forecast showed three more days of sun with slight showers on the second day. A little rain never hurt anyone and I decided to tackle Frenchman’s Cap the next morning.
Known for its beautiful coastline and pristine beaches, Wilsons Promontory is one National Park you don’t want to miss. I had my chance to go in November, which isn’t quite peak season and the forecast showed nothing but rain. After checking the weather every day for two weeks I finally got my sunny 3-day window. Just enough time for a short backpacking trip.
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