Have you tried backpacking in New Zealand?

Have you tried the backpack before? It is truly an experience. This is something you must try while we are still young. My favorite part is that you can meet interesting people from all over the world in your bedroom!

Okay, I haven’t been on many backpacking trips. But New Zealand is definitely backpacker friendly. I am comparing this to Singapore. I guess I can’t imagine lugging a heavy backpack on the Singapore subways.

Five reasons New Zealand is backpacker-friendly:

1) The temperature is generally refreshing. Carrying a heavy backpack and walking through the hot and humid tropics can be exhausting and dehydrating.

2) Trains and buses are not overcrowded. There is definitely room for a huge backpack.

3) It is easy to maneuver with a bulky bag. The hallways are wide enough and the doors are big enough. Trust me, some of the walkways in Singapore can be quite narrow.

4) There is plenty of affordable backpacker accommodation conveniently located in the heart of the city (around NZD$24 for a 4-bed female dorm).

5) You don’t spend a lot of time waiting in queues (standing with your heavy bag). Anywhere with more than 5 people in front of you in line is pretty rare.

Everywhere in New Zealand you can backpack. But some of the places can be a bit more challenging than others. Mainly, it is the round trip to the airport, bus/train station.

Three places that can be a bit tricky for backpackers:

1) Auckland International Airport to and from Auckland Domestic Airport. I remember having to get my luggage on and off the bus and walking from one terminal to another. Many thanks to the friendly Kiwis who helped me out!

2) Travel from Wellington Bus Station to and from downtown accommodation. There is no other option but to walk. By the way, Wellington is wavy. Going against gravity with a heavy backpack is no fun.

3) Transit between bus, train and cruise. It is logical that these places are within walking distance. The most memorable was moving from Picton railway station to the port, and then from Wellington port to the bus station, also including round trip accommodation.

Well I guess I’m done with heavy backpacks for a while as I have occasional shoulder and back pain these days. Probably backpacking style on a rolling luggage next time.

Looking back, I had enjoyed every backpacking trip in New Zealand and Australia. I definitely don’t mind backpacking again, but I’ll probably opt for a more comfortable style of travel in the future.