17 Lessons That Only Backpacking in New Zealand Can Teach You

The More You Travel, The Better You Will Understand Life… And Yourself

Sure, school can teach you a lot, but how can you learn about life until you go out there and live it? When backpacking through New Zealand you will encounter people, challenges and adventures that will teach you more than a year sitting in classes. Some of them are things that you will carry with you your whole life. Some of them are specific to New Zealand. Either way, we have put together a few things that only those who dared to backpack through New Zealand will learn…

Warning: some lessons listed in this article are more serious than others.

1. If a hiking guide says: “We are almost there,” they are lying to you!

2. It is Ok to applaud after landing in Queenstown airport on a windy day.

3. Never go to the bathroom if the barman hands you a key attached to an oversized random item.

4. A Canadian traveller will always have a Canadian flag somewhere on their bag.

5. If somebody can convince an entire country that beetroots and eggs in a burger is a good thing, you can do anything!

6. You cannot feed an Abel Tasman sandfly and expect it to get full.

7. Never ever use a small ATM in a crowded bar unless you are Ok with a $5 fee!

8. Whatever town you go to there is always a burger joint, a pizza place and an Irish bar.

9. Thinking that Wearing your heaviest clothes on your flight to New Zealand is the best way to reduce luggage weight, but it is the worst idea ever!

10. A bus timetable is more like “guidelines” rather than actual times.

11. The weather forecast in a country that has “four seasons in a day” is like playing darts blindfolded.

12. If your guidebook uses the terms: “rustic, authentic or historic,” to describe a town, you should drive straight on through.

13. You will never take free WiFi for granted again once you leave New Zealand.

14. Learning to enjoy the fact that nothing ever goes according to plan.

15. A tourist knows when they are going back home… a backpacker doesn’t.

16. You can never take enough photos of a waterfall.

17. True friendship can be created in a matter of days if you go through the best (or worst) time with someone.

More Backpacker Life Lessons Can be Learned in Our Other Articles…

Like this little chestnut: 16 Classic Backpacker Problems or even that one: 15 Backpacking Myths Busted!

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before calling New Zealand home. He has now spent over a decade in the New Zealand tourism industry, clocking in more than 600 activities across the country. He is passionate about sharing those experiences and advice on NZ Pocket Guide and its YouTube channel. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Robin via our contact page

17 Lessons That Only Backpacking in New Zealand Can Teach You

The More You Travel, The Better You Will Understand Life… And Yourself

1. If a hiking guide says: “We are almost there,” they are lying to you!

2. It is Ok to applaud after landing in Queenstown airport on a windy day.

3. Never go to the bathroom if the barman hands you a key attached to an oversized random item.

4. A Canadian traveller will always have a Canadian flag somewhere on their bag.

5. If somebody can convince an entire country that beetroots and eggs in a burger is a good thing, you can do anything!

6. You cannot feed an Abel Tasman sandfly and expect it to get full.

7. Never ever use a small ATM in a crowded bar unless you are Ok with a $5 fee!

8. Whatever town you go to there is always a burger joint, a pizza place and an Irish bar.

9. Thinking that Wearing your heaviest clothes on your flight to New Zealand is the best way to reduce luggage weight, but it is the worst idea ever!

10. A bus timetable is more like “guidelines” rather than actual times.

11. The weather forecast in a country that has “four seasons in a day” is like playing darts blindfolded.

12. If your guidebook uses the terms: “rustic, authentic or historic,” to describe a town, you should drive straight on through.

13. You will never take free WiFi for granted again once you leave New Zealand.

14. Learning to enjoy the fact that nothing ever goes according to plan.

15. A tourist knows when they are going back home… a backpacker doesn’t.

16. You can never take enough photos of a waterfall.

17. True friendship can be created in a matter of days if you go through the best (or worst) time with someone.

More Backpacker Life Lessons Can be Learned in Our Other Articles…

Author

Robin C.

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