New Zealand Travel Secrets

“Travel Enthusiast” Tom McLoughlin of The Huffington Post discusses his top three travel secrets from his tour of New Zealand.

“The world’s finest adventure playground with sweeping mountain panoramas, bright white beaches, unbelievable city skylines; go see the reflections of Lake Wanaka they’ll tell you, swim with the dolphins off Kaikoura they’ll say, you can’t miss out on seeing the Franz Josef Glacier they’ll claim.

“But that’s nothing you can’t read up on if you have the internet. It’s nothing that your guidebook won’t tell you about.

“The real secrets of New Zealand run a little deeper than that. From the completely bizarre Lost Gypsy Caravan in The Catlins or Wellington’s free outdoor concert in the beautiful Botanic Garden, to the spine-chilling glow worm trails in Waitomo Caves, there are so many undiscovered secrets for the first time New Zealand traveller.”

His first tip is to save money and beat the tourist rush, by doing things like visiting in September to November, and not tipping at resturants.

The second tip is to eat, sleep and drink like a local, and visit backpacking hotspots and local bars, or the annual Wildfoods Festival.

The third and final tip is to discover New Zealand by campervan, to save on travel costs and see amazing places like Abel Tasman National Park, Fiordland National Park, Lake Taupo and Lake Wanaka, Milford Sound, Mount cook and Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

“New Zealand is a truly awe-inspiring country and draws tourists from across the world year after year. Hopefully these tips will whet your appetite for a visit, and you’ll have discovered a few lesser known tips to enjoy once you finally make it there!”

Original story by Tom McLoughlin, Huffington Post, 17 November 2014

Image of Abel Tasman National Park by the Department of Conservation.