Author name: Ernesto

Lake Pukaki is the jaw-dropping blue lake on the road to Mt Cook, with designated self-contained camping. Free viewpoints, salmon, and backpacker tips.

Lake Tekapo’s milky-turquoise water and dark skies are South Island icons. Free things to do, the lupins, stargazing and honest camping rules for backpackers.

Aoraki/Mt Cook is NZ’s highest mountain and a dark-sky reserve. The free Hooker Valley Track, glacier views, stargazing and camping tips for backpackers.

Methven is the laid-back base for Mt Hutt and the Canterbury foothills. Cheap eats, ballooning, gorge walks and a real small-town New Zealand feel.

Mt Hutt is Canterbury’s top ski field with huge views over the plains. What to know in winter and summer, plus the backpacker base of Methven nearby.

Hanmer Springs is an alpine village built around natural hot pools. Free forest walks, mountain biking, and camping tips for backpackers in North Canterbury.

Akaroa sits inside an old volcano on Banks Peninsula. Free walks, a tiny French town, dolphins, and what backpackers need to know about camping here.

Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island. Free things to do, the best parks and gardens, and what to know before you pick up your campervan.

If you only bookmark one website before you land in New Zealand, make it DOC — the Department of Conservation

One of the most common enquiries we get is: “What’s actually included?” It’s a fair question – the campervan hire