If you’re one of those people who love the outdoors and being in nature, then you’re pretty spoiled for choice here in New Zealand. Our cities might be growing but we still have some of the most incredible landscapes in the world. And it’s why international tourism continues to grow here year on year.
We could chat all day about how to gain the most from New Zealand’s outdoors. But to keep things short and sweet, we’ve compiled three golden rules to help you get started.
Know what you’re getting yourself into
At the risk of sounding like your mother, it’s a good idea to know what to expect before you trek into the glorious unknown.
Always pick a route and stick to it. If you won’t get phone signal during the trip, make sure someone knows your route and schedule in case something happens along the way. Don’t forget those energy bars.
Otherwise, there’s a few fantastic books that we’d definitely recommend before you head off:
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NZ Frenzy: New Zealand South Island by Scott Cook (2010)
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New Zealand (National Geographic Adventure Map) by National Geographic (2011)
- Squashed Possums: Off the beaten track in New Zealand by
Don’t go crazy on gadgets
The last thing you need is to be carrying lots of extra weight around.
But that doesn’t mean you should go into the wild without a little helping hand. You probably know enough already about things like GPS, coffee thermoses, and tents vs. bivvy bags. That’s so old school. What about things that aren’t available on the market yet? Or are so new and innovative, they’ve got their own kickstarter campaign?
Image courtesy of indiegogo.com
Have a look on indiegogo.com if you need some inspiration for your next camping trip. We’re particularly excited about this outdoor cooking system that lets you grill, steam and BBQ whatever is on tonight’s menu. The only fuel you’ll need is charcoal. Then there’s also the world’s smallest outdoor lantern that has enough energy to last for 30 days, before getting recharged. You can even control it via bluetooth directly from your smartphone.
So, we said don’t go crazy on the gadgets. But we don’t blame you either if you fancy taking your trip up to the next level.
Find the right wet weather gear
You didn’t think we were going to avoid talking about waterproofs, did you?
Look, if you’re going to head into New Zealand’s great outdoors then some decent wet weather gear’s probably at the top of your must-have list. No one wants damp socks. Or that nasty water-down-the-back-of-your-neck feeling.
There’s plenty of good stuff available on the market. But if you’re looking specifically for clothing that’s been designed for working and exploring in New Zealand, check out our outdoor bush shirts. They’re made from 100% Kiwi wool and will help keep you nice and warm when the going gets tough.
Expecting rain too? Then you might be more interested in wet weather vests and foul weather jackets.
Got any tips of your own?
Then you know what to do. Share your thoughts with us on Twitter.