New Zealand is a beautiful place for every traveler around the globe. It is a land of diverse landscapes and beauty, best for those seeking relaxation and connection with nature and its eye-pleasing sceneries. To make it better, travel by camper van in New Zealand offers you a unique experience. If you are tired of being in the public eye or crowded, New Zealand could be your type of place. Its capital city, Wellington, is a focal point for any trip to New Zealand. We start our journey from Wellington to Picton, which is a unique experience along the way from ferries to Camper Van travels.
Why To Choose New Zealand?
As we all know, New Zealand is one of those places where you can feel nature at its closest; from lush green landscapes to dramatic sceneries, the country is perfect for exploring off the beaten path. And the recommendation is to enhance your traveling experience by going in a camper van. It feels like traveling with your cozy home. While staying close to nature and avoiding crowds, New Zealand provides that, especially during the off-season. Here, you’ll find nature surrounds you at every turn. It is the best tourist spot for you and your loved ones.
Wellington: Capital of New Zealand
Wellington is a cultural hub located at the Southern tip of the North Island. It’s known for its vibrant art scenes and charming neighborhoods like Oriental Bay. However, when you reach there, you will also feel the fresh, cool, windy air as they say Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is famous for its windy air, earning the title of ” the windy City” so if you are planning to visit there in colder months make sure to pack some warm clothes with you as the chili went can be pretty intense for someone.
There are lots of unique things in Wellington. One is that the landscape is its steep terrain. In areas like Oriental Bay, where real estate is highly sought, houses are often accessible only via cable cars instead of any road. If you want to go to upper houses, you have to take one of those cable cars. You can only go on foot if there is a road, which adds a quick charm to the city, and this is one of the most expensive places to live in New Zealand. If you talk about the house, a small but charming property was priced at an astonishing 48,39,077 NZD , which is insane. So if you compare it to the USA and Europe, property here is expensive, but food is cheaper.
Walking Street / Cuba Street
If you have visited Wellington, you may know about Walking Street or Cuba Street. It blends Bohemian culture, street art, and lively cafes. It is famous, but there are very few pedestrians here, so you can enjoy your me time or your love once with peace if you are looking to shop, dine, or simply enjoy the electric atmosphere. Cuba Street is a must-visit despite the wind. If we compare it to Auckland, this city feels safe, offering a more laid-back and chill vibe.
New Zealand’s population
According to the research, New Zealand has a population of around 5 million people, with 75% living on the north Island, where Auckland and Wellington are located. If you talk about New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, it has a population of approximately 4,40,000. Is this an accurate population? Interestingly, New Zealand has a rule to update their family count every year so the population is precise and pretty, but if someone fails to do so, it can result in getting fined.
If you talk about some election cycles, they operate under a 3-year election cycle with the parliament based in Wellington. You can walk in there and see their two parliaments. One is new, and the second one is old. Both are nearby visitors, and the travelers are often surprised by how easily they can access the Parliament grounds without any security.
Booking a Ferry from Wellington
So, if you want to go further, the highlight of any trip to New Zealand is crossing the Cook Strait, a 93 km stretch of water connecting the north Island to the south Island. The ferry from Wellington to Picton offers a scenic journey, so this journey you can cover it by booking a ferry. The best time to book your ferry is early morning to enjoy the best views, however, even at 6:30 am. The sky is often dark, so don’t be surprised if you don’t immediately see the scenery upon departure. Ferry checking typically begins at 7:15 am. Time punctuality is essential here because many vehicles will load, so it takes time. It’s not your ordinary flight / Airport journey, so if you are left behind, you will be left Behind.
Let’s talk about the ferry. It is spacious, with parking areas below deck for cars, camper vans, and even large buses, but if you have a heavy vehicle, they tie with chains for protection reasons, so don’t worry about that. Now, the escalator leads passengers from the parking deck to the principal/ upper area of the ship. So let me tell you about this escalator. It feels unusual on the ship. You may feel like you are in any shop. Anyhow, you will find a Cafe, and you can even book a cabin and sit for yourself to rest. Moreover, suppose you need entertainment or are with your family or kids. In that case, there is an excellent place for your reception area where you can enjoy movies to keep travelers entertained during the 3-hour crossing.
Covering The Cook Strait
The Cook Strait is stunning, but only in the summer when a clear sky lets you enjoy the astonishing views. In winter, however, the scenery can be closed by fog and rain, so you can’t see much, but it is still a memorable experience in both ways. The ferry ride is smothered in the summer, but travelers should be prepared for less visibility during the winter and rainy seasons.
Going towards South Island Picton to VEO Town
So, after arriving in Picton after the 4-hour journey via ferry, you will find yourself on the south island, which is also famous for its beauty. As you can see here, there is less population because the roads here can be pretty empty. While driving, you may feel alone with only a few vehicles passing through, especially in the winter. You may notice single Lane bridges while driving. Hence, this bridge is unique because only one car can cross at a time, and there are designed waiting spots for emergencies to cross another vehicle on the other side.
Another thing I noticed is that the speed limit of many of these roads is 100 km per hour, but it’s possible to drive much slower, mainly when the weather is rainy. Roads are not as good. You can drive as 100 KM per hour is much better. You will drive at 30 or 40 mph, especially on curve Roads where visibility is limited.
Off-season benefits for Traveller
So if you are thinking of visiting New Zealand during the off-season, such as in the winter season, you will notice that many areas are empty and there are fewer crowds; even the famous spots like Picton’s Central Square may feel lonely to you at this time, parking is often available without the usual Hassel. So it depends on the Traveller whether you want the lively atmosphere of the summer month or the chill and relaxed winter season. In the winter season, I must say that it feels like it is raining, and when you look outside, no one out there looks aesthetic, but at the same time, it is a bit Spooky because trees and jungle surround you.
Winter offers many advantages because of fewer crowds and cheaper compensation. If you rent a camper van, the price might seem low compared to during peak summer. The cost of renting a campaign can exceed 600 NZD, while winter rates are much more affordable. Not only vehicles, but accommodation such as hotels is also cheap. You will never run out of hotels in winter.
Some travel tips for New Zealand
- Fueling your camper Van: I had one more shocking experience in New Zealand: gas stations operate on a self-service basis. First, select the gas or diesel petrol fuel you want, then pay. Afterward, this system is also applied to refining LPG cylinders. You can swap your travel van’s LPG, probably 93 kg, and get the other one via swapping.
- Driving in winter: If you decide to travel to New Zealand in the winter season, you must be a good driver because driving will take a lot of work and will not even be challenging. Still, the road can be wet and slippery while passing through rural areas. You may see boards at 100 km speed, but you must drive carefully.
- Travel with a Camper Van: New Zealand is a camper van-friendly place with many spacious parking campsites. This way of traveling allows you to explore the country at your own pace.
Conclusion
New Zealand offers a wealth of experiences for many travelers and tourists if you want such relaxation from your hectic days in the same place and seek a mix of relaxing adventure and beautiful views, whether traveling its capital, Wellington, crossing the Cook Strait on a ferry, or driving by yourself the picture square South Island, this country has unique landscape and atmosphere with significantly less crowd so you can relax. Your mind can reset here now. The choice is yours. If you want a crowded season, you can come in summer, or if you are more like a relaxing, chill person, you can go in now. Winter season travel offers a bonus for your crowd and lower prices, making it an ideal time to experience the natural beauty of New Zealand.
