What's a Backpacker?

Backpacking, what is it really? Backpacking is the name given to a certain type of traveller, but you no longer need a backpack, to be a backpacker. Backpackers want to experience a country, meet the locals, see new vistas and seek adventure. Backpacking refers to a style of travel. A Backpacker is a traveller, not a tourist. Backpackers are looking for elements of freedom and independence in their travel. They generally seek to travel longer, but not extravagently. They are willing to be spontaneous and flexible. Backpackers enjoy meeting other people, and interaction with locals and other global travellers is a high priority. There is usually a feeling of confidence and physical ability, but in the end, being a backpacker is more of a mindset. Energise Yourself When it comes to conquering fear by pushing the limits, New Zealand has it all. You will leave seeing yourself in a new way, feel more alive after the rush of a bungy jump, or Tandem skydive. "New Zealand - World Capital of Adrenalin Sports".

The New Zealander's basic attitude to life in general, combined with the resource of immediate outdoor access and unique insurance laws gives the formula that has allowed these sports to flourish.
Physical interaction with the environment can take on many forms; bungy jumping, diving the Poor Knights, or Rainbow Warrior, climbing or trekking through our many and varied National Parks, over glaciers, white-water rafting, sledging or kayaking waterfalls and rapids, 4-wheel drive or jetboating just describe a few local variations!

Be Ready To Take The Plunge! New Zealand has become the Adventure Capital of the World, with far more adventure activities than you'd anticipate on offer. You'll soon find out New Zealander's are passionate about you trying one, or all of them! We feel it's character-building experience to jump off a perfectly good bridge, or out of a perfectly good plane, the higher the better!

Feel those endorphins flow! You'll be high as a kite immediately after and want to do it again straight away ... then get a little buzz every time you watch your video or impress your friends back home with your kiwi experience.

Make Friends From All Over The Globe

One of the best things about backpacking is meeting diverse and interesting new people and making new friends. Whether it's a big group of people travelling together in a backpackers bus, pub-partying as they go, or smaller intimate groups kicking back and sitting round a fire in a National Park, the sharing and sense of togetherness is a life changing experience.
You will often team up with people as you go, those going in the same direction or with similar interests. This can save you money as well, as you share costs. Often the people you meet travelling become friends for life.
Research shows that 85% of all Backpackers will engage in a romantic encounter of some sort. If you are suffering from a drought romantically, come to New Zealand and try backpacking - 85% of backpackers can't be wrong!
The other cool thing with backpacking is meeting and interacting with those people who own, or work in hostels. This is just one of many chances you'll get to meet real New Zealanders.

Get Away New Zealand Style

New Zealand is chock full of adventure experiences, and places to just chill out, reflect, and restore. The beautiful natural environment is easily accessible everywhere, even in the large cities. Basically once you leave any urban area you are surrounded by nature at its finest. Even in the busier summer season you can find a long strip of sandy beach for yourself, or a piece of forest that you can call all your own.

Relaxing activities include cycling through the country, horse trekking, bushwalking or sea kayaking through the Bay of Islands, or Abel Tasman National Park, to name but a few. These feelings embody an introspective and calm experience coupled by the surrounding beautiful, natural environment. The experience is best typified by quotes from backpackers themselves ...

"I just ride my bike and lose myself in the beauty ... forget everything outside of that day."

"We just went all silent, lost in our own thoughts for hours in our kayaks ... thought about life and everything."

Discover New Cultures

Learning is a big part of backpacking. You really get the chance to learn about different cultures and to really understand other people's way of life. Experiences such as a working holiday, or a stay on a Maori marae, will allow you to learn about the "real" New Zealand. It's more than what the average tourist sees, it's meeting New Zealanders. Staying at a Beyond Backpackers allows you to meet kiwis in our bars, as well as getting to know our local staff.
This is great for finding out what we New Zealanders are really like. We like it as well, because we learn from travellers from all over the world, every day! You'll quickly find out why kiwis have the reputation of being the friendliest down-to-earth people on the planet.