Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Backpacking through NZ sould i go alone?

profile picture
c-j-s
Posts: 96 - Karma: 25
right
i am 17 and planning a gap year in 1 year when i turn 18
i want to do a few things and with all of the things i will have company except the first month and half of my trip in NZ so i will be alone
sould i go?
i realy want to go but i dont know if it will be worth it alone
would be great for some advice or tips if people have done this in the past


Aug 30 2009 8:49PM
0 0
profile picture
ScuffDUFF
Posts: 2027 - Karma: 143
I would love to go backpacking through NZ.   I duno about alone though.
Aug 30 2009 9:57PM
0 0
profile picture
noname..
Posts: 449 - Karma: 91
do you know the area?
Aug 30 2009 10:42PM
0 0
profile picture
Jwalk
Posts: 4647 - Karma: 134
it would be cool to have two or three buddys but alone would still be cool because you will meet people
Aug 30 2009 10:44PM
0 0
profile picture
Frank_Spinatra
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 75
if you're hiking and doing that kinda thing then i would say no because that is dangerous.  it would be way better with one other person, im sure you can convince someone to join you
Aug 30 2009 10:45PM
0 0
profile picture
Turner.
Posts: 1987 - Karma: 11,892
I definately think you'll meet a bunch of people there but maybe convince at least one friend to keep you company for a while (maybe not the ful month and a half)
Aug 30 2009 10:46PM
0 0
profile picture
AOTEAROA
Posts: 2216 - Karma: 15
It's not dangerous at all. Recent poll rated NZ as the most peaceful country on earth. Its sweet here.
Aug 30 2009 10:46PM
0 0
profile picture
noname..
Posts: 449 - Karma: 91
its always good to have a buddy, but i know a guy who hiked the appalachian trail up here by himself, and met people along the way to hike with.   choose a trail with medium traffic, dont totally cut yourself off, have a back up, know what youre doing, and be prepared.
Aug 30 2009 10:53PM
0 0
profile picture
charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
the danger factor isnt nessecarily people, it lies in the fact that you're alone, say you stumble and break your ankle on a trail 50 miles from civilization, with noone to help you, you will die.
Aug 30 2009 10:56PM
0 0
profile picture
noname..
Posts: 449 - Karma: 91

unless youre prepared and know what youre doing.

but its a major help if you have someone with you.  and increases your chances.

Aug 30 2009 11:02PM
0 0
profile picture
Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Whe I was 17 I did England alone for 3 weeks, it was cool as shit.  I know some people there though which made it a little easier.
Aug 31 2009 12:32AM
0 0
profile picture
carbon.pulse
Posts: 3348 - Karma: 22
Definately bring a friend. Not only will it make you safer it will make your time here way better, youll be able to get around easier and it will be one more person you can borrow money off.

Since you'll be 18 youll be hitting bars and town so you defiantly need a wingman and town by yourself is only so much fun.
Aug 31 2009 12:38AM
0 0
profile picture
currentwestman
Posts: 3292 - Karma: 330
anyone seen the I Shouldn't Be Alive where the guy gets stuck under the rock?  yeah...
Aug 31 2009 12:47AM
0 0
profile picture
get_toasted
Posts: 422 - Karma: 15
I just graduated, and I'm planning on leaving in January and spending a year in New Zealand. I'm not gonna backpack though, I'll be working abroad. But I'm going alone... I think the experience will be phenomenal.
Aug 31 2009 1:24AM
0 0
profile picture
ap-huhn
Posts: 237 - Karma: 49
you def should go. you'll meet a lot of people. there are hundreds packpacking through nz. especially germans and austrians haha

i went to japan on my own, i was 18 as well. and i went there to do some backcountry skiing. and even there i met a lot of people

travelling alone has pros and cons, but you should try it, especially because you will be acompanied for the other half of the trip
Aug 31 2009 6:39AM
0 0
profile picture
InkShrink
Posts: 1079 - Karma: 30

The fact that you're asking if you should go alone already exposes some doubt about it. This sounds like a once in a lifetime kinda thing, so I say go for it. Be prepared for anything and everything, and enjoy your time alone, because once your friend gets there you'll be stuck with him.

Aug 31 2009 6:46AM
0 0
profile picture
rlee
Posts: 593 - Karma: 1,144
Going on your own would be awesome. There are so many other people doing what your doing on their own too so you will bump into them, become mates travel, and explore together. Then you could move on and there will be another 10-20 more people just like that who will all welcome you and hang out with. Most of my friends did Australia and NZ alone and had a great time. KIWI bus is god for this.

On the other hand you do have to make more of an effort to meet people as with a buddy you may keep more together and limit time with other people. I travelled thailand with some buddies and had an amazing time. We met up with sooo many people (some on there own) and hung out with them. Not as many people though as if you went on your own cause you would have to make more effort. But equally as much fun.

So really its up to you, depending if your a more outgoing or quite person. Either way you will have a great time and im pretty jealous as i want to go traveling again.
Aug 31 2009 7:41AM
0 0
profile picture
mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
Yes, you should go. It's a stunningly beautiful country, friendly, and safe, and I think you'll have no problem meeting fellow travelers and locals.

I took my first solo trip abroad when i was 18- these are life-changing experiences. I owe much of my current Wanderlust to my first few solo trips.


Aug 31 2009 7:47AM
0 0
profile picture
EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
Dude, do it! Just remember, Ive heard that once anyone with maori blood gets so much as a single drink in them, they get violent. I dont know this for a fact but thats what ive been told
Aug 31 2009 8:47AM
0 0
profile picture
musick13
Posts: 913 - Karma: 44
i would say no
you can carry more food with two or three people
Aug 31 2009 9:12AM
0 0
profile picture
=FAIL=
Posts: 536 - Karma: 47

seriously, kiwis are great people, dont be surprised if you get offered a bed for the night while hitch hiking, coz that happens often with nice tourist backpackers. we had one stay at our house last month. but he was exeptionally nice, and we knew we were saving him 200 bucks to stay at the nearest hotel

as long as youre not planning any extreme walks/climbing expiditions you should be fine.

you will have heaps of fun and meet new people along the way. 

DO IT!!!

oh yeah, we are also one of the safest hitch hiking countries in the world. 

Aug 31 2009 9:18PM
0 0
profile picture
=FAIL=
Posts: 536 - Karma: 47
oh btw im a new zealander
Aug 31 2009 9:22PM
0 0
profile picture
sick-as-aids
Posts: 3453 - Karma: 1,007
i wouldnt be worried about safety, more just fun.... if you feel like you could have fun alone, then do it! my sister just travled through europe alone, and loved it, however, i personally couldnt do that! its up to you!

from my view, youd have more fun with a buddy, or just with company of some form! but up to you!
Aug 31 2009 10:58PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)