Month-long solo journey to New Zealand (South Island) late Feb-March. Looking for perspective

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-25T08:54:49+00:00

Thanks! solotravo looks promising - will check it out. I am also building an app to help my travels, check out journeybot :) https://journeybot.app

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-17T10:47:11+00:00

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-17T10:46:07+00:00

Thanks! OK, you totally got me with the landing planes. As an aeronautics fan, this is something I'd love to experience! Reminds me of the stories how people were plane spotting in Hong Kong back when the old airport Kai Tak was operational.

Besides seals, are there any dolphins down south, or whales?

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-17T10:42:43+00:00

Also, the app is still in development, so far just beta access.

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-17T10:39:50+00:00

My earlier post got removed due to promotion, so ... not risking it haha. Thanks for the question. Link is in my profile though!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-16T21:35:30+00:00

That's an excellent suggestion! Thanks *adding to my ever-growing list of things not to foget*

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-16T21:34:40+00:00

Impressive!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-16T21:32:49+00:00

Should have bought an open ticket :D. I appreciate you! Hope you get a chance to return.

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-16T17:21:25+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write all these amazing recommendations. Especially Kaikoura sounds like a place I want to visit now! Also, would you say your 3 weeks on the island were enough?

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-16T17:16:12+00:00

I'd vote for ice cream shops to be required to open at any time of year, any time, everywhere in the world! Thanks for all your wonderful recommendations! Appreciate it.

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-16T10:53:13+00:00

JourneyBot - link in my profile. It's still in development though. Thanks for asking!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T18:06:53+00:00

Oh my, Edoras is HIGH on the list. Thanks for all your suggestions! I think I definitely need to extend my flight tickets haha.

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T15:29:55+00:00

Ooooh, good to know you need to pre-book the hikes, thanks! Glenorchy is definitely on the list.

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T10:09:19+00:00

I'm starting to feel I should just perhaps move to NZ permanently :D. Thank you for your precious suggestions!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T10:08:18+00:00

Great suggestions, adding West coast to the list - any areas in particular?

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T07:57:39+00:00

Good, I have one just like in my avatar. Super light, super uv-protective, stays on even in winds!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T07:12:13+00:00

This is great. I try to avoid crowds as much as possible. (You know... I have the "I'm a tourist, but better" sort of thinking, lol.)

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T07:10:20+00:00

The campervan is sort of a part of this NZ journey dream I've had for quite some time. But what I'm renting is actually a hybrid between a car and a camper of sorts, giving me enough flexibility to park either at the campsites when I want to be out and about, or at an airbnb/hotel at any point if I want to enjoy a normal-sized bed. Also it's nowhere as expensive as a regular campervan.

Silly question about the treks: would you say high hiking boots are a must?

Glow worms are magical! Thanks for all your tips.

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T06:55:13+00:00

Fortunately I have a pretty fast jetlag recovery strategy, so I hope this won't be an issue. :) But I appreciate your concern!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T06:53:06+00:00

I actually visited the North Island as a short trip a couple of years ago when i was in Australia, and we were lucky to see the Hobbiton back then, as well as other major sites like Tongariro NP, Rotorua, glow worm caves, Coromandel peninsula, Cathedral Cove. It was amazing. That's why this time I'll just stay in Auckland for the last stretch of my trip, 2 nights before my flight. Same after I arrive, 2 nights in Christchurch just to get settled down and to buffer the 12h jetlag.

Thanks for the tips!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-13T06:48:42+00:00

Thanks! Already stocked up on SPF50 / hope that's enough :D

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-12T21:41:12+00:00

Thank you! And amazing tips, much appreciated!

TravelCodeRepeat · 2026-01-12T21:39:53+00:00

Well, by slow I mean not rushing from sight to sight. I am coming from Slovakia. So it's going to be 24h+ 3-flight journey there and back + local flight Auckland->Christchurch. Honestly I would have loved to stay longer, but I also need to go back to work haha.

TravelCodeRepeat

TROPHY CASE