Useful Information for Backpacking New Zealand

We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Aside from that, no age requirements at all! While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.

We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Australia and New Zealand, and paying by contactless, Apple Pay or Google Pay is the norm, so you will need very little cash.

We recommend a Wise travel card. It works almost everywhere, lets you withdraw cash at ATMs, and you can convert money to Australian or New Zealand dollars in advance to keep foreign exchange fees down.

Planning to work after the trip? You will need somewhere to be paid. Wise can give you Australian or New Zealand account details that employers can pay into, or you can open an account with a local bank once you arrive.

Can’t convince your mates? No worries! Most of our travellers come solo, and it’s one of the best ways to experience a new destination.

You’ll join an instant crew, meet amazing people, and make new friends from day one. Plus, you can keep your travel plans flexible and fully your own.

Ready to roll solo? You won’t be alone for long.

Yes! Travel insurance is a must for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof (on your phone or printed) to your group leader when you arrive.

Need to grab a policy? Get a quote and buy travel insurance here.

The NZ Work add-on includes everything you need to start working in New Zealand:

• Help opening a bank account with Wise
• A local SIM card and IRD number
• Access to the Jobs website with daily job listings
• A 'Work in NZ' presentation
• One-on-one advice on CVs, interviews, training and more

New Zealand is worth visiting all year, but the season shapes the trip:

• Summer (December to February): the warmest, longest days and the busiest time, great for hiking and the lakes.
• Autumn (March to May): settled weather, fewer people and autumn colour.
• Winter (June to August): cold, with snow in the mountains and ski season around Queenstown and Wanaka.
• Spring (September to November): changeable weather and waterfalls in full flow.

The weather can change fast in any season, so pack layers and a rain jacket. Our New Zealand weather guide goes month by month.

Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (TAT Licence No.11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Your group leader will email you around 1 day before the tour starts.

Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.

No, tipping is not expected in New Zealand. Staff are paid a proper minimum wage, and prices already include GST, so the price on the menu is what you pay.

If you have had great service in a restaurant or on a guided trip, a tip or rounding up the bill is a kind gesture and will be appreciated, but nobody will expect it. There is no need to tip in bars, cafés or taxis.

Yes. Tap water in New Zealand's towns and cities is treated and safe to drink, so bring a refillable bottle and top it up as you go.

Do not drink from rivers, lakes or streams without treating the water first, however clear it looks, and follow any signs at campsites or huts that say a tap is not for drinking. Your group leader will tell you if there is a local notice to boil water anywhere on the route.

Your phone will work, but roaming can be expensive, so most travellers buy a local prepaid SIM or an eSIM from One NZ, Spark or 2degrees, available at the airport and in town.

Coverage is good in towns and cities but patchy or non-existent in the mountains and national parks, including large parts of the road to Milford Sound and around Aoraki/Mount Cook. Download maps before you set off, and let people at home know when you will be out of signal. Most hostels have Wi-Fi.

Yes, New Zealand has low crime and is one of the most relaxed countries to travel in. Keep valuables out of sight in parked vehicles, as car break-ins at scenic spots are the most common problem.

The bigger risks are outdoors: the weather in the mountains can change within hours, rivers can rise fast, and the sun is strong. Follow your guide's advice on walks, carry layers and water, and check the UK government's travel advice for New Zealand before you go. Earthquakes happen, so learn the drill: drop, cover and hold.