New Zealand is the land of adventure and there is truly always something going on or a new place to explore. This is an incredibly dynamic country in terms of its natural beauty, biodiversity and activities.
Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, boating, mountain biking or even just beautiful walking trials, there is enough in New Zealand to keep you busy for years – much less one trip! This wealth of beauty, adventure and activity is part of why so many people keep traveling to New Zealand from around the world. Even though it is not the easiest country to get to, it is a favorite destination for many of the more adventurous travelers.
That being said, it is easy to burn yourself out if you are not careful – particularly if you have travelled a long distance to get to New Zealand in the first place. You should try to pace yourself and continually check in to see how you are feeling. The last thing you want is to overexert yourself and then have to spend half of your trip just recovering!
Thankfully, there are a number of different things you can do to wind down while still having fun and experiencing New Zealand culture. Below are just a few of the many things you can do in your downtime while traveling in New Zealand.
Catch a film
Did you know that New Zealand also has a thriving film industry? You can relax while also soaking up some of the NZ culture by watching a few films on your relaxation days in New Zealand. The beautiful natural landscapes of New Zealand became internationally famous during the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but the industry offers much more than that.
One classic film is Taika Waititi’s ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’, which follows a young boy’s journey through foster care and into the NZ forests. Another popular film from Waititi is ‘What We Do in Shadows’, which has become so beloved that there is now even a spinoff TV show in the UK that is based on the series.
Other classic New Zealand films include ‘The Dark Horse’, ‘Boy’, ‘Mahana’, ‘UTU’, ‘Black Sheep’ and ‘The Piano’. Not every film is child-friendly of course, so you may want to shepherd the little ones out of the room before you begin movie night.
Online gaming
Another fun way to relax and unwind after a long day of adventure is through online gaming. Most of us have at least one or two gaming apps downloaded onto our phones, and they are a fun way to temporarily escape reality and find a little excitement.
One segment of the gaming industry which has grown significantly over the last few years is iGaming, or online gambling and betting. There are now hundreds of different online casinos, all of which offer gamblers different bonuses, game libraries and loyalty programs. It can be difficult to choose the best gambling platforms, but the promotions at SkyCity online casino are an example of what to look for when choosing an online casino as they are very competitive and easy to access.
Pop into a local pub
Auckland is not known as a party city, but there are dozens of wonderful bars, pubs and clubs all around the city – and throughout New Zealand. Why not pop into a local pub to have a drink, relax and enjoy the ambience of the local culture.
While there are many amazing nightlife hotspots all around New Zealand, Auckland has some of the most exciting spots. Some of the top bars in Auckland include Annabel’s, Apéro, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq (bumper cars included!), Little Creatures, Hoppers Garden Bar and The Glass Goose.
Read a New Zealand classic
Along with being a hotbed of cinematic talent, New Zealand is also known for its amazing literary lights. There is arguably nothing more relaxing than settling in for the evening with a good book, so why not pick up a classic piece of New Zealand literature?
A few of the most popular books in New Zealand include: ‘The While Rider’, ‘The Bone People’, ‘The Luminaries’ and ‘The Garden Party and Other Stories’. You can also brush up on your history with the ‘Penguin History of New Zealand’ or check out some of the younger literary talents with books such as ‘Potiki’, ‘Owls do Cry’ and ‘Pounamu Pounamu’.
However you choose to relax in New Zealand, you will be sure to have fun, all while getting ready for your next adventure.
