How To Hitchhike in New Zealand
If you want to try hitchhiking then New Zealand is the best place. Despite one or two cases making the news, New Zealand remains one of the safest and most beautiful hitchhiking spots in the world. Of course, hitchhiking always carries some risk, but so does every other activity in this world. So if you’re keen to hitch a ride in New Zealand, this guide will give you the basics.
Why hitch a ride in New Zealand?
New Zealand is the first and only place I hitchhike. Originally I started hitchhiking because there was no public transportation option for where I wanted to go. This is my only option. Even where public transportation options are available, they’re usually infrequent and fairly expensive, so hitching a ride on a budget is a great way to save money.
As I got more experienced and comfortable with hitchhiking, the reason I hitchhiked was less to save money and more to the interesting people I met on the road. A Maori mother and her children, a forest scientist, an account manager for a Hobbit movie – I wouldn’t meet these people unless I hitchhike.
Hitchhiking is common in New Zealand.
you need to understand this Hitchhiking has long been the accepted way of travelling in New Zealand. Many people hitchhike or hitch a ride, whether they are foreigners or locals. Most drivers are fairly open to hitchhikers, and in busy areas you’ll face quite a bit of competition for hitchhiking.
Hitchhiking is easy, even in remote areas.
Even in some of the most remote parts of New Zealand, I’ve never had trouble getting a ride. I even hitchhiked to and from national park trails. My hitchhiking road has almost no roads. I find that most locals are more likely to pick you up from remote areas because they know better than anyone with limited access in those areas. In fact, around larger towns, I have the hardest hitchhiking. For example, I once tried to hitchhike out of a small town called Raitehi. It’s basically a no-name town in the middle of a no-name highway that runs through no-name. I walked onto a road in town (also a highway) and waited a long time. I don’t know how long it will take for another car to pass, let alone someone to stop. I’m ready to grow old and die next to that highway. Five minutes later, a truck stopped me and took me all the way to Rotorua – a big town, and back somewhere in the middle a few hours later.
Tips for driving in New Zealand:
- Stand where it is easy for cars to slow down and pull over. If they can’t safely stop for you, they won’t.
- Make a sign with your destination. While most drivers probably don’t have time to read what you’ve written, I’ve been told a few times that there’s a sign that you’re going somewhere with a purpose, not just some wanderer on the road.
- Looks decent and clean. No one wants to pick up a stinky person.
- If you’ve been waiting for a while, here’s a surefire way to stop your car — start doing something awkward. No matter how long we waited, if my partner went out to pee in the bushes, the car would stop 100%. Or start making sandwiches and smear some peanut butter on your face – the car always stops when you’re the most ridiculous.
Do not attempt to hitch a ride if:
Don’t try hitchhiking if you have to be somewhere at a certain time or event. Sometimes you can walk great distances in one day; like from Auckland to Wellington, while other times you’ll have to wait a long time to get to the next town. If you have to be somewhere for a while, just shell out the money and take the bus.
Don’t try hitchhiking if for any reason feel uncomfortable about the situation or the person who stopped for youRemember that while most people in this world have no ill will towards you, there are some bad people. If your gut is sending you a warning signal, pay attention to it.
Hitchhiking in New Zealand: Worth a try!
I have some of the best experiences and memories while hitchhiking in New Zealand. The whole thing was really awkward for me at first, but after a few rides, I got over it. Everyone I met was totally different and everyone was an adventure. Hitchhiking is definitely part of the New Zealand experience and something every traveller should at least consider.
About the author
Jade Johnston blogs about all things travel on OurOyster.com. She enjoys writing helpful guides to the places she visits to help others achieve their travel dreams on a budget. All of this while traveling internationally with a baby. You can also connect with her on social media.You can choose Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
