New Zealand is a destination that’s often high on the list for many solo travelers. While some countries dotted throughout Europe and Asia will also attract similar intrigue, the tranquility and solitude people attach to New Zealand have made it an intriguing place for solo travel.

Several unique elements appeal to tourists. First, the country’s sparse population means a more relaxed feel, especially compared to densely packed countries. This cultivates an environment of more old-school traveling activities, ranging from hitchhiking to secluded backpacking spots and stargazing out in the wilderness, with few people or street lights for miles around.

Take a trip to Auckland

Many mistakenly believe that Auckland is New Zealand’s capital, and while it is home to over 33% of the country’s entire population, Wellington is actually the capital city. Although there are many things solo travellers can do in both cities, we’d say Auckland has a little more to offer.

The towering skyline of Auckland is one of the most recognizable in the Southern Hemisphere, and it’s home to a glistening array of restaurants, bars, and plenty more facilities that prop up Auckland’s claim as the central city for Kiwi nightlife. While it might be slightly different from playing games in real-time, if you’re looking for an alternative to the quietness and tranquility of the vast countryside of NZ, switching it up and going to a city with over 1.5 million people and plenty of backpackers will give you another angle on the overall Kiwi experience.

Stargazing

Due to the vast swathes of countryside in NZ, particularly in the South Island, it’s become one of the most popular global destinations for stargazers.

Places like Lake Tekapo have a stargazing auditorium and telescope, earning them a rating as the best place in the country to see the stars and galaxies. While some will opt to stay in hotels, many campsites might appeal for those looking to relax one night and look at the universe—as long as it’s not too cloudy or raining, of course! Be sure to pack the right camping gear, especially on the South Island during winter.

Get a campervan

Trust me—travellers won’t be alone if they get a campervan and drive around NZ. Half of the vehicles travellers might see on the South Island are some sort of campervan style—and most of the vehicles in car parks seem to be both group and solo travelers who had decided to lay back for the night. A campervan gives travellers the freedom to explore and provides them with tools to learn how to think on their feet, live economically, and have true freedom that doesn’t come with any other form of travel.

Go to a rugby game

It’s the national sport for a reason—Kiwis are rugby-mad; anyone who saw the disappointment from their agonising World Cup final defeat to South Africa will know how much it means to the country.

Given that the All Blacks are their greatest sporting heritage, which many people worldwide most commonly associate with New Zealand culture, a trip to a rugby game is a great way to see what the sporting culture is all about. Travellers don’t need to go and watch the All Blacks at their Eden Park home, but even exploring local culture in a small town or city and going to a rugby game there will give them an idea of how ingrained it is into Kiwi life.

Final thoughts

One of the great benefits of the internet is that it allows travellers to piece together unique itineraries. With so much information available on the internet and so many ways people seek out places they’d like to visit in New Zealand, solo travelers are genuinely spoilt for choice in this small but beautiful and distinctive island nation with its marvelous heritage and culture.

Solo traveling comes with different challenges to traveling with a partner or a group of friends, but it also gives travellers more freedom to do what they want at their own pace.

This article has highlighted the range of available options—but this is truly just the tip of the iceberg. Whether travellers are drawn to city life or the countryside, from stargazing to skiing, or just want to get a feel for small-town Kiwi culture, solo travel in New Zealand is a blast.