Unwind After Your Adventure: Top Online Entertainment Options in New Zealand
A lot of adventuring can be done in New Zealand. From the different-leveled hiking trails, to deep-sea diving and exploration, and of course, just a good old-fashioned shopping spree through the urban areas, New Zealand has a lot to offer. But, what happens when you come home, and just want to unwind?
Well, the good news is that there is a whole database of fun stuff that New Zealand residents and visitors can engage with. The internet is one of the best tools for having fun, even when there is nothing else to do. So, in this article, we’d like to take a look at the top online entertainment options in New Zealand.
Online Casinos
For as long as people have been around, there have been those who enjoy taking the occasional risk. Whether that be hiking along treacherous trails, cliff diving from some steep hills, or just wagering here and there at a local casino. The great news is, that all of those options are open for New Zealanders. Except, it is now possible to play your favorite games online.
Internet casinos are a great way to spend an hour or two, after a long day of adventuring. Gambling fanatics can access one of the numerous wagering options on the internet, including a New Zealand casino featuring bonus deals, and a ton of wonderful games. But, what about the country’s laws? Is internet gambling even legal in the nation?
Well, it is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. In New Zealand, there are no laws prohibiting residents or tourists from accessing online casinos. That means that you are free to play at the many offshore websites available in New Zealand. However, the country does prohibit any local companies from offering online gambling services. Which means, an internet casino cannot operate within NZ.
Some may be put off by this fact. However, studies have shown that offshore casinos are just as safe and reliable as domestically-licensed gambling websites. As long as the casino you’ve chosen carries an international license, you are safe to play. In some cases, you may even find games that would not be available otherwise, so there are certainly plenty of benefits to playing at offshore casinos.
Online Streaming
If gambling isn’t your thing, perhaps film and television will satisfy your post-adventure cravings? Imagine coming home, or back to your hotel room, after a long day of mountain biking, and all you want to do is sit on the couch, turn your brain off, and enjoy a fun film or your favorite television show. Well, New Zealand residents and visitors have access to a ton of streaming sites, one of which is bound to have what you need.
First thing is first, Netflix is available in New Zealand, and extremely popular as well. Often thought of as the first and foremost streaming service, Netflix is behind some of the best films of our era, and their original shows are pretty interesting as well. The downside, of course, is that many of the non-Netflix originals, don’t stick around very long. So, you have to be quick to watch your favorites.
If you’d like something homegrown, why not give NEON a try? It is cheaper than Netflix, while also containing several big-name Hollywood blockbusters, and top-tier new television shows. If you are a fan of HBO or BBC, this is the service for you, as NEON are among the first to get these programs’ streaming rights. Of course, like Netflix, NEON have their own exclusives, which will shock you with how good they are.
If neither of these sound all too appealing, film fans can, of course, choose between Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV, or any of the other big-time, globally-available streaming services. Some may even think about checking out YouTube Premium, which allows you to watch YouTube ads free, and also stream some popular films on the website. Though, be warned, YouTube Premium’s original titles are a bit lackluster.
Free Entertainment
So far, we’ve discussed two of the most popular ways to have fun online in New Zealand. However, some may have noticed that both options require some sort of payment. What about those who want to enjoy their internet time, free of charge? Well, don’t worry, there are plenty of things to do on the internet, without needing to pay up.
First of all, you could always dive into a Wikipedia rabbit hole. The term has become an internet meme at this point. A person tries to look something up on Wikipedia, and pretty soon they are several pages deep, reading about the history of a civilization completely unrelated to their original query. Learning new things can be fun, and despite its reputation, Wikipedia can be quite reliable, at least when you are just looking to have fun.
If you would prefer to read a book, there are plenty of options online. Any book that is within the public domain will be available at various websites, such as Project Gutenberg. That means, if you want to read the classics of Ancient Greece, or the romances of the Medieval period, they are readily available to you, for absolutely free.
Last, but certainly not least, the internet is a hub of excellent, free-to-play video games, which fans can sink hours into. Most of the games online are inspired by old-school titles like Metroid, Castlevania, or even Space Invaders. In other words, not only can you have a blast playing, but some of the older gamers might feel a sense of nostalgia, and reminisce about their earliest experiences with gaming.
Closing Thoughts
Adventuring in New Zealand can be a blast. However, we all need to take a break sometimes. For those who come home tired after a long day hiking, snorkeling, diving, or just having fun outside, unwinding at home is all they can think about. We hope that this article has given you some ideas regarding how you can take a break and relax after a long hard day of adventuring.
