Spend some time in knock off Australia ;) ...

My ten days in New Zealand were packed with adventure, awe inspiring sights, laughter, and hangovers. Best "Spring Break" of my life.

How we booked:

Although many people decide to rent a camper van and drive around the South Island themselves, booking a tour with Extreme Adventures was the best decision for me. My friends and I went to UNSW's STA office and they booked our flights and tour for us. We did a tour called "So That's What a Sheep is for," you can click here to see the dates and itinerary.

Pros of the trip:

All you have to do is show up! Most meals are included. They book everything except skydiving for you (but check out my Whitsundays post for my opinion on skydiving in NZ). You can meet tons of new people and you have a big group to go out with at night which makes the nightlife a lot more fun.

Cons of the trip:

It's expensive. Our total for flights and the tour was around A$2,500. The drive to Milford Sound is extremely long, but Milford is something you'll want to see. The weather probably won't let you go skydiving (but you'll get refunded).

Other things to note:

You'll stop for ice cream at a small apple orchard on your way to Queenstown. Don't count calories. Just eat the homemade deliciousness.

You can drink water from any stream in New Zealand.

There's one free day on the trip and you'll want to find an activity to do. The tour guides will help you out with this. I did the Nevis Swing at it was awesome. Then we rented a boat and drank (lots of) wine. You don't need a license to rent a boat in NZ, and the views are incredible.

There's a place called Fergburger in Queenstown. Do not make the mistake of ordering a tofu burger if you are not vegan/vegetarian. Get the Swine Burger, apparently it was amazing. I'll be back to try it soon. :)

Fat Badgers in Queenstown is the best place to get drunk pizza.

Make friends with your tour guides.

A person from New Zealand is called a "kiwi." Kiwi's are also their national bird. There is also kiwi fruit. Unlike Australians, kiwis don't eat their national animal.

If you decide not to do the tour, know that the common road trip route is Christchurch (where flights are cheapest) to Queenstown to Milford/Te Anau and back. 

The South Island is evidently more scenic than the North.