Travel Tips

International money transfer / cash withdrawals / paying abroad made less costly

It helps to compare between providers because the foreign exchange market changes constantly

  • wise (formerly transferwise) has often really good exchange rates, and the best ones over this link.* If you use the alternative friends recommendation link, you only receive a free transfer if you transfer less than NZ$900.
  • wise also has the possibility of a multi-currency account, an easy alternative to a bank account abroad. With your account, you’ll get international bank details to receive multiple currencies for free – e.g. AUD, GBP, EUR, NZD, USD. You can hold 40+ currencies and convert between them at the mid-market exchange rate.
  • The wise multi-currency account comes with an international debit card. With it, you can take out up to NZ$350/AU$350/€200/GBP200 in cash a month for free using ATMs abroad. You pay only a super-low fee on withdrawals after the first 350 NZD.
  • Through this currencyfair-link you receive a €30 premium (minimum transfer of 2000 EUR or equivalent).* Or this link for five free transfers (works for all currencies).

Camping and travel in New Zealand

  • One of my favourite regions in New Zealand, is at the far end of the Wairarapa, in particular the Waimeha Camping Village – how New Zealand used to be.
  • Travels in small groups for women: https://www.sidetrackswomen.co.nz/
  • There is a new accomodation website for digital nomads or longer-term accomodation, flatio. The beachhouse was the first accomodation on the platform in New Zealand.
  • The staff at Global Wings Travel always come up with a cheaper flight than the one you are able to find. It’s worthwhile checking out this insider tip amongst Germans in New Zealand.
  • Wendekreisen*
  • Canopy Camping – the slightly different camping experience
  • Photo impressions on fernfotos.
  • Get to know the Kiwis a bit better through the funny short episodes of Goetheinstitut New Zealand, Kiwi-German life swap.
  • Are you flying Air New Zealand? Lucky you, they have the best safety videos! Here’s my personal favorite AirNewZealand-Safety video.
  • Kiwi pronounciation: dick or deck?
  • If you just experience an earth quake, find out everything about it on geonet.
  • Where exactly is the other side of the world? antipodr.

Going out and things to do in and around Wellington

Most of the following restaurants and cafés (those not in the CBD) have free parking nearby

  • Maranui Café – beach, surf, life surf savings club in Lyall Bay
  • Spruce Goose – watching planes and something for every taste in Lyall Bay
  • Botanist – vegan / vegetarian, fresh food in Lyall Bay
  • Chocolate Fish Café in Shelly Bay: great location and kids friendly with lots of toys around and yummy food
  • Fish’n Chips on the beach: Seaview Takeaways and Fresko in Lyall Bay and Fish Supply in Plimmerton
  • Bouillon Bel Air – French. In fact the most French restaurant that I’ve found in New Zealand so far, with a very French menu and very affordable. The food is like you would be served in France. Also the French like to eat here like in France. There is 90 minutes free parking in the parking space in front of noelleaming and The Warehouse on top of Tory.
  • Bongusto – Italian where the Italians go for lunch in Miramar
  • Kanama Kopi Kadai – Malaysian in Kilbirnie
  • Best Indian recommended by guests and local, Indian colleagues: Tandoori Heritage  in Kilbirnie and Indian Sweets in Newtown (sweet snacks, savory main meals and street food). Locals also like Urban Masala and Crown Indian.
  • Oikos – Hellenic in Miramar, and Greek people say it’s even the only real Greek restaurant in New Zealand (not a mix of Mediterranean).
  • Affordable recommendation from Japanese guests and locals: Kazu Yakitori Bar in the CBD
  • Where the Japanese ambassador orders their sushi from: Kazaguruma in Cuba Street
  • Cicio Cacio – Italian / Argentinian in Newtown (no pizza)
  • Seashore Cabaret – Maranui’s sister in Petone
  • Mediterranean Foods – Italian in Newtown (mainly pizza and pasta)
  • Viva Mexico – Mexican in Newtown
  • Origami – high tea in the CBD
  • Kuikui Lane – Māori cuisine in the CBD
  • For meat lovers: El Matador – Argentinian in Cuba Street

Restaurant and café tips in the rest of the Northern Island and a little off the beaten track

Favourite wineries and regions around the North Island

A choice of boutique and ideally non-exporting wineries, and in regions not so well known for their wines

Wairarapa
Hawkes Bay
Waiheke Island
Matakana
West Auckland
Waikato
Northland
Whangarei
Gisborne

Travel literature and travel guides and other things travel

Save on your bookings

  • Receive NZ$8 off your first two uber pool rides using this link when signing up.*
  • Interested in becoming an airbnb host? Click here!*
  • Have you ever thought about a homeexchange instead of paying accomodation on a holiday or business trip, either simultaneously or non-simultaneously? Then receive 125 addition Guest Points (GP), just by using this link on Homeexchange. During the sign-up process, you are rewarded with so many GP (I earned 1,750 GP) that you can already stay for free in your first homeexchange (for example, one night at my beachhouse costs 136 GP).*

For the links marked with * I am also receiving a little premium.

© 2017 – 2024 • Beachhouse overlooking 3 seas • Wellington • New Zealand