Now that I’ve been living in New Zealand for just over 4 months, I feel entitled to tell others what activities to do in the country, based off personal experience.

One of the best things you can do in New Zealand is hike; there are tracks everywhere and the scenery is beautiful. Everything is so easy as well, you wonder why you don’t do this every week. For example, I went on this mid-level hike at Mount Cook called the Sealy Tarns track. It’s a very simple 6km (3.7 miles) hike, you only have to take 2,200 stairs up a 600m (1,968 foot) elevation gain. Once you reach the top, you can commiserate in agony with your fellow hikers and enjoy the lovely view. Pop a squat, enjoy some food, watch an avalanche in the distance, take some photos, consider living up there just so you don’t have to do all those stairs again, reapply your sunscreen, wipe away some tears, head back down, limp back to the car, decide which easy peazy “intermediate” hike you’ll go on next. It’s a great time.

Worry not for those of you who are not keen on hiking, despite my glowing review. The drives in New Zealand are as much a part of the journey as the destination. Pull off anywhere and you may find a stunning viewpoint, a massive waterfall, or a huge field of lupins. There’s beauty everywhere you go in this country, and some of the most memorable spots are a random spot you found on the side of the road. My personal favorite has been NZ’s first cheese factory, which was just some ruins, but I’m happy they thought it was important enough for them to showcase. When you are out and about, just don’t drive too slow or you may look in your rearview to find someone (me) behind you silently screaming in their car about you going 40 in a 100 zone.

If you’re looking for an adventure there’s plenty to be had. Perhaps you’d like to go up in a helicopter and land on a glacier. You can enjoy the aerial views of the mountains and rivers while trying not to shit yourself when there’s a gust of wind that pushes against the helicopter. Simultaneously one of the coolest and scariest experiences. Maybe a more lowkey adventure? Let’s go see some coastal wildlife! You can wait in the wind and dark on the east coast for little blue penguins to swarm the beach after being at sea all day. Alternatively, on the west coast you may just see a fiordland crested penguin hanging out in the middle of the road. Go to a secluded beach and you can walk right up to a sea lion and give them a hug (please don’t do this, I’m speaking to you mom).

You may be wondering what random things I end up doing as someone here long term that tourists miss. Don’t be afraid to go to a locals event, they are some of the best and most genuine experiences you’ll have. You may find yourself in a field in the middle of nowhere at a rave. Or at a horse race making $1 bets where you don’t get to chose your horse. At a holiday rock concert listening to kids one minute and then a punk band the next. Celebrating an unofficial Kiwi drinking holiday or playing in the town cricket tournament. New Zealand life is full of good fun and not to be missed out on.