Travelling to a new place always comes with challenges, especially if you’re not acquainted with the local culture and places. However, exploring and learning are part of the experience as there will be something to cherish even after your trip. Among the many vacation destinations in the world, New Zealand just makes you fall in love. As the land of the hobbits, bungee jumping, and stunning views, it’s one of the top destinations for Australian travellers.
Though free WiFi is available in some public places in New Zealand, it’s still beneficial to get an NZ sim card to ensure access at all times. With a sim card, you can easily bring a gadget with you and search for navigation guides, restaurant recommendations, and transportation costs while on the go. Though using an Australian sim card will work in New Zealand, you might find yourself charged with high roaming costs or use up all your data quicker than you expect.
If you are from Australia and travelling to New Zealand, you will typically have the option of getting an international plan from an Australian provider or get a sim card from New Zealand instead. If you are thinking of doing the latter, here are some things that may help you out.
Getting a Sim Card
If you plan to stay in New Zealand for a week or more, it is usually advisable to get a local SIM card as this will help you save money. You can purchase an NZ sim card online and have it mailed to you before you fly for your trip. However, it is safer to get one in the airport instead to make sure you get it in time and to check if it works once you arrive in the country. Your SIM card should help you get internet access in major cities and towns, so you need not worry about getting lost.
Sim cards are usually priced based on the amount of data you can consume, the number of texts you can make, and the minutes of calls you can have. Depending on the carrier and plan you choose, the sim card may also be valid for only a specified time, so make sure you get one that will last you your entire trip. If you feel like the package you chose will not give you enough data, calls, or texts, you may find some carriers that offer add-on packs, which you can purchase by loading some credit on your carrier account.
Reception and Connectivity
If you plan to go to the backcountry of New Zealand or explore the wilderness, then internet coverage is usually not as certain as in the big cities. As you drive through smaller places or start hiking in trails, you might notice that cell service is not as readily available. It can be trickier trying to find a place that has good coverage, though there are tips you can make use of to help you get better connections in remote areas. For instance, going outside your lodging place may give you better signal since building materials tend to block connections off.
Additionally, looking at the coverage maps in advance may help you plan for your trip better and ensure you have a relatively stable connection. It may also help to stay nearer to big towns and cities since coverage will likely be better in these areas.
