The Write Way Around: Traveling Tales

I lost my hitchhiking virginity in New Zealand.

I set out with two friends on a mission to hitch my way North from National Park Village, where we had spent the day before traversing the Tongariro Crossing, up to Auckland – a good four or five hours along one main highway. It should be easy enough, we thought, but we were in the middle of no where – literally.

Car after car and truck after truck passed up with only one pulling over to tell us he could get us about two hours further North, but from there would be no public bus around to fall back on if we couldn’t hitch our way further.

After two hours or so, we had almost lost hope when we walked to the ONLY petrol (re: gas) station in town and decided to just ask a guy for a ride to catch the bus. He agreed, and when we climbed into his truck I asked him where he was headed.

“Auckland,” he said.

Hey-oooo! That is where we want to go. What do you say we pass the bus stop and you take us with you?

And so my friends Mikhael, Isabella and I climbed into the truck, setting out toward Auckland with our new friend Garth.

Funnily enough, as we got into talking, my older brother Michael happened to visit Garth’s daughter’s school when Michael was out here back in 2011 playing in the World Cup. They played in Garth’s hometown, and part of the community service the US rugby team had to do involved visiting some of the locals schools and meeting some of the kids. Small world.

Since then I have managed to hitch a few rides around New Zealand, which thankfully have all been safe and have worked out in my favor. A lot of travelers make their way around via hitchhiking, so here is my guide on what I did to make it happen:

1. Never hitchhike alone. I have come to realize that as a single female traveling on my own, hitchhiking solo was relatively foolish. It is better to go into it together with someone than to be off on your own without a real knowledge of where you are going. (Note: That is not to say that having someone there with you makes it heaps safer, because there was a recently an incident in New Zealand’s South Island where a German woman and a Japanese woman were together but were both attacked.)

2. Always let a friend know where you are going. I made sure at least one person knew I was hitchhiking (usually not my father) before I even considered doing it, and I made sure that whomever I told knew where I was headed and around what time I got picked up when or as soon as I had service. If you want to be extra cautious, describe the car you are in and the person you are with. Any little shared details can help keep you the littlest bit safer.

3. Make a sign. Duh! I have seen plenty of hitchhikers throughout my travels here, some of whom use their thumbs and others who make a sign. Both work, yet I personally think a sign is more appealing – especially if you are looking to go a long distance. It lets the drivers know exactly where you want to go versus the drivers having to stop, pull over and work it out from there. Or you can just get creative with your sign and make a large thumb, like what Mikhael did.

4. Always carry a marker on you. You never know when you will have to make a sign!

5. Hide your bags (slightly). Backpackers in New Zealand are usually not only traveling with their backpacks and daypacks but also a bag filled with food since everyone cooks to save money. Fro afar, the amount and size of the bags can seem overwhelming for some drivers, especially those in smaller cars, so it is best not to have your bags strewn all over the roadside.

6. Try a petrol station. I actually think petrol stations are a great place to try and hitch a ride, because plenty of truckies and other travelers are constantly needing to stop and fill up their tanks. Good time to swoop in for a conversation and try to see where they are headed.

7. Try putting up a sign in your hostel. I did this twice, and it worked out really well. You need to put the sign where people can see it, so the check-in desk or the kitchen is easily the best bet. Luckily I was once able to hitch a ride with a couple of girls headed out of town on a day trip, and I even got to stop and check out a waterfall with them. I also got door-to-door service, which was awesome!

8. Ask around. It is even easy just to try chatting people up that you meet around your hostel or on your activities and tours to see what their plans are and where they are headed. I managed to snag a ride or two with a couple of people I met on activities. I even was able to get a lift home from the beach by just asking someone who pulled over to check out his tires.

I am sure there are people who have been hitchhiking around way more than I have, but consider it a beginner’s opinion on successful ways to hitchhike your way around town.