New Zealand: Australia’s Seventh State?

After four weeks travelling around New Zealand, we started to wonder: did we even leave Australia? It’s eerily familiar—same language, same power sockets, same addiction to flat whites. Culturally, it feels less like a foreign country and more like Australia’s quieter, more nature-obsessed cousin. Let’s just say… if Australia had an extra state full of mountains, sheep, and people who don’t seem in a hurry, this would be it.

But before we go down that trans-Tasman rabbit hole (and upset our Kiwi friends), let’s get one thing straight: New Zealand may feel familiar, but it’s also refreshingly different.

Adelaide Hills on Steroids

If you’ve ever meandered through the Adelaide Hills, picture them on steroids—then add mountains, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and more sheep than you can mentally process. That’s New Zealand. It’s breathtaking. And strangely calming… probably because you’re not constantly scanning for snakes ready to ruin your walk.

Wanaka, our favourite spot, is a dreamy lakeside town just an hour from Queenstown. We got chatting to the head waiter at our go-to restaurant who summed up life in New Zealand perfectly: “Our roads are lined with gold,” he said, “Same as Australia’s—but the difference is, you guys pick it up. We leave it.” It’s about lifestyle here. And it shows.

The Gold Standard of Living

Wanaka is clearly no stranger to wealth. A 20km stretch of waterfront is lined with homes belonging to the international rich, the likes who have private jets or at least a wine fridge for their wine fridge. But even outside these postcode powerhouses, New Zealand feels economically vibrant.

Sure, some locals say the country is “technically” in recession. But if that’s the case, it’s the most beautiful, well-maintained, zero-vacant-shop recession we’ve ever seen. Every town we visited—from Queenstown to Rotorua—buzzed with energy, good food, and friendly people who didn’t seem too stressed about GDP figures.

On that note, New Zealand does have fewer sheep than it once did. In 1982, there were 70 million of them. Now? Just 24 million. Either they’ve unionised and moved offshore, or someone’s been enjoying a lot of lamb chops!

Small Country, Big Punch

Population-(people) wise, New Zealand clocks in at about 5 million people, most of whom live on the North Island. The South Island—despite being bigger—is home to just 1.2 million humans and an unknown number of sheep.

An Uber driver in Auckland put it best: “For a small country, we punch above our weight.” Hard to argue with that. From the country’s seamless mix of cultures to its obsession with natural beauty, it’s clear they’re doing something right. There’s a stronger sense of community, a visibly integrated indigenous culture, and a vibe that suggests people actually enjoy where they live.

And, the roads? Immaculate. In four weeks of travelling by car, we hit just two potholes. Australia, take note.

Snakes, Sharks and Surprises

You know what’s unnerving? Walking through warm, dry grassland… and not fearing for your life. No snakes. No spiders lurking in boots. No constant background threat of nature trying to kill you.

Even sharks seem polite here. While watching surfers near the coast, we asked a local if there were any around. “Oh yeah,” he said casually. “But they leave you alone.”
That’s peak Kiwi: low-key reassurance while you float in open water near an apex predator.

Adventures and Adrenalin (and a Birthday Wish)

New Zealand’s known for adventure, especially in Queenstown—the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Thanks to a milestone birthday (thanks family!), we had the chance to explore some of its beauty by bike, gliding through alpine valleys and lakeside trails that felt plucked from a movie.

But things really ramped up when my daughter reminded me of her one regret from a past NZ trip: not doing the Hydro Attack—a jet-powered, shark-shaped submersible that flies, dives, and torpedoes its way around Lake Wakatipu.
Naturally, she asked me to do it for her. Naturally, I said yes. Naturally, I had quiet heart palpitations.

Strapped inside what looked like a missile designed by a hyperactive dolphin, we launched into the lake. After surviving—and loving—it, I felt invincible. Until someone mentioned bungee jumping off a nearby bridge.

Now, I like a good fear-facing challenge… but I’m also at the preservation stage of life. A little research into potential long-term spinal issues, and I decided: that’s one for the next life.

The Softer Side

For those not keen on defying gravity, there’s the gentler, warmer side of New Zealand. Rotorua’s hot springs were a highlight, especially a relaxing soak in a private bath. There’s also Marlborough wine, Whittaker’s chocolate, scones that might actually be better than the Aussie version (controversial, I know), along with a pot of tea that rivals the UK on a good day.

Final Thoughts

We came to New Zealand expecting it to be good. Scenic, yes. Peaceful, sure. Sheep-filled, absolutely.

But we didn’t expect to be so thoroughly charmed by its people, its pace, its practicality—and the very real possibility that, in some ways, it’s doing things just a little bit better than back home.

Maybe we may wish it was Australia’s seventh state.
But if so, it’s definitely our favourite cousin. Minus the snakes.

 

VIDEOS:

Hydro Attack  a jet-powered, shark-shaped submersible that flies, dives, and torpedoes its way around Lake Wakatipu.

 

Wanka/ Lake Hawea Bike Ride  – an unforgettable journey from Lake Hawea to Wanaka, with breathtaking mountain vistas.

 

Queenstown/ Arrowtown Bike Ride – An 80km circuit winding through alpine landscapes, riverside trails, that offered a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural charm.