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Trips & Treks for the Thrifty Traveller

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New Zealand

12 Beautiful Hidden Gems in New Zealand

12 Beautiful Hidden Gems in New Zealand

Dated: August 10, 2020

As well as the great tourist destinations that we all know and love, there are an incredibly large number of hidden gems in New Zealand, too. Think about it: the population density is very low, and while the tourist hot spots are that way for a reason, there’s so much that’s skipped and overlooked. Having spent over a year travelling… Read More

Posted Under: Destinations, New Zealand

Luggage List: Packing for New Zealand

Luggage List: Packing for New Zealand

Dated: July 20, 2020

When I was packing for New Zealand, I didn’t really know where to start. I knew that it was a country that could be very cold, and I also knew that I planned to live in a camper van for some, if not all, of my time there. So, I thought I’d need to bring lots of warm clothes. I… Read More

Posted Under: Before You Go, Destinations, Luggage Lists, New Zealand, Travel Advice

14 Best things to do in New Zealand’s North Island

14 Best things to do in New Zealand’s North Island

Dated: June 29, 2020

New Zealand’s North Island is sometimes passed off as being inferior to the dramatic landscapes of the South Island. I’ve heard of people skipping the North Island altogether, or only spending time in Auckland, which I think is a travesty! Sure, you may not be constantly surrounded by mountains, glaciers and jungles, but do you really want to skip the… Read More

Posted Under: Destinations, New Zealand

How to find outdoor seasonal work in New Zealand

How to find outdoor seasonal work in New Zealand

Dated: May 18, 2020

If you’re a traveller in New Zealand and you have a visa that allows you to work, at some point you might consider finding a job to fund your continued travels. But how do you find seasonal work in New Zealand? There are many different resources that you can use, but first you should consider what type of work you… Read More

Posted Under: Destinations, New Zealand, Travel Advice, Working Abroad

10 Free things to do in Napier, New Zealand

10 Free things to do in Napier, New Zealand

Dated: May 11, 2020

Napier is not often considered one of the must-see destinations on a trip to New Zealand. Located on the central east coast of the North Island, it is usually skipped in favour of Taupō, Tongariro and Taranaki. But Napier is actually a lovely coastal town with a unique style where you can relax for a while and take a breath… Read More

Posted Under: Budgeting, Destinations, New Zealand

Wharariki Beach & the beautiful Archway Islands

Wharariki Beach & the beautiful Archway Islands

Dated: April 20, 2020

There are so many gorgeous beaches in New Zealand that it’s hard to keep track of them all. But if you haven’t visited Wharariki Beach yet, make sure you add it to your list of must-sees before you leave the country. Located right at the top of the South Island on the north western tip, it’s a bit of a… Read More

Posted Under: Destinations, New Zealand

Abel Tasman National Park: a pristine paradise

Abel Tasman National Park: a pristine paradise

Dated: March 9, 2020

With stunning beaches, enchanting forests and hiking and adventure options for all fitness levels, there’s nothing to not like about Abel Tasman. This National Park is the smallest of all the National Parks in New Zealand; however, it is home to one of the country’s Great Walks. Add in plenty of kayaking, fishing and horse trekking options, and you can… Read More

Posted Under: Destinations, Hiking, New Zealand, New Zealand

Te Mata Peak: a great way to see Hawkes Bay

Te Mata Peak: a great way to see Hawkes Bay

Dated: February 17, 2020

Hawkes Bay is located on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, and is home to many attractions, including the beautiful Te Mata Peak. There are many different hiking and biking options to get to the summit, as well as a paved road for those who’d prefer to drive up. Te Mata is a very significant place… Read More

Posted Under: Hiking, New Zealand, New Zealand

Your guide to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Your guide to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Dated: January 27, 2020

Often described as one of the best day hikes in New Zealand, Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a must for avid hikers. It is a long, challenging hike through a dramatic volcanic landscape and it takes around 7-8 hours to complete. The track is 19.4km long, which doesn’t seem too difficult at first glance. But with steep climbs up to 1886m… Read More

Posted Under: Hiking, New Zealand, New Zealand

Lake Taupō’s impressive Māori rock carving

Lake Taupō’s impressive Māori rock carving

Dated: January 20, 2020

Lake Taupō is a huge body of water in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island. The lake is actually the crater from a huge volcanic eruption dating back 26,500 years. Its deepest point is 186 metres. There are many cruise or kayak options to get out onto the lake, and the main attraction is the large Māori rock carving… Read More

Posted Under: Destinations, New Zealand

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Hello and welcome!

My name is Sarah and I am the owner of Last Minute Wanders.
I started travelling on a budget in November 2012 and I haven't looked back!
Exploring new destinations fills me with joy and I'm here to help you do the same, without breaking the bank. Read More…

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Featured Articles

Ancient stone gateway tower with corridors leading off to left and right and a stone courtyard in front

Top 6 things to do in Cambodia

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Living in a campervan: surviving van life long term

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How to travel for free around the world!

View down wet beach, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds

12 Beautiful Hidden Gems in New Zealand

Connect with me on Instagram!

lastminutewanders

🥾Trips & Treks for the Thrifty Traveller
🏝 Budget Travel Advice, Destinations & Hikes
📍England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
🌏 28 countries
📱#lastminutewanders

Sarah | Last Minute Wanders
One of my goals this year, which I talked about a One of my goals this year, which I talked about a lot last year but didn't actually do much of, is to see more of Dorset. 
.
There are so many wonderful places to visit in this south coast county and I've barely seen any of them, even though I live here! 
.
So, to start off the year right, we completed a wonderful loop walk which starts at the abandoned Tyneham Village and takes in Flower's Barrow and Worbarrow Bay.
.
The occupants of Tyneham Village were forced to evacuate in 1943 so that the military could use the area for training in WWII. The villagers expected to be able to return but were never allowed to. This area is still part of the MOD ranges and is only open to visitors on certain days.
.
Flower's Barrow is an iron age hill fort with the rampart ridges still clearly visible and an incredible view across the cliffs and Worbarrow Bay below. Swipe right to see the view and spot one of the military bunkers of the MOD ranges.
.
.
.
#lovedorset #dorsetcoast #dorsetlife #tynehamvillage #flowersbarrow #ironagefort #dayhike #loopwalk #purbeckridge #dorsetwalks #isleofpurbeck #uktravel #visitengland #newyearsresolution #newyeargoals #hikemoreworryless #exploremore #travelblogger
Spontaneous trips and long walks make for my favou Spontaneous trips and long walks make for my favourite kind of Sunday 💙
The New Forest isn't too far away from where I live but I rarely make the trip. Every time I do, though, I wish I did it more often!
We've had quite a lot of rain recently, which has resulted in a lot of pools on the plains and some gorgeous reflections 😍
.
.
.
#newforest #reflections #stoneycross #sundaystrolls #southofengland #newforestnationalpark #visitengland #englishcountryside #greatbritishcountryside #uktravel #travelblogger
Merry Christmas to all wherever you are in the wor Merry Christmas to all wherever you are in the world! It's been a bit different this year but I hope you've managed to have a good day and get into the festive spirit. I'm just glad that nobody can take away the traditional Christmas Day walk!
How have you spent your day? Have you managed to celebrate as usual or has it been completely different?
.
.
.
#merrychristmas #covidchristmas #christmaswalks #sussexlife #southcoastengland #homesweethome #familytime #travelblogger
This time last year we were in beautiful Samoa, wh This time last year we were in beautiful Samoa, which seems almost impossible now that we're in the UK! 💙
.
We actually had our first experience of lockdown while we were there due to a measles outbreak and a mass vaccination campaign to bring it under control, meaning that we were unable to leave our beach-side accommodation for a few days. 🏖️
.
Little did we know that the word "lockdown" would become part of our daily vocabulary, not just for us but for the whole world!
Or that it wouldn't be all sunbathing and cocktails on the beach... 🍹
.
If you're thinking of taking a break on an island as gorgeous as this once travel opens up again and it's safe to do so, check out my 6+ reasons to add Samoa to your bucket list through the link in my bio. Just hit 'Destinations -> Samoa' 
.
.
.
#samoa #polynesia #pacificislands #beachlockdown #tosua #lalomanubeach #beachsunsets #coupletravelgoals #sunsetcocktails #lookatthosecolours #blueseabluesky #travelblogger #takemeback
Yesterday marked 8 YEARS (!!) since I first left h Yesterday marked 8 YEARS (!!) since I first left home to travel long-term, and it got me thinking of what I had been worrying about all those years ago! 🧳
.
Keeping healthy is usually either something that new travellers worry a lot about, or something that they don't even think about until it's too late. I was the latter. 😬
.
It's easy to fall out of your regular health routine when everything is suddenly so different, but I've updated an article which covers 7 simple ways to stay on top of your health and focus on having the time of your life! ♥️
.
Link in bio!
.
.
.
#stayhealthy #stayhealthywhiletravelling #howtostayhealthywhiletraveling #travelhealth #stayhealthyonholiday #stayhealthyonvacation #hydrateyourself #traveladvice #travelexpert #travelblogger
Climbing Mount Taranaki in New Zealand's North Isl Climbing Mount Taranaki in New Zealand's North Island was one of the toughest experiences I've had on a day hike!
.
Not having hiked for a while, I wasn't at my fittest and it took 12 hours to get up and down this incredibly steep mountain.
.
There were times when I thought I might have to quit, but I persevered and when I reached the top, I was so glad that my determination had pushed me through.
.
I was on top of the world! 
.
Of course, I was only halfway through by that point and the descent was almost as tough as the climb, but it was totally worth it for that sense of accomplishment 💪🏔️
.
I like to remember that feeling when I'm feeling a bit low, to remind myself of what I can achieve if I really put my mind to it!
.
What helps to push you forward when you're feeling a little stuck?
.
Check out my hiking guide for Mount Taranaki through the link in my bio 👆🏻 just look for the New Zealand Hiking section!
.
.
.
#mounttaranaki #mounttaranakisummit #taranaki #egmontnationalpark #travelnewzealand #nztravel #northislandlove #nzmustdo #dayhike #mountainclimber #determinationpaysoff #accomplishyourgoals #nzfinds #keepgoing #theonlywayisup #mttaranakisummittrack
I don’t know about you, but I’m REALLY missing I don’t know about you, but I’m REALLY missing travelling at the moment and it has been getting me down a little 💔
.
It hasn’t helped that the weather has been pretty horrendous recently either ☔️
.
So today, as the rain clouds parted briefly today and the sun came out, I jumped at the chance to get out into nature and remind myself of how pretty my home area is 🍂
.
It really helped clear my mind and made me feel so much better! 🧡
.
What do you do to cheer yourself up when the blues hit?
.
.
.
#dreamnowtravellater #beautifulengland #dorsetlife #autumncolours #exploreyourbackyard #appreciatewhatyouhave #travelblues #uktravel #travelblogger #homeiswhereyourheartis
Are you interested in #solotravel but not sure if Are you interested in #solotravel but not sure if it’s the right decision for you?
.
Head over to @travelmexicosolo and her podcast #dreamtodestination to hear me chatting with Shelley about my solo travel experiences and why I think everyone should try it.
.
Honestly, solo travel transformed my life for the better! Give it a listen and let me know what you think! ✈️
.
.
.
#solotravelisgoodforthesoul #lovetravel #femaletravelinspo #youshouldtravel #travelblogger
I recently had the absolute pleasure of speaking t I recently had the absolute pleasure of speaking to the lovely Shelley at @travelmexicosolo on her awesome podcast #dreamtodestination about solo travel, why I love it and why I think everyone should try it at least once ♥️
.
Head on over to her account to check it out or search Dream to Destination on Spotify, Anchor.fm or Apple Podcasts!
.
.
.
#solotravel #solotraveller #solotraveler #daretotravel #traveltheworld #podcast #lovetravel #travelblogger
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Footer

Connect with me on Instagram!

lastminutewanders

🥾Trips & Treks for the Thrifty Traveller
🏝 Budget Travel Advice, Destinations & Hikes
📍England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
🌏 28 countries
📱#lastminutewanders

Sarah | Last Minute Wanders
One of my goals this year, which I talked about a One of my goals this year, which I talked about a lot last year but didn't actually do much of, is to see more of Dorset. 
.
There are so many wonderful places to visit in this south coast county and I've barely seen any of them, even though I live here! 
.
So, to start off the year right, we completed a wonderful loop walk which starts at the abandoned Tyneham Village and takes in Flower's Barrow and Worbarrow Bay.
.
The occupants of Tyneham Village were forced to evacuate in 1943 so that the military could use the area for training in WWII. The villagers expected to be able to return but were never allowed to. This area is still part of the MOD ranges and is only open to visitors on certain days.
.
Flower's Barrow is an iron age hill fort with the rampart ridges still clearly visible and an incredible view across the cliffs and Worbarrow Bay below. Swipe right to see the view and spot one of the military bunkers of the MOD ranges.
.
.
.
#lovedorset #dorsetcoast #dorsetlife #tynehamvillage #flowersbarrow #ironagefort #dayhike #loopwalk #purbeckridge #dorsetwalks #isleofpurbeck #uktravel #visitengland #newyearsresolution #newyeargoals #hikemoreworryless #exploremore #travelblogger
Spontaneous trips and long walks make for my favou Spontaneous trips and long walks make for my favourite kind of Sunday 💙
The New Forest isn't too far away from where I live but I rarely make the trip. Every time I do, though, I wish I did it more often!
We've had quite a lot of rain recently, which has resulted in a lot of pools on the plains and some gorgeous reflections 😍
.
.
.
#newforest #reflections #stoneycross #sundaystrolls #southofengland #newforestnationalpark #visitengland #englishcountryside #greatbritishcountryside #uktravel #travelblogger
Merry Christmas to all wherever you are in the wor Merry Christmas to all wherever you are in the world! It's been a bit different this year but I hope you've managed to have a good day and get into the festive spirit. I'm just glad that nobody can take away the traditional Christmas Day walk!
How have you spent your day? Have you managed to celebrate as usual or has it been completely different?
.
.
.
#merrychristmas #covidchristmas #christmaswalks #sussexlife #southcoastengland #homesweethome #familytime #travelblogger
This time last year we were in beautiful Samoa, wh This time last year we were in beautiful Samoa, which seems almost impossible now that we're in the UK! 💙
.
We actually had our first experience of lockdown while we were there due to a measles outbreak and a mass vaccination campaign to bring it under control, meaning that we were unable to leave our beach-side accommodation for a few days. 🏖️
.
Little did we know that the word "lockdown" would become part of our daily vocabulary, not just for us but for the whole world!
Or that it wouldn't be all sunbathing and cocktails on the beach... 🍹
.
If you're thinking of taking a break on an island as gorgeous as this once travel opens up again and it's safe to do so, check out my 6+ reasons to add Samoa to your bucket list through the link in my bio. Just hit 'Destinations -> Samoa' 
.
.
.
#samoa #polynesia #pacificislands #beachlockdown #tosua #lalomanubeach #beachsunsets #coupletravelgoals #sunsetcocktails #lookatthosecolours #blueseabluesky #travelblogger #takemeback
Yesterday marked 8 YEARS (!!) since I first left h Yesterday marked 8 YEARS (!!) since I first left home to travel long-term, and it got me thinking of what I had been worrying about all those years ago! 🧳
.
Keeping healthy is usually either something that new travellers worry a lot about, or something that they don't even think about until it's too late. I was the latter. 😬
.
It's easy to fall out of your regular health routine when everything is suddenly so different, but I've updated an article which covers 7 simple ways to stay on top of your health and focus on having the time of your life! ♥️
.
Link in bio!
.
.
.
#stayhealthy #stayhealthywhiletravelling #howtostayhealthywhiletraveling #travelhealth #stayhealthyonholiday #stayhealthyonvacation #hydrateyourself #traveladvice #travelexpert #travelblogger
Climbing Mount Taranaki in New Zealand's North Isl Climbing Mount Taranaki in New Zealand's North Island was one of the toughest experiences I've had on a day hike!
.
Not having hiked for a while, I wasn't at my fittest and it took 12 hours to get up and down this incredibly steep mountain.
.
There were times when I thought I might have to quit, but I persevered and when I reached the top, I was so glad that my determination had pushed me through.
.
I was on top of the world! 
.
Of course, I was only halfway through by that point and the descent was almost as tough as the climb, but it was totally worth it for that sense of accomplishment 💪🏔️
.
I like to remember that feeling when I'm feeling a bit low, to remind myself of what I can achieve if I really put my mind to it!
.
What helps to push you forward when you're feeling a little stuck?
.
Check out my hiking guide for Mount Taranaki through the link in my bio 👆🏻 just look for the New Zealand Hiking section!
.
.
.
#mounttaranaki #mounttaranakisummit #taranaki #egmontnationalpark #travelnewzealand #nztravel #northislandlove #nzmustdo #dayhike #mountainclimber #determinationpaysoff #accomplishyourgoals #nzfinds #keepgoing #theonlywayisup #mttaranakisummittrack
I don’t know about you, but I’m REALLY missing I don’t know about you, but I’m REALLY missing travelling at the moment and it has been getting me down a little 💔
.
It hasn’t helped that the weather has been pretty horrendous recently either ☔️
.
So today, as the rain clouds parted briefly today and the sun came out, I jumped at the chance to get out into nature and remind myself of how pretty my home area is 🍂
.
It really helped clear my mind and made me feel so much better! 🧡
.
What do you do to cheer yourself up when the blues hit?
.
.
.
#dreamnowtravellater #beautifulengland #dorsetlife #autumncolours #exploreyourbackyard #appreciatewhatyouhave #travelblues #uktravel #travelblogger #homeiswhereyourheartis
Are you interested in #solotravel but not sure if Are you interested in #solotravel but not sure if it’s the right decision for you?
.
Head over to @travelmexicosolo and her podcast #dreamtodestination to hear me chatting with Shelley about my solo travel experiences and why I think everyone should try it.
.
Honestly, solo travel transformed my life for the better! Give it a listen and let me know what you think! ✈️
.
.
.
#solotravelisgoodforthesoul #lovetravel #femaletravelinspo #youshouldtravel #travelblogger
I recently had the absolute pleasure of speaking t I recently had the absolute pleasure of speaking to the lovely Shelley at @travelmexicosolo on her awesome podcast #dreamtodestination about solo travel, why I love it and why I think everyone should try it at least once ♥️
.
Head on over to her account to check it out or search Dream to Destination on Spotify, Anchor.fm or Apple Podcasts!
.
.
.
#solotravel #solotraveller #solotraveler #daretotravel #traveltheworld #podcast #lovetravel #travelblogger
Load More… Follow on Instagram
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