Kiwis are known the world over as intrepid travellers, yet when it comes to long weekend getaways almost two thirds (64 per cent) of New Zealanders prefer a 'staycation' at home.
According to a recent study the main reasons for staying at home on weekends was to relax (38 per cent) and almost one in three (31 per cent) were “too busy doing chores” to get away on weekends.
However, of those who say they planned to stay home on the next long weekend, many still have aspirations for a great New Zealand road trip, with 40 per cent saying they would like to experience the iconic drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound and 39 per cent nominating the West Coast of the South Island as their dream drive.
The research, conducted by Budget New Zealand which analysed a wide range of travel trends, found Kiwis were avid road trippers with almost three million people (62 per cent) doing a roadie within New Zealand in the past year.
“Just because they are staying at home doesn’t mean they want to. They want to travel and explore this beautiful country,” says general manager at Budget New Zealand Bruce Vincer.
“The winter months are a prime example of this with thousands of New Zealanders hitting the ski slopes in both the North and South Islands. But Kiwis being Kiwis, they are equally content relaxing and hanging out in their own backyard and travelling to different parts of the region they live in.”
The survey of more than 1000 Kiwis found the drive from Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and through the Mackenzie region was New Zealand’s most popular road trip (39 per cent), narrowly beating Te Anau to Milford Sound and Christchurch to Queenstown (both 38 per cent).
Aucklanders preferred to stay closer to home with the Auckland to Cape Reinga road trip top of the list (44 per cent) followed closely by the drive from Christchurch to Queenstown.
Almost a quarter of Kiwis (22 per cent) are likely to hire a car when going on a road trip holiday around the country, with almost a third (31 per cent) of 25-34 years olds doing so.
The research also delved into what factors are important to New Zealanders when choosing a holiday destination.
More than a quarter (27 per cent) chose a holiday destination based on its photographic potential. This number was higher for Millennials at 34 per cent and 13 per cent of this generational group chose a holiday spot based on how good it will look on social media.
Nearly half (49 per cent) of Millennials say their ideal holiday location had to have adventurous activities compared to just 18 per cent of Baby Boomers who would much rather look for nice weather (55 per cent).
More than half of Kiwis (53 per cent) chose a holiday destination to escape the regular nine-to-five of everyday life, with 44 per cent favouring a cheap destination and 54 pe cent saying weather is the most important factor.
