As actor and producer Elijah Wood said, “There’s a real purity in New Zealand that doesn’t exist in the States. It’s actually not an easy thing to find in our world anymore. It’s a unique place because it is so far away from the rest of the world. There is a sense of isolation and also being protected.”
He was right.
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Why New Zealand?
If New Zealand is not on your travel bucket list, I highly suggest you add it. As a destination to visit (or live), the natural beauty of New Zealand is unparalleled and unforgettable. Few countries on earth offer towering snowcapped mountains, temperate fern rainforests, volcanoes, fjords, deep blue lakes, sandy beaches, rolling pastures, primo wine-growing regions, and adventures that will knock your socks off—all within a few hours’ drive of any city.
Pure drinking water, locally sourced food, supreme cleanliness, outdoor activities, near-zero crime, a first-world medical system, a non-tipping society, and prices on par or lower than in the U.S. contribute to some of the best quality of life in the world.
The locals are warm and welcoming, and English (along with Māori) is the official language, so you will not have difficulties reading signage or communicating.
Top Places to Explore: North Island
Auckland
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand (pop: 1.7 million) and is located around two large harbors. Due to its far north location, the city offers some of the mildest weather in the country and is typically the starting point for most foreign tourists. In the city center, the iconic Sky Tower houses the highest bar in the country and offers views of Viaduct Harbor, which is full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes. Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, is based around an extinct volcano and is home to the formal Wintergardens. Near downtown, the white sandy Mission Bay Beach has a scenic seaside promenade.
Waiheke Island
If you enjoy wine tasting, fine dining, stunning views, and beautiful beaches, you will not want to miss Waiheke. Just a short 45-60-minute ferry ride from Auckland, you can enjoy the island’s famous robust reds for the day (with 30 boutique wineries) or stay for several days with dozens of accommodation choices spread across the island.
Hobbiton
Middle-earth™ comes to life in the lush green Waikato countryside, where scenes from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed. If you are a fan, this is a must-see when visiting the North Island. The spellbinding tour of the permanent movie set, with its Hobbit holes, Party Tree, and the Green Dragon Inn (where you can sample a pint of Southfarthing Ale), will be sure to create Instagram envy.
Rotorua
Located in the middle of the North Island, Rotorua is popular with both domestic and international tourists looking for rest and rejuvenation. It is known for its geothermal activity and Māori cultural tourism and boasts hot mud pools and geysers, most notably the Pōhutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa. Rotorua's naturally hot and therapeutic waters are perfect for relaxation, health, wellness, and beauty. Here, you will find some of the world's best spa facilities, including the lakeside Polynesian Spa and Hell’s Gate.
Wellington
The eclectic capital of New Zealand, on the far southern tip of the North Island, is surrounded by nature and fueled by artistic energy. Wellington is a compact city with a beautiful waterfront promenade and is considered to have the best mix of culture, history, government, nature, and cuisine. From Lambton Quay, a must-see is the iconic red Wellington Cable Car, which takes you up to the Botanic Gardens with sweeping views of the city and harbor below. Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname "Windy Wellington."
Top Places to Explore: South Island
Christchurch
The largest city on the South Island was thrust onto the world stage after a devastating earthquake in 2011 and again in the 2019 mosque attacks—the country’s worst mass shooting. The locals have a can-do attitude, and the city has come back to life with numerous attractions, including the Botanic Gardens, the refurbished Christchurch Heritage Tram, and the Christchurch Gondola, with sweeping sea and city views.
Franz Josef
This hardy frontier town on the rugged, forested west coast (pop. 530) is situated perfectly for easy, moderate, and challenging fern forest and glacier hikes. The heart-pounding highlight of the region: helicopter rides soaring over the Southern Alps and the shifting blue glaciers of Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman. Inflight Experiences takes you on a 30-minute tour (20 minutes in the air and 10 minutes walking on Tasman Glacier). Afterward, warm up by soaking in a hot water therapy tub in the brisk, fern-forested outdoors. Waiho Hot Tubs offers massive stainless-steel tubs (think of soaking in a wine fermentation tank) for a one-of-a-kind soaking experience.
Wānaka
This charming lakefront resort town on the southern end of Lake Wānaka boasts views of snowcapped mountains and is popular year-round, with nearby wilderness glaciers, alpine lakes, and ski resorts (Treble Cone and Cardrona). If you are not skiing or glacier hiking, it is worth spending time at the Wānaka Lavender Farm. You can roam the fragrant lavender fields, visit exotic farm animals, enjoy outdoor games, and have a spot of tea at the cafe.
Te Anau
Nestled on the edge of the South Island’s largest lake, Te Anau is the stunning stepping-off point for those exploring the wilderness of nearby Fiordland or those wanting to enjoy a place of peace and relaxation. Before your day or overnight trip to Milford Sound, a visit to Te Anau would not be complete without exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. After a boat ride across the lake, you enter the twisted limestone passages, hearing the roar of rushing waterfalls. Once inside, the tour takes you on a small boat into the main grotto in total darkness and silence. Here, you encounter the starry, dripping, glittery display that only the glowworms of New Zealand can produce.
Milford Sound
This jaw-dropping 2-million-year-old feat of nature is considered an unofficial wonder of the world (it is actually a fjord, not a “sound”). The inlet is nearly 10 miles long, with sheer sandstone cliffs, endless waterfalls, rainbows, teeming marine life, and a surrounding lush rainforest. There are various small craft cruises through the calm, deep waters (1,312 ft.), including overnight options. You can research and book on RealNZ. Beware: Milford Sound is one of the rainiest places on earth. But even if you do get wet, remember, this is what keeps the waterfalls flowing and the rainbows forming.
Adventure Activities (Both North and South Islands)
If wine tasting (check out these wine regions: Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago, Gisborne, Nelson, Auckland, and others), hot pool soaking, and botanical gardens are too slow-paced for you, New Zealand delights the outdoorsy types with spectacular adventure activities.
Jetboating: The sheer power of jet boating can be enjoyed by all ages—skimming through narrow passages at heart-pounding speeds.
Bungee Jumping: Not for the faint of heart, this leap of faith involves jumping headfirst from a tall structure (such as a bridge) with an elastic cord tied to your ankles. An adrenaline rush on steroids.
Sky Diving: If a bungee doesn’t bring on enough heat, how about jumping out of an airplane over New Zealand’s stunning landscape at 10,000 feet? No experience is required—just a sense of adventure and trust in your tandem instructor.
Paragliding and Hang-Gliding: They say it is like floating and flying at the same time. And it is more peaceful than the others. Soaring over lakes, mountains, and beaches can’t be beat.
Canyoning: Due to the carving power of glaciers and rivers, plus the movement of tectonic plates, New Zealand offers some of the best deep and scenic canyons in the world—excellent for repelling, jumping, and rafting.
Practical Tips
Best Time to Visit
There is never a bad time to visit New Zealand. Each season has something to offer. Summer (Dec-Feb) is the most popular since you will find the warmest weather at that time. But if you are looking for fewer crowds and lower prices, consider the shoulder seasons of autumn (Mar-May) or spring (Sept-Nov). If you enjoy skiing, winter is your best bet. The ski areas get snow, but most cities, even in the dead of winter, don’t receive much snowfall, so you can still navigate easily.
Places to Stay
If you rent a campervan, there are dozens of holiday parks throughout New Zealand, including in all the towns highlighted in this article. The North or South Island campsite guide is a great place to start planning.
We chose the vacation home rental route since we had a group of friends traveling together. There are many rental options in each of the towns on both Airbnb and VRBO. These are highly trafficked tourist areas seasonally, so there are also myriad hotels/motels from which to choose.
What to Pack
New Zealand is a very casual, outdoorsy country. You will likely encounter cooler temps on this itinerary any season, so be sure to bring sweaters, jeans, and jackets. Layers are key since mornings and evenings are cool, but summer daytime temps can get into the 70s F. Hiking boots are not necessary (they take up a lot of room in your suitcase); a good pair of rubber-soled shoes or hybrids are enough unless you plan to do some extreme hiking. Bring a sun hat and sunblock—the sun is surprisingly strong even in the off-season.
Travel Documents
You will need three months’ validity on your passport from the departure date leaving NZ. You also need to fill out the form for a NZeTA—New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority—in advance of landing. If you want to save time at the airport when you arrive, you can also fill out the Travel Declaration Form. Both are easy to complete online. Be sure to declare everything, including prescription drugs and spices. Marijuana products are illegal. The government is very careful about the introduction of anything into the islands, including dirt on your shoes.
There are no vaccinations required, and you no longer need a COVID-19 vaccine card to enter.
How to Get Around
Renting a car is easy at any airport with all the typical brands and a dozen local off-site budget companies (we used Mode Rentals). For an extra fee, you can drop off at a different location.
Campervans are also a popular mode of transportation, and several companies offer plans so you can travel and stay all in one neat little package. We found Jucy to be one of the most popular names on the road, but you can also search through the NZ Campervan Finder site.
Remember that New Zealand is a left-side driving country. I recommend requesting an automatic transmission from the rental car company for less stressful driving. It is easy to get used to following along with the traffic. Be sure to have a mapping app and data. You can buy an inexpensive NZ SIM card upon arrival at the airport.
Accessibility
From hotel rooms to public restrooms, wheelchair-friendly trails, accessible public transport, and rental cars, the rights of the disabled are protected. New Zealand is much closer to ADA standards for accessibility than most countries. There are also tour companies such as Ability Adventures, which specialize in enabled New Zealand holidays. Whether booking a complete tour or a self-driving one, they can help with planning.
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