New Zealand is, without question, one of the most breathtaking countries on earth and personally my favorite country in the world. Located in the remote South Pacific, the country is made up of two main islands: the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu). Packed into these two small islands is a wide range of the most magnificent landscapes in the world including active volcanoes, pristine fjords, alpine glaciers, golden beaches, rolling green farmland and geothermal hot springs. I can't even begin to explain how incredible the landscapes are there.
The magic of New Zealand comes from its remote location deep in the Southern Hemisphere. Even its closest neighbor, Australia, is a 3-hour flight away. Both the wildlife and nature of New Zealand developed in isolation from the rest of the world with the first humans arriving in New Zealand as late as the 13th century. This is what makes the landscapes and wildlife so unique (especially the cute little kiwi bird!). At times, it even felt like I was on another planet.
Whether you're an avid hiker, an adrenaline junkie, or just looking to soak in some of the most jaw-dropping scenery on earth, New Zealand has something for everyone. A few things worth knowing before you go:
- Nature > Cities - The magic of New Zealand is in its breathtaking landscapes. The cities and towns are pleasant, but not particularly impressive. Plan your trip around the outdoor activities and hikes
- Culture - Besides small differences like driving on the left side of the road and sayings like sweet as, New Zealand is a very comfortable, familiar place to travel. You’ll find that Kiwis are some of the most friendly and laid-back people in the world. The country has also done a wonderful job at embracing local Māori culture if you’re looking for a more unique cultural experience
- Cost - New Zealand is an expensive place to travel, comparable to traveling in the U.S., Canada or Western Europe. However, there are ways to save money including buying groceries, camping or renting a campervan
- Type of Experience - There are many ways to experience New Zealand ranging from staying in fancy ski resorts, backpacking for weeks on end or even living out of a campervan. If you're looking for a more social experience, I'd recommend the Kiwi Bus — a hop-on hop-off bus that connects all the major stops. I've written about my experience in detail here.
This travel guide covers everything you need to know before visiting New Zealand and lays out a suggested 21-day itinerary covering both islands with honest takes on what's worth your time and what you can skip.
What to know before visiting New Zealand
Being in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are flipped. Best time to visit is the summer (December to February) for warm weather and long days or conversely during the Ski Season (June to October)
3-4 weeks to cover both islands at a comfortable pace; you could spend up to 6 months exploring the country
New Zealand is an expensive country to travel. You can get by on USD $50–80/day as a budget traveler; mid-range travelers should expect NZ$150–250/day
The NZeTA (a simplified visa) is required for many nationalities including the U.S., U.K., EU and Australia. Citizens of other countries may need a full visa
Fly into Auckland (AKL) for the North Island and Queenstown (ZQN) or Christchurch (CHC) for the South Island
Rent a car or campervan if you want to explore at your own pace. InterCity buses connect major towns, domestic flights save time between islands, and the Kiwi Bus if you're looking for a social backpacking experience
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the official currency. Cards are accepted everywhere so you won't need cash
English and Māori are the official languages. You'll encounter Māori in place names, greetings and signs throughout the country
Why Visit New Zealand?
There are many reasons why New Zealand is my favorite country and why I commonly recommend it to my family and friends looking for their next adventure. It was actually the first country I recommended to my parents after coming home from a year of travel! If I were to narrow down the three main reasons that set New Zealand apart, they would be:
- Beauty and Diversity of the Landscape— If I could only give one answer, this would be it! I was absolutely blown away by the nature in New Zealand, unlike anywhere else I've ever been. The best example of this is the Tongariro Crossing hike. In just eight hours: I started by hiking in a barren lava field covered in black volcanic ash, then climbed along a misty rim of an active volcano, admired blue-green volcanic pools, walked on hard orange clay (which felt like I was walking on Mars) and then appeared in a lush green rainforest. There's a reason why fantasy movies like Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia were all filmed here
- Comfort and Familiarity — New Zealand is a very comfortable place to travel with a lot of the creature comforts of home and is consistently ranked as one of the top three safest countries in the world. As a Westerner or English speaker, there is no sense of culture shock. The familiarity and comfort of New Zealand makes it the type of destination where you can spend months and also suitable for all types of travelers including families or less adventurous travelers. Beyond that, Kiwis are extremely friendly and will go out of their way to strike up a conversation or help you if you're lost
- Adventure Capital — There is no shortage of adventure sports in New Zealand. Whether it is bungee jumping, skydiving, white-water rafting, heli-skiing or jet boating, you'll find it offered somewhere on these two islands. Queenstown actually invented modern adventure tourism and the country has been pushing the boundaries of adventure ever since
Top Things to Do
The hardest part about visiting New Zealand is deciding what to do. After three weeks in the country, I felt like I barely scratched the surface. Here are the top five experiences from my time in the country:
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing — probably the best hike I've ever done. This 19 km (or 12 mile) one-way crossing takes 7–9 hours to complete. It traverses the rim of an active volcano through six distinct ecosystems in a single day. Emerald crater lakes, steaming vents, black volcanic lava fields and sweeping mountain views that are genuinely unlike anything else. You can either drive here or arrange a shuttle from the nearby town of Taupo
- Milford Sound — located in the far southern part of New Zealand, Milford Sound is often called the eighth natural wonder of the world. It is defined by a narrow fjord flanked by sheer cliff faces with massive ten-story waterfalls cascading from all sides. The best way to experience it is a scenic boat ride through the sound. The area gets rain about 300 days a year so it is almost impossible to plan for a sunny day. Wet days actually make the waterfalls stronger, so don't let the weather put you off
- Franz Josef Heli-Hike — this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience: getting suited up in climbing gear, taking a specialized helicopter through the mountains and up to the glacier and then following our guide across the massive 12-kilometer glacier. The breathtaking view of the Southern Alps from the helicopter combined with the deep blue glow of the ice formations was absolutely incredible. For safety reasons, the activity is highly weather-dependent and can be canceled with little notice so keep your schedule flexible
- White Water Rafting in Rotorua — it should be no surprise by now that the highest-grade (aka most dangerous) white water rafting in the world is located in New Zealand. If you're looking for an adrenaline fix, this is the place to go, especially when you hit the 8-meter waterfall drop on one of the runs
- Hobbiton Movie Set — located in a small town on the North Island between Auckland and Rotorua, Hobbiton is a magnet for all fans of the Lord of the Rings series worldwide. Even if you haven't seen the movies, it was a fascinating look behind the scenes of moviemaking and the sheer dedication to detail was impressive. Look for the two million dollar tree that was recreated for the Hobbit movie!
The Route: Suggested 21 Day Itinerary
Three weeks is the ideal amount of time to explore both islands without feeling rushed. The itinerary below starts in Auckland, works its way through the North Island from Coromandel, Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo, crosses to the South Island by ferry, and ends in Queenstown (the most common exit point for international flights from the South Island). This route takes into account transit times and only includes this highlights from my time in New Zealand.
Hobbiton — For some, this may be the main reason you're visiting the country. Originally a sheep farm outside the small town of Matamata, the Shire set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit is home to 44 unique Hobbit holes (cute little Hobbit homes). The surrounding area is very serene and peaceful adding to the fantastical feel of Hobbiton. Even if you haven't seen the movies, I still highly recommend visiting to get a peak behind one of the most expensive movie productions in history, costing over $[ ] to build. You can even go inside some of the Hobbit holes and be sure to make a stop at the Green Dragon Inn at the end to have some [Hobbit beer]!
White water rafting — Rotorua has the highest-grade white water in the world that you can do as an amateur. The highlight is an 8-meter waterfall drop on the main run. I went with [Name of company] and they were highly professional. Highly recommended, especially if you only do one adventure activity on the North Island.
Kuirau Park — this is a set of geothermal hot springs located right in the middle of town, with bubbling mud pools, steam vents and pools of boiling water. The view of the steam rising from the geysers was absolutely incredible at sunset. I preferred it over Te Puia, the more famous geyser in Rotorua.
There is also much more to see including the Rotorua Government Gardens and the Kiwi Hatchery. I've written in much more detail in my [Ulimate Rotorua Guide].
Tongariro Alpine Crossing is probably the best hike I've ever done. This 19 km one-way trail takes 7–9 hours and crosses the rim of an active volcano through six completely different ecosystems in a single day, from dense bush to barren lava fields to volcanic tundra. The emerald-coloured crater lakes, the steaming vents and the scale of the volcanic landscape are breathtaking. Note that sections of the trail have loose gravel and can be sketchy in bad weather. Make sure you're wearing appropriate shoes and check conditions carefully. You can arrange a shuttle with [Trekkers] from Taupo that drops you at one end of the trail and picks you up at the other.
On the second day, stop at the famous Huka Falls, known for its bright blue color and the fact that six Olympic swimming pools worth of water flow through it every second! It only takes 20 minutes to visit, but is 100% worth the detour. In the evening, the sunset sail on Lake Taupo is a great way to wind down. You sail past enormous Māori rock carvings on the cliff face of the lake that are only visible from the water. And if you need a dinner, Taupo is home to the only McDonald's in the world located in an airplane!
Routeburn Track — is one of New Zealand's Great Walks which stretches for [ ] miles. It takes [ ] days to do the full trek. Located only 1.5 hours away from Queenstown, the start of the trek is easily accessible and follows a stream of bright turquoise water straight from the glaciers leading to waterfalls, black mountain lakes, stone mountain huts and eventually snowcapped peaks. The hike is also possible as a day hike ([from the parking lot ot Harris Saddle]), which is a great out-and-back.
For adventure sports, Queenstown has everything: skydiving (you can see both ends of New Zealand from the air), bungee jumping at the highest commercial point in the Southern Hemisphere, the gondola up to Skyline for views over the lake and town, and a luge back down the hill from the gondola.
If you have extra time or want to extend the route, a few places worth knowing about. I've included links to other guides so you can do more research and craft an itinerary that works for you:
- Roy's Peak — a sunrise hike with extraordinary orange and purple light over the lake from the summit
- Kaikōura — the whale watching capital of New Zealand on the east coast. Sperm whales are spotted year-round and the town has one of the highest concentrations of dolphins and whales in the world
- Bay of Islands — a subtropical bay three hours north of Auckland with 144 islands and white sand beaches
- Aoraki / Mount Cook — New Zealand's highest peak at 3724m. The Hooker Valley Track is one of the best accessible alpine hikes in the country
When to Visit
New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are the reverse of North America and Europe. The best time to visit is during the New Zealand summer (December to February), when temperatures are warmest, the days are longest and most activities and trails are fully open. That said, this is also peak tourist season. Accommodation books up quickly for December and January, particularly in Queenstown and around the Milford Sound area.
The shoulder seasons of October to November and March to April are excellent alternatives. Expect fewer crowds, lower prices and still good weather. Winter (June to August) brings snow to the mountains and is prime ski season in Queenstown and Wanaka, making it a great time to visit if winter sports are your thing. However, many of the hiking trails will be closed during the winter.
Getting There
New Zealand is a long, long way from almost anywhere so it is worth planning to stay for at least a few weeks. From the U.S., the flight is about 12–20 hours depending on if you're flying direct and coming from the West or East Coast. From Europe, expect a flight time of 24–28 hours including one or two layovers. Even from its nearest neighbor, Australia, expect a 3-hour flight from Sydney or Melbourne. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar are the main carriers to look out for when flying into New Zealand.
Auckland International Airport (AKL) is the main international gateway, with connections to most major hubs worldwide. Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is also a good entry point if you plan to start your trip on the South Island. One useful option if you're doing both the North and South Island is to fly into Auckland and fly out of Queenstown (or vice versa). This avoids backtracking and works out well with the 21-day itinerary above.
Getting Around
Getting around New Zealand is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip. The roads are excellent, the scenery is extraordinary and the distances are manageable. Here are your main options:
- Rental Car — this is the most flexible option. The roads are well-maintained and there is very little traffic relative to most countries (New Zealand is mostly populated by sheep!). The only thing to note is Kiwis drive on the left
- Kiwi Experience — this is a bright green hop-on, hop-off bus that runs a few different routes connecting all the major stops on both islands. I did this and highly recommend it, particularly for solo travelers. New Zealand hostels tend not to be very social on their own, so the Kiwi Experience is where you'll actually meet people. They help coordinate lodging and excursions while you still maintain the flexibility of choosing how long you want to stay in each destination
- Campervan / RV — van life is enormously popular in New Zealand. A great option if you want total flexibility and don't mind the van life experience
- Interislander Ferry — the scenic three-hour ferry between Wellington and Picton passes through the Marlborough Sounds, connecting the North and South Island. You can either book individual passenger or vehicle tickets. Book your tickets through Interislander or Bluebridge
- Domestic Flights — Air New Zealand runs frequent services between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. A good option if you're short on time and can be cheaper than the ferry when booked in advance
Budget Breakdown
New Zealand is not a cheap destination by any measure. Expect prices to be similar to traveling in the U.S. or Western Europe. That said, it is possible to travel on a budget if you stay in hostel dorms, buy groceries, rent a campervan or prioritize free natural attractions (of which there are many).
Safety
New Zealand consistently ranks as one of the top three safest countries in the world, making it one of the most welcoming destinations for travelers. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare and the country is always in the top ten on the Global Peace Index. As a visitor, you are likely safer in New Zealand than you are at home so there is nothing to worry about!
Unlike Australia where everything is trying to kill you, New Zealand famously has no snakes, bears, wolves or other predators. If you're planning multi-day hikes in the wilderness: carry appropriate gear, check weather forecasts and respect trail closures. The Department of Conservation (DOC) website is the essential planning resource for any outdoor activity in New Zealand.
Visa Requirements
Citizens of many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada and Australia, do not require a visa for stays up to 90 days in New Zealand. However, most visitors do require a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), which must be obtained before departure. The NZeTA costs $17 NZD ($10 USD) via the app or $23 NZD ($14 USD) via the website, and is valid for multiple trips over two years. Visitors must also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of $35 NZD when applying for the NZeTA.
Citizens of other countries, including China, India and many others, require a standard visitor visa. Processing times and requirements vary, so check the Immigration New Zealand website well in advance of your trip.
When you enter the country, be prepared for extremely strict biosecurity entry inspections to protect its ecosystem. Make sure to clean all your outdoor equipment and declare any food items. The guards at the Auckland Airport even inspected the bottom of my shoes!
Currency
New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar (NZD), often abbreviated as NZ$. At the time of writing, NZ$1 is worth approximately USD $0.60 or GBP £0.47, though exchange rates fluctuate.
NZD
Cards are accepted virtually everywhere in New Zealand. It is one of the most cashless societies in the world and you will rarely need physical notes except at some remote farm shops or market stalls. Most ATMs are widely available in all towns.
Language
If you're this far into the guide... you probably already know that English is spoken in New Zealand. However, New Zealand actually has two official languages: English and Māori (te reo Māori).
New Zealand has done a great job of preserving and respecting the Māori language and culture. You'll notice Māori names and signage everywhere throughout the country. Many of the country's most iconic place names are Māori: Aotearoa (New Zealand), Aoraki (Mount Cook), Rotorua, Whanganui, Taranaki.
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