Travel Tips and Highlights for New Zealand
New Zealand is majestic. The easiest way to describe this country, plain and simple, is breathtaking. International flights will mostly drop you into New Zealand’s most populous city, Auckland. You can use this as a base for the north island but don’t overlook all of the amazing scenery and sites the rest of the country has to offer. With a population of 5.2 Million (very friendly) people and a total land area of 264,537 sq km, this country is roughly the size of the US state of Colorado. The amazing thing about New Zealand is that it offers a bit of everything in such a compact space: cosmopolitan cities, amazing mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes, the iconic Lord of The Rings sites, stately national parks, geothermal attractions (like thermal baths and spas), beaches, wildlife, and of course delicious wineries offering their iconic sauvignon blanc. If you are an adrenaline junkie, head down to Queenstown for bungee jumping, paragliding, and skydiving. There is truly something for everyone. You will want to take some time to experience both islands and all New Zealand has to offer.
Looking for a more in-depth guide? Check out our 12 Day Road Trip Blog!
Below is our map of places we visited in New Zealand and our south island road trip:
🎒 Quick Travel Tips for New Zealand: What You Need to Know Before You Go!
Planning a trip to New Zealand? We've got you covered with quick, essential tips to help you make the most of your adventure. Here are some essentials you need to know before you pack your bags!
When to Visit New Zealand
Best Time to Go: New Zealand is beautiful year-round, but if you want to experience the warmer, longer days, then November to April is the best time to visit, with peak season being December - February. If you go in New Zealand’s springtime, you can catch blooming flowers like the colorful lupins at Lake Tekapo. If you go in Autumn, you can catch some wonderful fall foliage. If you are looking for skiing and snowboarding then head down to Queenstown in the winter time to visit the Remarkables mountain range.
Weather Tip: In the summertime, the weather averages in the high 70’s F in Auckland down to the low 70’s F in Queenstown. The weather is extremely pleasant during the day but can cool off a bit a night, so be sure to bring some layers like a light weight jacket. Make sure to bring great walking shoes as well. If you are thinking of checking out the amazing wineries, it’s a good idea to bring a summer dress for women and a polo for men as the dress is smart casual. If you are planning on traversing any of the picturesque hiking trails in the mountains, definitely bring layers, a light weight backpack, and good sturdy hiking shoes. The mountains and lakes can bring changing weather, so be prepared for rain and cool air that may move in. If you are exploring the lake districts and mountain ranges during the late shoulder seasons (early Spring or late Autumn) then be prepared for potential snow flurries, especially down in Queenstown.
Getting Around New Zealand
🚇 Transportation: New Zealand has good public transportation within the big cities of Auckland and Wellington. Public buses are the main way to get around the cities, but New Zealand also has a train service between major cities, and a ferry service between the North and South islands. If you are looking to travel around New Zealand extensively you will want to opt for a rental car or take a tour. After exploring the north island via public transit and tours, we took a flight from Auckland into Blenheim and rented a car to road trip around the south island.
🚕 Taxis & Ride Shares: Taxis and ride share services are easily accessible in the main cities. If you are looking to explore and get around Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or Queenstown, Uber and DiDi ride shares are available with plenty of options. If interested in exploring the mountains or lakes, then you will definitely want to opt for a rental car. Otherwise, if you are exploring the major cities, Uber and DiDi are great ways to get around.
🚶 Walkability: The major towns of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown are all very walkable. The main central business districts have plenty of restaurants, shopping, and attractions. There are plenty of parks and harbor walks around both Auckland and Queenstown that are fantastic for enjoying the scenery.
🏞️Don’t miss in New Zealand:
North Island
Sky Tower in Auckland
Take a Ferry from Auckland to the island of Waiheke for great beaches and wineries
Hobbiton to explore the famous filming location for Lord of the Rings
Rotorua spa town
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland to see the unique geothermal landscape
South Island
Wine tasting in Marlborough to enjoy the award winning sauvignon blanc
Take a kayak tour in Kaikōura for sweeping views and paddle around the seal colony
Visit Lake Tekapo for the night sky and alpine scenery
Pro Tip: Visit in November/early December to witness the lupins bloom
Hike Hooker Valley Track at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Visit the beautiful city of Queenstown and Lake Wānaka
Milford Sound and Fiordland - take a boat ride around the sound and enjoy the towering peaks, waterfalls, and sea life
Pro Tip: Take a scenic flight from Milford Sound back to Queenstown
Favorite Eats & Drinks & Stays in New Zealand
🍽️ Must-Try Eateries:
in Auckland:
White + Wongs
in Waiheke:
Aperitivo Balcony Bar
in Blenheim:
Harvest Restaurant Blenheim
Eat Thai Restaurant
In Christchurch
Copenhagen Bakery
In Lake Tekapo
TLV Restaurant and Bar
In Queenstown:
Tatsumi Modern Japanese Dining
🍹 Drinks & Nightlife:
Boom Town Brewery in Blenheim for delicious craft beer with food trucks
Framingham Wines: Relaxing outdoor area with beanbags
Cloudy Bay Vineyards: They offer a small food menu and a huge outdoor space
Beech Tree pub in Queenstown offering craft beer, a food menu, and board games
🏘️ Stay:
Auckland: Cordis, Auckland
Blenheim: 14th Lane Urban Hotel
Waipara: Black Estate B&B at Black Estate Winery
Lake Tekapo: Grand Suites Lake Tekapo
Aoraki/Mount Cook: The Hermitage Hotel
Queenstown: The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments
Quick Tips & Hacks for New Zealand
Currency: New Zealand Dollar. Almost all vendors take Credit Card, but if you plan on shopping at local shops outside of the cities, cash is good to have on hand.
Language: English and Maori
Arrival: For most people, there are two main visitor visas you can choose from: the NZeTA or the Visitor Visa. Make sure to complete your visa application in advance. If you are planning to complete the Visa on arrival using the NZeTA make sure you verify that your country is listed as a visa waiver country.
Ready to road trip around New Zealand? We hope these travel tips will make your adventure awesome! If you want to read more about our full experience, check out the full blog post: .