Updated: 12/4/20 | December 4th, 2020
New Zealand is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. With its snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, rolling hills, and copious amounts of wine, it’s a destination unlike all others.
Tucked away in the corner of the world, it’s a country that requires some planning to visit. Flights here aren’t cheap, after all. Round-trip flights from the US are almost always over $1,000 USD and the journey takes upwards of 23 hours.
And even when you arrive, the country itself is far from being budget-friendly.
Yet even with that in mind, it’s a destination I never get tired of visiting. New Zealand is worth every penny if you ask me.
While it has seen a boom in tourism in recent years, New Zealand is still the beautiful and unspoiled country I first visited many years ago.
Christchurch has recovered from its earthquakes and now a hip place to be; Wanaka is still offers incredible hiking; the glaciers were just as mind-blowing as ever; the forests still home to wonderful walks; and Kiwis just as fun and friendly as ever.
In short, if New Zealand isn’t on your travel list it should be.
To help you plan your trip, here are my favorite places to visit and things to do in New Zealand that you shouldn’t miss:
1. Explore Abel Tasman National Park
Stepping into Abel Tasman is in some ways like stepping into Thailand. The beautiful beaches and azure water feel like they belong in the tropics, not New Zealand. The hiking is beautiful, with giant ferns, huge, lush trees, and a temperate climate. It’s also home to the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk, a 60km hike and one of the 9 Great Walks of New Zealand.
If you want to explore the park beyond its hiking trails, rent a kayak. This will let you visit the tiny coves and beaches that make the area so special. Rentals cost 60 NZD per day.
The park is best as an overnight or multi-day trip as it’s too far from Nelson to really do it justice in a day trip.
2. Glacier Trekking on Fox and Franz Josef
Everyone visits Franz Josef for one reason: the glaciers. Hiking the glaciers here lives up to the hype and is an unforgettable experience. Because the glaciers have receded and are melting quickly due to climate change, the glacier caves and walks have been shut down.
At present, the only way to trek on the glaciers now is via heli-hike (a half-day or full-day helicopter/hiking experience). They are expensive (485-499 NZD) but the helicopter ride, trekking, and whole experience are worth the price in my opinion.
Conversely, you can just go on a helicopter tour without the hiking (they last about twenty minutes and cost around 200 NZD) or just hike to the glacier face and take photos from a distance.
No matter what option you choose, pass through this area while you make your way down the South Island. You won’t regret it!
3. Do an Extreme Sport
New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world, where most people blow their budget on a wide range of exciting activities, from bungy jumping to skydiving to white-water rafting.
There are a million activities to choose from: you can skydive basically anywhere; Queenstown is home to Shotover jets (rocket-like boats that zip on shallow rivers), ziplines, and bungy jumps; and there’s caving, zorbing, transalpine hiking, paragliding, and so much more. If it can be done outdoors, it can be done in New Zealand.
Here are some prices for activities to help you budget and plan:
- Bungy jump – 150-220 NZD
- White-water rafting – 120-200 NZD
- Zorbing – 105 NZD
- Skydiving – 350-550 NZD
- Paragliding – 205 NZD
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, don’t miss the Nevis Bungy Jump — it’s the highest in the country!
4. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Considered the best day hike in all of New Zealand, the track takes you to where they filmed Mordor in The Lord of the Rings. The 19.4 km walk is easy in parts (the beginning and end) and steep in others (especially the portion after “Mount Doom”) so you’ll get a good mix of difficulty levels. It’s also one of the Great Walks of New Zealand.
However, even if you aren’t a strong hiker (and I am not), the Tongariro Crossing is easily completed in a day (it usually takes between 6-8 hours). Trekking through this otherworldly, red-colored environment of volcanoes and sulfur was the highlight of my whole time in New Zealand.
Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, toilet paper, and a sweater or jacket (the weather can change rapidly)
5. Learn About Maori culture
Maoris were the original inhabitants of New Zealand, arriving from Polynesia between 1320-1350. I’ve loved learning about their history and culture (especially after seeing the movie Whale Rider. It’s incredible. Watch it!) They are a friendly and proud people, and there wasn’t one Maori person I met who I didn’t love.
Rotorua is usually the best city to see Maori cultural shows, though there are other noteworthy sites around the country, including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Tane Mahuta, and the Te Papa museum in Wellington.
Shows usually last around 2.5- hours and include a tour of a traditional village, performances, and a meal. Tickets range from 99-150 NZD.
6. Don’t Miss Wellington
Everyone talks about Auckland (which, contrary to popular belief, is not the capital), but the real magic takes place in Wellington (which is the capital). The architecture and eclectic vibe give this city a funky personality. Wellington is a city with character.
It has a popping nightlife, tons of art galleries and cafés, a beautiful harbor (that is best seen from Mount Victoria, which overlooks the entire city), and is easily walkable. Be sure to hit some of the museums like the Museum of Wellington, Te Papa, and the Great War Exhibition.
7. Check Out the Glow Worms
Definitely one of the coolest things I did while in New Zealand, the Waitomo glow worm cave is hyped and touristy but still amazing. You walk or abseil down into darkness and float down the (very cold) river while staring up at caverns covered in “lights.” It’s like looking at the stars — but (spoiler alert) they are actually gnats that glow due to a chemical reaction as they attract food.
I found the three-hour trip long enough, but if you like to abseil, you should consider the five-hour version. This experience is one of my most lasting memories of my trip.
Tickets cost around 150 NZD for the 3-hour rafting trip and 260 NZD for the 5-hour trip. If you just want to walk around the caves and see the glowworms, tickets cost around 55 NZD.
8. Hang Out in Queenstown
Everyone hypes Queenstown. Everyone. And it lives up to the hype — and then some!
The city has such a feisty and outdoorsy energy to it. Even though it has become hugely popular and filled with people, I cannot express my love of Queenstown enough. It’s surrounded by beautiful peaks, has narrow streets and pedestrian lanes filled with shops and restaurants, a spectacular lake, tons of trails and parks, and Queenstown Hill watching over the city like a benevolent overlord.
This is one of the best spots in the country to do an extreme sport (bungy, skydive, shotover jet, etc), take a wine tour, or just chill out on a nearby beach.
9. Visit Hobbiton
If you’re a The Lord of the Rings junkie, New Zealand is a must. This is where they did all the filming, and throughout the country, you can take Lord of the Rings tours and visit Fangorn Forest, Gondor, and where Frodo destroys the one ring. Most of the sets have been taken down, but a bit of the Shire and some of the hobbit houses still remain on the North Island.
To see Hobbiton, you’ll have to take a tour. Tours last around 2 hours and cost 89 NZD for adults and 44 NZD for kids under 16.
10. Explore Fiordland
Located in the southwesternmost part of New Zealand (and also home to numerous Lord of the Rings film locations), the Fiordland region is considered one of the country’s most scenic and remote. Filled with gigantic mountains, deep lakes, swelling rivers, untamed forests, and resplendent fjords, most of it has never been set upon by man. Save a few places where boats and planes can go, the government has made the land off-limits, ensuring that that will be the case for a long time to come.
This region is home to the majestic Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the Milford and Keppler Tracks, and lots of camping and hiking opportunities. If you want to experience New Zealand’s nature away from the crowds, come here.
11. Discover Stewart Island
Tiny, out-of-the-way Stewart Island lies off the South Island at the very, very bottom of New Zealand. It’s a place where Kiwis have their summer homes and go to escape the hustle and bustle of, well, I guess Auckland (there’s not too much hustle and bustle in New Zealand). The town has maybe a dozen buildings; the coastline dotted with private homes and boats.
Come here to see dolphins and do some single-day or multiday treks. If you aren’t into hiking, you don’t need more than a day or two here, unless you really want some peace and quiet, then stay forever.
12. Chill Out in Christchurch
Though severely damaged by earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 (over 185 people were killed and 3,000 buildings were damaged), Christchurch has rebounded and evolved into a brand-new city. The old Christchurch felt really stale to me but this new one is really on the up. It has a new-found sense of hope and vibrancy, funky bars, more markets, new restaurants, shops, and exhibits. Locals are really using this chance to make a better Christchurch. It’s a brand new day for the city and I love where it is going.
If you’ll be there for a few days, be sure to check out Canterbury Museum, which has a detailed replica of the city during the Victorian era; and Quake City, an interactive museum dedicated to the 2010-11 earthquakes. Don’t miss riding the gondola into the nearby hills for a sweeping view of the city as well!
13. Drink Copious Amounts of Wine
New Zealand is famous for wine, producing some of the best whites the world has to offer. If you like wine, be sure to take a tour in Otago (it’s located on the South Island and known for its pinot), Hawkes Bay (North Island), or Marlborough (known for sauvignon blancs and located on the South Island).
There are lots of biking trails around the wine regions as well, so you can drink and cycle around (which is better than drinking and driving!). It’s also much cheaper than paying for a guided tour (which costs around 85-250 NZD depending on the region and tour length). The Gibbston River Trail, an 11km walking and biking path near Queenstown crosses through a number of vineyards and is a fun way to explore and sample some of the area’s best vintages.
If it’s not clear from this list, I love New Zeland. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world and I never get tired of going back.
And, while these may be my thirteen favorite things to see and do in New Zealand, this list only scratches the surface. There’s also the Bay of Islands, Raglan for surfing, the Coromandel, Dunedin for beer, Wanaka and Mt. Cook for hiking, Hammer Springs for hot springs, and, well, you get the idea. There’s a lot here. You’re never going to be bored, especially if you love the outdoors.
There’s a reason travelers never have anything bad to say about the country.
Book Your Trip to New Zealand: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
If you’re looking for more places to stay, here is a complete list of my favorite hostels in New Zealand.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on New Zealand?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on New Zealand for even more planning tips!
Photo credit: 8 – 2il org, 12 – mikigroup
Nadia Ahmad Kamal
Thanks for pointing out the best of New Zealand, Matt! I enjoyed this post. I will be going to New Zealand (one of the must-visit countries this year for me!) this June/July to visit a friend who’s living in Auckland, and he suggests that we go skiing at Mt. Ruapehu. 🙂
Brian
Thanks for sharing the pics. Hard to believe thee are so many different outdoor experiences in such a small country. Beaches and glaciers, unbelievable.
Stephanie
I have been reading up on New Zealand as I am planning to visit next October and I am just so impressed with all of the natural beauty there! I can’t wait to see it myself.
Are you going to write about your experiences with the hop on hop off bus? I’d be interested to know how that went for you.
Gen
Hey Stephanie! How long will you be in NZ? I didn’t do the hop on/hop off bus because it’s extremely easy, affordable, practical (and I think preferable) in this country to buy a car or campervan when you get there and sell it when you leave. If you’re only going for a week or two this might not be worth it, but any longer than that and I would say it is, especially if you’re traveling with others and can split the cost.
For example, I picked up a beautiful, fully-loaded 2-year-old Toyota Camry for $1100 NZD and sold it 9 months and the entire country top-to-bottom later for…$1100 NZD. I never could have (or would have!) afforded that car back home. It was awesome.
The campervans are a great and popular option too depending on what time of year you go. Either way, having your own set of wheels to explore NZ is an excellent way to do it.
(But that being said…just go! You could go through NZ on your hands and knees and still have a blast. :))
Stephanie
I’m planning about three weeks in NZ, traveling solo. Not really long enough to go through the hassle of buying a car (not to mention mastering stick shift). I’m still rather loathe to do one of the hop on hop offs because I feel like they are a very touristy experience. Right now I’m leaning towards taking public buses to get around but I’ll be interested to hear Matt’s opinion.
Marie
I’ve lived in NZ for 12 years and can categorically say you can’t buy a 2 yr old vehicle here for NZD1100 unless it’s nicked. Travelling by public buses is possible but they are few and outside of the main centres infrequent, particularly on the South Island. You’d need more than 3 weeks and they won’t go to anywhere except towns so you’d need to combine it with hitchhiking to get to many sights. Hitchhiking is safe and easy. I have my own van so no need to do it but I did hitchhike Auckland to Wellington at the end of last year and it felt very safe. That said of course it has some risk and personally I would not hitchhike on my own but I have given rides to solo women hitchhikers
NomadicMatt
yes! Hostels and buses are over the next few weeks.
Daniel
No question that NZ offers more environmentally (especially geographically, maybe not in terms of fauna) in a smaller area than perhaps any other place in the world. It’s pretty unique when you can glacier hike and surf not very far apart!
But what’s with all the sheep, : ) ?!
NomadicMatt
I saw a beer called “Sheep Shaggers Brew.” It’s one of my favorite photos from the trip because of the comedy factor.
jim
Did you try it? Or were you afraid of the message you were sending to all the sheep? 🙂
Robi
Awesome post! I’m left salivating 🙂 Australia is totally overrated and I can’t wait to get down to NZ…
jim
Having never been, I’m not sure it’s overrated but people don’t talk about NZ quite as often as Australia… which in and of itself has great appeal.
Kevin
Jim – there’s a bigger population in Australia & more points of entry, so it goes without saying that Australia gets more lips flapping.
We Kiwis (the human variety, not the flightless bird variety) like it that way – it’s not over-run by tourists. 🙂
One other great reason for visiting NZ – what snakes? What spiders? 😉
louisa klimentos
Australia isn’t overrated I have been to alot of national parks in Australia that are rally beautiful.I think too many tourists just visit the heavily commercialised places ,Hir e a four wheel drive and you will experience great scenery.Besides all that i can’t waite to visit New Zealand .We all no it is one off the most beautiful places in the world.
Kristina Luna
I had the best time visiting the North Island last year and doing many of the things you mentioned (Tongariro, Taupo, etc.) but I cannot cannot cannot wait to make it back and see the South.
NomadicMatt
ohh! I am going back next year! let’s all go!!
Juanita
If you coming back next year and want to see an untouched corner of NZ with lots of wildlife, don’t miss the Catlins on the southeast coast of the South Island.
Gen
I’m so glad you loved Queenstown. If you like to ski or snowboard you’ve gotta go back for the winter sometime. I lived in a hostel and worked on the mountain there for the ski season in ’06 and had such a blast. The town is alive with energy and almost totally focused around snowboarding. All the bars have fires roaring in the fireplace and many have amazing videos of skiing and snowboarding playing on loop. It’s a really magical atmosphere, enough so that I’m headed back there at the end of this 3-year Asia journey to do it all again!
Sally
The glow worms are by far my favorite. Ooh, and kayaking around Abel Tasman is another. BTW, love the new header image. Super cute!
Jack
Absolutely fantastic. Would love to check out that glow worm cave, looks like something out of a bad sci-fi flick from the 70’s 😉
This all makes me go visit NZ, as soon as possible.
Erica
Would love to go glacier trekking plus experience as many extreme sports as possible. Great picks! I’ve heard that Nelson on the top of the South Island is well worth visiting as well.
Sofia
I absolutely loved Golden Bay and Abel Tasman. The sand truly is golden, and the kayaking is great!
Queenstown was alright I thought, but the most beautiful parts were just outside like in Glenorchy.
Rob
Great photos and inspiration. Gutted I went all the way to Oz from UK but failed to make it over to NZ 🙁
Krista
Wow! I haven’t been to Queenstown before, but you’re right, it looks SO much like the Canadian mountain towns I spent my childhood in. 🙂
John
Tongariro Crossing looks awesome. I always love a good hike and I hope it’ll be more like your picture rather than the life and death journey of Frodo and Sam.
Tom Scanlon
Sorry to say that as a young American Sailor I missed so much while visiting N.Z. back in the 70’s. There’s an old saying; “Wisdom is wasted on youth”. I’m living proof of that except for the youth part.
Don’t procrastinate, just GO!
davidglinos
I went to New Zealand for 5 weeks in total. I hired a car in the North Island for 2 weeks and a car on the South Island for 3 weeks. This is a must as it allows you the freedom to explore all the remote nooks and crannies of this diverse country. In the 5 weeks I was there, I managed to white water raft, bungee jump in Queenstown, go hiking at the Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers, visit the glow worm grottos, stand at the Bluff signpost and most of all make some new friends for life. New Zealand has so much to offer every visitor. I highly reccomend everyone should visit at least once in their life. I certainly will be visiting again sometime in the near future.
Simon
Hi everyone,
Can anyone give us some advice on how to choose between the foot hike and heli-hike tours at the Franz Joseph Glacier? what are the differences, besides the cost, of course.
Would you see better blue caves if you do a heli-hike up there? I would appreciate if anyone who has been the the Franz Glacier to comment on this.
THanks
Simon
Marie
I live in NZ and have been to Franz and Fox glaciers several times, the last time at Xmas. You used to be able to do guided foot hikes that took you onto the glaciers but this has now been stopped so the options are a self taken foot hike to the base of the glacier or the heli-hike. On the foot hike for safety reasons the track ends hundreds of metres from the glacier face (the track changes as does the end view point depending on the current conditions of the glacier), as the glaciers collect rocks on debris as they descend you can’t see any blue caves from the foot hike. While they look calm the glaciers are dynamic and people have died from crossing the safety barriers at the end. The heli-hike is the only way to walk on the glacier and see the caves. It is an incredible experience and well worth the cost.
Mark
What a great set of pictures and well written coments. I really must move back soon. A few other places to add to the list are the Coramandel, Waiheke and the are around Nelson. Take a look at some more pictures
Matias
Hi all!
I’m planning to go to NZ in April but I can stay only two weeks there… is it worth it? or should I wait until I have over a month to spend there?
Cheers,
Matías
Jessica
My husband and I visited NZ for 3 weeks (Sept. 19 – Oct 12). We rented a car in Christchurch and returned it in Auckland. We spent the first two weeks in the south island and the last week in the North and stayed at all Top 10 camping sites (top 10 also has a member card which saves you money on other places around town and also saves money on the ferry). They were all very nice and it was very nice to be able to use a shower and be able to cook our own food in their kitchens. We brought our tent and stayed in that the whole time, which it ended up being quite cold so be prepared if you are going then, we had to buy more sweaters and such when we got there. Over night it was about 35 degrees or so. But we had the most amazing time and would go back in a heart beat and would love to move their. Everyone was so extremely friendly and willing to help with any questions. The people were a lot more considerate of each other and it was amazing to see and a very nice change to the U.S. Both my husband and I would love to live there.
Brooke
How did you get the photo of the glowworms? When I went, they said no photos… but they said they would send us one if we asked.
jessiev
i can’t wait to get to NZ. my brother and SIL have gone there several times and loved it. thanks!
AlexsaZ
A country with very rich nature, beautiful people and … simply no words. Visited her a year ago and dreamed of returning again.
robbie
i came here for a holiday from the uk….that was nearly three years ago. i live in the bay of plenty, right on the coast, in nz’s sunniest place (now official)…whakatane. i’d like to add some places well worth a visit if i may…
i recently toured the south island for three weeks, travelling every highway…in my opinion, places not to be missed there are….
malborough sounds, abel tasman, kaiteriteri, farewell spit, kaikoura, moeraki boulders, hooker valley (eye popping views of mt cook) the catlins, slope point (most southerly point of the south island), haast pass, lewis pass, hanmer springs, arthur’s pass, pancake rocks, milford sound…the drive there alone is awesome!! wanaka, buller gorge, waikarepupu spring (the world’s clearest fresh water….has to be seen to appreciate the stunning clarity).
i notice no mention of some of the north islands secrets…lake waikaremoana…lake tarewera…the green lake…te urewera national park……take a drive down the forgotten world highway, from taurangi to taumaranui…awesome!! big game fishing here in the bay…white island (nz’s most active volcano)…the list is truly endless, but these are my favourite places…oh and don’t forget the coromandel….hotwater beach, cathedral cove, whitianga, blah blah blah….just do it!!!
Dina
Great post, I love New Zealand too, and you mention some of the reasons here. I also like Wellington much better than Auckland, even though this might not be a fair judgement since I was in Wellington for 2 weeks, and in Auckland only 3 days. There are so many wonderful nature around Wellington that are free, Cape Palliser that is a natural seals habitat being one of my favourite.
Unfortunately I didn’t have time to taste the South Island at all. I didn’t have much time in the North as well, so I take a conclusion that I need to go back there 🙂
Conny
Hi
I went to NZ two years ago and miss it so much. Ill go back to Auckland next year..
But the next months make me crazy..
Auclad is the most beautiful city in the world and NZ the most beautiful country..
Anushree
that was an amazing experience shared by u.. NZ is truely an amazing, beautiful country.. I hope that one day i get a chance to visit NZ n share my experience… btw luved the pics..
Mike
2 weeks until I’ll be in NZ for the first time. I can’t wait to see and experience what you have listed, especially glow worm caves, Tongariro Crossing and bungy jumping!
sarski
I was in NZ in Nov-Dec 2008, and absolutely loved it. Friend and I hired a car and stayed in variety of youth hostels, backpackers, and bed and breakfasts, and motels. Loved Nelson and Abel Tasman Park, drove to Kaiteriteri, and got the water taxi up the coast, and hiked the trail back down the coast. Fabulous.
Akaroa near Christchurch was lovely, went swimming with the Hector’s dolphins in the bay there, a really good experience. Heli-hiking on Franz Josef glacier, Milford Sound, Bay of slands in North Island, Coromandel, and too many other beautiful places to mention. The people were wonderful, very friendly and laid back. I can’t wait to return, and hope I do one day.
Claire and Laura
Wow! We really want to go to New Zealand and this just made it even more appealing to us! It looks so beautiful and I bet it is amazing seeing the Maori culture. I really can’t wait to see New Zealand for myself!
NomadicMatt
It’s a great place. Try to study abroad there or something!
James Cook
We are doing the Tongariro crossing in a few months and cannot wait!
James
Matt, you should come back for the Cricket World Cup in 2015. Not sure if you were here in 2011 for the Rugby World Cup, but New Zealand really comes to life for any sporting event.
Since you’re not a typical American and probably don’t need your sport presented to you with a coating of sugar and $30m commercial breaks, you might enjoy yourself, even if you find cricket confusing.
Don’t know what times of year you’ve been here but February and March are beautiful in NZ (aka the months that don’t rain as much as the rest of the year). It might also give you an opportunity to change your low opinion of ‘bland’ Auckland (my home city, thanks).
I’d also suggest going to Raglan on the west coast. Hell, you even stay at my bach down there!
T M Jones
I’m a born & bred Kiwi but spent a number of years living overseas and have visited many other countries around the world. From Africa, Europe, Middle East, The Islands & Asia.
BUT with no disrespect to any other nation, overall none compare to New Zealand.
Its isolation & natural beauty, mountains, deserts, volcanoes, forests and beaches are just unimaginably beautiful. Clear, clean air and sparsly populated, crystal clear sparking lakes .. it is the only place I want to live.
I’m biased yes – as Im a New Zealander but I have been around the globe and this is indeed, the shimmering jewell at the bottom of the world.
Tip: When travelling down the East Cost of the South Island (where a lot of seal colonies live along the road side and there is whale watching tours) when you get to Kaikoura ask about the Ohau Stream Walkway off State HW 1, Nth of Kaikoura. Kaikoura means: ‘meal of crayfish’ (and get some too cause nom, nom,nom)
Just a 10 mins trek off road and there is a natural baby seal nursery there. Its free, and you can sit and watch the pups play happily under water falls in their own private pool.. Their parents drop them off there to keep safe while they head out into the Pacific Ocean to fish for the day. Is very cute.
Thanks for all the lovely comments re my country. 🙂 See you all soon!
Mark Johnson
Always nice as a Kiwi to come across pages like this!
Annabella Dean
Hi Matt, I’ve yet to hike the Tongariro Crossing, but it’s definitely on my list for adventures in the future. Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate insights from an experienced traveller like yourself 🙂
Leviticus Bennett
My grandmother is from New Zealand, so I’ve always wanted to visit. I’ve never heard of the glow worms you mentioned; that sounds amazing! I’m hoping to visit New Zealand within the next year or two.
Iain Nicholls
Hi Stephanie
As a Kiwi can I 100% recommend you do not rely on public transport to come around NZ? The hop on hop off bus is probably your best option or save up and hire a car (a high percentage are automatics).
Buying and insuring a car is easy but selling is hit and miss so for three weeks it is not worth it.
October can be strange weather, sometimes warm and dry, sometimes stormy and wet, so please bring clothes that can cope, especially on the west coast of the south island.
Driving here is amazing with another amazing view around every corner. The roads are not busy but please remember to drive on the left 🙂
With just three weeks I recommend you stay solely in the South Island flying into and out of Christchurch. It is possible to do all the things that Matt listed above in the SI but schedule a trip on the Interislander ferry across to Wellington from Picton for a few days – leave the car in Picton and walk/bus around Wellington where public transport is good and pay for transport to and from Tongariro Crossing then return to Picton and keep going,
Don’t try to “do” NZ on the cheap, you will enjoy yourself much more if you save up a decent budget first. NZ is not cheap but it is wonderful. A rule of thumb, if you think something us cool (day trip, jetboating, LOTR tour etc.) then allow NZ$100 (US$75) on average. You’re only here twice (you’ll be back!) so you might as well do it right.
Hope this helps. Look forward to hosting you here 🙂
NomadicMatt
Not sure who Stephanie is but the bus was pretty reliable. I mean it was often late but it eventually showed up! 🙂
I also agree with you. Take the country slowly! There’s too much to do!
Stephen Garone
I loved, loved, loved Glowworm Cave and Abel Tasman National Park. Glad to see you included them!
Marsha
Great post – Hiking around Aoraki/Mt. Cook was one of my favorites. Hard to go wrong surrounded by the ‘cloud piercer’!
Sydney Ferbrache
I love this post! It’s been one of my goals the last few years to make it to New Zealand! I actually hadn’t seen the glow worms and it looks incredible! This made me even more excited to visit when I get the chance! I think I’ll actually end up renting a converted van over there to keep with my overall theme. But hopefully I can have just as wonderful of a trip! Thanks for sharing all of this!
Ryan Biddulph
Hi Matt,
Chilling in Opotiki right now. Stunning! Well off the beaten path too. We have a house sit lined up on the South Island then a little trip there, and back up to the North Island for another sit. Most clean, pristine and beautiful country I have seen in person.
Ryan
marie douglas
This country is phenomenal! From the diverse culture to the one of a kind experience- I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to go to New Zealand! Thank you for sharing xx
Danny Newman
I love this country so much! There are so many incredible things to see and do there. Totally agree with every single one of these suggestions!
Marie
I’ve never been to NZ but for sooo long I’ve been longing to go. Especially blog posts like this make me really want to go!
Marie
I’ve travelled every nook and cranny of NZ more than once after moving here 12 years ago. For your trip next year my top tip would be the Chatham Islands – totally unique, beautiful scenery, full of wildlife, no cell phone signal, only self generated power, amazing friendly people. Don’t miss the small plane trip across to Pitt Island, the first inhabited place on earth to see the new day, you can homestay at the most Easterly house on earth and the hosts are fabulous people.
Exploring some of the islands of the main islands is well worth it too. I’d recommend Great Barrier Island or a day trip to Kapiti Island near Wellington which is a nature reserve with unique flora and fauna.
On the main islands the East Coast of the North Island is often missed by travellers but is amazing and you have opportunities to get off the beaten track, explore stunning deserted beaches and if you interact with the locals it is highly likely you’ll get the opportunity to experience true Maori culture (we’ve been invited to stay on a marae). If heading across to the East coast from Auckland/Coromandel travelling through the Eastern Bay of Plenty sets the scene for the East Coast.
Down on the South Island the track through Molesworth Station only opens 4 mths of the year and is rarely travelled by tourists (those that do are often cyclists), it’s something of a locals secret. The largest farm in NZ, it has highest point of any public road in NZ. It is amazing high country scenery and the new information panels on the route (well new since the last time I did the track) tell the history of the station and the hardy souls that pioneered it
Nicolaj Fage-Lorenzen
Hi Matt and Marie
We are a family of five going to NZ for three weeks in january/february 2019. I’ve enjoyed reading all the good stuff here, and we are beginning to plan our trip just these days.
We are so much in doubt whether to rent a mobile home (expensive) and maybe have some flexibility regarding accommodation and cooking, as we might save a little when not eating out at every meal. What is your best advice regarding transportation and accommodation for a family of five age 10-16-18-43?
Nicolaj Fage-lorenzen
My wife has family living around Auckland and I have an acquainted living in Christchurch (Govenor’s Bay) and we want to visit both islands while there. 🙂
Marianne
We spent a couple of weeks in New Zealand a few years back and absolutely loved it. We are moving to Australia in July and I can’t wait to have easier access to New Zealand to be able to explore some more. This is a great list to get us started!
Terry Wilson
Abel Tasman National Park is absolutly must visit place in New Zealand. I love this place the most. Full of entertainment and enjoyment for adult and kids you can get there.
Zack.Buchanan
New Zealand is an amazing place! I hope I get to visit it one day!
Mallory
I think your “update” should have to include disclosures about travel and tourism during Covid-19 restricted travel times. I’m honestly angry that you’re posting this again as if its something one could do in 2020. I was locked in NZ for 5 months this year. A lot changed in my life, naturally, because of this. Touting travel to NZ when they aren’t allowing it is offensive to those who are effected by the shutdowns.
Kevin
This post is clearly meant for travel after corona. Matt has said that dozens of times in his newsletter and on social media.
Your comment is offensive to his regular readers who understand his intentions (yeah, see how dumb that sounds?)
NomadicMatt
NZ is a wonderful country people should visit when they reopen. You obviously can’t go now. I’m not telling people to try to illegally enter the country. The post is called “reasons to visit” and common sense would tell anyone I mean in the future, when they open, after COVID. Nothing says “go today!”
I get you may be frustrated about being locked in NZ and the impact COVID has had on the country but nothing here advocates visiting today.
Keiko
Any one frustrated about being locked in NZ must be crazy. We are the safest place in the world right now with life being almost completely back to normal just without the international tourism.
Really looking forward to getting that back soon though lol