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NEW ZEALAND Travel Guide

New Zealand is one of the most fascinating countries on Earth when it comes to scenery. You will be blessed by magnificent landscapes every day of your trip: beaches, mountains, volcanoes, fjords, glaciers, geothermal wonder, sand dunes... An outdoor paradise and a place to connect with Nature. Below is my New Zealand Travel guide to help you make the most of your time there!

MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR TIME IN NEW ZEALAND!

Visit New Zealand Travel Guide

Table Of Contents
Best places and things to do in New Zealand
Visit New Zealand - North vs South Island
eBook: The Road Trip Guide - New Zealand
New Zealand Travel Guide - How to plan your New Zealand Trip
NZ NORTH ISLAND road trip - best places to visit
NZ SOUTH ISLAND road trip - What to do
Activities in Queenstown
OLD ARTICLES
GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS

In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


Travel Guide written by Claire, the ultimate Travel Planning Geek

"With the Zigzag Travel Guides, Planning is half the fun of Traveling"

Claire author ZigZag Travel Guides s

Pure Travel Planning Inspiration!

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Best places and things to do in New Zealand

If you have reached this Travel Guide, you are probably thinking of traveling to New Zealand. If you are still unsure or just want to day dream or start planning, below are some general articles to show you how incredible New Zealand is. Stunning scenery!

Discover my top things to do on both islands: my favorite beaches, best roads and unbelievable natural wonders... 

Picture Scenery New Zealand Travel Guide

New Zealand scenery in Photos
(50 most amazing NZ landscapes)

Best waterfalls New Zealand Travel Guide

Best waterfalls in New Zealand

best beaches in New Zealand Travel Guide

Best Beaches in New Zealand
(for photographers)

New Zealand North or South island New Zealand Travel Guide

New Zealand North or South island
How to choose

Things to do in New Zealand South Island Travel Guide

25 best Things to do in New Zealand South Island

Things to do in New Zealand North Island Travel Guide

Top Things to do in NZ North Island

off the beaten path New Zealand Travel Guide

12 wonders off the beaten track in New Zealand


Visit New Zealand - North vs South Island

Let's start of an overall view of both main New Zealand islands to help you get a feel for its size and many things to do around.
It is a lot bigger than we imagine and driving takes a lot of time because roads are sinuous and have only one lane in each directions.
Below are 2 maps to help you understand where the most famous attractions are and how long it will take you to drive around:

North Island

North island New Zealand Map Tourism

Around North Island, the highlights of your trip will be:

  • The costal scenery and sand dunes of Northland
  • The wildlife and beaches around the Bay of islands
  • The magnificent cliffs at Cathedral cove
  • The geothermal activities around Rotorua
  • The beautiful volcanoes at Taranaki and Tongariro
  • The major cities of Auckland and Wellington

South Island

Tourism South island New Zealand Map

Around South Island, the highlights of your trip will be:

  • The costal scenery at Wharariki beach and the Spit (West of Abel Tasman)
  • The wildlife and beaches around Abel Tasman National Park
  • The wildlife and scenery at Kaikoura
  • The most beautiful drive in NZ at Arthur's pass
  • The glaciers: Fox and Franz Josef
  • The fords: Milford and Doubtful
  • Queenstown and its adrenaline activities
  • The geological wonders of Moeraki boulders and Punakaiki (pancake rocks)
  • The charm of the Catlins region

eBook: The Road Trip Guide - New Zealand

Simplify the planning of your New Zealand road trip!
Looking for a selection of the most scenic places to see in New Zealand, practical maps and systematic information to plan your trip? Have a look at the eBooks:

New Zealand road trip eBook Cover S
  • 12 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 200 scenic locations in NZ 
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 285+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

Learn more

NZ North island eBook Cover S
  • 6 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 90+ scenic locations in NZ North Island
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 150+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

Learn more

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  • 6 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 110+ scenic locations in NZ South Island
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 190+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

Learn more


New Zealand Travel Guide - How to plan your New Zealand Trip

Before I tell you more about all those amazing places to visit in New Zealand, I am sharing some practical tips to help you plan and prepare your trip: step-by-step, driving tips, renting a car, choosing your accommodations, defining your itinerary, packing...

But my overall tips to plan your road trip around New Zealand are:

  • Don't plan too much! Driving takes a long time and it is beautiful everywhere so you want to stop all the time
  • Pack layers of clothes as you can get all sorts of weather (by the coast / in the mountains ; North island vs South island)
  • Don't be anxious about driving. It is quite easy as there are not many people on the roads outside of the major cities
  • Rent a car with a good size trunk so that you can put all you stuff inside and don't have anything on seats that could attract thieves
  • Bring a lot (and I mean a lot) of memory cards for your camera
Plan a New Zealand Road trip - New Zealand Travel Guide

How to plan your New Zealand road trip

New Zealand North Island itinerary Travel Guide

New Zealand North Island Itinerary - 4+ options

New Zealand South Island itinerary Travel Guide

New Zealand South Island itinerary - 4+ options

itinerary 2 weeks in New Zealand Travel Guide

New Zealand Itinerary 2 weeks - best of both islands

Best time to visit New Zealand Travel Guide

Best time to visit New Zealand

Renting car New Zealand tips

Renting a car in New Zealand - 36 tips

Rent car driving in New Zealand Travel Guide

Driving in New Zealand

best places to stay in New Zealand Travel Guide

Best places to stay in New Zealand

Useful Links to book your trip

  • Book your accommodations - Book from a large choice on Booking.com (my trusted travel booking site) or Compare prices on hotelscombined.com
  • Rent your car - planning a road trip?
    Compare car rental deals on my favorite platform Discovercars.com
  • Book your organized tours, visits and tickets via GetYourGuide.com and Viator.com - I love them both
  • Get equipment and appropriate clothing... on Amazon 
  • Insurance - I  wish you a very smooth trip, but my policy is: better be prepared. I personally use World Nomads. Get a quote online here
  • VPN - Don't use unsecured wifi without a VPN service to avoid risking electronic theft - NordVPN service is one of the best rated VPN service

And keep track of your own trip!

New Zealand travel journal road trip

NZ NORTH ISLAND road trip - best places to visit

The North Island of New Zealand has a great variety of landscapes with beautiful beaches, volcanic regions, geothermal areas and great cities such as Auckland and Wellington.

Northland (North of Auckland)

The region North of Auckland, is referred to as the Northland. It is home to beautiful beaches and bays, including the famous Bay of Islands. At the narrow Northern tip, you can find the 90 mile beach, the giant dans dunes of Te paki and Cape Reinga. This is the region for beach lovers.

Things to do at Cape Reinga New Zealand Travel Guide

Things to do at Cape Reinga, New Zealand

To be published

Bay of islands

Coromandel peninsula and the North Island East Coast

The Coromandel peninsula is a small detour on your road trip around North Island. 2 major attractions make it famous: The cathedral-looking archway and Hot Water beach where you can dig the sand and soak in really hot water. 
South of the peninsula, the whole East Coast of North Island is full of beautiful Coastal landscapes around Gisborne, Napier, Castlepoint and Cape Palliser

Cathedral Cove New Zealand Travel Guide

Cathedral Cove New Zealand

Travel Guide New Zealand - plan your trip to Hot Water Beach

Hot Water Beach - old article

lighthouse Castlepoint New Zealand Travel Guide

Castlepoint New Zealand
(beach, lighthouse, lagoon)

North Island South Coast

Putangirua Pinnacles Walk New Zealand Travel Guide

Putangirua Pinnacles Walk New Zealand

seals lighthouse Cape Palliser New Zealand Travel Guide

Cape Palliser (Lighthouse and seals)

West Coast - Raglan / Waitomo

Except for the famous Glow Worm caves of Waitomo, the West Coast is often overlooked. However it is home to beautiful beaches, waterfalls and other natural wonders.

Bridal Veil Falls New Zealand Travel Guide

Bridal Veil Falls NZ (Raglan)

Geothermal and Volcanic wonderlands - Rotorua - Taupo - New Plymouth

One of my favorite regions in North Island is Rotorua. It is full of geothermal parks and volcanoes. You can see the power of Nature (and its artistic touch). Some of the most famous features are Champagne Pool, Pohutu geyser, Tongariro National Park with the Alpine Crossing and the beautiful Taranaki Volcano.
I think those are must-see on your New Zealand Travels.

best geothermal park in Rotorua New Zealand Travel Guide

Best geothermal parks in Rotorua

Wai-O-Tapu thermal Wonderland Rotorua New Zealand Travel Guide

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Rotorua

geothermal Orakei Korako New Zealand Travelrakei Korako New Zealand Travel Guide

Orakei Korako Thermal Park

Travel Guide New Zealand - Floatplane flight over Rotorua

Flight over Rotorua in a Floatplane

Blue Spring New Zealand Travel Guide

Blue Spring New Zealand
(Te Waihou walkway)

Taranaki Falls Walk New Zealand Travel Guide

Taranaki Falls walk


NZ SOUTH ISLAND road trip - What to do

The South Island of New Zealand is the place for the lovers of untouched nature: mountains, glaciers, incredible lakes, million year old boulders and wildlife

Northern regions of South island

In the Northern regions of South Island, you can find some of the most beautiful beaches there and the famous Abel Tasman National Park.

Wharariki Beach New Zealand Travel Guide

Wharariki Beach (archway islands and seal pups)

Motukiekie Beach New Zealand Travel Guide

Motukiekie beach

Magical Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a very touristic place, but still worth a visit. Here the tall mountains plunge into the sea. And not far from the coast, the crust drops into a deep canyon. This makes it a great place for wildlife spotting: whales, dolphins, seals, albatross... they all love feeding in the area.

To be published

Things to do in Kaikoura

Kaikoura peninsula Walkway New Zealand Travel Guide

Kaikoura Peninsula Walk

Travel Guide New Zealand : Plan your swim with wild dolphins in Kaikoura

Kaikoura - Swim with wild dolphins

Great Alpine Highway

Kura Tawhiti Castle Hill Rocks New Zealand Travel Guide

Castle Hill Rocks
(Kura Tawhiti)

East Coast - Christchurch, Dunedin

The South East coast of South Island, is another coastal wonderland with beaches, rock formations, ancient volcanoes... and victorian towns. No mountains but a great variety of points of interest.

Moeraki Boulders New Zealand Travel Guide

Moeraki boulders

Tunnel Beach New Zealand Travel Guide

Tunnel Beach New Zealand

Heritage Trail Elephant Rocks New Zealand Travel Guide

Elephant Rocks New Zealand

The Catlins

Quite another vibe to explore the Catlins. Only small settlements, stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls and lots of wildlife!

To be published

Things to do in the Catlins - to be published

Cathedral Caves New Zealand Travel Guide

Cathedral Caves New Zealand

Nugget Point Lighthouse New Zealand Travel Guide

Nugget Point Lighthouse, New Zealand

Lighthouse Waipapa point New Zealand Travel Guide

Waipapa Point lighthouse

Around the Lakes of New Zealand

The glacial lakes of central South Island are wonderful. They should not be overlooked on your itinerary. Surrounded by white summits, their intense colors are mesmerizing. Avid hikers will enjoy the area. Plus, stay up late at night to admire the magical displays of the stars!

Puakaki, Tekapo

Things to do at Lake Pukaki New Zealand Travel Guide

Things to do around Lake Pukaki New Zealand

Omarama Clay Cliffs New Zealand Travel Guide

Omarama Clay Cliffs

Tasman Glacier Walk New Zealand Travel Guide

Tasman Glacier Walk

Travel Guide New Zealand - Plan your hike to the Hooker glacier

Hooker valley track hike to glacier lake

Te Anau, Queenstown, Wanaka

Haast Blue Pools Wanaka New Zealand Travel Guide

Haast Blue Pools, Wanaka

Fjordland

The South West coast of New Zealand is full of Fjords. The 2 easily accessible ones are Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. They both offer impressive scenery to be enjoyed on a cruise. 

Travel Guide New Zealand - Plan your cruise in Milford Sound

Milford Sound - old article

West Coast

Accessible via only one road, the West coast of New Zealand is famous for its glaciers located very close to the sea. 

Fox or Franz Josef glacier New Zealand Travel Guide

Fox or Franz Josef glaciers - Which to visit?


Activities in Queenstown

Queenstown is often called the Adventure world capital with many activities such as Buggy jumping, parasailing, Jet boat and more. Personnally I like a thrill but not too much, I opted for the following 3 activities. Here are my photos and reviews.

Travel Guide New Zealand - Helicopter flight Queenstown

16 - Queenstown: helicopter flight - old article

Travel Guide New Zealand - 4WD adventure around Queenstown

17 - Queenstown: 4WD adventure - old article

Travel Guide New Zealand - Dart River Wilderness Jet adventure from Queenstown

18 - Dart River Wilderness Jet - old article

Visiting Queenstown with your family? Check out this article about Visiting Queenstown with kids !


Dream before traveling or make your trip last longer!

Check out my jigsaw puzzles with amazing landscapes from New Zealand!

Puzzle New Zealand Landscape Taranaki

Learn more & purchase

puzzle New Zealand landscape Wharariki

Learn more & purchase

Or create your own


Other ideas from the web:

  • Anita tells us how Lake Taupo is a great place to visit New Zealand with kids
  • And don't miss the Northland area - often overlooked the area is wild and beautiful - have a read at Sarah's love affair with the Northland
  • To help you find our where to go, what to it, what to do, Cory from YouCouldTravel has written a Monster article about a South island Itinerary that would be very useful!
  • Crystal's recommendations for an Epic North island road trip
  • And you can also check out Medha's great suggestion for a 2 week itinerary in New Zealand

Check out these puzzles with some of my photos to keep enjoying the wonderful New Zealand landscapes when back home:


OLD ARTICLES

Photo & Video Sheep in New Zealand (1)

Sheeps of New Zealand

Travel Guide New Zealand - photographing the Auckland's skyline

1 - Photographing Auckland's Skyline

Travel Guide New Zealand - Plan your ferry crossing between the North and South islands

Wellington and ferry crossing - old article

Travel Guide New Zealand - plan your trip to the Waikatere Range

2 - Waikatere Ranges day tour

Travel Guide New Zealand - Plan your visit to the Ohau Point Seal colony near Kaikoura

Seal Colony near Kaikoura

Review 2 week Grand Traverse New Zealand Flying Kiwi

2 week Traverse Tour of New Zealand - Flying Kiwi


Of course there are much more things to do in New Zealand. I am only sharing the ones I have experienced myself. Feel free to share yours in the comments when you come back from your trip!


GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS

travel packing lists - essential travel items 2

Packing lists for all trips

Travel Safety Tips - hotel safety tips 2

Travel Safety Tips

Best compact binoculars for Travel and safari

Best Travel Binoculars


Inspired? Which ones do you want to experience?

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