Where to go in New Zealand

2 min summary When to go Map & highlights Things to do Families Fiordland & Milford Sound Wildlife Walks Maori culture Why go on a small group vacation Tips Responsible tourism

New Zealand map & itineraries

New Zealand is reminiscent of an unmade single bed, covered in folds and peaks. South Island is divided lengthways by the snow-covered Southern Alps and contains a succession of glaciers the longest of which stretches for almost 30km. Although North Island is a little less undulating its geothermal nature provides a prime example of NZ's inclusion within the Pacific Ring of Fire with active volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu providing a breathtaking panorama. Making the three-hour crossing over Cook Strait allows travelers to skip between both islands with remote rivers, vast farmsteads and stunning coastal scenery adding to an exciting and varied itinerary.

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Our New Zealand Vacations

1. Abel Tasman National Park
2. Bay of Islands
3. Christchurch
4. Coromandel peninsula
5. Fiordland National Park
6. Mount Cook National Park
7. Queenstown
8. Rotorua
9. Rugby culture
10. Tongariro National Park
11. Waitomo caves
12. Whale watching in Kaikoura

Abel Tasman National Park

1. Abel Tasman National Park

Although the smallest of New Zealand’s national parks, Abel Tasman, doesn’t pack any less of a punch with forest covered hillsides and the Takaka and Riwaka rivers leading to the sublime shallows of Golden Bay. The Coast Track, which can be walked and partially kayaked, is considered one of the world’s best with beaches, such as Onetahuti, Kaiteriteri and Bark, totally deserve the leg and paddle work.

Abel Tasman National Park

Bay of Islands

2. Bay of Islands

Head north of Auckland, about three hours, and you’ll reach the historic towns of Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri all of which provide an ideal base from where to explore the Bay of Islands. Thanks to sub-tropical sea temperatures this area is heaven for divers with groupers, rays, kingfish and shipwrecks, including the Rainbow Warrior, providing some of New Zealand’s best underwater experiences.

Christchurch

3. Christchurch

Browsing at the Re-Start, strolling through Hagley Park or punting on the River Avon, Christchurch will kind of remind you of England but then kind of not. Maybe it’s due to the memories of the 2011 earthquake or just the distant backdrop of the Southern Alps, but whatever it is, forget about the old country - this is Christchurch so get out there and enjoy Garden City.

Christchurch

Coromandel peninsula

4. Coromandel peninsula

There’s a semi-mysterious phenomenon happening on the Coromandel Peninsula so grab some Scooby snacks and head on over to Hot Water Beach in Mercury Bay for a day you’ll never forget. Underground hot springs at low tide present a great chance to dig your own geothermal hot pool; however, be advised that the rip currents here are severe so stay beachside to stay safe.

Fiordland National Park

5. Fiordland National Park

New Zealand’s largest national park is the result of some glorious glacial grinding with fjords, such as Milford Sound, providing perfect panoramas to accompany hiking tracks, like Routeburn and Milford. The carving process has created offshore islands, glacial lakes and waterfalls – the tallest of which are Sutherland and Browne – and the chance to view via helicopter is just out of this world.

Fiordland National Park

Mount Cook National Park

6. Mount Cook National Park

As New Zealand’s longest glacier (the Tasman, 27km), and practically all of its tallest peaks (Aoraki/Cook, Hicks and Tasman - all well over 3,000m), are situated in Mount Cook National Park, this is South Island’s mountaineering and hiking hot spot. Boat trips and scenic drives are ideal ways to get closer to the scenery with Hooker Valley providing a popular trekking trail to add to an infinite list.

Queenstown

7. Queenstown

3, 2, 1... Queenstown! Boasting well over 200 adventure activities, including white water rafting, mountain biking and paragliding, Queenstown is New Zealand’s undeniable extreme sports capital. Aside from jet-boating on the Dart River or bungee jumping off Kawarau Bridge, Lake Wakatipu and Bob’s Peak also make perfect settings to take your breath away.

Queenstown

Rotorua

8. Rotorua

Throw aside the prescribed clothes peg on nose and embrace the eggy whiff of Rotorua as this is geothermal central and definitely worth investigating if you’re into hiking around lakes and mountain biking through forests. The Whakarewarewa area, especially, is packed full of hot springs and geysers with Pohutu, aka ‘Big Splash’, erupting almost hourly to heights of 30 metres.

Rugby culture

9. Rugby culture

One way English settlers found to ‘bond’ with local New Zealanders was through sport. Fortunately, indigenous Maoris were already playing something akin to rugby; however, if the English thought these chaps were going to be pushovers they had another thing coming. The Blues, the Hurricanes, the Chiefs, and the All Blacks, if you get the chance to watch a live match, grab it like the late, great Jonah Lomu.

Rugby culture

Tongariro National Park

10. Tongariro National Park

This is New Zealand’s oldest national park and recognised by UNESCO for its unique mix of cultural and natural sites. Volcanoes Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro are of great significance to Maoris and Tongariro National Park was created, in part, to keep them safe. The park is also a haven for hikers with the 20km Tongariro Alpine Crossing considered one of the best in the business.

Waitomo caves

11. Waitomo caves

The glow worms of Waitomo can be found within a limestone cave system about two hours south of Auckland and are certainly worth investigating even if you’re just heading down for the acoustics. Along with having your way lit by glowing bugs, the caves are also accessible for extreme sports enthusiasts and open up narrow crawl ways and cavernous holes to further invigorate the descent.

Waitomo caves

Whale watching in Kaikoura

12. Whale watching in Kaikoura

Alongside seals, dolphins and New Zealand’s largest concentration of seabirds, including petrels, shearwaters and 12 different kinds of albatross, Kaikoura is all about the whales. Giant sperm whales, humpbacks, blues and minkes have all been seen off the Kaikoura coast and observing these creatures from land or sea makes their still threatened existence all the more unfathomable.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about New Zealand or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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Toll free 1-866-821-6866

Calling us from outside the US?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

new Zealand sample itineraries

New Zealand highlights (18 days):
Auckland > Coromandel Peninsula > Bay of Plenty > Rotorua > Wellington > Kaikoura >Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park > Lake Tekapo > Queenstown > Lake Wakatipu and Remarkables > Milford Sound > Franz Josef > Okarito Lagoon > Punakaiki > Arthur's Pass > Christchurch

South Island highlights (10 days):
Christchurch Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park > Queenstown > Milford Sound > Cardrona Valley > Lake Wanaka > Franz Josef > Punakaiki > Arthur's Pass > Christchurch

North Island highlights (10 days):
Auckland > Coromandel Peninsula > Bay of Plenty > Rotorua > Hawke Bay > Napier > Tongariro National Park > Lake Taupo > Waitomo Glowworm Caves > Auckland

travel times in new zealand

The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in New Zealand.

Napier to Wellington: 5-7hrs by train Wellington to Picton: 3hrs 30mins by public ferry Wellington to Nelson: 6hrs 30 mins by ferry and bus, or 2hrs by plane Nelson to Arthur’s Pass: 5hrs 15 mins by car Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch: 2hrs by train Christchurch to Dunedin – 6hrs by bus Dunedin to Queenstown – 3hrs 30 mins by car Queenstown to Milford Sound – 6hrs by bus

More about New Zealand

Best time to go to New Zealand

Our temperature & rainfall chart will prove useful when choosing the best time to go to New Zealand, and this page also contains some handy advice on festivals and events.

New Zealand travel guide

If you’re looking for your next vacation destination then read our New Zealand travel guide before you consider any other options. We’ve compiled tips and advice for what we think is one of the world’s most exciting vacation destinations right now.

Things to do in New Zealand

New Zealand activities are simply amazing and, as keeping excitement levels in check can be a difficult proposition, we suggest you just let go and scream 'kia ora'.

Families in New Zealand

If you've got plans to go traveling in New Zealand with kids then right here is what we recommend in terms of activities for families in New Zealand and what to do with little ones.

Fiordland & Milford Sound

Maori mythology ascribes New Zealand’s fiords to a giant stonemason, but these deep valleys were actually carved by glaciers over millions of years.

Wildlife in New Zealand

From enormous whales to miniscule glow worms, the wildlife in New Zealand is like nowhere else on Earth – literally - many species, such as the Hector’s dolphin, are found here and here only.

Walks in New Zealand

New Zealand walks are some of the finest in the world, taking you through such astonishingly diverse and awe inspiring scenery you may be tempted to just keep going, and going.

Maori culture

As appealing as they may be, you can find mountains, dolphins and bungee jumps in many countries - no, what makes New Zealand truly unique is its Maori culture.

Accessible tours in New Zealand

You may not be planning on doing any bungee jumping, but that aside, New Zealand is a very accessible country for travelers with special requirements.

New Zealand advice

This should always be the first page you come to when looking for New Zealand vacations advice as we've asked for tips from our friends in New Zealand, including Miles Clark, Linzi Bird and Caroline Stafford.

Responsible tourism in New Zealand

Our guide to responsible tourism in New Zealand is a worthwhile read, with sections on Maori culture, dolphin watching and Easter bunny hunts all helping you travel right.

Why go on a small group vacation

Small group vacations are the perfect option for any age whether you’re vacationing solo, as a couple or a group of friends, and they're especially good for less confident travelers.

More relevant guides

Written by Chris Owen

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Curioso] [Abel Tasman: Brewbooks] [Bay of Islands: Graeme Churchard] [Christchurch: Joceyln Kinghorn] [Coromandel peninsula: macronix] [Fiordland: tommy chheng] [Mount Cook : Flying Kiwi Tours] [Queenstown: Tomas Sobek] [Rotorua: amanderson2] [Rugby: Anna] [Tongariro: Tristan Schmurr] [Waitomo Caves: Ian Armstrong] [Whale watching: Marc Veraart] [Distances: John Fowler]

Where to go in New Zealand