New Zealand Travel Overview- Ultimate Guide 2024
New Zealand Travel Guide
Updated March 2024 🙂
New Zealand is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it has got so much to offer. From the amazing beaches to the snowy mountains, glaciers, and incredible breathtaking landscapes. Let me take you through the ultimate travel guide for New Zealand, so you can focus on enjoying your trip!
I’m gonna be very honest, New Zealand wasn’t on my bucket list of countries to travel to, (and I have like around 70+ countries on my list). However, as the saying goes “life doesn’t always work out as planned”. My original plan to study in the UK has fallen through, and the opportunity for me to study and live in New Zealand presented itself; so I grabbed it and have been here ever since! This is my sixth year in this beautiful country now 🙂
An interesting fact is that New Zealand is missing from a lot of world maps, and it is often overshadowed by Australia. But I am 100% certain you will not regret coming to this amazing country, where everywhere you go has got an amazing view. You would not even be required to be a professional photographer to take a decent picture of the scenic views.
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Useful info about New Zealand
New Zealand’s border is now open for all countries, there are no COVID restrictions in place now and no special requirements to enter the country. So as long as you have the right visa you will be able to enter 🙂 You need to fill in the NZ travel declaration form online before arrival
| Plugs: 230V supply voltage and 50Hz (in many hotels and hostels, they would have USB plugs) |
| Currency: NZD- the New Zealand Dollar |
| Languages: The majority of people speak English, but the official languages are Maori and NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language). And “Kia Ora”, is a common greeting term in Maori that a lot of people would use. Check out here to learn some special New Zealand English 🙂 |
| NZ Border Entry: New Zealand customs control is quite strict, so make sure you understand the basics and don’t bring anything you shouldn’t into the country. Click here for an up-to-date list of prohibited things or things you need to declare. Also, if you’re bringing any shoes, sports, or outdoor equipment you’ve used, make sure to clean them thoroughly before coming in; to ensure a smoother process of passing the NZ custom!! Read it through carefully and ask when in doubt, so you can avoid spending a hefty fine!!! |
| VISA: There is a list of visa-waiver countries that only need to apply to the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority), which only cost around $12 NZD to apply online. If your country is not on the list, you can apply for your Visitor visa here |
| VISA: There is a list of visa-waiver countries that only need to apply to the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority), which only costs around $12 NZD to apply online. If your country is not on the list, you can apply for your Visitor visa here |
Auckland and Wellington are the busiest international airports in New Zealand, especially for people traveling to North Island. And I recommend spending only a maximum of 2 days in those cities if you don’t have too much time in New Zealand. Find out how to spend 24 hours in Wellington!
Christchurch is the busiest airport in the South Island!
Read More: Best day trips from Auckland- Epic destinations I Indoor things to do in Auckland I Ultimate 3-day Auckland Itinerary
New Zealand consists of the North Island and South Island with the Cook Strait in between, which you can either fly or take a ferry from one to another.
The majority of tap water in NZ is drinkable. Restaurants, cafes, bistros, and other dining establishments would offer tap water for free. There are still the options of going for still or sparkling water at an extra cost.
Another interesting fun fact is; that there are more sheep than humans in most regions in NZ! 🙂
If you do intend to drive, the driver’s seat is located on the right side of the car. Do take note to drive on the left side of the road for your safety. Please allow cars behind you to pass whenever you have an opportunity to do so, as they might be locals of the area and they do drive a lot faster because they are more familiar with the road conditions. Sharing is caring!!
Is there a best time to visit New Zealand
Like every country with different seasons, there are going to be different activities and scenery throughout the year. But do not worry if you can’t work your schedule around, it is perfectly fine to travel to New Zealand anytime, as it is amazingly beautiful year-round.
If you are flexible on when you can travel then there are some tips I’d like to share so you can get the best experience:
If you’re on a budget then it’s best to avoid late November to early February as it’s the busiest time of the year with international/domestic tourists coming in to spend their Christmas/New Year or just to escape winter from their own countries.
If you love hiking, warmer seasons would be your best bet as the trails and hiking paths will be a lot less slippery and a lot safer. But if you’re more experienced and have the equipment for winter hikes, then yessss you’ll be rewarded with the snow or frozen lakes view. But safety always comes first, so if you’re not sure then talk to a local or get a guide!!
Also, be mindful that the temperature in New Zealand can drop drastically when there’s no sun, so always good to carry a jacket with you even in Summer time 🙂
Winter between mid-June to October is the ski season in New Zealand, with different ski fields for beginners and advanced skiers!
How to get around in New Zealand
Driving a car
This is the most common and convenient way to get around the country, and what I’d recommend the most. Note that the NZ driver seat is located on the right side – as opposed to many other countries.
I personally really like this, as have rented a car from them down in Queenstown, with a return in Christchurch. And they’re super-efficient with the process and can often find really good deals. They’re not located at the airport, but have a free shuttle bus with a super friendly driver for transfer to their office.
Very well-known rental company, especially for campervans, ranging from budget to fancy campervans. I have rented a car with them last year, and the pick up/ drop off process was super smooth. If you are picking up after office hours, just call the office ahead to check! They offer a shuttle to and back from the airport 🙂
You can use this website to compare the cars and prices, it has big rental companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget.
ALWAYS go for the full insurance plan, paying a little more extra at first can save you from worrying about anything on the road. And I’m speaking from experience!!!
Road Trip
With campervans or tents, I LOVE THIS!!!! You can enjoy your trip without a set schedule, and be spontaneous. After all, traveling is the best when you just go where your heart tells you to. Cheesyyyy hehe
I’ve done a few road trips in South Island and North Island in car, and have just came back from a campervavn road trip in South Island. It was amazing and our schedule was so flexible as you just drive whenever and wherever you want!
Bus
There are companies like Intercity which have services run throughout the countries, from one city/town to another; and it’s a lot cheaper compared to flights. That being said, it is definitely more time-consuming than other options!
Bus Tours/ Backpacker Tours
Great Sight offers a lot of day tours with amazing commentary from the driver or guide. Stray Tour, offers great tours including transportation, accommodation, some activities, and meals. With the chance to meet like-minded travelers from around the world.
Train
This is great for people who want to experience a unique style of travel, with open-air viewing, scenic carriages, and a cafe on board. It is definitely a unique experience, however, it’s not the cheapest and the options are quite limited in terms of destinations and schedule.
Hitchhike
It is fairly easy to get a ride by hitchhiking, especially in popular tourist destinations on the South Island. However, it is best not to hitchhike alone, if needed always let someone know about your whereabouts. Hold up a sign so people can see you easily!!!
Flights
There are two main domestic airlines operating in New Zealand, which are JetStar and Air NewZealand. Flying domestically is quite an expensive way of travel- especially from one island to another. However, you can often find cheaper Air New Zealand flights on Grabaseat– And JetStar often has cheap deals or flash deals for a very reasonable price.
Ferry
A good way to travel from one island to another, especially if you drive a car; there’s an option to bring the car on board. And NZ is surrounded by many small islands, which ferry is the best and cheapest way to travel.
And there are the other services like Uber, Didi, or Ola; which depend on the time of the day, and they’re definitely cheaper than taxi services. So are the public transportation like buses, and trains; they’re only really available in bigger cities, and speaking from experience they’re not the most reliable or convenient.
Where to stay in New Zealand
New Zealand has varieties of places to stay that cater to people on a budget or who are looking for a luxury vacation.
Please note due to variety of reasons, accomodation in New Zealand has increased quite significantly the past year. So allocate more budget towards accommodation might be needed. This includes the hostels, hotels, campgrounds etc.
- Hostel: This is a popular option for people on a budget, they often offer a really good rate, especially for the solo travelers out there. Hostel World is a great website for people to search and compare. It can range from $40-$70 for dorms, or a bit more expensive for a private room around $150.
- Camping/ Campervan: It goes well with a road trip, and it’s a super popular choice for people who enjoy nature and don’t want to spend big bucks on where they stay. It can be as cheap as free to $100 for a campsite (up to 2 pax).
- Motel: Suitable for families with kids looking for a cheaper deal on accommodation, and basic amenities and usually come with an equipped kitchen.
- Airbnb: Amazing place to find unique accommodation, they have all types from batches by the beach to glamping, B&B, or even a treehouse! A nice way to connect with locals and immerse in the culture.
- Hotels/Luxury Lodges: This option is good and comfy but can be quite expensive. Especially since it doesn’t usually come with a kitchen which means you’ll most probably eat out, which would add on quite a bit.
What to eat in New Zealand
To be very honest, it is quite expensive to eat out in New Zealand. Especially if you’re on a budget, the best way would be to cook by yourself and spend only a few meals outside.
The three main supermarkets in New Zealand are PAK’nSave, Countdown, and New World.
- PAK’nSAVE: This is the cheapest supermarket among the three, they often have weekly sales on and slashed prices. Also, they have their own gas station where you can get a discount on fuel if you shop there. However, it has the least stores in New Zealand.
- Countdown: It’s most common around New Zealand, with lots of varieties. So their convenience and affordable prices are advantages.
- New World: They sell many fresh and high-quality products, however, it’s also the most expensive among the three. Also has its own fuel station, and offers a discount on fuel if you shop there.
However, if you’re traveling to tourist places, especially on South Island; you will see fewer of those supermarkets. Instead, Four Square will be your best friend; as they are often spotted in remote tourist places like Lake Tekapo, Franz Josef. They are more expensive for sure, but the most convenient if you’re in remote places. So a tip would be to buy groceries from one of the three main supermarkets in the nearby cities/bigger towns on the way to save extra money!
If you would like to dine out, my recommendation would be to save the money and dine out when you’re in a bigger cities/ towns. As there would be much more varieties, and definitely cheaper than what they charge at those tourist remote places. And definitely try out Hangi, it is a unique and traditional cooking method by Maori; using heated rocks buried in a pit oven.
Things to do in New Zealand
Hiking:
One thing you can’t miss out on doing is hiking, there are trials that fit any fitness level, and all come with a very rewarding scenery.
Beach day:
You can simply lie on the sandy beach all day doing nothing, or go for a swim, surf, or snorkeling (Just remember to always put on sunscreen!)
Stargazing:
An AMAZING thing to do and it costs you nothing, all you need to do is to look up to the sky at night when it’s clear. And literally, anywhere in New Zealand, you can manage to find a place to do that. For a better experience, you could go to dark sky reserve locations such as Mt Cook or Lake Tekapo. You will be able to experience and see the clear milky way with thousands of stars surrounding it. And if you have a camera with you on your trip, you can take lots of wonderful breathtaking shots.
Immerse in the Maori Culture:
The Maori culture is such an important aspect of New Zealand’s history. Visit a museum, take a tour around the Waitangi treaty ground, enjoy a hangi feast, and meet the magnificent kauri tree “Tane Mahuta”.
Explore the glacier:
Opt-in for a Heli-hiking tour, ice climbing, boat tour on the glacier lake, or take a hike to view the glacier.
Milford Sound Cruises
Take a cruise out to enjoy the fiord and its wildlife, with guides and an onboard cafe. There are even overnight cruises if you are wanting to explore longer!
Observe penguins in their natural habitat:
Just remember to give them their space, and don’t touch them even though I know they’re very cute and it’s hard to resist!
Top places to visit in New Zealand
Aoraki Mount Cook
I was lucky enough to work and live there for 9 months, you just don’t get tired of the view. The highest mountain in NZ, a dark sky reserve location, glaciers, varieties of trails for hiking. It is a very breathtaking place to visit, even the scenery along the road is breathtaking.
The most recommended track is “Hooker Valley”. It’s a fairly easy 3 hours return walk, suitable for any age and fitness level, with three swing bridges along the way, accompanied by the amazing panoramic view of the different mountains and you’d even get to see glacier melts on the lake.
Read here for Top 10 things to do in Mount Cook 🙂
Queenstown
It’s a very touristic place, but it is definitely not a tourist trap. It’s got so much to offer, from scenic rivers to snowy mountains for skiing, Bungy jumping, big swings, gondola, and luge. And cute cafes around the town, the famous Fergburger, varieties of bars. It is definitely not the cheapest place to visit in New Zealand, but it’s so worth it!!!
The famous tourist spot Skyline Queenstown is currently under Phase 2 renovation until 1st July. So no public access to Skyline during this time. Please click here for the most up to date on the renovation.
Northland
Take a ferry to jump around the different islands, sailing day tour, cruise to a hole in the rock, plan a beach day, do the Haruru falls track, and visit the Waitangi Treaty Ground.
Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach
It is a perfect day trip in the Northland. The most accessible northernmost point in New Zealand Cape Reinga; sits a lighthouse where you can see the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean crashing against each other.
After that, you can drive to the 90 Mile Beach; where you could drive on the beach itself. Another option would be to go with a day tour.
*Note: Most rental companies insurance don’t cover the damage caused by it
To complete the day trip head to the Te Paki Sand Dunes. It is quite an amazing sand dune where you could sandboard down, with different levels of altitude and length.
You can easily rent a board at the parking lot. ($15 for a board), or if you join a tour they’d usually have it!
Epic 5-day Itinerary to explore Northland for more detailed tips and guides for Northland travel 🙂
Wanaka
A great destination to stop in between Queenstown and Aoraki Mt Cook, with the beautiful Wanaka Lake and the Wanaka Tree a.k.a the willow tree. Great location for skiing in Cadrona, drive for 50 mins to visit Blue Pools, a fantastic clear river.
There’s a swing bridge at the Blue Pools where people dive in the water, do it if you’re confident and looking for some adrenaline rush! The water is very cold so just be aware of that before you dive in 🙂
Coromandel
Cathedral Cove- the famous filming location for the movie “Narnia”. I can’t begin to describe how jaw-dropping the scenery is. Even if you go on an overcast day, it’s still absolutely AMAZING!! The beaches at Coromandel are very clear and pristine.
A must-visit and unique beach is the “Hot Water Beach” where you can dig a hole and make it into a little hot spring!
Must do hike this The Pinnacles, AMAZING hike for sunrise or sunset, make it an overnight trip!!
I stayed at Wairua Lodge, and I have to say I love it, it’s located in Whitianga; which is around 40 mins drive from Cathedral Cove. But seriously, the stay there was very secluded and comfy, even got to enjoy a bonfire with the other travelers that were there.
Please note with recent floods/ heavy rain in North Island, Coromandel Peninsula roads have been badly impacted. Please see here for updates on road conditions.
Hawke’s Bay
My personal favorite hike is Bell Rock Loop Track, it is an easy-to-moderate track, where it leads you up to an iconic lookout, and huge rocks that are shaped like a bell lol (as suggested by the name of the track). It is quite windy up top, and quite exposed so again remember to put on sunscreen, and bring enough water to stay hydrated!! Also, the drive leading up to the parking area is not a pleasant drive (around 20 mins’ worth of gravel road), so be aware!
Hawke’s Bay is also an outstanding region for wine lovers, with lots of winery options, and wine tasting tours. DO NOT miss this region if you love wine and are traveling through the North Island. And for outdoor lovers, Te Mata Peak is a great track for hiking or biking.
Milford Sound
Take a cruise out to enjoy the fiord and its wildlife, with guides and an onboard cafe. There are even overnight cruises if you are wanting to explore longer! It is one of the locations where you need to go if you ever travel to South Island, take a cruise tour and explore this ‘eighth wonder of the world’ described by Rudyard Kipling.
Also, it could get extremely windy and chilly on the cruise, as you can see in the picture haha. I went in summer, and the thin jacket I had was a very good idea! And again I went in winter, which was very cold so bring warm jacket!
The bonus of the cruise was I encountered some dolphins <3
Final Tip
Final tips for traveling to New Zealand: If you have a time limit, choose either South Island or North Island, then just stick with it. As each island would take weeks to fully explore and appreciate its beauty.
Traveling to North Island; has got more Maori culture locations and geothermal activities. So if you truly want to immerse yourself in the Maori culture, or are simply interested in their history, this would be a more recommended part of New Zealand to visit.
Traveling to South Island; is amazingly beautiful! Everywhere you go is like walking into a picture frame. If you love hiking, outdoor nature, and activities; then this part of New Zealand is definitely more suited for you.
Read more: Budget your next trip to New Zealand with this detailed guide
Lastly, apologies for overusing the words “AMAZING”, “Beautiful” “Breathingtaking” etc… But I ensure you that I’m not exaggerating at all, as New Zealand is the country that made me (a city girl from Taipei) truly fall in love with nature and the outdoor!
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