New ZealandNew Zealand travel,
planned properly.
Independent advice on where to go, what to do and how to put it all together, from the subtropical north to the fiords of the deep south.
Two main islands, sixteen regions and four seasons in a day. We help you choose where to go, then show you how to get there.
Pick your landscape
Every region has its own character. Start with the scenery you want to wake up to.
Northland
Warm, unhurried and full of history: Northland is where modern New Zealand began, with island-studded bays, giant kauri forests and long empty beaches running all the way to the top of the country.Explore →Auckland
Explore →Waikato
Explore →Bay of Plenty
Explore →Gisborne / Tairāwhiti
Explore →Hawke's Bay
Explore →Taranaki
Explore →Manawatū-Whanganui
Explore →Wellington
Explore →Tasman
Golden sand, turquoise water and three national parks: Tasman is the sunny top of the South Island, home to the Abel Tasman Coast Track and the remote beauty of Golden Bay.Explore →Nelson
Explore →Marlborough
Explore →West Coast
Explore →Canterbury
Explore →Otago
Explore →Southland
Explore →What moves you?
Walks, wine, wildlife and a little adrenaline. Choose a theme and we will show you where to find it.
Great Walks
New Zealand's eleven Great Walks are its premier multi-day tracks, with well-kept paths…Explore →Beaches and coast
With 15,000 km of coastline, New Zealand has everything from wild black-sand surf…Explore →Food and wine
From Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to Central Otago Pinot Noir, green-lipped mussels to a…Explore →Māori culture
Te ao Māori, the Māori world, is part of everyday life in Aotearoa…Explore →Ski and snow
New Zealand's ski season runs roughly June to October, with resorts on volcanoes…Explore →Wildlife
Isolation gave New Zealand birds and sea life found nowhere else. Many native…Explore →Adventure
Bungy was turned into a business here, and the adventure list keeps growing:…Explore →Hot pools and geothermal
New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so steaming ground, geysers…Explore →Cycling
Ngā Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trails, link thousands of kilometres of off-road…Explore →Road trips
Distances are short on the map but roads are winding, which is half…Explore →Four seasons, two islands, one unforgettable trip.
There is no bad time to come, only different trips. Summer beaches, autumn colour, winter snow and spring waterfalls.
Plan by season →Long warm days, beaches and Great Walks. The busiest time, so book early.
Settled weather, golden poplars in Central Otago and harvest in the vineyards.
Skiing, stargazing, hot pools and quiet, cosy towns.
Lambs, blossom, roaring waterfalls and fewer crowds.
Ready-made trips
Day-by-day plans from a long weekend to two weeks, to follow as they are or mix and match.
7 days in the South Island
Lakes, mountains and a fiord in one week: a classic loop from Christchurch through the Mackenzie Country to Queenstown and Milford Sound.
10 days in the North Island
Beaches, geothermal valleys, volcanoes and two cities: the best of the North Island in ten unhurried days.
Auckland to the Bay of Islands road trip
A short, easy road trip north to subtropical bays, Treaty history and the kauri forest.
A family week in Rotorua
Steam, mud, luge rides and forest walks: Rotorua is one of the easiest and most fun family bases in the country.
5 days in Queenstown and Fiordland
Adventure, alpine lakes and the fiords: everything people imagine when they think of the South Island.
The practical stuff
From visas to driving on the left: what to sort before you go.
Getting around
Most visitors drive, but you can also fly between cities, take long-distance buses, ride the scenic trains and…
Driving in New Zealand
New Zealand roads are scenic, quiet and often narrow and winding. A little preparation makes driving here safe…
Seasons and weather
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere, and the weather can change quickly, so plan…
Visas, NZeTA and arriving
Most visitors need a visa or a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before they travel. Check the…
Costs and money
New Zealand is not a budget destination, but planning ahead keeps costs down. Prices include 15% GST, and…
Staying safe
New Zealand is a safe country to visit, but its outdoors can be serious. Most problems come from…
Campervans and camping
Campervans are a classic way to travel New Zealand, but freedom camping rules are strict. Know where you…
Latest guides
Best time to visit New Zealand, month by month
New Zealand's seasons run opposite to the Northern Hemisphere, with each month offering different weather and activities.
Little Huia
Discovering Little Huia: A Hidden Gem in New Zealand’s Majestic Landscape Nestled near the rugged coastlines and lush forests of the Waitakere…
Find somewhere to stay.
Hotels, lodges, tours and things to do across New Zealand, on our sister site Big Red Directory.
Browse Big Red Directory →