Travelling in New Zealand: What to Do, When to Visit, and More!
Whether it’s a grad trip with your best buddies or on honeymoon with bae, it’s not hard to see why New Zealand is just the perfect holiday destination. Brimming with breathtaking sights at every turn, and exciting activities from glacier hikes to scenic cruises - New Zealand definitely promises an adventure of a lifetime. If you’re not sure how to go about planning for your trip, here’s a handy guide filled with the best things to do on both the North and South Islands, how to travel around, suggestions on where to stay, and more!
New Zealand Travel Requirements
New Zealand will accept all travellers regardless of vaccination status starting 13 September. All you have to do is to complete the following applications before you fly:
- Complete New Zealand Traveller Declaration to obtain a Traveller Pass
- Those travelling under the visa-waiver scheme must apply for the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority before travel. The NZeTA will cost NZ$17 on the app or NZ$23 if completed online.
You can check the latest New Zealand travel requirements here.
Travel Insurance
While not mandated, it is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance that covers COVID-19-related medical/treatment expenses and hospitalisation costs. You can get TravelCare travel insurance on Klook with a COVID-19 add-on coverage.
New Zealand Travel Essentials 🇳🇿
Planning a New Zealand holiday? Here's our checklist of travel essentials for a smooth and hassle-free trip!
🏮 New Zealand Essentials: Top Must-Dos & Tours
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North Island vs South Island
Can’t decide on North or South Island? You can actually visit both on a single trip! But if you only have the time to cover one island, it might be worth checking out what you can do on each island and then deciding what interests you more (tough tbh but let us give you a quick summary of the differences!).
South Island
For those who prefer rugged adventures, South Island is for you! The South Island is bigger than the North Island and also more popular among the two. If you’re chasing iconic sights, the South Island is where you’ll find Milford Sound, Mount Cook (the largest mountain in NZ), Hokitika Gorge and more!
Great for:
✔️ Adventure seekers
✔️ Nature lovers
✔️ Those who want to check off the must-do iconic sights
North Island
For those who want to explore and learn more about New Zealand’s native Maori culture, the North Island has plenty of Maori cultural experiences for you to immerse in. Movie buffs will also be thrilled to see the Hobbiton Movie Set here (yes, the actual filming site for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies!). There are also picturesque landscapes aplenty and is also known for its geothermal pools and wellness spas, making it perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Great for:
✔️Wellness retreats
✔️Film, culture, and history buffs
✔️Nature lovers
How to Travel Around New Zealand
The best way to experience NZ is through a road trip where you can explore at your own pace and enjoy the convenience of having your own vehicle. If you're looking for fuss-free car rental in New Zealand, you can easily book a rental on Klook.
Travelling Around Without a Car
If you can’t drive, getting around by bus is your next best bet! Buses are the cheapest and most common form of public transport available for travelling between towns and cities. Intercity and Naked Bus are the two leading bus providers and fees start from NZ$10.
Intercity offers different kinds of bus passes, FlexiPass and TravelPass. FlexiPass is hours-based (eg. buy a 15/30/60-hour pass) and travel at your own pace to hop on and off at any stop on the network, while TravelPass allows you to choose from various pre-planned itineraries and routes.
You can find out more on the Intercity bus website.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
New Zealand is beautiful all year round, but there are definitely unique experiences to look forward to in every season!
Spring
When: September to November
Temperatures range from 4.5°C - 18°C
Highlights:
- Spectacular floral displays! Don’t miss the flowering purple lupins on the shores of turquoise Lake Tekapo
- Celebrate Hobbit Day (22 Sept) at the Hobbiton Movie Set
Summer
When: December to February
Temperatures range from 21°C - 32°C
Highlights:
- Outdoor adventures! Explore water sports like jet boating, snorkelling, diving, whitewater rafting, and more
- Long sunny days offer the perfect opportunities to go for scenic hikes or chill by the beach
Autumn
When: March to May
Temperatures range from 7°C - 21°C
Highlights:
- Enjoy Autumn foliage! Leaves turn a beautiful red, gold and orange
- Flights and accoms are usually cheaper as this is the off-peak season
- Great for hiking (explore the national parks!), kayaking, and vineyard hopping
Winter
When: June to August
Temperatures range from 1.5°C - 15.5°C
The further south you go, the colder you will get - temperatures are significantly lower in Queenstown than in Auckland.
Highlights:
- Winter wonderland - snowy peaks all around and gorgeous alpine scenery!
- Best time to indulge in snow sports like skiing or snowboarding
- Whale watching
- Soak in onsen pools
Best Things to Do in South Island
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Take on the challenge and try to reach Mount Cook’s summit! Image credits: @kooleahnoel
Love having fun in the snow? Head onto Aoraki Mount Cook National Park for glorious mountain trails and glacier tours!
Home to the highest mountains and longest glaciers in New Zealand, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park should definitely be on your bucket list! Learn the legend of Aoraki and choose from the several activities in this national park.
Key activities in this New Zealand tourist attraction include mountain walks, glacier viewing and skiing, and mountaineering. If you’re an expert climber, you must try climbing Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain!
Milford Sound
Nature lovers will definitely enjoy Milford Sound when they visit New Zealand. This remote fiord welcomes you with its verdant rainforests, majestic rock formations, and cascading waterfalls. It’s also home to famous New Zealand tourist attractions such as Mitre Peak and Stirling and Lady Bowen Falls.
Here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy Milford Sound:
Milford Sound Scenic Flight
The quickest way to see Milford Sound from Queenstown is by a fly over. Get the best views of Milford Sound via a scenic flight - window seats guaranteed! You will get to enjoy sprawling panoramas that span from the Mount Aspiring National Park into the Fiordland National Park, flying above snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and glacial rivers before descending into Milford Sound. You'll also get to fly past Sutherland Falls (one of New Zealand’s tallest waterfalls!) on your way back!
Fiord Day Cruise
Now that you've seen the sights from way up high - how about going on a cruise all aboard a Milford Sound cruise to catch the majestic Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls up close? Bonus - you'll get to meet adorable local creatures such as New Zealand fur seals along the way!
The cruise lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes, and you can sit back as you listen to your local guide’s fun commentary while sipping on a complimentary cuppa or tea. Picnic lunches are available for pre-purchase too.
Milford Sound Sightseeing and Kayaking Experience
Don’t let the calm, pristine waters of Milford Sound’s glacier-fed rivers go to waste! Avail of this sightseeing and kayaking experience to explore the sparkling waters via your very own kayak!
During the cruise, experience the best views of the iconic Lady Bowen Falls, the fiord’s tallest waterfall, and be greeted by rare local fauna such as the Fiordland crested penguin. Afterward, go on your kayak and paddle across giant rock formations and get up close to majestic, thundering waterfalls such as Stirling Falls!
Shotover Jet Boat Ride
Who says you need to head to a waterpark for a splashing good time? Get ready for some serious spills and thrills on a Shotover Jet Boat ride - a screaming good time is guaranteed!
Race through canyon walls down Shotover River on this 30-minute adrenaline-pumping jet boat ride and hold on tight (especially with those 360-degree spins!).
Explore Franz Josef Glacier
Experience the ultimate glacial experience when you visit Franz Josef Glacier or Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere in NZ’s South Island!
There are several ways to tour these New Zealand tourist attractions - go on a 1.5-hour walk that takes you within 750 metres of the glacier, or go on a heli hike or guided ice walks to get much closer to one of New Zealand's most iconic natural attractions!
Heli Hike in Franz Josef Glacier
Learn how to walk on ice when you visit Franz Josef Glacier!
What's a heli hike, you ask? It's an adventure-filled combination of helicopter flight PLUS guided trek that guarantees the best views and experience for this majestic glacial formation!
Spend half a day discovering the glacier with an expert guide who’ll teach you all about the formation and get up to 2 hours of fun ice time on the snowy landscape. Learn the art of step-cutting, and you’ll soon find the safest and most comfortable way for you to travel through the glacier like a pro.
Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing in Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier is mainly inaccessible unless by air, so if you want to marvel at this snowy alpine region, we recommend taking this helicopter flight experience! For those who prefer to do without the ice hike, this experience is perfect for you!
Soar 6,000 feet above ground on your breathtaking 20-minute flight and experience a thrilling snow landing. Then it's a picture-perfect snowcapped sights all around - better challenge your family or friends to a snowball fight while you’re up there!
Wanaka Tree and Roy’s Peak
If you've done some research on top must-sees to see in New Zealand, then you would have definitely come across #thatwanakatree (yes, it even has it's own hashtag!). Standing alone in Lake Wanaka, the Wanaka tree appears to be floating on the lake, and you'd definitely have to agree it is a beautiful sight with a tinge of haunting.
If you have time, you can also scale up Roy's Peak. The trailhead start is pretty near the Wanaka Tree. The hike will take roughly 5-6 hours return depending on your pace. It is marked as an easy climb and the total route runs 16km. Enjoy views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks, including Mount Aspiring from high above!
5 Best Things to Do in North Island
Hobbiton Movie Set
Feel the magic surround you in this Hobbiton movie set tour! Image credits: @shwetasarkar_
Calling all Ringers! It’s your chance to step into the Shire and explore the magical Middle Earth right at the heart of the Waikato region.
Let your guide show you how movie magic transformed a 1,250-acre sheep farm into well-loved filming locations for the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit! This 2-hour guided tour takes you to the exact film sets of the Hobbit House, Hobbit Holes, The Green Dragon Inn, and The Mill and you can cap off the tour with a complimentary beverage at The Green Dragon Inn or in The Beer Garden.
Waitomo Glowworms cave
Known as one of New Zealand's most iconic natural attractions, the Waitomo Glowworms Caves is home to thousands of glow worms. Hop on a boat and silently glide through the waters of the glow worm grotto to admire Mother Nature's light display.
Fun Fact: The species of glow worms found in this cave are native to New Zealand, so this is a unique experience that you won't be able to find anywhere else in the world!
Cathedral Cove
One of the North Island's most treasured gems is Cathedral Cove, which is located on the gorgeous Hahei Beach. While it's a picturesque sight, we definitely recommend exploring further beyond the golden shores, via a glass-bottom boat tour!
Explore the stunning Coromandel coastline and the Te Whanganui-A-Hei marine reserve on a 2-hour guided scenic boat tour, to see Cathedral Cove, sheer cliff faces, towering pinnacles, incredible rock formations, and sea caves.
The boat's glass panels allow allow you to get a closer look at the rich marine life, and you can also head out to go snorkelling if you wish!
Wai-O-Tapu Park
Image credit: New Zealand Tourism
You’ll never run out of photo opportunities in this thermal wonderland! Image credits: @waiotapu_wonderland_nz
Named "One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World", Wai-O-Tapu Park is a geothermal wonderland in Rotorua that's home to gushing geysers, neon sulphuric pools, and bubbling hot springs.
Some cannot-miss features here include the Wai-O-Tapu mud pools (largest mud pools in New Zealand) as well as the Lady Knox Geyser eruption which happens daily at 10.15 am!
Learn about Maori Culture
Last, but not the least, you can't visit New Zealand without learning more about the local culture. And there's no better place to do so than at the Whakarewarewa Village, New Zealand's only true living Maori village.
Learn more about how the local people live day to day in this geothermal village, and catch the Maori Cultural Performance Show, where you can witness the powerful and sacred Haka. You will also get to listen to stories, songs, and dances that play an important role in the Maori culture.
Where to Stay in New Zealand
There are plenty of accommodation options to suit every budget. Here are some suggestions!
South Island
Queenstown
- Kamana Lakehouse: Beautiful hotel by the lake with sweeping views of the lake and The Remarkables mountain range and rooms with a private hot tub too!
- Nugget Point Resort and Spa: Boasting fantastic spa facilities that include rose mosaic showers, a sauna, a Roman bath, and even a saltwater plunge pool - a relaxing stay awaits
- Hurley's of Queenstown: 4-star plus modern motel apartment accommodation in Queenstown that's clean, value-for-money, and close to the city centre
Christchurch
- Crowne Plaza Christchurch: Located in the CBD of Christchurch with shops and cafes in the vicinity
- Chateau on the Park: Boasts a moat, a vineyard, and a beautiful rose garden while being only 2.9km from the vibrant city centre
- Peppers Clearwater Resort Christchurch: Located on a beautiful golf course surrounded by clear shimmering lakes
Others
- [Mount Cook] Aoraki Court Motel: Motel with sensational views of sublime mountains all around. Each unit comes with a kitchenette and ensuite bathroom
- [Kaikoura] The Fairways Apartments: Expect nothing but spacious luxury with features like separate ensuite king bedrooms with jetted tubs and even a fire-lit lounge for cosy nights!
- [Wanaka] Clearbrook Motels Wanaka: Clean and affordable stay that is only a 5-minute drive from the famous #ThatWanakaTree at the scenic Roys Bay
North Island
Auckland
- Auckland City Hotel: Clean and centrally-located hotel in the heart of Auckland's entertainment and business district with easy access to motorways
- Movenpick Hotel Auckland: Located in the heart of Auckland's CBD and waterfront district within strolling distance to the city’s best restaurants and shopping
- Hilton Auckland: Waterfront hotel with sundecks, private balconies, and walls of windows for stunning harbour views
Wellington
- Novotel Wellington: Centrally-located and well-furnished hotel with sweeping city views and direct access to Lambton Quay by lift
- Grand Mercure Wellington: Overlooking the Cuba Quarter, the hotel is a short walk to restaurants, shopping and Te Papa Museum
- DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington: Centrally-located hotel that has close proximity to a variety of dining and entertainment establishments and attractions like the Museum of New Zealand and Wellington Waterfront
Others
- [Rotorua] Novotel Rotorua Lakeside: Centrally located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Novotel Rotorua Lakeside has easy access to dining and entertainment outlets. Guests can also enjoy the hotel's free geothermal spa pools!
- [Hobbiton] Hidden Lake Hotel and Apartments: Lakeside hotel with luxury features. Apartments are fully self-contained and in-room minibars introduce local ingredients
- [Waitomo Caves] Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge: Family-owned guest lodge that is just a short stroll away from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
More New Zealand Inspo
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