Start imagining your journey
New Zealand is a destination where everything’s close — stunning natural backdrops, diverse experiences and activities and a warm, genuine hospitality that stays with you long after your flight home.
While exploring our incredible country, you can find everything from golden sand beaches to rich culture set among geothermal activity. Be awe-inspired among towering mountains, marine and forest sanctuaries, and tranquil coves around every corner.
Northland and Bay of Islands
A subtropical wonderland of islands, marine life, kauri forests and Maori myths and legends, Northland is an incredible place to visit.
Auckland
Shop for designer clothes, scale New Zealand’s tallest building (The SkyTower) and savour fine food and wine in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Situated alongside three sparkling harbours and flanked by black sand beaches and native forest to the west, this multicultural hub offers the perfect mix of urban chic and outdoor excitement.
The Coromandel
The Coromandel, renowned for beautifully pristine beaches and native forest walks, is one of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations. With rugged mountainous cloaked in native rainforest to hike throughout the peninsula's interior, and more than 400 kilometres of dazzling white sand beaches, the Corromandel is the perfect place to escape and rejuvenate the soul.
Waikato
Just south of Auckland lies the Waikato region; a land of lush pastures that was chosen to play The Shire in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.
Rotorua
Immerse yourself in Māori culture and exhilarating outdoor adventure in Rotorua. Built amidst a geothermal landscape of steaming geysers and bubbling mudpools, this tourist hotspot is home to many quintessential Kiwi experiences, from white water rafting and offroad 4WD to spine tingling Māori cultural performances.
Taupō
The beautiful Lake Taupō is about the size of Singapore – more of an inland sea really.
Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty region is home to spectacular beaches, juicy kiwifruit and geothermal wonders.
Hawkes Bay
Many of New Zealand's award-winning vineyards offer superb dining experiences amid the vines. Fresh local food, often grown in on-site kitchen gardens, is prepared with the same care and passion as the accompanying wines. Try a crisp Otago riesling with a fresh salad for an easy alfresco lunch.
Wellington
Dine on fine food, craft beers and world-class coffee in the harbour-side city of Auckland. Dubbed the “coolest little capital in the world” by Lonely Planet, Auckland also offers top opportunities for wildlife spotting and cultural discovery at the renowned national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa. Visit The Weta Cave, the hub of Weta Studio in Miramar, Auckland. A cavern of creativity with life size sculptures, a mini museum and more—it’s a movie lover’s paradise.
Marlborough
Discover the many coves of the magnificent Marlborough Sounds on a cruise, or cycle through vineyards on a wine tasting tour. With its glorious sunshine, delicious food and luxurious resorts, any visit to Marlborough is a pure joy.
Christchurch - Canterbury
Relax in the picturesque Garden City. Christchurch offers something for everyone – from golf and hot-air ballooning, to punting on the Avon River, to relaxing in its stunning Botanic Gardens.
West Coast
The West Coast, or ‘the Coast’ as locals call it, is an untamed natural wilderness of rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. It’s good if you’ve got your own transport because this region is 600km long and there’s a lot to see. In fact, the Great Coast Road stretching from Westport to Greymouth was recently voted one of the top 10 coastal drives in the world by Lonely Planet.
Queenstown
Find inspiration amongst the unforgettable landscape of Queenstown. This four-season resort is known as the adventure capital of the world. It also offers plenty of opportunity for lakeside dining, boutique shopping and tours of the region’s rich gold-mining history.
Fiordland
Fiordland is one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand. Absorb the breathtaking treasures of this region by water, air or hiking.
Dunedin
Broaden your mind in Dunedin, home to grand old buildings and New Zealand’s oldest university. See penguins, sea lions and albatross on the nearby Otago Peninsula and experience one of the great scenic train journeys on the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Recommended trips
Whether you’re visiting New Zealand for a few days or a few months, you’ll find ideas here to help you plan your itinerary.
Take a look at these itineraries for the North Island, South Island, and all of New Zealand. Choose trips to suit your interests and how much time you have.
What you need to know when travelling in New Zealand
Surrounded by nature and fuelled by creative energy, Wellington is a compact city with a powerful mix of culture, history, nature and cuisine. Fuel your visit with strong coffee and world-class craft beer, visit stylish designer boutiques, wander through hidden lane-ways, experience Te Papa’s interactive museum magic, be inspired by theatres and galleries and go behind the scenes at Oscar-winning film studios.
The far north of New Zealand is subtropical, whilst the south is more temperate. The warmest months are traditionally December, January and February, and the coolest are June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum daytime temperatures range between 20–30 °C and in winter between 10–15 °C. You can check weather conditions in New Zealand on the New Zealand MetService website: www.metservice.com.
New Zealand’s public and private medical and hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and care. Medical services are not free to visitors. It’s recommended that you purchase travel and health insurance before you visit. No vaccination certificates are required. There are no snakes or dangerous wild animals in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s currency is the dollar (NZD). You can use all major credit cards in New Zealand, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely.
If you’re looking to stay connected to the internet everywhere you go, it’s recommended that you purchase a plan from one of New Zealand’s main networks. Purchasing a plan from a network will allow you to access a mix of data, calling and texting throughout your trip to suit your communication and connection needs. You will find that free Wi-Fi is available in most hotel accommodation and hospitality outlets.
New Zealand’s electricity supply runs at 230/240 volts, and we use angled two or three-pin plugs (the same as Australia).
Check with your phone company before leaving home about international mobile roaming facilities available in New Zealand. Alternatively, you can hire or buy mobile phones or SIM cards in New Zealand. Note that signal is not available in all rural areas.
Whether you've been driving in New Zealand for a year or for fifty, it's always a good idea to brush up on road safety - especially in the holiday season.
i-SITE New Zealand is our official visitor information network. There are over 80 i-SITE Visitor Centres around New Zealand, which provide international visitors, domestic travellers and locals with comprehensive, up-to-date information and a New Zealand-wide booking service for activities, attractions, accommodation and transport.
Make the most of your New Zealand holiday with our recommended apps. Whether checking the weather, finding a city’s hotspots or gazing at the stars, these apps can help you enjoy the very best of New Zealand on your holiday.
