Notable Places
Discover New Zealand
Use the map to explore New Zealand and discover our favorite places. Start with our 3-week itinerary to help plan your trip.
New Zealand Quick Guide
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Language: English, Māori
- Emergency Number: 111
- Tipping: Not expected, but appreciated for exceptional service
- Fun Fact #1: There are more sheep than people—about five to one!
- Fun Fact #2: New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote
- Fun Fact #3: It’s home to the real-life filming locations of Middle-earth from The Lord of the Rings
Where to Stay in New Zealand
New Zealand offers everything from luxury lodges and boutique hotels to eco-cabins, farm stays, and hostels. In the North Island, Auckland and Wellington are urban hubs, while Queenstown, Wanaka, and Christchurch are popular in the South Island. For nature lovers, remote accommodations near national parks are unforgettable.
Start by planning out where you would like to visit and then search for accommodation in those areas. We use Booking.com for all our hotel stays, many hotels have pay later offers and you can build up your Genius level to get discounts on your stays.
Plan Where to Stay
Best Places To Stay In New Zealand With Hilton Hotels
New ZealandAre you planning a trip to one of the most amazing places to travel to and looking for the…
Where To Stay In Queenstown – Budget To Luxury
New ZealandDiscover the best areas to stay in Queenstown, New Zealand, from lakeside hotels in the town center to family-friendly…
How to Get Around New Zealand
New Zealand is best explored by road, especially if you want to reach scenic spots off the beaten path. Renting a car or campervan is a popular choice for both islands. Roads are generally in good condition, but keep in mind that driving is on the left side. Buses like InterCity connect major towns and tourist spots, while scenic trains such as the TranzAlpine offer breathtaking rail journeys.
Domestic flights are quick and convenient for traveling between islands or from one end of the country to the other. Ferries like the Interislander link the North and South Islands via the Cook Strait. Within cities, public transport is reliable, buses are the main mode in Auckland and Wellington (which also has a cable car). Rideshare services are available in larger cities, but rural areas often require your own transport.
Must-Visit Places in New Zealand
- Queenstown – Adventure capital with bungee jumping and alpine beauty
- Rotorua – Geothermal wonders and Māori cultural experiences
- Milford Sound – Spectacular fjord in Fiordland National Park
- Aoraki / Mount Cook – Highest peak and amazing stargazing
- Wellington – Cool capital with great coffee and Te Papa Museum
- Tongariro National Park – Home to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Bay of Islands – Beautiful beaches and marine life
- Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers – Stunning accessible glaciers
- Hobbiton – Movie set tour in Matamata for LOTR fans
- Kaikoura – Whale watching and coastal walks
Stay Connected
Don’t waste time hunting for SIM cards or stressing about roaming. With an eSIM, you can get connected as soon as you land and stay online wherever your adventures take you.
🔗 Check out our guide to the cheapest eSIMs for international travel.
Best Places to Visit
How To Visit The Hobbiton Movie Location In New Zealand
New ZealandIt’s all real. The Shire. Hobbiton. Bag End! My first trip to New Zealand was back in 2010 and…
Top 10 Things To Do In New Zealand’s South Island
New ZealandThe South Island, massive, dramatic, wild, and epic, is New Zealand’s adventure capital. From pancake‑layered rocks and fjord cruises to…
Top 10 Things To Do In New Zealand’s North Island
New ZealandDiscover the best of New Zealand’s North Island, from thrilling black water rafting in Waitomo Caves to relaxing geothermal…
New Zealand Food to Try
Kiwi cuisine features a mix of local produce, seafood, and Māori tradition:
- Hāngi – Traditional Māori feast cooked underground
- Green-lipped mussels – Native shellfish found along the coast
- Lamb – Often roasted and a national favorite
- Pāua fritters – Made from large local sea snails
- Fish and chips – Best enjoyed beachside from a local takeaway
- Kumara – Māori sweet potato, often roasted or mashed
- Pavlova – Contested dessert also claimed by Australia, topped with fruit
- L&P (Lemon & Paeroa) – Iconic fizzy soft drink
- Hokey Pokey ice cream – Vanilla ice cream with honeycomb toffee chunks
- Whitebait fritters – Seasonal delicacy made with tiny translucent fish
Discover Local Food
5 Tasty New Zealand Souvenirs You Have To Buy Before You Leave
New ZealandAfter you’ve spent all those weeks in the beautiful country, you’re naturally going to start to think about what…
Top 5 Things To Bring On Every Trip
- Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unforeseen events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.
- Power Bank: Keep your devices charged on the go, ensuring you stay connected and capture every moment.
- Universal Travel Adapter: A must-have for international travelers to plug in and power up devices in different countries.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste; many destinations have refill stations available.
- Packing Cubes: Organize your luggage efficiently, making it easier to find items and maximize space.
Top Day Tours to Discover New Zealand
- Waiheke Island: Escape to Waiheke Island just 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland. The Hop‑on Hop‑Off bus lets you explore at your own pace, vineyards with world‑class Bordeaux-style reds, pristine beaches, chic galleries, and seaside villages, with local tips from the host. Breathe that relaxed, culinary, cultural island vibe.
- Lake Tekapo: Experience the magic of the night sky atop Mount John, perched above Lake Tekapo, part of the world’s largest Gold‑rated Dark Sky Reserve. Expert guides lead you from the naked‑eye wonder of constellations to deep-space views through powerful research telescopes. Each clear night reveals a breathtaking cosmic show you won’t soon forget.
- Milford Sound: Travel from Queenstown to the UNESCO‑listed Milford Sound and escape into Fiordland’s dramatic wilderness. Cruise the fiord’s towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, while spotting dolphins, seals, penguins, and rare black coral ecosystems. The scenic coach route is as awe‑inspiring as the destination.
- Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves: Perfect for a day trip from Auckland is this magical day through cinematic and natural marvels. Wander the lush movie‑set of Hobbiton, complete with hobbit holes, the Party Tree, and a pint at the Green Dragon Inn, then cruise beneath a galaxy of glowworms in Waitomo’s limestone caves, a quietly mesmerizing spectacle.
Latest in New Zealand
Where To Stay In Queenstown – Budget To Luxury
New ZealandDiscover the best areas to stay in Queenstown, New Zealand, from lakeside hotels in the town center to family-friendly...
Top 10 Things To Do In New Zealand’s North Island
New ZealandDiscover the best of New Zealand’s North Island, from thrilling black water rafting in Waitomo Caves to relaxing geothermal...
Top 10 Things To Do In New Zealand’s South Island
New ZealandThe South Island, massive, dramatic, wild, and epic, is New Zealand’s adventure capital. From pancake‑layered rocks and fjord cruises to...
Best Places To Stay In New Zealand With Hilton Hotels
New ZealandAre you planning a trip to one of the most amazing places to travel to and looking for the...
Black Water Rafting In Waitomo New Zealand – A Review
New ZealandNew Zealand has an overwhelming amount of adrenaline activities but if there’s one that’s truly unique to the country,...
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hiking Guide – Shuttle, What To Expect, What To Pack
New ZealandThe awesome power of mother earth is seen on full display along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. There will be...
5 Tasty New Zealand Souvenirs You Have To Buy Before You Leave
New ZealandAfter you’ve spent all those weeks in the beautiful country, you’re naturally going to start to think about what...
How To Visit The Hobbiton Movie Location In New Zealand
New ZealandIt’s all real. The Shire. Hobbiton. Bag End! My first trip to New Zealand was back in 2010 and...
Skydive New Zealand Above Abel Tasman – Achieve Your Skydiving Bucket List Goals
New ZealandIf there’s one place in the world to jump out of a plane, it’s New Zealand I’m not really...
The Ultimate 3 Week New Zealand Itinerary
New ZealandBold claim I know, but in a country where it’s almost impossible not to have the Lord of the...
The Comprehensive New Zealand Travel Guide – Read Before You Go
New ZealandAre you planning a trip to the land of hobbit holes, misty white-capped mountains, creaking glaciers, thunderous falls, mysterious...
Flying Kiwi New Zealand Adventure Bus Tour – Reverse Traverse Itinerary Review
New ZealandFlying Kiwi is as uniquely different as bus tours come and it’s just what you want for New Zealand...
Top 5 Things To Do from Queenstown, New Zealand
New ZealandI’m not even exaggerating. There are so many things you can do from Queenstown in the South Island of...
What To Pack For New Zealand – A Visual Super Guide
New ZealandAre you planning a trip to New Zealand and thinking about what you need to bring? It’s a tricky...
