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New Zealand Travel Guide

Your ultimate new zealand travel guide, with tips, ideas on things to do, and best things to see in new zealand. great for first-time and returning travelers..

New Zealand really does conjure up images of Middle Earth.

It is a land filled with breathtaking scenery , striking mountains, pristine beaches, lush forests and rolling hills.

The landscape is so diverse in such a small space.

One minute you can be walking on a glacier and the next you can be hiking beside a waterfall. It is simply an unforgettable journey. 

This New Zealand  travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.

Popular City Guides

• Top Things to do in New Zealand
• Christchurch
• Bunjee Jumping

Our Highlight

Table of contents

Table of Contents

Fast Facts about New Zealand

• New Zealand power voltage is 220 V 50Hz;  Plug I
• The currency is the New Zealand Dollar and is around 1.20 NZD to 1.35 USD
• Internet can be slow and expensive, travelers can check out McDonalds and libraries for  free Wi-Fi .
• Tipping is not customary in New Zealand, so you don’t need to leave anything extra unless the service was truly exemplary.
• You can get a local sim card from Vodaphone once you arrive in New Zealand. We recommend this for longer stays.

Things to See and Do in New Zealand

• Sky Dive Abel Tasman – enjoy the outstanding scenery as you jump from the 16,500 feet.
• Whitewater Raft Class 5 Rapids  – go on the ultimate white water rafting experience through freezing glacial waters and the ultimate class 5 rapids.
• Swim with Dolphins – have a special and personal moment with a dolphin in the Bay of Islands.
• Paraglide in Queenstown  – take a tandem jump and fly high in the sky overlooking the city, lake and mountains.
• Bungy Jump!  – try a bungy jump (yes it’s spelled bungy, not bungee) in New Zealand, the land where it was invented.
• Take a Sailing Adventure – through Abel Tasman
• Tamaki Maori Village  – Rotorua is renowned for its Maori culture experiences and the most well-known of them all is the Tamaki Maori Village Rotorua where travelers can experience a journey into the heart of the Maori culture.
• Visit the Boiling crater of Wai-O-Tapu – also known as the Campagne pool, this geothermal area is filled with thermal springs and geysers
• Trek the Fox Glacier – suit up with thick woolly socks and boots before embarking on a full day walk through this epic glacier.
• Discover the Glow-worm Caves  –  be dazzled by the sparkling display of bioluminescent lights in this cave.
• Check out the Sights of Middle Earth – take a tour with Luxmore Jet for a pinch of adrenaline with a heap of nature through Middle Earth.

New Zealand Travel Guides

• The Tongariro Alpine Crossing: New Zealand’s Best 1 Day Hike
• Best Things to do in Wanaka
• 21 Things to Do in Christchurch, New Zealand

Accommodation

Budget:  New Zealand has a variety of hostels for about 15.5-30 New Zealand dollars per night. These hostels come with dorms, free Wi-Fi, shared kitchens, lounge areas, and great central locations. 

Mid-Range:  Mid-range hotels will cost around 86-150 New Zealand dollars per night. Amenities include private rooms with coffee makers and flat-screen TVs, a hotel restaurant and bar, a gym, and an indoor pool. 

High-End:  For five-star hotels, expect to pay around 156-400 New Zealand dollars per night. Take in the best with top-of-the-line hospitality, private rooms and suites with balconies and living rooms, fine dining options with live music, a spa and hot tub, a fitness center, in-room breakfast, and room service.

Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.

The cuisine in New Zealand favors seafood, roast lamb, fish and chips, wine, and cheese. Dinner is usually the main meal of the day. When out and about, look for hokey pokey ice cream (caramelized honeycomb) or pavlova (meringue, fruit, and whipped cream).

New Zealand has many street vendors, as well as restaurants, where you can try more of their cuisine. In total, expect to pay around 75 New Zealand dollars per day for food when dining at restaurants.

The Best Ways to Get Around New Zealand

Getting to new zealand:.

Flights:  The main hubs to New Zealand are Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Queenstown. Auckland Airport is the largest international airport in New Zealand and is located about 9.5 miles from downtown.

Other major airports include Christchurch International Airport (7.5 miles from the city) and Wellington International Airport (3.5 miles from the city). Air New Zealand flies from around the world with direct flights from cities such as Vancouver, San Francisco and Hong Kong.

You can check for the best flights to New Zealand on  Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Buses : Buses are a good way to get around and one of the main ways that locals travel. Tickets start at 1.57 New Zealand Dollars. If you know you’ll use the bus a lot, consider getting a bus pass, with prices based on the number of trips you take. You can also look for bus tours that travel throughout the whole of New Zealand and include meals and places to sleep.

Taxis:  Taxis are available in most cities in New Zealand and start at 3.50 New Zealand dollars in places like Auckland.

Campervans are an excellent way to get around New Zealand with several companies offering rentals and well-established campgrounds with full facilities. Read all about our experience here.

To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old and have a driver’s license. Drivers under 25 will be subject to additional fees per day. For drivers 25 and over, prices start at 70 New Zealand dollars per day. Check for prices and availability here.

Uber:  Uber is available throughout New Zealand.

When to go To New Zealand

New Zealand has a varied landscape with two distinct islands. The North Island is warmer than the South with a sub-tropical climate.

Snorkeling and swimming is more pleasant up here. But the South Island was made for adventure.

Dec-Feb  is summer in New Zealand – this is high season with the most visitors. You’ll see a lot of  campervans  on the road and campgrounds fill up quickly. March  – April –  a great time to visit at just the start of autumn. There are still warm days and crowds start to thin out. But pack layers and a jacket. You’ll start to see the fall colours too! We travelled through New Zealand all of March and days were warm. Evenings were cool, but we still managed to  snorkel,  go sailing, skydive, bungy jump…we did everything you would do in New Zealand during the summer months. June – August  is winter in New Zealand. If you are into skiing, you may want to check out New Zealand in the winter. The South Island can dip below -10 C – the North Island sees more rain in winter -Snowfalls happen in the Central Plateau on the North Island and the Southern Alps in the South. Sept- Nov  – Good shoulder season for travel as things start to warm up and crowds haven’t arrived full swing.

Where to Stay in New Zealand

Sofitel Auckland – centrally located in Auckland at Viaduct Harbour, you can’t go wrong with a Sofitel. It is close enough to amenities, but quiet enough for a retreat.

ibis Wellington:  Just a few minutes from the museum, city gallery, and library, there is plenty to do around this hotel in Wellington. Once you’re done exploring, come back to the hotel for flat-screen TVs and tea inside your room, a lobby bar, a fitness center, and a breakfast buffet. 

BreakFree on Cashel :  Just a short walk to Canterbury Museum, North Hagley Park, and Cathedral Square, stay in the heart of the central business center in Christchurch. The hotel comes with rooms with city views, family rooms with bunk beds, a restaurant and bar, room service, and an airport shuttle.

What to Pack for New Zealand

New Zealand has a  diverse landscape  with volcanoes, glaciers, breathtaking mountains, endless stretches of beaches and luscious forests. New Zealand’s climate varies depending on the area travelers intend to visit. 

The weather in New Zealand can change in an instant , so travelers should always be prepared for anything!

• Layers  – The general rule of thumb is to pack at least four layers: a base layer,  long sleeve shirts, a fleece (mid-layer) and a top layer such as a windbreaker (waterproof!). Don’t forget a warm pair of gloves, thick scarf and a hat!
• Read our  tips for layering  and check out our  ultimate list of travel gear. 
• Thermal underwear  – this is especially important if traveling to the South during the winter or hiking in the mountains.
• Sunscreen  – The depleted ozone layer over the country means that the sun is incredibly strong. Along with sunscreen, pack a pair of sunglasses and a hat.
• Rain Gear  – it tends to rain a lot in New Zealand even in the summer. However, avoid bringing along umbrellas as the rain is coupled with strong gusts of wind. Instead, invest in a good waterproof jacket that will keep you protected.
• Backpacks  – a sturdy backpack or large bag is more appropriate for adventuring as they are easier to carry and you don’t have to roll them through the sand of New Zealand’s amazing beaches.

New Zealand Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

New Zealand Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles and guides about New Zealand   click here .

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Where to Go Bungy Jumping in New Zealand

New Zealand Travel Guide

New Zealand is a wonderful country for a road trip, especially on the mostly rural South Island, where they have more sheep than people .

This country has two main islands, and both are worth visiting. The North Island has great beaches, volcanoes, and green farmlands, while the South Island has glaciers, fjords, rain forests, and arguably the best road tripping conditions and overall scenery.

Last, but not least, New Zealand is where the entire Lord of the Rings movie series was filmed, and they even kept some of the movie sets . That gives it bonus cool points.

Read through this complete New Zealand travel guide for more info on what to expect!

Quick Facts

Christianity

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Visa free access (with ETA) for many nationalities

Temperate; summer is Dec - Feb

Power Plugs

The main airport in New Zealand is Auckland (AKL) on the North Island, which has lots of direct flights from countries all over the world. On the South Island, the biggest airport is Christchurch (CHC). There are also smaller airports in Wellington, Queenstown, and Dunedin.

You can shop for flights to New Zealand on Skyscanner.

New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world, with a low violent crime rate of 0.7 per 100k inhabitants (90% lower than the global average). Theft from vehicles does happen occasionally and you'll see signs warning about this in parking lots, so remember to always lock up and keep your valuables with you.

The climate in New Zealand is temperate and mild, so there's seasonal variation in temperatures, but nothing very extreme. Spring and Summer in NZ are from September to November, and December to February, respectively.

Summer daytime temps hover around 24 C° (75 °F), and winter 13 °C (55 °F), with spring and autumn temps being between those ranges. Winter in NZ is from June to August.

New Zealand is not a cheap country. You can expect to pay over $2 New Zealand Dollars per liter for gas (that's a liter, not a gallon)! Eating out isn't cheap either, with casual restaurants costing upwards of $20 NZD ($12 USD) for a meal.

The good news is that you'll pay a fraction of this when cooking your own meals. Camper van rentals are not exactly cheap either, but you can cut costs by looking for free/low cost campgrounds. The handy CamperMate app is great for this.

Destinations

Pick a destination and start exploring!

North Island

South island.

The best New Zealand tours & activities

My latest blog posts about New Zealand

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Roys Peak Hike – Epic Track In Wanaka, New Zealand

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Tongariro Crossing Hike: Alpine National Park In New Zealand

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Tasman Glacier Walk & Lake View In New Zealand

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Going Awesome Places

Detailed itineraries + travel guides

The Comprehensive New Zealand Travel Guide – Read Before You Go

Last Updated April 19, 2023 William Tang

You are here: Home » Travel Guides » The Comprehensive New Zealand Travel Guide – Read Before You Go

Are you planning a trip to the land of hobbit holes, misty white-capped mountains, creaking glaciers, thunderous falls, mysterious rocks, and black sand beaches?  New Zealand is a wildly gorgeous country with a kind soul, and adventurous spirit but I think you already knew that. 

After completing my second trip to this land home to the Kiwi, we wanted to put together an ultimate guide for travelling New Zealand that covers the basics before diving deep with the full 3 week itinerary .

More about New Zealand on the blog

• Top 10 things to do in New Zealand’s South island
• 5 New Zealand souvenirs to pick up before you leave
• Top 5 things to do in Queenstown
• What to pack for a trip to New Zealand
• Best places to stay in New Zealand with Hilton
• How to visit the Hobbiton movie location

Looking for car rental deals?

• Make sure to read our comprehensive New Zealand travel guide which includes car rental companies to consider. We personally booked from Hitch. Also make sure to educate yourself on car rental coupon codes which’ll surely save you a ton of money.

• Table of Contents 

Jump to the topics that you’re most interested in.

In This Article

Getting there

New zealand biosecurity, getting around, where to stay, new zealand geography, what to pack for new zealand, best time to go to new zealand, how much does a trip to new zealand cost, what you need to know about cellular data, popular tours to consider pre-booking, 5 main take aways, the new zealand travel guide.

• $1 NZD = $0.67 USD = $0.92 CAD
• ATMs can be found all over and the credit cards are widely accepted
• SIM card – The two main companies in New Zealand are Spark and Vodafone .  Both are essentially identical but with Vodafone, you can pick up SIM card packages for tourists at the airport tax-free.  You get 3GB of data and 200 calls/texts for NZ$49 which is valid for 2 months.
• Alternative data options – Skyroam is what I used throughout my time in New Zealand.  This is a wifi hotspot that you can share with your travel companions and I essentially strategically activated 24 hour day passes of unlimited data($9 USD) when I needed it and relied on free wifi (read my full review ).
• Unit of Measure – Meter
• Tipping – No expectation for tips
• Language – The official languages are English and Māori.

Back to the top

New Zealand’s primary international airport is Auckland Airport (AKL) and I’d say is the main hub of the country where you’ll find most carriers go through.  This is the airport that you’ll most likely be connecting through if you want to get to other parts of the country.

Other main airports that you’ll likely want to try to fly into are Wellington (WLG), Christchurch (CHC), Dunedin (DUD), and Queenstown (ZQN).  There are of course smaller regional airports but most of those are used when flying inter-country (i.e. Rotorua, Nelson, Hamilton, New Plymouth etc.)

If you’re coming from Australia, you’ll have more options available to fly into your city of choice.  Sydney will be your best bet to have the most flexibility in flights.

If you’re coming from North America, almost all direct flights originate from the West Coast so you’re looking at either San Francisco, Los Angeles, or Vancouver.

Qantas and Air New Zealand are the main national carriers to look at but you also have the low cost carriers such as Virgin Australia and Jetstar.  I recommend using the Skyscanner to find the best prices on flight tickets and be able to put alerts and trackers if you’re starting to plan early.   The Skyscanner app is also super helpful.

Hack:  Using Skyscanner, I found out that LATAM Airlines has a route that goes through Auckland enroute to Sydney.  The ticket prices for this even last minute were extremely cheap and a great option.

For any other country, this is a “same as usual” but as we learned on our trip, New Zealand has taken their biosecurity to another level and I don’t blame them.  As an island nation, their ecosystem is quite delicate and needs to be protected or else some of the current issues that they face including toxic pine needles, rampant growth of stoat and possums, and tree killing virus, will only be the tip of the iceberg.

As a result, New Zealand has to have the most scrutinizing screening process that I’ve seen anywhere in the world.

My recommendation to be as honest as possible even if that means checking off any of the biosecurity boxes on the passenger arrival card.  When that happens, you’ll be put in a separate line to see a quarantine officer.  They’ll ask questions about those items in question and they’ll either clear what you have, clean and treat them (at your own time and cost), or confiscate them.

Once you’re clear, you’ll get back to the regular line where you’ll go through another x-ray check.  There’ll also most likely be beagle dogs going back and forth but they’re pretty cute.

Oh and there’s a chance that an officer might approach you near the gate with questions with random questions of things such as where you came from and your intention in the country.  They even went even deeper with some questions that surprised us such as “when did you buy your plane tickets?” and “what is your occupation?”

What I’ve done is compile a list of things that you really want to be very careful with when travelling to the country that’s outside of the norm.  Remember, as nice as they are, custom officials don’t mess around .

“Any food: cooked, uncooked, fresh, preserved, packaged or dried?” & “Animals or animal products: including meat, dairy products, fish, honey, bee products, eggs, feathers, shells, raw wool, skins, bones or insects?” & “Plants or plant products: fruit, flowers, seeds, bulbs, wood, bark, leaves, nuts, vegetables, parts of plants, fungi, cane, bamboo or straw, including for religious offerings or medicinal use?”

• I don’t know how you can also the card truthfully without having this checked off.  Does gum count as food?  Certainly granola bars and candies do right?  Don’t risk it, just check it off.
• If you take a look at New Zealand’s biosecurity items-to-declare guide , you’ll see a full list of what you’re not able to bring.
• Declare all of your own medication that you have packed.
• A very Chinese thing to have is dried orange peels but in the end they let it go because it’s glazed with sugar.  From their tone, it seemed like if it was prepared another way it could’ve been grounds for confiscation.
• Chinese herbal medicine for upset stomach – They x-rayed the bottles and read the ingredients (luckily there was English on them).  They were good with it in the end.
• Recommendation:   I’d avoid bringing any foreign language medicinal things because they were surely get flagged.  If you want to be safe, just don’t bring any of Chinese herbal medicine.
• They’re very sensitive about honey as you can imagine so avoid that as well.
• Definitely don’t bring any animal products (i.e. crocodile handbags and fur hoods ) – Yes, if you have any real fur on your hoods, don’t bring it.

“Items that have been used for outdoor activities, including any footwear, tents, camping, hunting, hiking, golf or sports equipment?” & “Equipment used with animals, plants or water, including for gardening, beekeeping, fishing, water sport or diving activities?”

• The main ones that’ll apply most likely are your shoes and if you brought any camping gear.
• They’ll inspect the sole of your shoes for soil and seeds – I’d recommend that you clean your shoes thoroughly before travelling especially if you’ve gone outside of the city with them
• Your officer will also ask where the equipment has been in the last X number of months.

At the end of the day, it was a bit of a hassle but didn’t add too much additional time from the people that went into the regular line.  It’s not worth risking the instant NZ$400 infringement fee.  When in doubt, use the “can I bring it into New Zealand” page .

New Zealand’s transportation infrastructure is really well done and so there are a variety of ways to get from place to place.  That said, with how rural most of the country is, you’ll likely be relying on some sort of vehicle to see the country.  Now whether you do this on your own or with a company, that’s something you’ll have to weigh during the planning stages of your trip.

If you’re going to be doing your own road trip, the good news is that there are plenty of car rental companies available to choose from.  What you may not know is that instead of looking for the usual big name suspects, you’re going to be better off booking with the local brands in New Zealand if you want the best price.

A few companies to mention are:   Gorental, Lucky, Jucy, Hitch, Apex, USave, Ace, Omega .

I personally found that out of all the companies that we price compared,  Hitch offered the cheapest rates for an economy hatch.  The other surprising thing was that it was automatic transmission too.   The only draw-back is that Hitch only operates out of Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown Airport locations.

If you’re more comfortable with the more well-known companies, don’t forget to head over to the page that contains all the best car rental coupon codes .

Pro:  Ultimate flexibility, plenty of personal space to transport everything that you have.

Con:  Energy and effort to do all the driving, parking in the cities, lots of trip planning and preparation, still need to book your own accommodations (if not camping), gas prices are expensive.

Heads up: You cannot take your car rental from North Island to South Island or vice versa through the Interislander Ferry across the Cook Strait. This means you’ll need to book a separate car rental for each island.

Campervan rental

The rise in popularity of campervans as a way to travel has to come from New Zealand because it’s the first place second to Iceland where I’ve seen them in use everywhere.  Of course, I also can’t leave out the RV which is also a very popular way to get around the country.

Similar to a car rental, the full freedom of planning your route is the best part of this mode of transportation because you’re not necessarily limited to fixed hotels.  New Zealand has a really good system of being able to drop into certain camp grounds and paying on the spot by putting money in a metal box.  Alternatively, there are also a ton of trailer parks/holiday parks where you pay for a designated spot to park and you get access to all the facilities.  It’s like camping except you’re sleeping in your car instead.

From a budget perspective, campervans are much cheaper when compared to RV’s.  Still, you’re looking at roughly NZ$50 a day compared to NZ$15 a day with a car.  Also, one way rentals are possible.

Pros:  Ultimate flexibility, ability to park and sleep anywhere or use low cost holiday parks, save money

Cons:  Additional fuel consumption, more expensive rental rates

New Zealand has a network of buses called InterCity.  Simply put, it’s kind of like what Greyhound is in North America or FlixBus in Europe – long haul busses that can take you to anywhere in the country.

Without going into too much detail about all the different pricing, fare, and schedule options that are available, one of the best options is to look at something called the InterCity FlexiPass  which you can think of like a hop-on-hop-off pass that’s based on time.  Calculate how many hours you think you’ll need and purchase the appropriate package.  With this pass, you don’t necessarily need a fixed itinerary in place.  You book online on the fly and is valid for 12 months.

Note that this is also good for use with the Interislander Ferry between Picton and Wellington and day tours with GreatSights and awesomeNZ.

Pros:   Price point, good for the more serious backpackers

Cons:  Not door to door (how do you get to your eventual destination), more logistic planning required in terms of route booking and schedule, still need to book accommodations, limited by the network of stops

Taxis and ride share apps like Uber only apply in the big cities.  While pretty self explanatory, the only thing I’d like to add here is a note about what I learned about Uber.

If you’ve read the top 5 things to do in Queenstown , you’ll know that Uber was only introduced in 2018.  As a result, there are some complications in terms of being able to get direct pick ups from the airport there.

The other thing to note is that the standard booking fee in New Zealand with Uber is NZ$0.55.

Pros:  Door to door service

Cons:   Expensive, may not do pick ups directly from the airport

Public transit

Each of New Zealand’s larger cities will have their own public transit.  For instance, in Queenstown there’s the Orbus Queenstown Bus and this is different from say Auckland’s bus/train/ferry system.  By that same token, Queenstown uses a GoCard and Auckland has the HOP prepaid card .

One thing we learned when we were in Queenstown is that without one of these transit cards, the prices increase dramatically.  Cash fare from the airport is NZ$10 and everywhere else is NZ$5.   You can pick up a card for NZ$5 at the Queenstown airport which may be worth it if you plan on taking the bus a lot since the fares drop to NZ$2 for all routes including the airport.

Pros:   Can be a cost effective option in the city where it doesn’t make sense to have car

Cons:  Increased wait time, not necessarily cheaper especially if you only take it once or twice without a card

If you need to quickly get from one end of the country to the other, flying may be your best option.  When you search on Skyscanner , you’ll be surprised to see how cheap the one-way fares are.  They’re almost always less than $NZ100 so it can be a very cost effective way to hop around the country.

Pros:  Fast, not necessarily cost prohibitive

Cons:   Hassle of flying, skip the best parts of the country which aren’t in the hub cities

A note on filling up petrol in New Zealand

There’s something unique we encountered at petrol/gas stations in New Zealand.  While we were told by a local that gas prices should be uniform throughout the entire country, the truth is that they’re not.  What was even more bizarre to us was that it seemed like the gas stations that were by the highway were actually cheaper than the ones in the city.

We then learned why:

• Almost none of the gas stations with super low rates by the highway are manned which means you have to use the machine.
• For international card holders, the machines automatically take a NZ$150 hold
• At first the above freaked us out because we thought that meant it would charge a full NZ$150 and then return the difference to what you actually filled back in NZD (double whammy on currency exchange) but when we checked our credit card statements I didn’t see any charges for NZ$150, just the amount that we owed for the gas we filled up.

Conclusion:  Behind the scenes it they may do a full NZ$150 hold so make sure you’re not close your limit but there’s no worry in terms of dealing with currency exchange madness.  With that said, there’s really no reason why you wouldn’t use these gas stations that have cheaper rates.  Just know that you won’t be able to speak to anyone if your credit card is rejected by the machine or anything like that (it’s pre-pay, similar to Iceland ).

What you need to know about New Zealand is that aside from perhaps Auckland, you’d be hard-pressed to find large chained hotels.  You learn pretty quickly that you’ll be spending most of your time passing through small towns and as such, you’ll be relying heavily on bed & breakfast, hostels, holiday parks, and Airbnb.

With the exception of the days in the New Zealand 3 week itinerary that you’ll be travelling with Flying Kiwi , you’ll find a set of recommended accommodations that I personally stayed at or were high on my list during my research.

New Zealand started off as a haven for backpacker and so it makes sense that the country has so many hostels.  If you’re a backpacker, I don’t need to say anything more.  If you’re a traveller looking for more comforts, I’d say that there’s nothing wrong with looking for a private room in a hostel.  We were very impressed with most of the hostels we stayed at and for the price point, we were willing to “rough it out” whether that meant a shared bathroom, spartan rooms, or communal kitchens.

Tip: At the YHA in Te Anau , we noticed that reception closed at 7:30PM and if you arrived afterwards to check-in you’d be charged NZ$20 to call someone in as a non-emergency.  Something to keep in mind.

When it comes to B&B’s, and the kind of places that we associate with Airbnb, you’d be surprised with how many New Zealand guest homes that they have in their inventory.

From personal experience, I can often find better properties than I can on Airbnb on Booking.com .  The other big bonus is that Airbnb isn’t that friendly when it comes to cancellation whereas with on Booking, properties with free cancellation make it easy to “hold” a room without feeling like you’ve locked yourself in.

New Zealand Guesthouses

Holiday Parks

These are unique alternative accommodations that can be found all over the country.  They are great for the budget traveller and often offer a variety of options that range from motel-like rooms, cottage units, cabins, and RV sites.

These were the typical type of places that we would stay at with Flying Kiwi where our bus would be able to drive in and we’d set up camp on their grounds.  It’s the holiday parks that provide all the facilities that we need including kitchen, lounge, power, laundry, and bathrooms.  These are typically all communal.

You’ll find that holiday parks are in prime locations (i.e. next to the beach or steps away from the Abel Tasman National Park)

While you can go camping at holiday park sites, I’m referring to more of the national parks that offer open campsites.  The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages this and there are both campsites that require reservations and others that don’t.

For campgrounds, these are the standard campsites where you’re able to drive into and pitch a tent in one of several designated spots.  There are then the huts, lodges, and campsites for when you head into the backcountry for let’s say something like the Milford Track.

Campsites that don’t require reservation will usually have a box for payment and is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

These are great for those that are looking to do a lot trekking, have a campervan/RV, or plan to camp all the way throughout New Zealand.

Curious where our favourite place we stayed was?  More on that below but I highly recommend  Arthur Street B&B in Whitianga of the Coromandel Peninsula

New Zealand is such an amazing country to explore because of how geologically diverse it is from top to bottom and how compact it is when you compare it to my home country of Canada.  That’s why it is the perfect place to drive through and be able to do it in as little as 3 weeks.

While it’s all easy to see everything you want to, having an understanding of the two islands, and how the landscape differs from one to the other can help you in your trip planning.

Here are what I observed as the main differences between the two islands.

North Island

• Often the less popular of the two island but as such, offers a lot of hidden gems that aren’t as well known
• Bay of Islands is a tropical paradise filled with beaches, laid back towns, and dotted with small islands which makes it perfect for sailing trips
• A majority of the land is zoned for farming and so you’ll find significantly more grazing plains and rolling hills
• You’ll notice more cows than sheep here
• A hub of geothermal activity that starts in Rotorua but can be found in places like Taupo and Hot Water Beach of Coromandel Peninsula
• Less mountainous of the two islands but you can’t forget about the dominating peaks of Mount Taranaki and twin peaks that are part of the Tongariro Crossing
• Auckland and Wellington are the two big cities of the island and are found on near opposite ends
• Noticeable warmer weather when comparing to the South Island

South Island

• Significantly more dramatic if you factor in how you’re looking at mountain ranges here instead of single mountain peaks, and you have the fjords.  This is what makes the size and scope that much larger in the south
• There seemed to be more sheep in the south but I wonder if that is just because of the areas we drove through
• Adventure capital of Queenstown is a pretty big deal all season round
• The weather tends to more variable in the south and noticeably cooler
• Filled with rugged landscape
• Has the advantage of having a few of the most iconic national parks in New Zealand – Fjordland National Park (Milford Sound), and Abel Tasman National Park.
• The two major cities in the south are Queenstown and Christchurch

What joins the two islands is a ferry service called Interislander Ferry that runs between Picton in the south and Wellington in the north and through the Cook Strait.

Looking for a packing list?  I got you covered.  Prior to leaving for our trip to New Zealand I meticulously catalogued everything that I brought and also analyzed post-trip what was a bad idea and what I wish I had brought.

Check out the full New Zealand packing list for the full details.

As always, I leave you with these top 3 recommendations:

• Pack layers and versatile clothing
• Bring lots of batteries and memory because New Zealand is so damn photogenic

First you have to wrap your head around the fact that New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere and as such everything is opposite to what you’re used to if you’re coming from the Northern Hemisphere.  Not only are the seasons reversed, you also have to keep in mind that further north you go, the warmer it is.  Trust me, it takes awhile to get used to that fact.

Summer (December – February)

When a big part of the world is freezing, summer is on full blast during these 3 months and is of course a very popular time to go to New Zealand because the weather is very warm and you won’t see too much rain.  The only thing to consider is that this is also when Kiwis take time off so you will inevitably be in the thick of high-season.

Fall (March – May)

The Fall season is a beautiful time to be in New Zealand as the temperatures start to cool off and so do the prices and crowds. Head to the south island and in Queenstown, Central Otago, and Christchurch to see the spectacular autumn colours.  The best part about this season that you’ll likely still be wearing summer clothes if you find yourself in Auckland or further up north in the Bay of Islands.

When you combine lower airfare, cheaper accommodations, good weather, and smaller crowds, this is one of the best times to go.  For those that hike, many of the main tracks are all open and easier to book as long as the weather holds up.

Winter (June – August)

While it may not get as cold as Canada does in the winter, Queenstown and the lower portion of the South Island become a bit of a winter wonderland.  That is what makes it the perfect time to hit the slopes.  There’s definitely novelty to be skiing or snowboarding in July for those that are from the Northern Hemisphere.

If you’re not interested in winter sports, this is probably the least favourable season to come to New Zealand just because of the limitations in terms of what you’ll be able to see, seasonal closures, and the cold.  New Zealand homes aren’t well-insulated so staying layered and bundled is important.

Spring (September – November)

Spring blooms, warming weather, baby lambs are balanced with fickle weather but all-in-all, this is a great shoulder season to come to New Zealand.  You’ll be able to enjoy the full experience without the crowds and peak prices.

It’s quite the sight to see the countryside flush with green grace and flower in abundance.  Just make sure to be prepared with waterproof gear because you never know when it might start dumping on you as it did for us in November.

I’d be the first to tell say that out of the many places you can travel to around the world, New Zealand isn’t going to be the cheapest option.  With a high standard of living, healthy influx of tourism, remote location, and vast rural landscape, prices for food, lodging, and transportation are just as high as in North America and Europe, if not more.  The good news is that the country’s travel industry was built on a backpacker foundation and so there are a lot of options for the budget-minded.

On the flip side of the coin, while there are luxury options available, they are few and far between once you head out of the major hubs.  Look hard enough at, you can certainly find luxury properties in New Zealand which are very unique and appropriate to the landscape.  I’d say that those looking for a “finer things” experience will be able to find it but for most, New Zealand is very much of place with plenty of low to mid-tier spend opportunities, with some leaning more towards “roughing it”.

The most expensive part of your trip will most likely be the flight itself because it’s just so far away from almost every country unless you’re their neighbour, Australia.  Flights can easily run you over US$1,000 and will also involve very tiring few days to get to New Zealand.

On average, actual daily spend per person based on our own trip was at least US$100 a day which includes accommodation, transportation, food, and activities.  What this doesn’t include are the flights and our Flying Kiwi tour which cost just over NZ$2,500 per person.

What makes every day expensive

• Gas rates are very high
• Food at regular casual restaurants are expensive – expect to spend at least NZ$20 per person for dinner
• Excursions and activities add up and New Zealand’s the kind of place where you’ll want to do it all
• Accommodations

How to cut costs

• Find a cheap car rental
• New Zealand isn’t known for it’s cuisine (unless you opt for luxury) and so you’re better off cooking your own food
• Accommodations can be cheap if you camp or use hostels you find on Hostelworld
• Plan ahead and if you’re on a tight budget, pick and choose activities that are “must-do” and look for alternative free activities for the others
• Tours like Flying Kiwi not only make your planning easier but the nature of the type of trip it is means you’ll be staying on a path of reasonable spend

So far I’ve already talked about options for getting access to data.  There’s either the traditional SIM cards you can get once you land at the airport with Vodafone or Spark, there’s the wifi hotspot option with Skyroam , or you can rely on free/paid wifi.

My recommendation is to stick with something like Skyroam especially if you’re going to be visiting additional countries to New Zealand.  I love that I can just hop off the plane, activate my day pass, and be ready to hit the ground running.  On top of that, I can share with my wife.  They’ve also made tweaks to their unlimited data policy where there’s no throttling anymore so as long as you’re not hogging up the bandwidth, you can use as much data as you want.

Of course, all of these cellular data options rely on having solid signal strength.  What is not so obvious from reading other travel guides out there is that there are still significant pockets of areas especially in the South Island that are blackout from 3G and 4G.  If you take a look at coverage maps for Vodafone and Spark and filter on 4G, you’ll get a good sense of how sparse data availability is especially on the western coast.

Why is this important?   This is especially important if you’re relying on your phone’s data to navigate.  My recommendation is to leverage Google Map’s offline capability , and do your homework in advance by drop pins on your map app and start your navigation where you have data.

In addition, take screenshots of your digital tickets.  I also find using Google Sheets helpful for trip planning since it has offline capability.

To offset this, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to find free wifi in each of the towns we dropped by.

Now if I were to list all of the best activities in New Zealand, this would be a never-ending post so why don’t I focus on the activities that I highly recommend that you do your research ahead of time and book months in advance.  These are incredible experiences that you don’t want to miss .

Hobbiton Film Set

If you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings like I am, you’re going to go nuts for the actual set for Hobbiton.  From seeing Bag End, opening the round door of 40 Bagshot Row, being on the grounds of the big party, having a pint at the Green Dragon, and passing by Sam’s hobbit hole, this is definitely a highlight to any trip to New Zealand.

The reason why I recommend booking well in advance is because during the high season, the time slots fill up fast despite tours running every 5 minutes.  Even more important is if you want to do the tour of Hobbiton at dusk with dinner feast .  You can book a variety of day tours to Hobbiton from Auckland on Viator  or GetYourGuide which can include stops to even the Waitomo glowworm caves.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOBBITON? 

Make sure to catch our full guide on the Hobbiton experience in the North Island of New Zealand

Hobbiton Movie Location

Milford Sound

The grand scale of Milford Sound cannot be described with words.  You just need to go.  The best way to see the fjords including the waterfalls, seals, black coral, and Mitre Peak is by cruise boat or by kayak , or even better do both .

In order to get to Milford Sound, you can drive there yourself.  It’s much more reasonable to do the drive from Te Anau in the morning but it is certainly do-able from Queenstown.  Alternatively, there are day tours from Queenstown that are super convenient.

It’s recommended to book early because the cruises do fill up quickly especially with the number of large tour buses that make it up there every day.  Lock it in early because it would be a shame to miss out on one of the biggest highlights of New Zealand .

Diving in the Bay of Islands

You probably didn’t even know you could dive in New Zealand.  It’s a hidden secret but if you’ve got your diving certification or looking to get one, take advantage of the tropical paradise that is the Bay of Islands.  The premiere dive shop to look for is in Paihia.  Book a dive trip to get up and close to Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior  or the  HMNZS Canterbury .

If you’re interested in going scuba diving, send out a request to the Paihia Dive team to see if the specific trip you want is running on a specific day as they aren’t necessarily daily.  In speaking with the owners, if you put a specific request in, they could tweak the schedule.  Spots also fill up quickly.

Glow Worms and Black Water Rafting

The Legendary Black Water Rafting experience is well…truly legendary.  I wasn’t sure what to expect to to tell you the truth but once we were in the cave with headlamps on, and the rushing water swiftly carrying us, I began to understand how special this was.  The real show was when we got to the section of the cave where the entire ceiling was lit with blue lights like stars.

The Black Labyrinth tour is the one we went on and while it isn’t the most extreme of their offerings, it was a perfect balance of adventure, physical activity, and glow worms.  There’s also the 4 hour Black Abyss  which is a bit more strenuous and offers the opportunity to climb waterfalls and zipline.

As you can imagine, these tours sell out quite quickly especially during peak season.

If high flying adventures is what you’re looking for, you pretty much have to jump out of a plane.  Almost every place you go in New Zealand seems to have their own skydiving outfit.  While the experience is more or less the same across the board, I have to argue that doing it in the north of the South Island is one of the best places to do it.

Skydive Abel Tasman was a ridiculously amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone.  You have your choice between 9,000, 13,000, and 16,500 feet.  The views that you have from any of those heights are just incredible with the national park in view, the coastline, and on some clear days, being able to see the North Island as well.

It’s a good idea to book early just to make sure you are guaranteed a spot when you pass by the Abel Tasman area.

Horseback Riding in Glenorchy

Want to do something different in New Zealand?  Go on a horseback riding trip through an area that was used as the set of many blockbuster movies including Lord of the Rings, X-Men, Mission Impossible, and Prince Caspian from the Narnia Chronicles. 

We previously did horseback riding with Dart River Adventures but it looks like they’re not operating these trips anymore so I’d recommend checking out High Country Horses or Lighthorse Adventures in Glenorchy.

During high seasons these will fill up really quickly so reserve ahead of time.

Flying Kiwi

Of course how can I go through these activities and not mention our 14 day adventure through New Zealand with Flying Kiwi.  Normally we’re not bus tour kind of travellers but in this case where we wanted a guided experience that had a focus on the outdoors, adventure, and camping, we couldn’t have asked for a better company whether it came to the quality of the itinerary, tour guides, food, and selection of campsites and holiday parks.

Read the full review of our Flying Kiwi Reverse Traverse to learn more about what the trip was really like.

• Stay on top of the cheapest flights to New Zealand by using something like Skyscanner to set up alerts
• Picking up your own supplies and cooking at a hostel or at camp is the biggest way to save money in New Zealand
• Don’t get disappointed when a tour fills up – book ahead of time.  Check out possible activities in advance on Viator or GetYourGuide
• Shoulder seasons (Fall or Spring) are your best times to travel to New Zealand – avoid the crowds and take advantage of lower prices
• There are a ton of options in terms of getting around the country.  There’s no right answer so figure out what works for you and don’t be afraid to mix and match different ones like we did (car rental and Flying Kiwi).

What you should read next

• The Ultimate 3 Week New Zealand Itinerary
• Top 10 Things To Do In New Zealand’s North Island
• Where To Stay in Queenstown – Budget to Luxury Picks
• Top 5 Things To Do from Queenstown, New Zealand
• Best Places to Stay in New Zealand with Hilton Hotels

Have specific questions about your upcoming trip to New Zealand?  Drop a comment below!

About William Tang

William Tang is the Chief of Awesome behind the award-winning Going Awesome Places which is focused on outdoor adventure, and experiential travel. His true passion lies in telling stories, inspiring photography and videos, and writing detailed itineraries and travel guides. He is a member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC), Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), and Travel Massive. He has also been featured in publications such as Reader's Digest, Entrepreneur, Men's Journal, and Haute Living. Make sure to learn more about William Tang to find out his story and how Going Awesome Places started.

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The Best Travel Guide to New Zealand 🌏 [2024]

Nz pocket guide is 10 years old. thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade, the complete travellers’ guide to new zealand.

Welcome to Aotearoa – or you more likely know it as New Zealand! You probably also already know that New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most stunning mountains, glaciers, fiords and more scenery, scenery, scenery. But how do you go about planning a trip to New Zealand? While we don’t want to toot our own horn, here at NZ Pocket Guide , we believe we are the best travel guide to New Zealand and you’ll probably agree once you’ve read this complete travellers’ guide to New Zealand, which will springboard you to NZPocketGuide.com’s thousands of tips and advice.

An Intro About New Zealand

Location : New Zealand is a country in the Oceania continent. It’s located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,500km (930 miles) east of Australia and around 1,000km (620 miles) south of the South Pacific Islands . See  Where is New Zealand? for more information.

Size : 268,021km 2 (103483 mi 2 ) in total. It is approximately 1,600km (990mi) long and around 400km (250mi) at its widest point.

Climate : New Zealand has a diverse climate determined by the ocean, mountains and prevailing winds. The mean average temperatures are 10°C (50°F) on the South Island to 16°C (61°F) on the North Island. See The Guide to The New Zealand Climate or check out the “ When to Visit ” section below.

Population :  5 million. Learn more about New Zealand’s population here .

Languages : English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language. Learn more about the New Zealand language in our guide .

Time zone : UTC/GMT+12.

How to Get to New Zealand

First things first, you’ll need to see if you are actually able to travel to New Zealand due to restrictions put in place at the borders after the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit covid19.govt.nz for the latest travel information.

Next, what is the best way to get to New Zealand? New Zealand can be accessed by flight or cruise ship. Considering you are probably here to plan a trip for more than just a day in New Zealand, let’s skip right to the most popular way to get to New Zealand; flights.

Direct flights to New Zealand can be found from the US , Canada , South America , Asia , Australia and the South Pacific Islands . Coming further afield from destinations such as in Europe and you’ll need to catch at least one connecting flight.

If you don’t have time to read through our Beginner’s Guide to Getting to New Zealand , here’s a quick rundown.

Flight Times to New Zealand

Argentina – 12h30min, Brazil – 15h30min, Canada – 16h30min, China – 13h30min, Denmark – 22h, Finland – 20h, France – 23h30min, Germany – 22h30min, Hong Kong – 11h, Israel – 32h, Italy – 22h30min, Japan – 11h, Korea – 12h, Malaysia – 11h, Netherlands – 22h30min, Philippines – 10h30min, Singapore – 10h30min, Sweden – 21h, Taiwan – 11h, United Kingdom – 22h30min, USA – 12h, Vietnam – 12h30min

Tips for Cheaper Airfares

Airfares for New Zealand depend on different factors: what time of year you choose to fly, how long in advance you book, where you’re flying from, what type of ticket you get, and the route you take.

The cheapest time to fly to New Zealand is during New Zealand’s spring, winter and autumn months (between July and November). Summer and particularly around Christmas is the most expensive time to fly to New Zealand.

It is also usually cheaper to fly at “inconvenient times” of the day such as late at night or during the early hours of the morning, as well as mid-week rather than on weekends. Having a flexible travel plan allows you to choose the cheapest flights. Check out How to Book a Cheap Flight to New Zealand and 5 Money-Saving Tips for Flying to New Zealand with Kids for more advice.

A Note on Customs Declarations

New Zealand has strict biosecurity measures at the border to stop unwanted pests and diseases from entering the country. Therefore, anyone arriving in New Zealand has to declare any “risk items” they have packed in their luggage – even common items like food and sports gear. Failing to declare a risk item may incur an instant NZ$400 fine! Be sure to read up on Arriving in New Zealand: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process  so you are prepared.

When to Visit New Zealand

New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning that seasons are at the opposite times of year compared to the Northern Hemisphere. The weather in New Zealand is temperate but changeable due to prevailing winds, the ocean and its mountains. In fact, the weather is so notoriously changeable that New Zealanders have a saying to describe their weather: “four seasons in a day”. In other words, you can experience sunshine, heat, rain, temperature drop and snow even in summer (well, snow is unlikely in summer – but you get the picture).

For all of the reasons above, we do not recommend planning your trip too much around the weather. Nevertheless, below is what you can typically expect in each season.

Summer (December to February)

Summer is the warmest time of year reaching highs of 25°C (77°F) . Expect finer days than during the rest of the year.

Autumn (March to May)

Autumn has milder temperatures between 6°C (43°F) and 20°C (68°F) . Weather patterns start to become more interchangeable with a few more rainy days than summer.

Winter (June to August)

Temperatures can be anywhere between -3°C (27°F) and 15°C (59°F) depending on which parts of the country you are in. Snow falls in alpine regions and rainfall is more frequent.

Spring (September to November)

Temperatures rise again during this shoulder season, where lows are 2°C (36°F) and highs are 17°C (63°F) . Expect a balance of fine and rainy days.

For more information on the climate, check out What is the Weather Like in New Zealand?

The Best Time to Visit New Zealand

Summer ( December to February ) is the most popular time to travel New Zealand for both international travellers and locals. While you can do most activities in summer under milder weather, things are more expensive, such as flights, tours and vehicle rentals. Attractions are busy while accommodations and transport book up quickly for the summer months.

The low season, i.e. winter ( June to August ) is the cheapest but coldest time to travel. Attractions are far less busy, but some tours like canyoning and white water rafting may be closed during winter. The exception to the low season rule is the ski resort towns, such as Queenstown , Wanaka and Ohakune .

Visiting in any of the shoulder seasons , i.e. from March to May and from September to November , brings warmer weather than winter along with more affordable travel deals than summer. These months tend to be the best time to visit New Zealand .

What to Pack for New Zealand

Don’t overpack! Just a large backpack or suitcase with a day pack per person (or per adult for families) is all you need for New Zealand. Bring versatile outfits that are good for exploring the outdoors and bring no more than a week’s worth of clothes, as laundry facilities are everywhere. New Zealand is a developed country so has plenty of shops and services should you need to buy anything while you’re travelling.

A Quick Packing List

The below packing list is an overview of our full New Zealand Packing List . Note that it’s just for one person.

• 1 Leggings/sweatpants/hiking pants
• 1 Shorts (summer)
• 1 Sweater/hoody/mid-layer
• 1 Hiking shoes
• 1 Flip-flops
• 1 Swimwear (suitable for watersports)
• 1 Thermal underlayer (top and/or bottoms)
• 1 Waterproof and windproof jacket
• 6 Socks (a mix of woollen and cotton)
• 1 Warm jacket (winter/spring/autumn)
• 6 Tops/T-shirts
• 6 Underwear
• Toiletries including a mini first aid kit , sunscreen and insect repellent
• New Zealand travel adapter
• Camera/phone
• Electronic device chargers  (extra batteries are a good idea)
• Reusable water bottle (tap water is safe)
• If you plan on camping , pack a lightweight tent and sleeping mat, and/or for staying in huts, a 4-season sleeping bag and a torch/flashlight – see our  Camping Essentials Checklist for New Zealand .

You might also be interested in our seasonal packing lists: winter , summer , autumn and spring .

New Zealand Visas, NZeTA and IVL

A tourist/visitor visa for New Zealand activates automatically upon entry to New Zealand for most countries, usually allowing visitors to stay for up to three months. Visitors also need to pay for an NZeTA and IVL before arrival in New Zealand . Other popular visa options to stay in New Zealand longer are the  Working Holiday Visa  and  Student Visas .

Travel Insurance

Although the ACC in New Zealand partly covers accidental injury medical bills, many travellers opt for travel insurance for extra peace of mind. Our recommended insurance is Orbit Protect , which is based in New Zealand.

ID and Driving License

Your passport is obviously coming to New Zealand with you, which is ideal because it’s one of the only accepted forms of ID for proof of age , for example, to buy alcohol. For driving, bring your driving license – if your driving license is not written in English then it will need to be accompanied by an International Driving Permit .

New Zealand Currency

The  currency of New Zealand is New Zealand Dollars (NZD) . There are ATMs in towns and cities where you’ll be able to withdraw cash. Credit cards are also widely accepted, however, there is a percentage payable with each non-New Zealand credit card transaction. Oh yeah, and New Zealanders call paying with a card paying with “ EFTPOS “. Get advice on how to pay for things in a way to save money using our guide, The Best Way to Pay in New Zealand .

If you are staying in New Zealand for a few months, perhaps for a working holiday , you will save a lot more money by opening a New Zealand bank account .

How Many Weeks Do You Need to Travel New Zealand?

New Zealand is a destination worth saving until you have as much time to explore the country as possible. Not only is this due to the fact that it takes much time and money (not to mention CO2 emissions) to get there, but moving between destinations within New Zealand is also very time-consuming. Roads are long and winding with so many photo-stops and activities along the way that a two-hour drive can easily turn into a full-day mission!

One or Two Weeks in New Zealand

Within this time, you should explore just one of the main islands. Take a look at the 7-day itineraries: North Island in One Week: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary and  South Island in One Week: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary . And the 14-day itineraries:  North Island in Two Weeks: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary and  South Island in Two Weeks: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary .

If you’re willing to miss out on some highlights, it’s just possible to explore both islands in 14 days, as outlined in our New Zealand in Two Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary .

Three or Four Weeks in New Zealand

Want to explore both the North Island and South Island at a comfortable pace? Visit for three or, better yet, four weeks. Get an idea of what you will have time to see in our  New Zealand in Three Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary and  New Zealand in a Month: Road Trip Itinerary .

Three Months to One Year

Now you can see a great deal of the country! Most visitor visas allow people to travel for up to three months. A popular way to stay longer among backpackers is the working holiday visa , which typically allows stays of up to a year. Check out our 30 Tips for Backpacking in New Zealand for advice on an extended trip to New Zealand.

Where to Go in New Zealand

For many travellers, you’ll need to make the heartbreaking decision between the North Island and the South Island . If we had to sum up their differences, the North Island is best for culture and volcanoes while the South Island is best for wilderness, wildlife and, well, more scenery. Take a look at our North Islands Vs. South Island comparison for details.

Once you’ve picked an island, or you’re lucky enough to travel both, you need to start adding dots onto the map. New Zealand has a vast number of destinations all with their own landscapes, experiences and charm. You’ll find each of the below destinations linked to our complete travel guides so you can plan further.

North Island

• Bay of Islands Travel Guide – islands and beaches
• Auckland Travel Guide – volcanoes and city life
• Rotorua Travel Guide – geothermal and culture
• Taupo Travel Guide – volcanic landscapes
• Napier Travel Guide – wine and architecture
• Wellington Travel Guide – capital city vibes

South Island

• Picton Travel Guide – coast and wine
• Kaikoura Travel Guide – marine wildlife
• Franz Josef Glacier Travel Guide – glaciers
• Queenstown Travel Guide – adrenaline
• Aoraki Mt Cook Travel Guide – mountains
• Stewart Island Travel Guide – subantarctic adventure

And that’s just the hotspots! We encourage you to explore other destinations in our New Zealand Destinations guides . Plus, for more ideas, see the 10 Awesome New Zealand Travel Ideas .

How to Get Around New Zealand

Perhaps the most important decision you’ll make when planning your trip to New Zealand is the transport you’ll use. After all, a holiday in New Zealand is mostly about the journey. While everyone has a strong opinion on the “best” way to get around, we feel that it’s a very personal choice. It depends on your taste, budget and what experience you want to get out of travelling.

Campervan Rental

Travel, sleep, repeat by renting a campervan or motorhome. This is an extremely popular way to explore New Zealand. However, with camping restrictions and necessary maintenance, there are extra costs and hassles to take into consideration. See our Travel by Campervan in New Zealand Guide for more advice. Plus, choose from recommended rental companies in The Best Campervan Rental Companies in New Zealand .

While not as “sexy” as a campervan, renting a car is a smart way to travel if you want something easier to drive and cheaper with a bit more freedom. See The Best Car Rental Companies in New Zealand for recommended companies. Plus, our  Travel By Car in New Zealand Guide offers plenty of tips.

Buy Your Own Vehicle

Secondhand cars and campervans are easy to buy and sell in New Zealand, working out to be very cost-effective if you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than a month. Check out Should You Rent or Buy a Vehicle to Travel New Zealand  to see if it’s right for you.

National Coaches

The cheapest way of getting from A to B, InterCity forms the most extensive public transport network in the country. Find out more about planning a trip by bus in our guide to the InterCity bus passes and  How to Travel by Bus in New Zealand .

Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

These are flexible bus tours on a set route with the option to get off and on the bus at any point for as long as you wish. Activities and accommodation are optional and pay-as-you-go. Learn more in our New Zealand Hop-on Hop-off Bus Guide .

Escorted Bus Tours

Take a more structured guided tour around New Zealand with some food, some activities and all accommodation included. It’s a stress-free way to travel the country with other people. Get started with your research using The Best National Bus Tours in New Zealand .

Domestic Flights

While not as popular as other countries,  domestic flights in New Zealand are only a good idea for travelling long distances or between the North and South Islands.

While there are ferries to get from the main islands to some of the off-shore islands, the most common ferry that travellers find themselves is the ferry between the North Island and South Island; the Cook Strait ferry. Find out more in our guide to The Cook Strait Ferry .

Still don’t know where to start with travelling around? Take a look at the  10 Best Ways to Travel Around New Zealand .

Things to Do in New Zealand

Spoiled, you are! Spoiled! New Zealand has so much to do that we could hardly fit it all in our 101 Things to Do in New Zealand: The Ultimate List .

With the landscapes being the reason many travellers flock to New Zealand, active outdoor adventures are extremely popular. These include:

• Mountain biking
• Jet boating
• Bungy jumping
• White water rafting
• Whale and dolphin watching/swimming

And more! It’s not all go-go-go though, as New Zealand also offers culture, food and scenic experiences. Such activities include:

• Maori cultural tours and shows
• Wine tastings
• Brewery tours
• Scenic flights
• The Lord of the Rings filming locations
• Scenic cruises

And more, again. While many of the above activities are pretty costly, rest assured there are tons of free activities and attractions in New Zealand. In fact, all it often takes is a short walk to reach New Zealand’s most iconic natural attractions. Check out our 50 Best Free Things to Do in New Zealand to save money.

And don’t forget to browse our New Zealand Activities category listing everything Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand) has to offer.

Accommodation in New Zealand

New Zealand offers many forms of accommodation. Because New Zealand has a few big-ticket items, such as activities – not to mention the flight to get there – you can save a lot of money by choosing one of the affordable accommodation options. Nevertheless, if you want to treat yourself, then you’re spoiled for choice with lavish hotels and lodges available.

Holiday Parks

One of the most comprehensive styles of accommodation in New Zealand, holiday parks consist of self-contained units, private cabins, backpacker dorm cabins, tent sites or powered sites for campervans. Get tips in our Accommodation Guide to Holiday Parks in New Zealand and check out listings in our New Zealand Holiday Parks category .

In this budget accommodation, stay in shared dorms or private rooms where you’ll share facilities, such as a kitchen, laundry and bathrooms. See our Beginner’s Guide to Backpacker Hostels . Plus, Check out listings for every town in New Zealand in our New Zealand Hostel category .

Hotels are found in New Zealand’s larger cities and top tourist destinations, following the usual international standard with star ratings. Some small towns have historic hotels, which are typically budget-friendly but have less modern facilities. See hotel listings in our New Zealand Hotels category .

More common than hotels, motels offer a more compact home-away-from-home usually with a kitchen, a bathroom and at least one separate bedroom, all within one unit. Compare motels across the country using our New Zealand Motels category .

Boutique Lodges

New Zealand has a number of boutique and luxury lodges scattered across the country in both towns and pristine wilderness. Discover our recommendations in our New Zealand boutique lodges category .

Campsites are where you can pitch a tent or park a campervan overnight. Find out more in our guide to Camping in New Zealand and check out listings in our New Zealand Camping category .

Holiday Homes

Enjoy entire holiday homes, locally known as “baches”, all to yourself with plenty listed on booking websites like Booking.com , Expedia and Airbnb . See our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Airbnb in New Zealand , as well as listings in our New Zealand Holiday Homes  category .

Stay with a local in a spare room listed on booking websites like Booking.com , Expedia  and Airbnb . See listings in our New Zealand Homestays category .

Do you seriously need more information than that?! Head over to our New Zealand Accommodation category and browse until your heart is content.

Food and Eating Out in New Zealand

Everyone’s gotta eat! Travellers have a choice of dining out or self-catering in New Zealand.

Cafes and Restaurants

New Zealand is a melting pot so most menus have a diverse range of international dishes, from Westernised food, such as fish and chips, burgers and pizzas to Asian cuisines like curries and sushi. Gluten-free and vegetarian meals are readily available. For other dietary requirements, it’s best to discuss with restaurant staff first.

Note that tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service. For many restaurants and cafes, expect to order and pay at the counter.

For advice on where to eat, see our New Zealand Foodie Guides for each town and city across New Zealand, as well as  Where to Try Traditional New Zealand Food .

Self-Catering

Because eating out is much more expensive than in other parts of the world, self-catering while on holiday in New Zealand is extremely popular. Most accommodations have some sort of cooking facilities.

Groceries can be picked up from supermarkets in towns and cities. Smaller towns and villages usually only have a convenience store, locally called a “dairy” but tend to have higher prices. Farmers’ markets are a fun option on weekend mornings to buy local produce. Note that New Zealand shops don’t give plastic shopping bags so bring your own bags or purchase bags in-store.

For more advice, head over to our guide on  Food Shopping in New Zealand .

Typical Costs and Budget for a Trip to New Zealand

We all travel very differently. Therefore, making a precise budget for everyone is an impossible task. Nevertheless, you can work out your own needs, thus budget, by simply looking at the typical prices listed below or in our articles, How Expensive is New Zealand? and How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand?

NZ Transport Budget

• Car hire / day: NZ$30-$150
• 2-person campervan hire / day: NZ$60-$260
• Petrol / litre (0.3 gallons): NZ$1.90-$2.50  (Check out weekly fuel price data on the  MBIE website )
• Hop-on hop-off bus national pass/ year: NZ$1,000-NZ$2,000
• National coach bus / 4-hour trip: NZ$30-$80
• Used car (15+ years old): NZ$2,000-$5,000
• Used 2-person campervan (15+ years old): NZ$3,500-$15,000
• Domestic flights / one way: NZ$50-$240
• Train / one way: NZ$100-$260

NZ Accommodation Budget

• Hostel dorm bed / night: NZ$27-$35
• Double room in a hostel , motel or holiday park / night: NZ$80-$120
• Campervan powered site / two people per night: NZ$22-$40
• Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite / person per night: NZ$15 (see DOC campsite passes here )
• Motel self-contained unit / two people per night: NZ$140
• Hotel double room / night: NZ$160
• Freedom camping  with a self-contained vehicle : Free

NZ Activities Budget per Person

• Skydive from 15,000ft: NZ$339-$439
• Bungy Jump : NZ$150-$290
• White Water Rafting : NZ$100-$140
• Jetboat : NZ$80-$130
• Dolphin swimming : NZ$110-$160
• Whale watching : NZ$120-$150
• Glacier Hiking : NZ$390-$470
• Cruise in Milford Sound : NZ$60-$100
• Rotorua geothermal park : NZ$30-$70
• Horse Trekking : NZ$50-$150
• Canyoning : NZ$150-$300
• Hobbiton : NZ$80-$100
• Glowworm caving : NZ$125-$280
• Great Walk hut /night: NZ$32-$110

NZ Food Budget

• Main meal : NZ$30
• Pint of beer : NZ$8
• Small coffee : NZ$4.50
• Fastfood pizza : NZ$5
• Big Mac : NZ$5.20
• 1 litre (35fl oz) of milk : NZ$2.40
• A dozen eggs : NZ$5.40
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of rice : NZ$2
• 500g (1.1lbs) pasta : NZ$1.20
• A loaf of sliced bread : NZ$1.20
• 1kg (2.2lbs) cheese : NZ$11
• 100g (3.5oz) dry freeze coffee : NZ$7
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of apples : NZ$5
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of bananas : NZ$3
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of tomatoes : NZ$10
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of onions : NZ$2
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of chicken : NZ$13
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of beef mince : NZ$13.

Example Budget for New Zealand for One Week, Two Weeks, Three Weeks and One Month

We can’t stress enough how everyone’s budget will be different for travelling in New Zealand. Nevertheless, because we know that many of you like the average cost for a trip to New Zealand, here is an example of a New Zealand travel budget.

Car rental (inc fuel): NZ$90 per day + Private room: NZ$90 per day + Food (self-catering and restaurants): NZ$50 + Activities (paid and free): NZ$100 =  NZ$330 per day

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for one week?  NZ$2,310

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for two weeks?  NZ$4,620

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for three weeks?  NZ$6,930

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for one month?  NZ$9,900

Plan a New Zealand Trip According to Your Travel Style

Finally, this wouldn’t be the best travel guide to New Zealand without taking into account that everyone likes to holiday differently. Here at NZ Pocket Guide , we have travel guides for all styles of travel, including budget travellers, luxury travellers, honeymooners, families and foodies. If one of these fits your style, then jump ahead to the appropriate travel guide:

• The Travel Guide to New Zealand on a Budget
• The Travel Guide to New Zealand for Families
• The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to New Zealand
• The Luxury Travel Guide to New Zealand
• The Foodie Guide to New Zealand

That’s all from the best travel guide to New Zealand. Well done for making it all the way to the end! If you found this FREE New Zealand travel guide useful, how about supporting what we do on Patreon ? We’ll leave you with some final travel wisdom, our  31 Tips for Travelling in New Zealand .

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
• Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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10 days New Zealand itinerary, without renting a car

Visiting New Zealand wasn’t even my dream.

The country was so far away, so exotic and so incredibly beautiful that I figured it’s beyond my abilities and didn’t even think I can travel there.

Moreover, everyone kept telling me you need to have a car to travel around New Zealand – as a person who enjoys solo travels and doesn’t even have a driver’s license I felt this is not the destination for me.

But then my dear friends moved to New Zealand and I promised I will visit them.

Shortly after I found a really good deal on flights to Auckland and booked them right away.

I knew I need to visit my friends in Twizel but since I was about to travel to the other side of the world (literally!) I wanted to see as many New Zealand highlights as possible!

I spent long hours researching and finally managed to prepare the best New Zealand itinerary without the car.

I had only 10 days in the Kiwi land – not too much but I still managed to see the best of New Zealand!

Here is my 10 days in New Zealand itinerary.

I don’t think I could do anything better – it was literally the best plan I could do in such a little time.

I managed to see some of the best places NZ has to offer, I could witness how diverse the country is and I could fall in love with its incredible nature.

Before I didn’t really believe that this is the most beautiful place on Earth, after my 10 days in New Zealand I’ve joined the crowd that thinks so!

I’m very well aware that 10 days in New Zealand is way too little. But that’s all I could afford with my days off from work .

I’m more than grateful that I could go there even for such a short time, I don’t know when I will have a chance to travel to the other side of the world again (especially that there are still so many places to see!)

So yes, it was crazy but definitely worth all the effort!

Planning a trip to New Zealand?

Here are the services I always use and personally recommend:

• Accommodation : I always book a place to stay on Booking.com
• Tours: when I decide to go on a tour I use either Viator or Get Your Guide .
• If you plan to rent a car during your trip to New Zealand check Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deals
• Get insured for your trip to New Zealand with SafetyWing

Table of Contents

Day 0 Auckland -> Christchurch

I don’t really count that day as I arrived in Auckland in the early afternoon (around 2 pm) and had a domestic flight further to Christchurch around 7 pm.

I didn’t even leave the airport, I spent these hours sitting on the bench outside the terminal and catching some sun.

I’ve thought I will be exhausted after the long journey (I left Zagreb, Croatia on Sunday morning and arrived in NZ on Tuesday afternoon) but I think the adrenaline was buzzing in my blood as I was pinching myself I really am in New Zealand.

Already there I could experience how extremely friendly and hospitable Kiwi people are.

I seriously haven’t met that nice people anywhere, even in Iran that is known for the extreme hospitality!

After a quick chat during the flight from Auckland to Christchurch, I was already invited to a dinner by a fellow passenger!

As I learned over the next days this was no exception. People are really that nice there.

I arrived at my hostel in Christchurch late in the evening and I was hoping I will get some proper sleep. I did fall asleep right away only to wake 2 hours later at 1 am…

Jetlag is an evil thing and 11 hours difference is a lot!

Recommended places to stay in Christchurch:

• Distinction Christchurch Hotel (with 8.8/10 on Booking) – it’s highly recommended for the location, staff and comfort.
• Quest on Manchester (8.7/10 rating on Booking) – valued for cleanliness, cofort and facilities.
• The Grange Motel (8.7/10 on Booking) – recommended for the location, friendly staff and cleanliness.

New Zealand itinerary – Day 1 Christchurch -> Tekapo -> Twizel

That’s when I started properly my 10 days in New Zealand!

At 8:30 am I had the InterCity bus directly to Twizel.

The weather was rather gloomy so I didn’t really mind sleeping for half of the journey.

Before going to NZ I was trying to find how I can visit Tekapo, even for a day from Twizel, but nothing really seemed to work out.

And then, halfway through my journey on that day, I’ve learned that we will have a 50 minutes stop in Tekapo, enough to see the lakeshore and the famous Church of the Good Shepherd.

Of course, I could have spent more time in the town, walking along the Lake Tekapo and enjoying the nature around but Tekapo itself seemed to be a bit touristy and these 50 minutes I had to see most important bits of it were enough for me.

40 minutes later I was already in Twizel, reunited with my friends.

The weather was still pretty terrible so we just spent the rest of the day catching up and it was pretty awesome.

Recommended places to stay in Twizel are Mountain Chalets Motel , next to the main road and with 8.2/10 rating on Booking and Mahina Cottage close to Lake Ruataniwha and with rating 9.6/10 on Booking .

Day 2 Twizel

I was still pretty exhausted with the jetlag (evil thing!) so I took things easy and spent a day in Twizel: walking around, drinking coffee in a local cafe and enjoying long conversations with my friend.

Once my friend had to go to work I went for a walk to a nearby Lake Ruataniwha which turned out to be just stunning!

Blue sky, green colors around and snow capped mountains are just the most beautiful combination!

The lake is some 5kms away from Twizel’s center and I was ready to walk back to the town but after literally one minute a friendly man stopped and asked if I need a ride – I couldn’t say no to such an offer!

Twizel turned out to be such a charming place!

Kind of reminded me of towns like Stars Hollow in “Gilmore Girls” with one main square and everything you need around it.

I admit I fell in love with the town a bit and I really think it’s a perfect base to see some of the most stunning places in New Zealand. It’s so much less touristy than Tekapo!

Day 3 Twizel – Mt Cook – Twizel

Being based in Twizel I was just a short ride away from Mt Cook and Hooker Valley – the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done!

I found one company that offers transfers from Twizel to Mt Cook village in the morning and back in the afternoon, giving you around 6 hours to enjoy the place – that’s enough to do an Mt Cook hike (it took me 4,5 hours but I was slow as I took so many pictures along the way).

The place was so beautiful it hurts, I felt like walking in the Photoshop for most of the day! This is definitely one of the most beautiful National Parks in New Zealand .

It was the most rewarding hike ever, the difficulty vs. views ratio is pretty good here!

I was tempted to squeeze in the Kia Point hike too but after returning from the Hooker Valley the jet lag kicked me big time and I was almost stand sleeping.

After returning to Twizel I did my best to stay up late-ish and enjoy the last evening with my friends but at 11 pm my body gave up and I fall dead asleep (and after the proper night’s sleep I was done with the jet lag for the rest of my trip).

Day 4 Twizel -> Queenstown

After a lazy morning and the last coffee in Twizel it was time for me to move on and see other amazing destinations in New Zealand.

I could have easily spent the whole 10 days in New Zealand in Twizel and the area only, I liked it there so much, but let’s face it – that would be just plain stupid of me.

I border the Intercity bus with mixed feelings – I was so sad to leave Twizel and my friends behind but at the same time I was excited about the next destination – Queenstown!

The city is known as New Zealand’s capital of adventure and adrenaline rush and attracts lots of tourists every single day.

I’m usually not a big fan of this kind of places but since I had a rather limited time in Queenstown I kind of enjoyed it!

As soon as I arrived and left my backpack in my hostel I headed to probably the biggest attraction of Queenstown – Skyline.

The gondola ride to the top takes few minutes only but the view from the upper station is spectacular!

Queenstown and the surrounding area is just stunning, no wonder it’s such a popular place!

The viewing platform might be busy as everyone wants to score the best picture so prepare yourself for that.

You should plan some extra time up there and instead of taking the next cable car down go for a walk around.

There are few walking paths marked, I randomly chose one and after a short walk up I could enjoy beautiful nature, amazing mountains and a complete silence with no one around (that was a nice change after the busy town).

You can easily spend a few solid hours just walking and hiking around but as it was already late afternoon I headed back to the town to enjoy the sunset at the Lake Wakatipu shore.

The place had a completely different vibe than the upper station of the Skyline.

It was busy and bustling with people. All the lakeshore restaurants, as well as the small beach, were full.

Everyone, including me, was there to admire the beautiful sunset and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

In Queenstown be sure to eat at Fergburger. The place is somehow iconic and even if the line is always long it’s definitely worth the wait!

Some even claim the best burgers in the world can be found here!

Where I stayed: at The Black Sheep Backpackers . I reserved a private cabin and it was small but cozy, good for one person.

The hostel was just a few minutes walk from the downtown and the lake shore, in the quiet area. It was good for socializing but also you could easily relax there.

The Booking rating is 7.4/10 .

I’d avoid staying in the very downtown of Queenstown as the place is just madness.

Other recommended places:

• QT Queenstown (8.9/10 rating on Booking) – guest value the place for the comfort, cleanliness and location
• Mi-Pad Smart Hotel (8.5/10 rating on Booking) – this place is especially recommended for cleanliness, staff and location.
• Absoloot Value Accommodation Hostel (8.5/10 rating on Booking based on over 1 thousand reviews) – visitors loved the location but also thought the place is a great value for money.

Day 5 Queenstown -> Milford Sound -> Queenstown

I used Queenstown as a base to go for a day trip to Milford Sound.

There are numerous companies that offer this tour but since I was already familiar and satisfied with Intercity services I’ve decided to go with them . And it was a good day!

It’s quite a journey to get from Queenstown to Milford Sound (around 300kms one way) and the whole tour lasts around 12 hours but it’s definitely worth all the effort!

On the way to Milford Sound there are few scenic stops: in Te Anau, at Mirror Lakes plus picture-perfect field just before them and at The Chasm waterfall.

It’s fascinating how, as soon as we were getting closer to Milford Sound and were about to cross the mountains via Homer Tunnel, the weather changed drastically.

From the beautiful sunny day (that I was really hoping for) we got into cold, grey and windy weather.

The highlight of the day was the Milford Sound cruise.

Despite the freezing wind, I did stay on the top deck for the whole journey (including a really big close-up to the waterfall that left me soaking wet but at least it was fun) as the place was too stunning to miss it!

But I must admit I was slightly disappointed.

Many people claim Milford Sound to be the most beautiful place in New Zealand and I guess I had my expectations too high.

Could be the so-so weather or my new love for Mt. Cook (seriously, the most breathtaking and stunning place I’ve ever seen!) but Milford Sound didn’t blow me away all that much.

I still loved it though! The scenery and nature around were incredible and I definitely can see why so many people fall for this place!

Once I was back in Queenstown I went to the lakeshore again to enjoy another sunset in this beautiful location.

Click here to read more about the Milford Sound tour departing from Queenstown.

Day 6 Queenstown -> Wanaka

I left Queenstown early in the morning and went to Wanaka. It’s a short ride and already at 10 am, I was there.

I had only this one full day in Wanaka but since I was limited transport-wise I thought I will focus only on the town, walk around the Lake, admire the famous That Wanaka Tree and maybe go to the Mt Iron – the most accessible track in Wanaka.

My dream was, of course, Roys Peak as pictures from it were the main reason why I’ve decided to include Wanaka in my New Zealand itinerary.

Realistically speaking I knew I won’t make it there – not only you need to get somehow to the beginning of the trail but also my shape isn’t the best (still I did surprisingly good in NZ) and this hike is rather challenging.

But still, deep down I really regretted I couldn’t make it there.

I arrived to my guest house still before the noon, just wanting to leave my backpack before exploring the town.

The lovely owner asked me about my plans and very quickly suggested I shouldn’t waste my time on Mt. Iron but go to Diamond Lake instead.

And since I didn’t have a car she offered her son would take me there, I would just have to hitch-hike back.

I couldn’t have missed such an opportunity so shortly after I was already on the trail, hiking to Diamon Lake and afterward to the viewpoint.

It wasn’t the easiest hike for my poor shape but also not too difficult and the views were so rewarding!

I was tempted to go all the way to Rocky Mountain but what I could see from the viewpoint was already stunning and I still wanted to have some time to enjoy Wanaka itself.

Once I was back in the parking lot I didn’t have any problems to find the ride back to the town, the first people I asked – a lovely Belgian couple – took me there even if I had to lie down on the bed in the back of the car for all the way to the town.

I thought that after Diamon Lake and Rocky Mountain track the views can’t get any better but the lakeshore in Wanaka is pretty amazing and once the sun was out the area looked gorgeous!

I walked a bit around and eventually was back (for the third time in that day) at That Wanaka Tree – a perfect ending of my perfect day in Wanaka!

Where I stayed: at Altamont Lodge and I can’t recommend it enough!

The place is some 10 minutes walking from That Wanaka Tree, offers spacious rooms, big kitchen and is perfect to relax. It has the rating of 9.0/10 on Booking .

But the biggest asset of this place are amazing owners who really have made my stay in Wanaka so much better than I expected!

Click here to check the current rates and opinions about Altamont Lodge.

Other recommended accommodation:

• Wanaka Springs Lodge (8.8/10 on Booking) – highly valued for free wifi, staff and cleanliness.
• Panorama Court (8.2/10 on Booking) – Visitors who stayed here enjoyed the place for its comfort, location and facilities.
• YHA Wanaka (8.2/10 on Booking) – valued for staff, location and facilities.

Day 7 Wanaka -> Fox Glacier

After a lazy morning my Intercity bus took me to Fox Glacier, with two stops (next to the waterfall and for lunch in another beautiful location) along the way.

I arrived at my destination around 3 in the afternoon and didn’t really know what to do.

First of all I can’t explain why I chose Fox Glacier and not Franz Josef (if you know me well you would now I so should go to the second one, just for its name, honoring the Austrian emperor who basically created the Central Europe legacy I adore so very much), it seemed like in both towns the glaciers are rather far away and not reachable if you have limited time and no transportation options.

But I had to choose one place to break the journey.

Later on, in Queenstown, I learned from the American couple I met that in Fox Glacier there is a picture-perfect spot – Lake Matheson – with a beautiful reflection of the mountains and the glacier. That was my option for the day.

But then again I learned that it’s actually only some 6kms to get to the glacier viewpoint so suddenly I had to decide what to do in Fox Glacier in my very limited time!

“Fortunately” on that day the weather has decided for me as it was rather poor and you barely could see the mountains.

As soon as I arrived to the hostel and checked in I left to the glacier!

It was a pleasant walk as big part of it was through the forest (at that point I was already in love with New Zealand’s forests as they are so different from what I know in Europe) and then I could see my destination – it literally took my breath away (or maybe it was because I was walking fast?)!

From the parking lot, it was some 1km walk to the viewpoint – the trail was going through was used to be (and sometimes still is) riverbed and I must say it felt weird to walk there.

Eventually, after really steep last meters, I got to the viewpoint and oh wow!

Even if I barely could see the mountains and even if everything was so grey the place still impressed me, a lot.

I think that’s the closest I’ve ever been to the glacier and it was really unforgettable, especially the moment when I was there all alone, only with the amazing nature around me.

I was ready to walk back to the town and the hostel but shortly after leaving the parking lot the car has stopped next to me and a fellow tourist, from the US, offered me a ride – I really couldn’t say no!

Where I stayed: at Ivorytowers Backpacker Lodge . It was good, probably the best budget friendly option in Fox Glacier.

It has the Booking rating of 8.3/10.

The place was located few steps away from the bus stop and near the entrance of the trail leading to Fox Glacier. Click here to check the current deals and opinions.

• The Church at Fox (9.2/10 on Booking) – this former church is highly valued for just about everything. It’s probably one of the most unique places to stay you will ever come acress.
• Rainforest Motel (8.8/10 on Booking, based on over 1 thousand reviews) – tourists recommend this places for its value, location and cleanliness.
• Fox Glacier Lodge (8.5/10 on Booking) – valued for location, cleanliness and staff.

Day 8 Fox Glacier -> Greymouth -> TranzAlpine train -> Christchurch

I spent the whole day traveling but it still was pretty exciting!

I took the early morning bus from Fox Glacier to Greymouth where I changed for the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch.

But the adventure has started even before I left Fox Glacier and showed me one more time how amazing people in New Zealand are.

The bus started the route from Fox Glacier, I was at the stop some 20 minutes before the departure but since I was the only passenger and we still had some time the driver offered to take me to the viewpoint so I could see the glacier and the mountains again.

It was an amazing view! After seeing the glacier from really close I could admire it from the distance and see how massive it really is.

But seriously, it was the first and probably the last time I had a private tour with the regular bus! How cool and nice is that?!

Another surprise was the stop on the way, in Hokitika.

Until that moment I didn’t know such a place even exist but it turned out to be a charming little town, at the shore of the Tasman Sea.

We had almost one hour break there so it was a perfect place to relax a bit, grab lunch and stretch the legs.

The biggest highlight of the day and one of the best adventures of my 10 days in New Zealand was about to happen afterward.

I’ve heard that TranzAlpine is considered one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world so I was really excited and had my expectations high. And it was beautiful!

At first, I was a bit disappointed but the further along the journey, the views were more and more amazing!

Green fields and blooming yellow flowers and bushes just added up to the overall beauty.

But the best thing about the journey was the last carriage, the one I spent 95% of the trip in, designed for everyone who wanted to take pictures.

It’s the best invention ever and I believe every scenic train should have one of those carriages!

There were no windows, just open space you could look through and take pictures of the scenery, without this annoying reflex you often get when photographing from the moving train.

It felt incredible to be there, look outside and feel the wind in my hair or on my face – this feeling is one of the reasons why I love train journeys so much!

After arriving in Christchurch I headed to my hostel , the one I heard so much about I just had to book myself there.

I spent my last night on South Island in jail!

Where I stayed: at Jailhouse Accommodation . A former jail was turned into the hostel and it’s such a cool place to spend the night at!

It has the Booking rating of 8.1/10 .

I had a private cell and it felt kind of weird to sleep there. The whole place looks pretty cool and for me it was probably one of the most interesting accommodation ever.

Click here to see current deals and opinions.

Day 9 Christchurch -> Auckland

I had the whole day for exploring Christchurch before catching my evening flight back to Auckland.

It was perfect sunny weather but as much as I enjoyed it, it also got me pretty tired at some point.

Or maybe I was still overwhelmed after seeing the incredible and magnificent nature in the past few days and I didn’t really switch to the city mood.

I was really hoping to like Christchurch and in different circumstances, I think I would.

I’m a city girl and Christchurch has everything I’d normally fall for: street art , great cafes, interesting architecture as well as dark recent history.

The city is still recovering after the tragic earthquake that hit Christchurch in February 2011, much of the center is under construction, containers replaced shopping center and there are still so many holes showing where the houses used to be.

The most moving place is the memorial to the victims of the earthquake – 185 empty white chairs, one for each of the victims…

It’s good to spend at least few hours in Christchurch and see the city but let’s face it – this is not why you visit New Zealand.

Where I stayed: after landing in Auckland late in the evening I went directly to my accommodation for the night – Kiwi International Hotel .

It was good value for the money with the Booking rating of 7.2/10. With great location .

The hotel is located on Queen Street next to the hipster-ish part of the city and not far from the downtown I can definitely recommend this place.

Click here to see the current prices and details.

• Four Points by Sheraton Auckland (8.3/10 on Booking) – travelers recommend it for just about everything!
• M Social Auckland (9.0/10 on Booking based on well over 1 thousand reviews) – it is especially valued for the location, cleanliness and comfort.
• City Lodge – Backpackers Accommodation (6.8/10 on Booking) – travelers recommend this place for cleanliness, location and staff.

Day 10 Auckland

I spent my last day in New Zealand in Auckland and, contrary to Christchurch, I liked it much better than I expected.

I’ve never heard many good things about the biggest city in New Zealand so I just treated it as a stopover (at some point I was even wondering if I should have maybe used this day better, spending it in another gorgeous destination) but I actually enjoyed it surprisingly much.

Part of it is thanks to my dear readers, Sam and Richard, who I met with in Auckland and who showed me some of the best places the city has to offer.

Besides the downtown and waterfront I could also see Auckland War Memorial Museum with the interesting exhibitions about Pacific cultures (that I sadly know so little about) and super fascinating Maori cultural performance (they did the haka dance!) or the alternative area at the crossroads of Queen Street and Karangahape Road.

It was such a fun day and a perfect ending of my 10 days in New Zealand!

Is it worth going to New Zealand for 10 days only?

No matter how crazy that sounds I think it’s definitely worth it!

New Zealand really is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to and I’d go there again in a heartbeat!

But everything also depends on how lucky you are with the weather as it’s pretty unpredictable and you can get all four season in one day.

I was really lucky here, I had really good weather for most of the time and it didn’t rain even once (although forecasts were predicting heavy rains in Fox Glacier and Auckland).

10 days in New Zealand is not a lot but if you plan your New Zealand itinerary well you really can see a lot of spectacular places!

And don’t let anyone tell you it’s impossible to visit New Zealand without renting a car – I’m a walking example that it’s perfectly doable!

How to travel around New Zealand without a car?

There are few bus companies but I’ve decided to use InterCity as their schedule and routes worked the best for me.

The schedule, however, is rather limited with usually only one trip per day so you need to plan everything around that.

But in any place, I didn’t feel like I don’t have enough time for what I want to see and do when I missed some activities or had to make some tough choices it was because of my busy itinerary in general.

After planning all my connections I’ve decided to get the 25 hours pass for 209 NZD .

It counts the hours from the timetable so even if the bus is delayed (happened to me only once and it was only 15 minutes delay, in Twizel when I was about to depart to Queenstown) you don’t need to worry about taking the extra minutes from your pass.

The pass is valid for a year so if I manage to return to New Zealand before the end of September I can technically still use those few hours I have left on it.

Planning and booking connections are super easy.

You just need to log in on the Intercity website and search the route you’d like to take. Then you just add it to your cart and voila, you’re done.

Even if none of the buses I took were full I still wouldn’t leave the booking for the last moment, especially in the summer months, just to be on a safe side.

Before the trip, you need to be at the bus stop 15 minutes before the departure time and then just give your name to the driver for the check-in, once he verifies you’re booked to this connection you are free to board the bus.

The bus journeys were all good, comfortable, with wifi and great drivers who were talking a lot during the trip: telling about the places we were passing by/about to reach or sharing the interesting stories.

There were also some photo stops in beautiful places along the way.

Overall it was so much better experience than with most of the buses I’ve ever taken and I can definitely recommend it to everyone visiting New Zealand who don’t want to / can’t rent a car!

And here is the map of all the places I visited during my 10 days in New Zealand

Travel Resources

Below you can find the brands I trust and use when planning trips:

• You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in New Zealand
• I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Viator or Get Your Guide .
• To always stay connected I use Airalo eSim cards – click here to get yours!
• For transportation and booking tickets online , I usually use 12Go or Omio
• Looking for the airport pickup ? Check Welcome Pickups!
• Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for New Zealand here.
• Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. I always use the free app Maps.Me .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to New Zealand too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

LIKED IT? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

Disclaimer: during my trip to New Zealand I was hosted by InterCity. As always all opinions and experiences described above remain my own.

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24 Comments

I love this. Thank you! I’m planning NZ in a few months and was wondering about not having a car. This post was super helpful.

I’m glad I could help! It really is possible to visit NZ without a car, it requires some planning but it’s definitely doable!

I agree, having a friend in a foreign country is great. You’ll be able to visit them while enjoying the place. Thanks for this very informative blog. Your photos are all fantastic. I also want to visit New Zealand one of this days. :)

Thank you! I hope you will visit New Zealand one day, it’s really amazing!

Rajendera Sodhi

Excellent pictures and information…

Very useful post with amazing photos! May I know which month did you visit NZ? Am planning to head there this December…

Thank you! I was there at the end of October and beginning of November so December must be even better (but also busier…). You will love NZ for sure, it’s amazing! Have a great trip!

planodo.com

It’s really well written and wide guide. Thanks for that. It helped with organizing our trip. We done all points mentioned + Glenorchy, Hokitika George and Athur’s Pass. It was wonderful time there!!!

I’m glad I could help and that you enjoyed your trip. Happy travels!

How did you cope with jetlag? I almost died from it after visiting Australia :D

I managed to sleep 2 hours/night for some 2-3 days and then I got myself so tired at Hooker Valley that I fell asleep sitting at 10pm and finally slept for 12 hours straight – and all was fine since then :) it wasn’t actually that bad to be honest, I was expecting more struggle with 11 hours difference

So glad I bumped into your page. The photos of NZ are gorgeous. You have convinced me that it is possible to go around NZ without renting a car. Phew. Thank goodness. But seriously.. the photos of NZ = amazing.

Thank you! It is definitely possible to travel around without a car! It requires some planning as sometimes there is only one bus connection per day, but is definitely doable!

New Zealand comprise 3 islands. A North and South Island and Stewart Island. This report is 10 days virtually in a part of the south island. I wouldn’t therefore classify it as a 10 day visit of New Zealand. Sorry, but the report is seriously misleading.

The majority of attractions tourists are interested in are in South Island and with 10 days only one has to choose what to see. But you are welcome to give other suggestions here, in the comments, so other travelers can use them. Cheers!

Hi Kami! Planning to travel to NZ next year on Feb and my initial travel IT is trashed now after seeing your Itinerary. My friends and I might just go along with what you did. Your experience and THE photos are so beautiful! Do you mind sharing how much you spent for 10 days? Are the sights free or is there any entrance fee? Hope to hear from you :)

Hi Karyll, I’m sure you will enjoy NZ, it is such a beautiful country! I don’t think I could plan my 10 days there any better, to be honest – it was busy but I loved every place! Unfortunately I don’t remember how much I’ve spent but I remember it was less than I expected – I was expecting Scandinavian prices but it was more like Western Europe. The only tickets I remember I had to pay were for the cable car in Queenstown and the boat on Milford Sound, everything else was free. Have a great trip!

Milet Miranda

Hey Kami! Thanks a lot for this super detailed guide to NZ. My friend and I will be traveling to NZ in March, and just like you, we don’t plan to rent a car (no driver license and driving skills lol). It’s great to know that getting around using public transportation is easy. I’m really excited to see NZ nad to do a lot of hikes :) Thanks again! Milet of Project Gora

I’m sure you will have a great trip, NZ is such an amazing country! Public transport is really easy but it requires some planning as the buses don’t run very often. But it’s definitely doable! Have a great time in NZ!

We are headed to NZ in 2023 for our 50th. I have been doing research and loved your adventure. Lots of names have been in my research. Do you have a post for Australia? We were looking at a tour but with your help I think we may go it alone. I so appreciate your share!!!

I’m glad you found my article useful. Unfortunately I haven’t been to Australia yet, it’s really high on my bucket list though! I’m sure you will enjoy NZ, such a wonderful and beautiful country!

Kami, I loved your article! I’m a Kiwi-born gal from Auckland, and like you thought it would be hard to travel around NZ without a car or through tour companies (I drive myself) but your article proves one can do it through Intercity! Only one thing i was surprised at reading that it was suggested you hitchhike back in one area. I wouldn’t have advised that at all, it’s not safe especially in rural areas. But so glad you loved our beautiful country, and hope you will visit again! I agree a lot of those places are stunning, we visited a lot of them in the last two years as we were unable to travel overseas due to borders being closed.

Thank you for your comment, Lynette. It’s interesting that you say hitchhiking is not safe as the only reason why I’ve decided to do it was because everyone, especially locals, encouraged me to do that. But of course, like everywhere else, it’s crucial to trust your instincts in such situations. I really enjoyed NZ and I really hope to return there one day! All the best!

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Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, new zealand south island itinerary: 10-day road trip guide.

So, you’re planning to visit New Zealand ? Lucky you, because you’re about to experience one of the world’s most beautiful places.

In this post, I’ll be taking you through my New Zealand South Island itinerary, which shows off some of the best sights New Zealand has to offer.

New Zealand South Island had long been on my to-visit list, but New Zealand is located out of the way from most places. It requires proper planning and setting aside precious vacation days, and I just kept getting distracted by other destinations to ever consider visiting New Zealand properly. So when an opportunity came up to check out the country, you bet I jumped on it! In total spent 2 weeks in New Zealand.

Anyway, enough fluff. let’s talk more about the big New Zealand trip!

New Zealand South Island Overview

How long should i set aside for the south island in new zealand, when is the best time to visit the south island, new zealand south island travel tips, packing list for hiking in new zealand, weather in the south island of new zealand, accommodations in the south island, the 10-day new zealand south island itinerary.

• Example Cost Breakdown of 10 days in New Zealand

New Zealand is made up of about 600 islands, but there are only two major islands: North Island and South Island. The majority of beautiful New Zealand landscapes and photos you see in travel magazines are located on the South Island.

And I swear, there are a lot of things to see here . 10 days was barely enough to scratch the surface of South Island. This is because every point of interest is so spread apart with a lot of ground to cover. After all, at around 150,000km², it’s not exactly a tiny island.

Despite this, I was surprised to learn that there are fewer people in the entirety of the South Island than there are people living in Auckland, the biggest city in New Zealand on the North Island.

So to put things into perspective for myself, I looked up the comparison of South Island to Singapore (where I live) in terms of population density. It turns out that there are nearly 6x more people on the tiny island of Singapore than on the South Island, even though the size of Singapore is only 0.5% the size of the South Island.

Crazy stuff, hey? Either Singapore is way too tiny or New Zealand is just that sparsely populated (I think it’s both).

OK, now that I’m done feeling small about my home country – back to the travel tips.

You’ll need at least 10 days to properly see the South Island, and that’s why this blog post has been written as a 10-day itinerary.

However, there is so much to see on the South Island that you can stay here as long as you have the time for. If time is not a constraint, I would stay at least 14 days so I have more time for all the hikes I didn’t get to do.

Remember that New Zealand is located in the southern hemisphere, so its seasons are the opposite of what one might believe are the conventional seasons.

Here are the seasons in New Zealand:

With this in mind, I think the best time to visit the South Island is at the tail end of Spring and towards Summer, in November or December . Summer is a very popular time to go to New Zealand due to all the natural activities that can be done in the Summer.

That said, we went at the tail end of Winter in September, and we still had a great time. It’s a different kind of beauty to see the beautiful landscape in crisp winter air.

I find that New Zealand is very similar to Australia , so a lot of the tips below are going to overlap with my previous posts:

1. Renting a car – You MUST rent a car when visiting the South Island in New Zealand. Driving is pretty much a requirement to see most of the South Island, especially if you want to do it in 10 days. One way to further optimize this is to arrange to pick up the car straight from the airport you’re flying into, then arrange to drop it off from the other airport you will be flying out of. This saves you tons of time! For example, we picked up our car at Queenstown Airport but will be dropping it off at Christchurch Airport. Which, brings me to my next point…

2. Open-jaw your flight ticket – We have a lot of ground to cover in the South Island, so we decided to open-jaw our trip for the sake of time optimization – we flew into Queenstown and flew out of Christchurch. That way, we won’t have to drive back to Queenstown at the end of the trip. I highly recommend doing this too if you are pressed for time! You can do this in reverse too, of course. Meaning, that you can choose to fly to Christchurch and fly out of Queenstown, it makes no difference!

3. Driver’s License – Make sure you have your valid Driver’s License with you. If your license is not in English, you’ll need to have it translated by an authorized department or have an International Driver’s License with at least a month’s validity left.

4. Speed Limit – Like Australia, the New Zealand traffic police are strict on speed limits! We got pulled over once for driving a little over the limit at Fiordland National Park , but they let us off with a warning.

5. Fill up the fuel tank before returning your rental car – or it’s going to cost you later. The rental car will fill it up for you and charge you a premium for it!

6. Get a local SIM Card for data – you can pre-purchase a SIM card here and pick it up once you’re in NZ. 4G connection is widely available in most of the towns I went to. You do lose connection when you’re out in remote areas, but the cities remain well connected.

7. Things are closed early – In smaller towns, most amenities are closed by 6 pm. Yes, even grocery stores, so plan if you need to replenish resources. In bigger cities like Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown you might still have a chance to shop a bit later than 6 pm.

8. The sun was super strong in NZ  – always wear sunscreen and layer up with extra light clothing and a hat to shield yourself, even when you plan to be in the car all day.

9. Download Google Maps offline – I downloaded offline maps on my Google Maps app just in case we go off the grid. I experienced low connectivity when deep inside the National Parks, and having the map offline was massively helpful.

10. Check road conditions – If you are visiting during Winter or the beginning of Spring, make sure you check road conditions ahead of time. A change of weather might render certain routes impassable – for example, a few days after we left, the South Island was hit with a huge snowstorm which knocked over some trees, and the road to Glenorchy was cut off from Queenstown for some time.

11. Take the DOC’s grading of hiking tracks with a grain of salt – Even if it says “easy” it might not be a walk in the park either (see my Ben Lomond summit blog for example). I feel like the DOC – short for Department of Conservation, the Nature Park Service of New Zealand – is catering to a very fit audience.

12. Apply for NZ ETA – Make sure to check if you need to apply for NZ ETA before arriving in New Zealand. NZ ETA is the travel authorization needed for those who hold passports with visa waiver for visiting New Zealand. You can apply for NZ ETA here .

The main reason why many people come to visit New Zealand is to enjoy the beautiful nature. And you can only get the most of that by hiking! If you are planning to hike, here are some things that might come in handy:

• As with any trip, bring a Portable Charger . My favorite charger is the Xiaomi 10,000 mAh. This stuff is super powerful. It can charge an iPhone 7/8+ twice.
• Bring a good yet light  windbreaker . It gets very windy and cold on some days. I used Uniqlo Blocktech Parka which was sufficient.
• Sunscreen – can’t stress this enough! Protect your skin!
• Sunglasses – for the same reason as above. Also, if you plan to go somewhere with snow on a sunny day, it will protect you against snow blindness . Something I only learned during the hike to Ben Lomond .
• Snow gloves – if you visit at the tail end of Winter or the beginning of Spring, there might still be some snow in the mountainous area. So you’ll want something waterproof and insulated to crawl on snow if necessary. This was yet another thing I learned during the hike to Ben Lomond .
• Hiking shoes – yes you need to wear proper hiking shoes with enough treads! My hiking boots are Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II in Mud/Sanguine which served me really well during this trip and many other hiking trips. I wanted a pop of color so I changed the laces to the  3M Rope Laces in Red  from Slickies.

I was in New Zealand in the first two weeks of September (September 1 to 17) and the weather gets very cold once you hit South Island.

On average, the daily temperatures were 9-12 C but some nights could go below 0 C. There was even a snowstorm that hit Queenstown and Wanaka (thankfully a few days after we left) even though it was already mid-September.

The temperature day-to-day varies greatly. One day it would be sunny and warm with blue skies, the next day it would be rainy and cold. Make sure to plan if you’re planning to do a long hike!

Since we were a group of 5 people, we booked 3 bedroom houses with a full kitchen and amenities, and they ended up costing us about $30-40 / night per person through Airbnb.

Of course, if you are traveling in a smaller group, it will cost more. If I was traveling by myself I would look at backpacker hostels instead.

The area you’d want to visit in South Island falls under  Te Wahipounamu , which is Maori for “the greenstone waters”. It’s the South West New Zealand World Heritage, which in turn is internationally recognized by UNESCO World Heritage. This list encompasses Fiordland, Mount Aspiring, Mount Cook, and Westland Tai Poutini.

If you are only in South Island for 10 days, you can probably only cover 3 out of 4 unless you really pack in the days.

Here’s our 10-Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary:

• Day 1-3: Get to Queenstown and Fiordland National Park
• Day 4-5: Queenstown and surrounding areas
• Day 6-7: Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National park
• Day 8-9: Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo
• Day 10: Drive to Christchurch and Fly out
• Cost Breakdown of the trip

You can check the map below to visualize my itinerary. I’ve also marked up things to see and restaurants to eat at.

🗺 Save this map to your phone!  If you are a Google user, click on the image of the map above. The map will then be saved to your “Recent” maps viewed.  Click here for instructions on how to view the map later . It will work from your phone too.

Alright, now let’s cover the details of the 10-Day New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary:

Day 1-3: Get to Queenstown and explore Fiordland National Park (Stay overnight at Te Anau)

As mentioned before, we decided to open-jaw our flight tickets. Meaning that we would fly to Queenstown first and then fly out of Christchurch at the end of our trip. We do this to save time since there is a lot to see and do on the South Island!

Our first stop, Queenstown , is the most beautiful town I’ve ever flown into. We flew to Queenstown from Auckland, and I paid an extra $5 to get a window seat since I had a feeling the view would be epic. And I was right!

I was lucky enough to have picked the side of the plane that’s facing West , which is where all the scenic Southern Alps are. I highly recommend sitting on this side if you ever fly in or out of Queenstown. The last hour of the flight before descending to Queenstown was just pure scenic – worth the measly $5 I paid to sit in a window seat.

As soon as we landed in Queenstown, we picked up our rental car and drove down to Te Anau , which took 2.5 hours. Te Anau is the closest civilization to Fiordland National Park, and where most people would stay overnight.

Once we got to Te Anau, there wasn’t much else we could do since it was already late. So we settled in our Airbnb and watched the sunset from Lake Te Anau, which was very picturesque that night.

The next day, we drove up to Fiordland National Park . This national park is located in the southwest of the South Island and houses some of the most famous sights of New Zealand. Fiordland National Park is part of Te Wahipounamu  and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to do at Fiordland National Park:

1. Lake Marian Hike – My favorite hike in the Fiordland. It was a sufficiently challenging yet short hike, and the reward at the end of it was a beautiful alpine lake. What more could you ask for?

Dive Deeper: I wrote a separate post about our experience hiking to Lake Marian . You can read the post for more information!

2. Gertrude Saddle – This track is highly technical. It is described as an expert and unmarked track. However, I’ve heard the reward at the end is massive – you get to overlook Milford Sound from the top of the saddle. We went at the tail end of winter, and unless you have experience with ice climbing and the right equipment, I don’t recommend going up to the summit. So we just stayed around in the valley which was still quite scenic.

3. Key Summit Track – This is another popular track, though we did not have a chance to visit. I think the Key Summit track would be an excellent choice for a day hike – it’s a 3 hours return journey.

4. Milford Sound – Probably the most famous attraction in the park! I’ve got to be honest, I found it a little underwhelming and very touristy compared to everything else we saw, but it’s still a must-visit.

Our Itinerary at Fiordland National Park

• Day 1/10: Get to Queenstown and drive to Te Anau
• Day 2/10: Milford Sounds and Gertrude Saddle at Fiordland National Park (or Key Summit Track)
• Day 3/10: Lake Marian Hike at Fiordland National Park

In retrospect, I think I would have swapped Day 2 with the Key Summit track since we love hiking. I personally felt Milford Sound was a little underwhelming even though it’s a popular site.

Where to stay in Te Anau

Airbnb – We stayed at an Airbnb in Te Anau, however it is no longer listed. At that time, it was a brand new 3-bedroom house with very modern amenities. Very close (1-2 minute walk) to the lake.

Budget Options – If you are looking for budget accommodation, I recommend the following hostels:

• YHA Te Anau
• Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers
• Barnyard Backpackers – this one is out of the Te Anau, but closer to Fiordland National Park than Te Anau

Day 4-5: Queenstown

Queenstown is the most beautiful town I’ve ever visited. Everywhere you look, you are greeted with a beautiful view of the dramatic Southern Alps mountain range over Lake Wakatipu.

I know we aren’t supposed to play favorites, but Queenstown was my favorite stop in this itinerary. Could you blame me though, when the beautiful lake and snow-capped mountains can be seen right outside the windows of our Airbnb? I did not want to leave!

What to do at Queenstown

1. Hiking to the summit of Ben Lomond – My most memorable moment in Queenstown is hiking to the summit of Ben Lomond. The track is NOT an easy hike despite being graded as “Easy” by the DOC, but it’s worth it.

Dive Deeper: I wrote a very detailed post about hiking up Ben Lomond. More info on hiking Ben Lomond in this blog post!

2. Take a short drive to Glenorchy , a cute little town just north of Queenstown. There are a few cool tracks you can do (Lake Sylvan track for example) near Glenorchy. Otherwise, the drive up from Queenstown to Glenorchy was just beautiful. This trip is doable on your own, or you can opt to take this Glenorchy Tour which will also show you the shooting locations of a famous movie *cough cough* Lord of the Rings.

3. Do Adventure Sports – Queenstown is known for high-adrenaline sports activities. So if you’re up for it, here are some activities you can do. I suggest you pick one:

• Skydiving in Queenstown – New Zealand is known as one of the best skydiving spots in the world. If you want to skydive in New Zealand, Queenstown is THE place to do it!
• Kawarau Bridge Bungee Jump – If Skydiving is not your thing, then perhaps you can try the bungee jump instead! It’s a 43m jump over the Kawarau River.
• The Nevis Swing – The swing is also a great option for that adrenaline rush, you’ll be swinging across a canyon 160m over the Nevis River.
• Shotover Jet – If you prefer to do water sports instead but still want the excitement, then you might be interested in this 30-minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River.
• Skyline Gondola (with optional Luge Ride) – You can take this gondola to see Queenstown from above, or as a shortcut to the Ben Lomond summit. I highly recommend reading my blog on Ben Lomond first if you are thinking of hiking up. It may not be as easy as you expected.
• If you decided to take the Gondola, then you might be interested in The Ledge Swing as well. It will send you 400m flying over Queenstown!

Our Itinerary at Queenstown

• Day 4/10: Drive to Queenstown from Te Anau (2.5 Hours) in the morning, visit Glenorchy, or do one of the activities I mentioned above!
• Day 5/10: Hike up to Ben Lomond in Queenstown (approx 6-8 hours)

Where to stay in Queenstown

We stayed at an Airbnb in Queenstown – (update: Unfortunately this Airbnb is no longer available for booking, but I’ll list some similar options below) It is just an average 3-bedroom apartment, but that view was the best out of all the accommodations we had. Check this out:

Hotels – As mentioned above, the Airbnb I booked is no longer active but here are some similar options in the same area. You’d want to stay near Frankton Road for the view I posted above ( click here for the general area ).

These accommodations are 5-10 minutes’ drive to town so I would only recommend it if you are driving.

• Panorama House
• Mountain & Lake Views Holiday Home
• Highview Terrace

Budget Options – If you are looking for budget options, you can look at the following hostels. It might not have a spectacular view like the one I posted, but it will be right in the middle of town and close to amenities.

• Absoloot Value Accommodation Hostel
• JUCY Snooze Queenstown
• The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers
• Base Queenstown
• Nomads Queenstown Backpackers
• YHA Queenstown Central
• YHA Queenstown Lakefront

PS: YHA, Base, and Nomads are all well-known chains for backpacker hostels across Australia and NZ, while Absoloot and JUCY are local NZ businesses.

Day 6-7: Mount Aspiring National Park (Stay overnight at Wanaka)

Mount Aspiring National Park is part of the Southern Alps that I saw on my flight down to Queenstown. Like Fiordland, Mount Aspiring National Park is also part of Te Wahipounamu  and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to do at Mount Aspiring and Wanaka:

1. Rob Roy Glacier Track – A beautiful AND easy hike just an hour away from Wanaka. Part of the road leading to the start of the track is private farmland, so if you’re a city girl like me this would be a very amusing drive.

Dive Deeper: You can read all about my experience on the Rob Roy Glacier track here . Hint: So many cows. So many sheep. So much everything.

2. Roys Peak – Probably the most Instagrammed hike in New Zealand. It’s very popular so you’d be hiking with a lot of people. The hike is also very dull since it just zigzags up the hill, but I heard the view above is worth it! You just probably have to queue for it since this is such a popular hike. We chose not to do this since we had just hiked up Ben Lomond a few days prior.

3. Isthmus Peak – similar to Roy’s Peak, but lesser known. You can try this hike if you don’t feel like dealing with the crowd at Roy’s Peak.

4. Lake Wanaka and That Wanaka Tree – This lake is right in the middle of Wanaka town so you have no excuse not to check it out! There is also a pretty cool tree that is partly inside the lake and is a popular subject for photography.

5. Skydive Wanaka – If you missed out on skydiving in Queenstown, you can still do it here in Wanaka. You’ll see the Mount Aspiring range from the sky.

Our Itinerary at Wanaka

• Day 6/10: Drive to Wanaka (1 Hour) in the morning, visit Lake Wanaka, and see That Wanaka Tree
• Day 7/10: Rob Roy Glacier Track at Mount Aspiring, followed by Skydiving

Where to stay in Wanaka

• The White Room – This is a studio apartment that can accommodate up to 4 people.

Budget Options – If you are looking for budget options in the town, you can take a look at the following hostel:

• Holly’s Backpacker
• Base Wanaka

PS: YHA and Base are well-known chains for backpacker hostels across Australia and NZ

Day 8-9: Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park (Stay overnight at Twizel)

This area had been long known to Maori as Aoraki, which means “Cloud Piercer”. It was then renamed Mount Cook after James Cook in 1851, but the name Aoraki was reincorporated back in 1998 out of respect for Maori history.

And yep, you guessed it. Like the other two national parks I’ve mentioned above, Aoraki is also part of Te Wahipounamu  and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to do at Aoraki / Mount Cook:

1. Hooker Valley Track – This is a very easy and very scenic 10km return route. The track is mostly flat and can be done by children and adults alike. I saw many families picnic-ing on the trail. The trail ends at Hooker Lake, with a great view of the famous Mount Cook.

Dive Deeper: You can read about my Hooker Valley Track experience here .

2. Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier – another easy track, shorter than Hooker Valley that ends up with a glacier view.

3. Lake Pukaki – This is the lesser-known twin of Lake Tekapo. I preferred Lake Pukaki better than Tekapo because it’s quieter! If you are here in the Spring, it’s also known for the Lupin flowers.

4. Lake Tekapo – probably the most famous Alpine lake in New Zealand. Unlike Lake Pukaki, you can find restaurants and a tourist center at the base of the lake closest to the main road.

5. Church of Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo – Lake Tekapo is also where the famous church is located. This tiny yet picturesque stone church is an iconic landmark of Lake Tekapo and has been a popular subject of night photography. Don’t expect to be the only photographer here!

Recommended itinerary at Aoraki / Mount Cook

• Day 8/10: Drive to Twizel (1 Hour) in the morning, visit Hooker Valley Track at Aoraki and Lake Pukaki along the way
• Day 9/10: Visit the Lake Tekapo area and the Church of Good Shepherd

Where to stay in Twizel / Aoraki

• Our Airbnb in Twizel – A cozy little 3-bedroom house. It is very convenient as a base for Aoraki and Lake Tekapo.

Other economic options you can consider:

• YHA Aoraki / Mt Cook – This one is not in Twizel, it’s located in Mount Cook village which is right where the Hooker Valley Track is. It’s a bit more on the pricier side even though it’s a backpacker hostel, but you cannot beat this location.
• High Country Lodge and Backpacker
• Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park
• Lakefront Lodge Backpackers – This one is by Lake Tekapo, also a bit pricy for a backpacker hostel.

Day 10: Drive to Christchurch and fly out

We spent some time in Christchurch after leaving Twizel, but this was only because we were flying out of Christchurch Airport. It’s not that Christchurch is not worth visiting – I think it’s a very cool city. But if you are optimizing time to see nature in New Zealand, then Christchurch won’t be at the top of your list.

Keep in mind the drive from Twizel to Christchurch is 3 hours , so if you’re flying out early you might want to stay in Christchurch the night before to make sure you won’t be missing the flight.

Where to stay in Christchurch

For backpacker options:

• YMCA Christchurch
• Jailhouse Accommodation
• JUCY Snooze Christchurch
• YHA Christchurch Rolleston

Example Cost Breakdown of 10 days stay in New Zealand

Since a lot of people emailed me about this, here are the total cost expenditures for 10 days in South Island for 5 people. I was able to get a detailed number since we were using Splitwise to track group spending!

My airfare to NZ costs S$1260 (or roughly US$920) . I did not include it in the cost calculation, because airfare cost varies depending on where you’re coming from.

Obviously, If you are traveling with fewer people, the cost could go up since sharing a car and hotel with fewer people means more total per person.

But as you can see, the majority of the cost comes from accommodation . We stayed mainly in Airbnb, but if you are willing to go budget, then the cost can go down quite a bit. I also would budget a few hundred dollars more for any emergencies and activities you might want to do (skydiving and tours).

Do you still have more time to spend on the South Island?

If you are staying longer than 10 days in the South Island (oh lucky you!!!) – you can consider hitting up the following places:

• Kahurangi National Park to the northwest of Christchurch. I had heard great things about Arthur’s Pass.
• Westland Tai Poutini National Park . This is where the highly photographed Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are! I would definitely go visit if I had the chance to go back.

And… that’s all from me for New Zealand! I can safely say New Zealand was the most beautiful country I’ve ever visited, in terms of nature and scenic routes. It could be because I haven’t traveled to the mountains during winter, so seeing snow almost every day was a brand-new experience for me.

And of course, what’s a road trip without friends? I did this trip with my teammates who are also my good friends. This was a remote work trip for us. We would go hiking in the morning and work in the afternoon and into the night to sync up with the team in Singapore.

Thank you, Lucas for organizing the trip, Shekhar for driving (a LOT), and Ezra and Nishant for being great travel buddies! This is one of the most memorable trips that I keep thinking back about.

PS: Want to reference this post later?

Click on any of the images below to pin to your Pinterest board!

67 Comments

• January 5, 2024

Great piece of content Melissa, cheers.

• November 15, 2023

Thanks for the detailed write up! I was wondering if you think its’s possible to do solo female road trip in south island following your route? Anything to watch out for?

• November 16, 2023

Hi Dan, NZ is fairly safe, so I think should be ok. Still I would exercise caution when going to remote areas (basically anything outside of Queenstown) as there will not be many people. Make sure you know what to do when alone in wilderness and careful not to get lost. Always tell someone where you will be for the day.

• December 21, 2023

Hi Dan, I just completed my solo trip in NZ. I did this itinerary but backwards from Christchurch to Queenstown and I met another solo girl traveller who had done both islands in 3 weeks and had also hired a car. It’s very safe for girls on their own. Queenstown is especially welcoming and when I was solo cycling around in the wilderness it was safe to do so. It’s sooo under populated but the tracks are well maintained and it’s a small country so I was never completely isolated or without mobile phone reception. I wouldn’t stay at Te Anau, this town was pretty depressing!

• July 31, 2023

Hi Melissa! Was it easy to find places to eat for breakfast lunch and dinner? Or most of the time you kinda need to prepare meals?

Which areas would you say is the hardest to find food and hence need to be prepared for?

Hey Amelia, in the towns there would be 2-3 restaurants depending on how big the town is. Lesser variety on smaller towns and things close early. We did not have difficulty with finding food. I did find the food to be pricey though so we cooked some meals.

• April 2, 2023

Hello Melissa! May I ask what camera gear are you using? Thank you 🙂

i’m just using an iPhone 🙂

• October 29, 2022

Hi, just wondering if the hikes are doable in June. Will it be too cold? Thanks.

• September 16, 2022

Any recommendation for Car rental company . Your group rent car from which company ? I am looking for 7-8 seater since we are 5 so get better space with luggage .

• August 30, 2022

Thanks Melissa for you suggestions.

• August 29, 2022

Lot of useful information you provide here in your blog for South NZ . See if you can help in our NZ trip plan We are group of 5 pax , 4 of age ( 50-60 ) and 1 below 20 . Our plan to visit NewZealand in 2nd week .

here is our plan need some advice Day1 – Arrive Queenstown airport at 12.30 pm after overnight flight from Singapore , pickup car from Airport . On that day where we can go after hotel check in ? Question 1:Day-1 , any suggestion of some near by sight seen destination .

Day-2 – Package tour to Milford Sound

Day-3 Queenstown to Wanaka Question 2: Day-3 Any recommendation on the way (QT to Wanaka ) should we stop any place for sight seen?

Day-4 Spend at Wanaka

Day-5 Wanaka to Mount cook Question 3 : Day-5 Any recommendation on the way should we stop any place ?

Day-6 Spend at Mount Cook

Day-7 Mount cook to Christchurch ( Stop over at Lake Takapao )

Day-8 Christchurch to Greymouth (via Train TranzAlpine ) Question 4 : Ovenight stay at Greymouth , Punakaki or Hokiata ?

Day-9 Greymouth to Christchurch ( via Train ) Day-10 Christchurch sight seen Question 5 – Any 1/2 day sight seen recommendation ?

Hey Pavlesh!

Here is what I know:

Day 1 – I suggest going to the water front and walking around the downtown area for your first day. Would be nice chill day after an overnight Day 3 – This drive is quite scenic! Crown Range Road Scenic Lookout is a great place to stop by Day 5 – You can stop by Lake Pukaki on the way Day 10 – Christchurch Botanic Gardens was a nice place to visit. There is also Christchurch Gondola if you want to see the area from above

• August 26, 2022

U mentioned u travelled in 5 but d accommodation suggested had o ly 4 beds. Where did the fifth person sleeps?

Hey Tina, which one are you looking at? We def had at least 5 beds in all of our accommodations 🤔

• June 26, 2022

Thanks Melissa. We are planning a family holiday this summer, featuring lots of hiking, and you have really helped shape our travel planning. What a great trip you had and thanks for helping others. Stu

Hey Stu, I hope you’ll have fun in New Zealand with your family! Thanks for the kind comment

• May 4, 2022

Hi, is it possible to share which car rental company that you used? Thank you

• May 5, 2022

Hi Mel, I suggest looking into Klook for car rentals

• April 28, 2022

Hi, Like your blog! You seem very keen on the fly in one city and out the other but if you had flown in and out of Queenstown you would have saved nearly 100km of driving. Were there any reasons why you flew out of Christchurch? Spots to see between Twizel and Christchurch?

Thanks Damien

Thanks Damien! Tbh i forgot the reasoning, but I think we just wanted to drive and see as many different places as possible. We’re coming from Singapore where a road trip isn’t really a thing! the drive from Twizel to Christchurch was nice too, though I wouldn’t go out of my way as you can find beautiful drives everywhere in the south island. So if you’re not keen to drive, and if there are good flight time options to go back to your destination, then going back to Queenstown is the right choice.

• April 4, 2022

Hi Melissa, My wife & I are thinking of a 2-week free&easy trip to NZ South Island and 1 1-week North Island. Thank you for your tips!

• April 6, 2022

Hope my blog helps! let me know if you have specific questions

• September 23, 2020

This is wonderful information about new Zealand south island itinerary, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across.

• August 29, 2020

Your article is quite helpful! I have so many questions, and you have answered many. Thank you! Such a nice and superb article, we have been looking for this information about a great itinerary for south island of New Zealand!

• May 30, 2020

You see, I do have an interest to go to New Zealand but never thought of going to the South Island and what I could do. Thanks for this Melissa!

• February 2, 2020

What a beautiful country! The view of Queenstown from the flight and the Te Anau lake look gorgeous! I was planning a trip to New Zealand sometime this year and I can’t wait now. 🙂 The travel tips are really useful.

• January 29, 2020

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for this very informative blog. Planning to visit NZ this June during the school holiday. Can you share the car rental company you used during your trip? Does the price S$809.83 includes insurance or GPS? or any inclusions in that price?

• January 10, 2020

I also spent a really good time there during my last journey and we came back with stunning memories.

• December 26, 2019

Hi Melissa!

Thanks for the detailed write-up! May I know which website did you rent your car from?

• November 23, 2019

I wish I read this post before going to New Zealand, especially your advice on car rentals. I decided to take a group tour of the south island, although I met a lot of good people I didn’t get the freedom to explore on my own! Great post!!

• November 6, 2019

Great Blog!! Thank you for sharing this. This is really informative and useful for the one who is looking to have a trip to South Island NZ!

• November 4, 2019

Good read and thanks for all the information. Did you manage to catch any aurora australis during your trip? Also I assume you are flying from SG. Which airline did you take and how long was the layover / which city was it?

Hey CL, I took Air NZ and it was a direct flight to Auckland. I stayed in Auckland for 5 days before going down to Queenstown. Otw back I had a 2 hour layover in Auckland.

I didn’t manage to catch Aurora Australis during my trip, but I wasn’t specifically looking out for it either. I don’t think it was the season at that time.

• October 20, 2019

Hello Melisa For Singaporeans, it is not necessary for international driving license, contrary to what you have indicated

• October 21, 2019

you are right! Thanks Raymond. It looks like you only need international driver license if the license is not in english.

• September 26, 2019

I seriously hate your itinerary. We’ve tried following it and IIt’s bloody unrealistic and damn boring with so many missed out landmarks. Didn’t even get to go to franz Josef, and missed out so many places!!! Zzz

Sorry you feel that way. Can you elaborate more on your comment? which part is unrealistic? which landmarks were missed (aside of Franz Josef, which would have taken an extra day)? and how we can fit them all to 10 days?

• August 9, 2019

Hi melissa,

Thank you so much for posted this. It s so helpfull for me! Unfortunately i booked my flights , to christchurch and will fly out again from christchurch. Any advice where i need to start tge journey?

Thankss! Michelle

• August 10, 2019

Hey Michelle, you can still follow the same itinerary but backward. It takes 6 hours to drive back to Christchurch though, so probably something like this:

Day 1-2: Get to Christchurch, go to Aoraki / Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo Day 3-4: Wanaka and Mount Aspiring National park Day 5-6: Queenstown and surrounding areas Day 7-9: Fiordland National Park Day 10: Drive back to Christchutch (6 hours)

• June 30, 2019

thanks for sharing, I have taken a note of these for my next trip to nz

I really liked the information and its very useful

Keep writing and inspiring, looking forward to reading your next post…

• June 11, 2019

During which month you made this trip?

Hey there. I went in August!

• June 12, 2019

Sorry was abit confused. in the blog you mentioned that you went this trip during the the first two weeks of September (September 1 to 17). So is it in Sep or in Aug?

ah sorry, yes it was September. I was a bit confused bc it’s been a while! However, I was working in Auckland for the first 7 days before heading down to South Island for the last 10 days. I’ve shared my itinerary here for the South Island part only

Sorry scratch that, It was mid September, not August!

• May 28, 2019

It’s been 17 days since I came back from New Zealand and I have to admit that it was the best trip of my life. I was there for 3 weeks, traveling the island from one point to another without stopping.

It is a country that everyone should consider as a holiday destination, really advisable!

Do you mind to share your 17days itinerary for NZ?

• May 23, 2019

Hi Melissa, this long-read was really helpful for our planning of the 10-day journey across the island. The only thing bothering me is that we are flying into Christchurch and departing from Queenstown. Shall we simply do our road trip in the reverse direction? Thanks

yes you can definitely do it in reverse direction by just reversing the itinerary. it’s all pretty linear. we just happened to choose the queenstown to christchurch direction on random.

• May 8, 2019

Hi Melissa, Thanks for the super helpful and detailed blog. Amazing detail. Can you let us know which AirBnB you stayed at while at Te Anau? Those sunset views by the lake are awesome!

• May 9, 2019

Hey Luke, I have a link to it above in my post!

• April 22, 2019

I enjoyed reading your blog & taking in some tips for our family trip this coming May! However, we booked our tickets before reading it & hence we are arriving & departing at Queenstown unlike your blog (which i think was a better opion, too bad:( ). Not use if you could then suggest how we can “U- turn” our itinerary such that we are able to cover some of these lovely places & yet depart from Queenstown. We are skipping Christchurch, anyway.

Thank you in advance for sharing.

• April 23, 2019

Hey Elaine! I think it’s still very possible to use my itinerary, as the drive from Twizel to Queenstown is only 2.5-3 hours, which is the same journey as to Christchurch. I just recommended Christchurch since the drive from Twizel to Christchurch was quite beautiful and most people don’t like to U-turn, but it wasn’t a requirement if you don’t have the time.

• April 24, 2019

Thank you for your reply. If we are starting from Queenstown towards north-west route, at which part/town you would suggest to take the u-turn route back to Queenstown for departure? I was a bit confused & lost as to which way to take.

Thank you in advance for taking time to reply .

Hey Elaine, it really depends what you want to see, but I would U-turn around Lake Tekapo. or if you want to go further, you can go to Fox Glacier and then u-turn, but obviously, this would be longer drive back to Queenstown.

• March 31, 2019

Hi Melissa, Thank you for sharing this itinerary, it is really informative and useful for my upcoming 10-day South Island NZ trip! I would like to ask if there’s any reason why you have chosen to drive to Te Anau the first day you arrived, other than staying at Queensland first, followed by Te Anau then head off to Wanaka?

Thank you for taking the time to answer this!

Hey Zoey, I am glad you find this post useful! You can do it that way too, but the drive from Te Anau to Wanaka might be a little long. That’s why we broke it up and stayed in Queenstown on the way back.

• April 1, 2019

Hi Melissa, Thank you for the reply! Helps me better in my planning. Thank you for taking the time to reply! Really appreciate it!

• August 24, 2019

Your full detailed write up is so useful. Too bad I found your page a little late cos we have booked most of our accommodations.

Just wondering what car did you rent and was it good cos we also have 6 pax? Also, driving to Te Anau and Milford Sound is easy or a rough route?

• August 26, 2019

Hey Anne, we were a group of 4 so we didn’t rent a big car. The drive from Te Anau and Milford Sound was super easy – it was all paved route. Just becareful about speeding since it’s easy to gorget about speed limit since the road are mostly straight and empty. We got stopped by a police officer on the way back.

• August 27, 2019

Thank you so much for your valuable advise, Melissa.

• February 24, 2019

Hi Melissa, was wondering how much you spent in total for the whole trip? Thanks!

Hey Sera, Great question! Thankfully I have them tracked. I spent total about SGD1130 (US$836) for the expenses in NZ (Airbnb, food, groceries, car rental and gas). For the flight, I paid SGD1260 (US$930). So the overall total expense is SGD2390 (US$1768.92). I’ll add this information to the blog 🙂

• December 28, 2018

Hi, I am thinking of booking the same accommodation as u for Christchurch! How was the airbnb? Want to hear from a fellow Singaporean 🙂

hello Jan! you are talking about this one right? https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/25599527 I really loved it! It’s small in relative to other airbnb I booked in NZ, but for us Singaporean it’s fine 😛 it’s 2 stories, very cute and clean, comes with its own parking (but we parked outside since the garage is a bit tight to get in for daily use) and you don’t have to meet with the owner since they’ve left us with the code combination to get in. it’s walking distance to the park and some restaurant too! hope you enjoy the place

• October 2, 2018

Great trips <3 Thanks you so much !

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How to Plan the Perfect New Zealand Itinerary

Home » Blog » New Zealand » How to Plan the Perfect New Zealand Itinerary

With miles of jaw-dropping landscapes and experiences, it can be hard to decide how to plan for a trip to New Zealand. We’re walking you through how to put together the perfect New Zealand itinerary based on our travels.

New Zealand is truly one of our favorite countries to explore. And if you know me, you know how hard it is for me to choose favorites.

The relatively small island nation is home to an astounding variety of scenery: lush forests, snow-capped mountains, volcanoes, ancient glaciers, stunning coastlines, rugged fjords, and rolling farmland.

There are tons of activities to get your adrenaline pumping in the “Adventure Capital of the World”. You can go caving, hiking, skydiving, skiing, climbing, bungee jumping, jet boating, swimming with dolphins, camping… just to name a few.

But there are also plenty of opportunities to slow down. On our trip, we soaked in hot springs, sipped wine, sampled the local cuisine , slept in mountain huts, and relaxed on the beach.

We spent 5 weeks traveling around New Zealand in a campervan, and we’ve been lucky enough to explore a lot of what this country has to offer!

In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly how to plan the perfect New Zealand itinerary, from how much time you’ll need to where to go and how to spend your days.

New Zealand itinerary contents

• Where to go
• Type of travel
• Where to start/end 
• How many days
• Typical Budget
• Accommodation
• Perfect New Zealand itinerary
• Booking your trip
• Itinerary planning resources

Want to save time and energy on planning?

If you want to save yourself the hours of research and planning, we’ve got you covered with our  ultimate done-for-you New Zealand Itinerary . This itinerary includes a lot of what you’ll find in this article,  plus so much more!

We took our 5-week travels and condensed it down to 30 days (because so many people wanted a 1-month route) that hits the top destinations on both the North and South Islands in one epic road trip. 

We’ll send you our complete 1 month itinerary, filled with tips and advice. Just click below to get your 30-day New Zealand road trip itinerary today!

Where to go on your New Zealand itinerary

From the vibrant cities and geothermal wonders of the North Island to the wild fjords and towering mountains of the South Island, below is a list of places to consider visiting on your New Zealand itinerary. We’ve included the country’s main highlights as well as some underrated gems not to be missed.

(Are you skipping the North Island all together? Jump down to the South Island .)

North Island

With thermal hot springs, white sand beaches and enough volcanoes to make your head spin, New Zealand’s North Island is not to be overlooked. Though it is often outshined by its more mountainous neighbor to the south, we found the North Island to be quite enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a shortcut, we created a perfect New Zealand North Island itinerary that brings you to all the major highlights, as well as hidden gems off the typical tourist path.

We’re even sharing where to stay and what to eat in the North Island, so you have all the information you need right at your fingertips!

Below we’ve listed all of the top places to consider visiting on the North Island of New Zealand.

Due to its large international airport, Auckland is the entry point for most visitors to New Zealand. It’s also the country’s largest city, with more than a third of the national population residing here.

This “City of Sails” is a dynamic, multicultural metropolis with a buzzing waterfront, lots of green space, and a diverse dining scene. In addition to all the fun things to do in Auckland , it also makes a great base for some of the North Island’s best day trips.

Waiheke Island

Just a short ferry ride from Auckland, Waiheke Island is a captivating gem known for its world-class wines, which visitors can sip while taking in the picturesque vineyards and olive groves that dot the landscape.

Nature lovers can explore pristine beaches, lush forests, and rugged coastal cliffs , while cultural connoisseurs browse art galleries, boutique shops, and fine dining establishments.

This geothermal wonderland of Rotorua boasts bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and colorful mineral-rich hot springs alongside lush forests and serene lakes. It is also home to the Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village and offers cultural experiences, including traditional Maori performances and cuisine.

Coromandel Peninsula

A coastal region with a laid-back vibe , the Coromandel Peninsula is home to some seriously bucket list-worthy experiences. Trek or kayak to the marine reserve at Cathedral Cove, dig your own personal hot tub at Hot Water Beach, or kick back in the charming seaside towns of Whitianga and Coromandel Town.

Mount Maunganui

Located in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, Mount Maunganui is a dreamy destination for hikers, surfers, and beach bums alike. Summit the iconic Mauao, an extinct volcanic cone , for panoramic views of the surrounding land and seascapes.

Bay of Islands

The 144 islands that make up this subtropical region are full of cute seaside towns and marine wildlife . The Bay of Islands is also historically significant, as this is where the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand’s founding document) was signed in 1840.

Cape Reinga

The Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean at the northern tip of the North Island. The mesmerizing collision of currents makes it easy to see why Cape Reinga is a site of deep spiritual significance in the Maori tradition. 

If you haven’t heard of Hobbiton, you may be living under a rock (or a hill!)… The Lord of the Rings film set is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist attractions, complete with life-sized hobbit holes , magical gardens, and the iconic Green Dragon Inn.

Nestled in the heart of the North Island’s volcanic plateau, the deep blue waters of New Zealand’s largest lake provide a scenic backdrop for swimming and boating. On the north shore of the lake, the town of Taupo serves as a gateway for Tongariro National Park, home to New Zealand’s best day hike .

Hawke’s Bay

Hugging the North Island’s east coast, the region of Hawke’s Bay is known as “New Zealand’s Food and Wine Country” for good reason. With 200+ vineyards and 70+ wineries, Hawke’s Bay is one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World.

Not a fan of vino? You won’t be left wanting for other choices – craft beer, distilleries, fresh juices, cafes, and some of the country’s best restaurants – you’ll find it all in Hawke’s Bay.

New Zealand’s capital is a compact but thriving harbor city at the southern tip of the North Island. Caffeine fiends (like us!) will enjoy the city’s famous coffee culture , while foodies (also us!) can indulge in an eclectic dining scene . 

There are plenty of opportunities for cultural immersion in the urban hub with museums, galleries, theaters, and live music venues, as well as chances to explore the city’s natural surroundings.

Read more in our Wellington Travel Guide .

South Island

With picturesque fjords, snow-capped mountains, temperate rainforests, and black sand beaches, New Zealand’s South Island is a nature-lover’s paradise.

We’ve created an action-packed 2-week South Island New Zealand itinerary that hits the major highlights and gets off the beaten path. 

We even included tips for altering it to fit a shorter trip, and recommendations for what to see if you have more than two weeks to explore!

Below are some of the places we’d recommend including in your travels on New Zealand’s South Island.

Christchurch

Known as the “Garden City” for its parks, green spaces, and famous Botanic Gardens , Christchurch is a lively city with a buzzy vibe.

Rebuilding efforts following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 focused heavily on environmental initiatives and Christchurch has since become a shining example of innovative urban planning and sustainability . 

Lake Tekapo

Situated in a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve and surrounded by the rugged Southern Alps, Lake Tekapo offers a tranquil escape on the South Island. With turquoise glacial waters by day and dazzling star-filled skies by night, the scenery at Lake Tekapo is nothing short of breathtaking.

Lake Pukaki

Another stunning alpine lake, the vivid turquoise color of Lake Pukaki is caused by “rock flour” suspended in the meltwater from the Tasman and Hooker glaciers. Its postcard-worthy surroundings and proximity to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park make Lake Pukaki a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

At 3,724 meters (12,218 feet), Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest peak and the crown jewel of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. It’s a haven for hiking and mountaineering; in fact, the majestic peak famously aided Sir Edmund Hillary in preparing to summit Everest. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a legendary mountain climber (or even a hiker) to enjoy the park’s breathtaking glacial vistas and alpine scenery.

Not only is Queenstown credited as the birthplace of bungee jumping , it also offers a plethora of other heart-pumping activities, earning itself a reputation as the “Adventure Capital of the World”. Not an adrenaline junkie? No problem! From cultural activities to culinary adventures, there are plenty of things to do in Queenstown for all ages and interests.

Nestled on the shore of its namesake lake, Wanaka is a charming resort town with a proud craft beer culture. In the evenings, you can find outdoor enthusiasts enjoying a pint in one of the local breweries after a day of hiking, mountain biking, skiing (winter), or water sports (summer).

This idyllic lakeside town is the perfect base for exploring some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural attractions, such as Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, and 3 of the country’s 10 Great Walks. Meanwhile, Te Anau itself offers both relaxing and adventurous activities, including l ake cruises, glowworm caves, and a bird sanctuary .

Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Area known for its untamed wilderness and biodiversity , and Milford Sound is the star of the show. With towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and verdant rainforests, Milford Sound is one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in the world.

Read more in our Milford Sound series:

• Milford Sound Cruise Guide
• Milford Sound Travel Guide
• Queenstown to Milford Sound Road Trip Guide

First thing’s first: “West Coast New Zealand” is a specific region, stretching from Haast to Kahurangi National Park on the South Island’s – well – west coast.

Okay, now that that’s cleared up… 

The West Coast was one of our favorite regions in the country, a wild and untamed wilderness ranging from glaciers and snow-capped alps in the south to palm trees and white sand beaches in the north.

Read more in our West Coast Travel Guide .

Lake Rotoroa

Enveloped by soaring mountain peaks and thick beech forests , Lake Rotoroa offers a remote escape 40 minutes from the nearest village of St. Arnaud. The surrounding Nelson Lakes National Park is threaded with trails ranging from leisurely walks to strenuous hikes. Bring your binoculars for birdwatching!

Abel Tasman

New Zealand’s smallest national park packs a big punch with golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and lush native forests. This coastal paradise holds secluded coves and hiking trails that are perfect for kayaking and spotting wildlife, such as dolphins and fur seals .

Situated on the shores of the South Island’s Tasman Bay, New Zealand’s sunniest city is a hub for artists and craftspeople of traditional, Maori, and contemporary persuasion. Visit the weekend markets for a chance to taste artisanal products and find a handcrafted souvenir to take home.

Marlborough

As New Zealand’s largest wine region, Marlborough is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc and fresh seafood (a match made in heaven!), as well as its diverse and stunning scenery. Rolling vineyards give way to the Marlborough Sounds, an intricate network of sheltered waterways and island sanctuaries that are home to dolphins, whales, seals, and the iconic kiwi bird.

The coastal town of Kaikoura is renowned as one of the best places in the world for marine wildlife encounters, including whale watching and swimming with dolphins (ethically!). The abundant marine life coupled with its striking position between the dramatic Kaikoura Ranges and the Pacific Ocean make this a truly one-of-a-kind destination.

Dunedin and Otago Peninsula

Dunedin rests at the head of a sheltered harbor, cradled by the Otago Peninsula on the South Island’s eastern shore. The city is steeped in Scottish heritage and historic architecture, including New Zealand’s only castle.

On the Otago Peninsula, scenic drives and hikes offer opportunities to view penguins, seals, sea lions, and albatross in their natural habitats. 

Stewart Island

Located 30 kilometers south of New Zealand’s South Island, Stewart Island is a perfect place to get away from civilization. This remote island is known for excellent bird spotting, hiking, stargazing , and the peace that comes with being on an island with just 400 permanent residents.

Great Barrier Island

For picture-perfect beaches, untouched forests, and secluded bays, Great Barrier Island is a place to get away from it all. This tropical-feeling island is completely off-grid and has a population of 1,000 people. Getting here requires a 4.5-hour ferry ride from Auckland or a 30-minute flight.

When to go to New Zealand

Spring (December – February) in New Zealand means temperatures are warming up and the days are getting longer. This is also lupin season, which is a big draw for photographers.  

Summer (January – March) brings long and sunny days with warmer temperatures — great for hiking and long days at the beach. 

Fall (March – May) is a great time to avoid high season crowds (and prices!) while still having enough daylight and comfortable temps to enjoy an array of outdoor activities.

Winter (June – August) in New Zealand is great for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. Or if you are on a tight budget, this season brings the most discounted rates and the fewest crowds of the year. 

Our personal pick would be to plan your New Zealand itinerary during the shoulder season between spring and summer (November/December).  

For an in-depth guide on the regional seasons, weather patterns, and other factors, check out our complete guide to the best time to visit New Zealand . 

Car vs. Campervan: How to get around on your New Zealand itinerary

Though public transportation in New Zealand is pretty good, having your own set of wheels is hands-down the best way to explore the country for a few reasons:

• You can see hidden gems and get off the beaten path.
• You’ll be able to travel on your own schedule, and getting from point A to point B is faster.
• Driving in New Zealand is easy and parking is plentiful.

Now that we’ve established you’re renting a vehicle, you might be wondering, car or campervan?

Renting a car in New Zealand is fairly straightforward, but it has a few little quirks that might surprise you, even if you’re a pro at car rentals. We put together a huge guide to New Zealand car rentals to share all our insider information with you, including things we wish we’d known before our trip.

The main advantage of renting a car (as opposed to a campervan) is that a smaller vehicle is generally easier to drive and park. And unless you’re really into campervans (like us!), you’re probably more used to driving a car and might be more comfortable with this option.

Be sure to book your rental car and any rental gear before your trip begins. And don’t forget travel insurance ! Picking a policy that covers your rental car is often cheaper than buying a separate policy through the rental company.

We personally traveled by campervan for 5 weeks in New Zealand and loved every minute of it! We think it’s the best way to explore this glorious country. Here are a few reasons why we love it:

• It’s easy. There are few countries in the world as well set up to accommodate campervans as New Zealand, and there are tons of places to camp (some of which are free!).
• You can save money. When you see the price tag attached to a campervan rental, you’ll probably think “Whaaat?! That ain’t cheap!” But what you have to remember is that this is your rental vehicle and your accommodations all in one!
• You can save money (again). Is there an echo in here? You can also save money in a campervan by cooking your own meals , so I think it’s worth repeating!
• It’s the adventure of a lifetime! Campervan travel adds a level of freedom even beyond driving a car, as well as experiences you won’t get at a hotel. It’s magic. Trust me.

If this got your attention, we have a guide to the best campervan rentals in New Zealand that walks you through your rental options and what to look out for. We’ve even included an exclusive discount for our readers! 

We also put together a HUGE guide to planning your New Zealand campervan trip with tons of insider tips and advice. Make sure to give it a read before booking your trip!

Where to start and end your New Zealand itinerary

Deciding where to start and end your travels is another factor you’ll want to consider when planning the perfect New Zealand itinerary.

New Zealand has quite a few international airports – there’s one in just about every major city. So you’ll have a lot of options to choose from.

We’ve done the research, and we personally recommend starting your itinerary in Auckland .

For starters, you’ll likely fly into Auckland, since it has the biggest international airport. And as New Zealand’s largest city, you’ll find a wide selection of rental cars and campervans you can pick up in Auckland.

However, if you want to start your road trip somewhere else, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown also have plenty of options for campervan pickups.

We’ve designed our 1-month New Zealand itinerary to begin in Auckland and end in Christchurch. Some rental companies will allow you to pick up and return your vehicle in different locations (sometimes for a fee). If not, you can always hightail it back to Auckland to return your rental.

Cook Strait Ferry

The Cook Strait Ferry operates between the North and South Islands in New Zealand, connecting the cities of Wellington and Picton. The ferry service provides both passenger and vehicle transportation, making it a vital link for travelers exploring both islands.

Not only is it an efficient way to get from one island to the other (especially if you are traveling by campervan or car), the ferry is an iconic journey across the Cook Strait with incredible views. Many people believe it’s the most scenic ferry crossing in the world! 

How many days is enough for New Zealand?

This is a tough one to answer because even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough. Seriously.

We spent 5 weeks traveling around New Zealand in a campervan, and we’ve been lucky enough to experience a lot of what this country has to offer. Even so, we still left with a loooong list of things to do “ next time ”. 

That said, we do have some suggestions based on the amount of time you have to explore New Zealand:

1 Week New Zealand

If you have just one week, we recommend focusing on a specific area. Base yourself in a city like Queenstown or Auckland and plan for a couple of day trips.

2 Weeks New Zealand

Choose one island to explore. We have perfect 2-week itineraries ready-to-go for both the North Island and South Island . All the hard work is done for you!

1 Month New Zealand

We think a month is ideal for your first trip to New Zealand . With our 30-day New Zealand road trip itinerary , you’ll experience a good chunk of the country’s must-sees and hidden gems (we have lots!).

5+ Weeks New Zealand

Extra time? Even better! Our 1-month New Zealand itinerary is packed with insider tips to customize your trip , including what to add if you have more time.

What is a typical travel budget for New Zealand?

I’ll give it to you straight: New Zealand ain’t cheap. But don’t let that stop you – it is still totally possible to explore New Zealand on a budget . 

If you are on a tight budget and watch your spending closely, you could get by with a daily budget of $60 – $90 per person.

If you want a few splurges and to stay in nicer accommodation, plan to budget $100 – $150.

On the other hand, you could easily blow through upwards of $200 per person per day if you book luxury hotels, eat out, and pack your itinerary with tours like bungee jumping and scenic helicopter flights.

For a more detailed breakdown, see our New Zealand travel guide .

Where to stay around New Zealand

New Zealand is a developed country with lots of accommodation options. As with any destination, lodging will be more plentiful (but generally more expensive) in the city centers, and prices will be higher during peak tourist season (December to February in NZ).

Our New Zealand itinerary has options for hotel/Airbnb stays as well as campsites, so you can tailor it for your personal travel style.

From chains like Holiday Inn to boutique hotels and resorts, you can find it all in New Zealand. Hotels are usually concentrated around metropolitan centers and may not be available in some remote areas. We recommend using Booking.com to search for hotels and compare prices.

Insider Tip: Traveling on a tight budget? Use Booking.com to search and compare prices for hostels. With the exception of certain campsites, hostel dorms are usually the cheapest accommodations out there.

Renting an Airbnb is one of our favorite ways to get to know a place. Plus, they offer experiences you won’t get in a hotel:

• Get off the typical tourist track and experience the country from a local’s point of view.
• Stay in the suburbs or the countryside, outside of the major hotel areas.
• Enjoy perks like having your own kitchen and laundry – especially for a long-term stay.
• Psst! Read about why we prefer Airbnbs over hotels when traveling with a baby.
• Save money!
• Find unique stays, like this rainforest retreat near Auckland .

Never booked an Airbnb before, or worried about getting a dud? No sweat – we have Airbnb basically down to a science. We even created a whole guide to booking Airbnbs where we share all our tried and true secrets to ensure a great experience.

There are all types of campgrounds in New Zealand, from totally free to pretty pricey (like $70 NZD per night), from unmaintained sites to holiday parks with hot showers, BBQs, and all the frills. And then there’s everything in between.

New Zealand campsites are also quite different from those in North America. Most of the camping in New Zealand is more or less a field where campervans have space to park.

We know how overwhelming it can be to sift through tons of campsites while trying to decipher unfamiliar jargon (what exactly is a “holiday park?!”). So we created a New Zealand camping guide , complete with a rundown of the rules and a map of the best campsites in the country.

Our perfect New Zealand itinerary

Countless hours were spent researching our route for New Zealand. We pored over article after article. We talked to Kiwis and asked for their local advice. And we finally came up with a plan.

All our research paid off: We had an incredible road trip! So, we’ve taken our road trip route and made it even better for you. 

We took our 5-week travels and condensed it down to 30 days (because so many people wanted a 1-month route) that hits the top destinations on both the North and South Islands . We added some things we wish we would have made it to and we altered a couple things here and there that we wish we would’ve done differently.

This New Zealand itinerary is set up to be done as a campervan road trip . However, you can also follow this route if you’re traveling with a rental car and staying at hotels or Airbnbs along the way. 

Important Note: One thing to know about traveling in New Zealand is you’ll need to be flexible. The weather in this country can be highly unpredictable (especially on the South Island), and a day of heavy rain or a surprise snowfall might derail your plans of hiking or bungy jumping. We would highly recommend having some “flex days” so you can alter your plans if you encounter weather that is not ideal. Trust us on this one.

Highlights of our New Zealand itinerary

Below are some of the can’t-miss things to do in New Zealand that we’ve included in our epic one month itinerary. 

• Discover Auckland and Waiheke Island
• Hike to Pinnacles Hut and witness the sunrise over the Pinnacles
• Explore the beaches on the Coromandel Peninsula
• Sea kayaking to Donut Island and camping on the beach
• Take the Hobbiton movie set tour
• Hiking in and around Rotorua and Lake Taupo
• Trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Eat and drink your way through Wellington
• Swim with dolphins (ethically!) in Kaikoura
• Wine tasting in Marlborough
• Explore Abel Tasman National Park
• Go rafting through a glowworm cave
• See Pancake Rocks
• Get up close and personal with Franz Josef Glacier
• Drive the beautiful Haast Pass
• Hiking around Wanaka
• Adventure activities in Queenstown
• Cruise Milford Sound
• Enjoy the laid back but incredibly scenic Key Summit hike

We’ve spent hours of research putting this all together, just for you!

In full transparency, this is a paid itinerary since it has taken an incredible amount of time for us to create. 

However, we keep all of our paid itineraries affordable – just $15 for an entire 1-month itinerary. We think this is an extraordinary value considering almost all your planning will be done for you!

If you don’t have enough time to do both islands, we broke down our full itinerary into separate itineraries in the following articles:

• North Island Itinerary
• South Island Itinerary

Booking your New Zealand trip

We have a handful of go-to resources that we use when planning nearly all our trips. Here are the platforms we use to book our most basic travel needs:

• Flights: Skyscanner
• Campervan rentals: Motorhome Republic
• Rental cars: Discover Cars
• Hotels: Booking
• Unique accommodations: Airbnb

Don’t forget about travel insurance!

Hold up – don’t even think about getting on a plane without this! Travel insurance is just as important as your passport and, contrary to popular belief, it is not expensive.

We know a lot of people will forego this step simply because they get too overwhelmed by all the options. 

Please don’t do that!  

We made a comprehensive guide to travel insurance to help you out. We share which companies we use and what policy details to look for when you go over your travel insurance comparison.

Our recommendation: 

Our personal pick for travel insurance is SafetyWing . Their policies are geared toward frequent travelers and digital nomads, and they’re one of the few providers who have coverage for Covid-19.

What sets SafetyWing apart is their emphasis on flexibility and adaptability . Unlike traditional insurance policies with fixed durations, SafetyWing’s coverage is designed to be subscription-based, allowing travelers to pay on a monthly basis and enjoy continuous protection while on the move.

New Zealand itinerary planning resources

We have TONS of resources for planning your trip in our New Zealand travel guide . Below are some of our top recommended articles for New Zealand itinerary planning…

• Things to Know Before Traveling in New Zealand
• Exciting Things to Do in New Zealand on Your First Visit
• New Zealand Travel on a Budget + Money-Saving Tips
• Best Time to Visit New Zealand: When to Go & When to Avoid!
• Ultimate Guide to Planning Your New Zealand Campervan Trip
• Best Campervan Rentals in New Zealand
• Best New Zealand Campsites: Ultimate Guide + Map
• Car Rental in New Zealand: Essential Guide + Tips
• Incredible New Zealand Hikes + Local Tips
• Best New Zealand Foods to Try (& what to skip!)

Be sure to download our  complete packing list for New Zealand !  It’s full of good suggestions and  insider tips  to help plan your campervan trip in New Zealand. And it’s completely  FREE , so why not!?

Want your itinerary planned for you?

• Perfect 1 Month New Zealand Itinerary
• South Island New Zealand Itinerary: Epic 2-Week Road Trip
• North Island New Zealand: 2-Week Road Trip Itinerary

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We want to hear from you!

Are you planning your own perfect New Zealand itinerary and still have questions? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!

Comment (1) on “ How to Plan the Perfect New Zealand Itinerary ”

Great article! I am thinking of a two month New Zealand trip next year, in October, November, and December. Will probably fly into Auckland and spend about three weeks to a month road tripping the North Island. Then will go down to the South Island and spend about a month to five weeks road tripping before going back up to Auckland and flying home. How is the weather in the North island during mid October to mid November? Will I be able to hit up beaches? Also, is mid November to mid December a good time to see lupins on the South Island? What would be the ideal (female) packing list during this time? Thanks in advance!

P.S Hope you enjoyed your Arizona hike! Can’t wait to hear about it!

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New Zealand Travel Guide

With its seemingly endless number of incredible experiences and wild and varied landscapes, New Zealand never fails to wow its visitors. Our New Zealand travel guide will help you plan and organise your dream vacation from start to finish. Whether you want to hike up volcanos and glaciers, lay on a beautiful black sand beach or enjoy a delicious traditional Maori dinner, New Zealand has something for you. I know you’ll love it as much as we do! You can scroll to the bottom if you want to see all the posts we have for New Zealand. There’s a lot.

This article contains affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate disclaimer here .

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Quick Facts about New Zealand

• Currency – NZD
• ATM and cards – Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely available, and cards will be accepted in most places, so there is no need to carry large amounts of cash on you.
• Internet and wifi – As you’d expect, internet and wifi are readily available in the cities. However, if you are travelling between cities, there is often no wifi signal.
• Plugs and electricity – New Zealand have 230/240 volt 50-hertz electrical sockets. The plugs have three angled pins, the same as in Australia.
• Languages, religion and culture. The official languages of New Zealand are English and Maori. Maori is the language spoken by the indigenous Maori people. However, new Zealand is a multicultural country, and you’ll find people of all religions speaking many languages other than the official two.
• Safety – If you’re wondering how to stay safe in New Zealand, the good news is you can relax. New Zealand is known to be a remarkably safe country. Exercise usual caution when walking alone late and night, and don’t leave your belongings unattended.

Before we get to all the practical information, let’s look at the exciting things.

Top things to do in New Zealand

For a comprehensive list, read our ultimate tourist guide to NZ – the New Zealand travel bucket list .

The best experiences in New Zealand

There really is no limit to what you can do in New Zealand. These are some of our New Zealand travel recommendations for New Zealand’s most popular activities.

Cruise Milford Sound

Milford Sound is New Zealand’s number one tourist attraction and is an awe-inspiring sight. Take a boat trip or, better still, a kayak, and cruise the beautiful black waters of Milford Sound, admiring the sheer vertical cliff faces and waterfalls lining its edges. Doubtful Sound is another very popular option.

Explore New Zealand in a campervan

Travelling New Zealand by campervan is one of the most popular ways to explore the country. The beautiful, ever-changing landscape never gets boring. We have a few travel guides to campervanning New Zealand you might find helpful. There are more articles at the bottom of this page too.

• Travel Guide: Campervan travel around New Zealand
• Tips for campervanning around New Zealand
• How to choose a campervan for New Zealand
• New Zealand road trips and itineraries

See glow worms

You can see glow worms in many places in New Zealand, but one of the most popular is in the Waitomo Caves, a couple of hours south of Auckland. Take a small boat tour through the caves and look for the twinkle of thousands of glow worms.

Experience New Zealand’s Geothermal landscape

A hive of volcanic activity, there are plenty of opportunities to see and experience the geothermic side of New Zealand. Visit Waimangu Valley or Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park to see multicoloured volcanic hot springs and bubbling mud. There are also several hot springs where you can swim or soak in the warm water.

Climb a glacier

Head to Fox Glacier or Frans Joseph Glacier and walk on the ice. With the way the world is heating up, who knows how much longer you’ll be able to do this!

Hike some of New Zealand’s most beautiful Landscapes

New Zealand is known for its spectacular walks and hiking trails; from the Tongariro Crossing to multi-day ‘Great Walks’, you won’t find better scenery than in New Zealand.

Whale watch in Kaikoura

Famous for its wildlife, the South Island of New Zealand is a great place to see all kinds of marine life. Seals, penguins, dolphins and whales can be easily spotted along the coast. A whale-watching tour in Kaikoura is an unmissable experience.

Visit Hobbiton and other Lord of the rings sites.

Many famous scenes and landscapes from the LOTR movies were filmed throughout New Zealand. The most popular place to visit is Hobbiton . Walk amongst the little Hobbit Houses and visit Shires Rest. You can visit Hobbiton from Auckland, Rotorua or Tauranga.

Enjoy a delicious traditional Maori dinner.

Known as a Hangi, a traditional Maori dinner is cooked in an underground oven. The best place to enjoy a Maori Dinner is in Rotorua on the North Island. But, it’s more than just a meal. It’s a cultural experience worth having.

Explore the Bay of Islands

The beautiful Bay of Islands, with its white-sand beaches and deep blue water, is perfect for relaxing in the sun. Base yourself in Paihia and explore the local area north of Auckland.

Sample some of New Zealand’s locally produced wine

New Zealand is known for its fertile wine regions on the North and South Islands. Take a local winery tour and sample some of their delicious produce.

Most popular places to visit in New Zealand

One of New Zealand’s most popular cities, Auckland, is located in the north of the North Island. Situated around two harbours, this beautiful city has plenty of things to do and is also an excellent base for exploring further afield.

You could spend weeks exploring Rotorua city and its surrounds. There are so many things to do in Rotorua itself, including many beautiful walking trails . Day trips from Rotorua include trips to Hobbiton and the geothermal parks.

Christchurch

Christchurch is known for its beautifully landscaped parks and gardens, English heritage, and abundant coastal wild and marine life on the South Islands’ east coast. Repeatedly damaged by earthquakes, this lovely city keeps on repairing and rising.

No New Zealand travel guide would be complete without a reference to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Located on the South Island, Queenstown provides access to all kinds of adventure and water sports. It’s also an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions such as Milford Sound.

Best small towns to visit

If you’re campervanning or just have some spare time, we have some great articles on the best towns to visit on the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. You’ll be amazed at the variety of landscapes New Zealand has once you’re out of the cities. Visiting small towns is also a great way to learn a little more about the local culture and history of New Zealand.

New Zealand travel budget and costs

What is a typical budget for new zealand.

In reality, there is no one typical New Zealand travel budget. It depends on how you like to travel. Do you take local transport everywhere or do you take a taxi? Would you prefer the train? Or to fly when you travel between cities? Do you stay in hotels or hostels?

Below is a table with an average amount spent per category to give you a general idea.

All prices are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD)

Tipping in New Zealand

Tipping is not common practice in New Zealand. But, of course, if you receive excellent service, it’s always a nice thing to do. If you do tip, 5-15% is considered a reasonable amount.

How to travel New Zealand – New Zealand travel planning

When will new zealand travel restrictions be lifted.

The New Zealand Government have announced that the border will be open to everybody from July 31st 2022.

New Zealand travel requirements

Please check the various New Zealand websites, such as the Customs website and the Governments Covid Advisory site, before making any plans,

Visas for New Zealand

Always check your visa requirements before travelling. Currently however

• citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand and Australia
• citizens of the UK
• and citizens of countries that have visa waiver agreements with New Zealand

do not require visas to travel to New Zealand. However, you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority or ETA before arriving in New Zealand. You can find all the information you need at the New Zealand Immigration website .

The length of time citizens from different countries can stay in NZ varies, so make sure you check before booking your trip.

Citizens from other countries are required to pre-organise a visa for New Zealand.

Travel insurance for New Zealand

Travel Insurance is a must, especially if you’re planning on doing any adventure activities while you’re in New Zealand. Our New Zealand travel guide tip would be to use World Nomads Travel Insurance. We have always used World Nomads and highly recommend them. We once had to make an ongoing, quite difficult claim, and they were fabulous, even though we were very slow in giving them all the information.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to think that you don’t need travel insurance until you need it, and then it’s too late.

Getting to New Zealand

Flights operate from around the world in New Zealand’s international airports. For most countries, flights will land in Auckland or Christchurch. Travellers from Australia and Fiji can fly into Auckland and Christchurch, as well as Queenstown, Dunedin and Wellington airports.

Make sure you book your flights to the right Island for the start of your itinerary!

New Zealand Geography – Where is everything?

Should you visit the North or South Island?

New Zealand is divided into two main larger islands and a few smaller ones.

The main cities on the North Island are Auckland and Wellington. Highlights of the North Island include

• the Bay of Islands and the Northland region above Auckland. Try this road trip itinerary for Northland if you want to experience the best of the area.
• The Coromandel Peninsula is a beautiful area and home to Cathedral Cove and Hot water Beach.
• Waitomo Caves and glow worms
• The Tongariro Crossing

The biggest cities on the South Island are Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill. The South Island and Queenstown, in particular, are world-renowned for their adventure activities. On the South Island, you’ll find

• Glaciers such as those at Fox Glacier and Frans Joseph
• Glenorchy and other beautiful small towns
• Kaikoura and the opportunity for whale watching
• Milford and Doubtful Sound
• Lake Tekapo and the Dark Sky Reserve

Both Islands are worth visiting; however, if you only have a short period, our travel guide recommends choosing just one and exploring it more thoroughly. The South Island is generally more popular with tourists than the North Island.

Getting around in New Zealand

Although technically ‘small’, New Zealand is a surprisingly large country to travel around as it is sparsely populated. There is quite a distance between many of the larger cities and towns. Nevertheless, there are plenty of ways to get around.

Domestic flights operate between all New Zealand airports moving the cities and islands much more manageable. If you have limited time, flying is the fastest way to cover large distances. But, of course, it’s also the most expensive option.

As mentioned, travel by campervan is prevalent in New Zealand. Hiring a campervan or a car and road-tripping around the country allows you the time to experience the beauty and diversity of New Zealand. You’ll find these posts helpful if you’re considering hiring a campervan to travel to New Zealand.

• Do I need a self-contained campervan for New Zealand ?
• Where can I park my campervan ?
• How to freedom camp in New Zealand

We’ve also put together the perfect five-week South Island Itinerary !

Buses are a great way to get around most cities and towns. Intercity buses are also available. You can check the Intercity website for timetables and ticket information.

Unfortunately, New Zealand has no intercity trains for general transport purposes, although they have some incredible scenic journey trains, The Coastal Pacific, the Northern Explorer and the Tranzalpine. These are an attractive option if you have a few days and want to relax.

Inter-Island Ferries

Inter-Island Ferries run regularly between Wellington in the South of the North Island and Picton on the South Island. The ferries are comfortable, and there are drinks and food on board. The ferry will also carry your car or motorhome if you have one. Tickets start at about $55 NZD for a person.

Where to stay in New Zealand

New Zealand has an unlimited number of boutique hotels, hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, holiday parks and campgrounds. There is something for every budget and every taste.

We always use Booking.com when we book accommodation because I like how I can sort by price and review score, so I get the best-reviewed room at a great price. In addition, I’ve just found it to be the easiest to navigate.

Best foods to eat in New Zealand

A trip to any country is impossible without trying some local delicacies. So make sure you try these local treats.

• Traditional Maori Hangi dinner – cooked below ground in a dug-out oven. read this New Zealand travel guide to choosing the best Maori experience for our recommendations
• Seafood – Surrounded by coastline New Zealand has beautiful fresh seafood
• Lamb – New Zealand produces some incredible lamb
• Pavlova – Now, as an Australian, I always thought we owned ‘The Pav’ like many other things we claim; I think it’s from New Zealand. But, if you haven’t tried it, you really should!

Weather and climate in New Zealand

Generally, the North Island is warmer than the South Island no matter what time of year.

Summer is great for spending time on the beach or enjoying one of New Zealand’s great hikes. The New Zealand summer is from December until the end of February. The North Island is warmer than the South, with an average temperature of between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Autumn, from March through until the end of May, is a mix of cooler temperatures and changing colours. Trees will begin to turn auburn, and whole areas look spectacular. Nevertheless, the weather can be pretty good, and if you travel in the early months, many summer activities such as swimming are still possible. Rainfall increases, however, so be prepared for wetter weather.

Winter in New Zealand is an excellent time for skiing and other cold-weather activities, with an average temperature of 12-16 degrees Celsius.

The whole country comes alive with colour in the spring as the plants and flowers flourish. Waterfalls are at their peak after the winter rains, and temperatures begin to increase to around 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.

The best time to travel to New Zealand

When is the best time to visit New Zealand? Of course, that depends on what you want! While summer is the most popular time, there are advantages to travelling to New Zealand at other times of the year.

The summers in New Zealand are often busy with lots of tourists. One disadvantage of this is that the prices for everything are also higher. Campervan fees are at a premium in the lead-up to summer, and many companies will be booked out. The same can be said for tour companies. It’s a good idea to book well in advance if you intend to travel in the summer.

Spring and Autumn, however, are a little quieter. There are fewer tourists, and prices are generally lower. The temperatures are not as warm, and it may be a little wetter, but this shouldn’t deter you. Spring and Autumn are great seasons to travel to New Zealand.

The winter can also be an excellent time to travel if you’re after winter activities. Prices during winter are at their lowest, and plenty of good deals can be had. However, some tours will not operate during the winter, and roads can be more challenging to drive on, especially around the mountains. If you’re campervanning during the winter, we have a guide to help prepare you.

Our advice would be to travel near the end of summer, or in spring or Autumn for the best all-around experience.

How long to spend in New Zealand?

I would recommend at least one week in New Zealand. That would include visiting one or two areas on one Island. Our travel guide to New Zealand recommendation would be that if you plan on travelling around and visiting both Islands, 2-3 weeks would be a minimum. Of course, the more time you have, the more you can explore.

What to pack for New Zealand

You can subscribe to our mailing list for a free New Zealand packing list that will cover all seasons. Aside from clothes, the most important things to take are

• Insect repellent – those bugs can get quite annoying
• Sunscreen – for when you’re exploring the outdoors,
• a wind and waterproof jacket – New Zealand is famous for having all seasons in one day. You’ll b glad you have this with you.
• Good walking shoes – You’ll thank us for this one!
• A refillable water bottle – New Zealand’s water is safe to drink. You can just refill your bottle from a tap rather than buy plastic.

Responsible travel tips in New Zealand

• Use a refillable water bottle as mentioned above – it helps reduce waste
• Make sure you take your rubbish with you. The New Zealand government and Department of Conservation make a considerable effort to keep their pristine environment, well, just that. Pristine. Don’t little or leave your plastic products lying around.

FAQ’s

As of July 31st 2022, the borders will be completely open. Check the latest information from the New Zealand government for up-to-date information.

A New Zealand trip can cost anywhere from $1000 NZD and up, depending on the length of stay and the activities you do while you’re there.

Useful new Zealand posts

Things to do in new zealand.

• A complete New Zealand bucket list
• North Island Highlights
• The best things to do in Auckland in one day
• Things to do in Rotorua
• The best walks in Rotorua
• Which geothermal attraction in Rotorua is best?
• Where should I try Hangi in Rotorua?
• How to walk the Tongariro Crossing
• A complete travel guide to Milford Sound
• Which is better? Doubtful or Milford Sound?
• The Fox Glacier Heli Hike

How to Campervan around New Zealand

• The ultimate travel guide to travelling New Zealand by campervan
• Campervan tips
• Choosing your camper for New Zealand travel
• Do you need a self-contained campervan?
• What is freedom camping in New Zealand?
• How to find and hire the right campervan
• How to find a budget camper
• Tips for campervanning New Zealand in winter
• Where can you stay with your campervan?
• The best New Zealand road trips and itineraries
• Auckland to Cape Reinga – the best of Northland
• Explore the Coromandel Peninsula
• An extended 5 week South Island Itinerary
• The best small towns to see on the North Island
• Small towns of the South Island worth visiting

General New Zealand articles

• Things that surprised us about New Zealand

About Christine

Christine and her partner Ben have spent the last few years traveling through New Zealand and then Europe by campervan. They travel with their dog Alisa, who they adopted in Croatia. You'll find them exploring old cities, hiking through National Parks, and taking unforgettable road trips.

See reviews Enquire now

Email: [email protected]

• How Long Should I Spend In New Zealand?

• New Zealand Travel Blog

Let's face it: whether you can visit NZ for 7 days or 7 months, you'll relish every minute and wish you could stay for longer. But how long do you TRULY need for the ultimate New Zealand road trip? How do you make the very best of the time you have? The best amount of time to spend in NZ is as much time as YOU realistically have available.

Whether you have 7 days or 7 months, the advice below will help you to figure out how to spend the time you have.

• Tips from New Zealand's Travel Experts

4 Simple Factors To Determine The Length Of Your NZ Stay

Key factor #1: how long do you have available, key factor #2: what are your new zealand must-dos.

• Key Factor #3: What's your preferred travel style?

Key Factor #4: Your Budget

Time-saving tips for major bucket-list activities, the 100% stress-free option: let us plan your new zealand trip, how long should i spend in new zealand.

Have you ever wondered how travel agents create your trip itinerary? The tips we share below will enable you to plan your own first-class, tailor-made New Zealand self drive holiday for yourself. Or for the 100% stress-free approach to travel planning, skip to the end and find out how to get someone else to do it for you - for free!

Tips from New Zealand's Travel Experts

With over 20 years experience designing New Zealand self-drive itineraries , the First Light Travel Team know how to craft a holiday to remember forever. And we're going to show you how we do it. You'll discover the 4 key questions to ask yourself while planning your Kiwi road trip, and how to turn the answers into the vacation of a lifetime, whatever that may be for you. This definitive holiday planning guide is packed with:

• pro tips from New Zealand travel specialists
• awesome itinerary suggestions for short and long stays
• bucket-list-worthy destination ideas
• wallet-friendly ways to maximise your stay and extend your budget

Are you ready? Let's plan your New Zealand dream trip!

The Basics: New Zealand 101

How big is New Zealand really?

• New Zealand is made up of two long, skinny islands (the North and South Islands) and around 600 smaller islands.
• NZ measures over 1600km (990 miles) from top to bottom.
• It's similar in size to the UK, Japan, and the state of Colorado.
•  Australia, our nearest neighbour, is 29 times bigger.

How long does it take to drive the length of New Zealand? In theory you could drive the North Island from tip to toe in around 14 hours and the South Island in around 12 non-stop. But we hope you'll stay longer than that!

How long does it take to fly to New Zealand?

• From the UK: around 24 hours
• From West Coast USA: around 13 hours
• From East Coast USA: around 21 hours
• From Europe (Germany): around 23 hours

(These are minimum times: and will differ depending on dates, flight connections, and stopovers) Now you have a better understanding of the geographical size of New Zealand and the travel times involved, what's next?

We would never use a one-size-fits-all approach with our travel clients - they are as individual as snowflakes, and you are too! Everyone's different: some guests already have a wish-list of destinations in mind; others ask for recommendations. Honeymooners, young families, Lord of the Rings lovers... we help a huge range of people, all of whom have a different New Zealand dream holiday in mind. How do we figure out what's the best option for each of them? And if you want to be your own travel agent, what information do you need from your client (ie: you)?

The most helpful questions you can ask yourself are:

• How much time do you realistically have available?
• What are your New Zealand must-dos?
• What's your Travel Style?
• What will your budget allow you to do?

Put the answers to these questions altogether and you can work out how long to spend in New Zealand and love every minute of it.

This seems obvious, right? If you have two weeks of vacation from work, then surely the answer would be two weeks? Well, not quite. It depends on where you're flying from. Unless you're visiting us from Australia, you have a long haul flight to factor in... and possibly the International Date Line .

Let's see how flight times can affect a 2-week vacation depending on where you live:

Example: Two Weeks in New Zealand from London Start of trip: Fly to Auckland on Friday evening after finishing work - Fastest flight time: 24 hours - Time Difference: NZ up to 13 hours ahead - Arrive in Auckland: Sunday Morning

End of trip : Leaving Auckland in time to start work in London on Monday: - Fastest flight time: 25 hours time Difference: UK up to 13 hours behind - Depart from Auckland: Saturday evening  - Arrive in London: Sunday afternoon

You'll spend 13 days total in New Zealand.  But if you want to relax on your arrival day before hitting the road (which we STRONGLY recommend), you'll only have 11 full days (and two half days) to play with.

How about travelling to New Zealand from Los Angeles? 

Example: Two Weeks in New Zealand from Los Angeles

Start of trip - departing on a Friday evening:  - Fastest flight time: 12 hours  - Time difference: Auckland up to 21 hours ahead  - Arrive in Auckland: Sunday morning End of trip : Leaving Auckland in time to start work on Monday:  - Fastest flight time: 12 hours  - Time Difference: Los Angeles up to 21 hours ahead  - Depart from Auckland: Sunday night Arrive in Los Angeles: Sunday afternoon So if you depart from LA you actually spend 15 days in New Zealand with 13 full days to spend on the road ... and you'll arrive home in LA earlier than you left New Zealand! REMEMBER: Before you plan your New Zealand itinerary, make sure you know how long you REALLY have.

Perhaps you already know exactly what you'd like to do and see. Or perhaps you're not sure: you've watched "Lord of the Rings", fallen in love with its phenomenal New Zealand locations, and you're not sure where to find them. Here are some suggestions to get you started...

Majestic Mountain Scenery:  North Island: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Mount Taranaki South Island: Queenstown, Wanaka, Kaikoura, Tekapo & Mt Cook

Gushing Geysers, Volcanoes and Geothermal Wonders:  North Island: Rotorua, Rangitoto Island, White Island

New Zealand Wildlife and Wilderness:  North Island: Tongariro National Park, Tiritiri Matangi Island, Waitomo, The Coromandel Peninsula, The Bay of Islands South Island: Fiordland National Park, West Coast, Stewart Island, Catlins Coast, Kaikoura

Hidden Bays and Beautiful Beaches:  North Island: Northlands and the Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Hawkes Bay, South Island: Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay, West Coast, Catlins Coast

Stunning Lord of The Rings Scenery & Sets:  North Island: Hobbiton (Matamata), Tongariro National Park, Wellington South Island: Mackenzie Country, Queenstown & surrounds, Fiordland National Park.

Ski-ing and Snowboarding:  North Island: Taupo (Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa) South Island: Christchurch region (Mt Hutt, Methven) Queenstown region (Remarkables, Cardrona, Coronet Peak)

How do you narrow your options? Here's some inspiration from our blog :

Blog:  Top Tourist Attractions in the North Island Blog:  Top Tourist Attractions in the South Island   Blog:  Elizabeth (our customer service manager)'s Favourite NZ Spots Blog:  New Zealand Adventure Travel: What Not To Miss

Key Factor #3: What's your preferred travel style?

Do you have a travel style? That's a trick question: you definitely do, even if you don't know it yet. What does your dream trip look like when you imagine it?

1) Always On The Go: The High Energy Traveller

Are you a whirlwind of energy, cramming every moment with adventure, excitement and shiny new experiences? If so, you'll thrive on an action-packed itinerary: you'll be surprised how much you can fit in, even in a week!

Itinerary suggestions for High Energy Travellers

7 New Zealand Natural Wonders in 7 Days self-drive itinerary   8 Day New Zealand Quick Fix self-drive tour  15 Day Golfers Dream Itinerary  21 Day Ultimate New Zealand Driving Adventure

2) Relaxed Pace: The Traveller Who Loves To Linger

Do you prefer to meander at your own pace and throw the schedule out of the window? If so, DON'T be seduced by itineraries featuring everything but the kitchen sink: yes, you would cover more ground, but it'll feel hectic and stressful to you - the opposite of a relaxing getaway! PRO TIP:  Focus on spending a few days getting to know each beautiful new location instead of dashing around. You won't visit as many destinations as high energy travellers, but you'll make up for it by having time to chat with welcoming locals, learn the rhythms of each region, explore food markets and catch a local festival or two.

Sample New Zealand Itineraries for travellers who love to linger: 7 Day South Island Culture & Heritage Self-Drive   9 Day Relaxing North Island Journey   12 Day Relaxed Adventure in the Scenic South  17 Day Relaxing New Zealand Itinerary

3) Short Stay Travellers

If your time in New Zealand is less than 7 days, focus on exploring fewer areas and making the most of them. Ideally, narrow it down to just one region. PRO TIP: Queenstown's a great choice for short stays: it's gorgeous and within easy reach of so many great places if you fancy a day trip: peaceful Lake Wanaka, the Otago Rail Trail, Haast Pass, the Routeburn Track, Mt Cook National Park and Milford Sound, to name a few! Sample Itineraries for Short Stay Travellers 4 Day Coromandel Caper  4 Days of Dolphins, Whales & Nature   5 Day Queenstown Luxury Self Drive Itinerary   5 Day Bay of Islands Explorer Itinerary

4) Long Stay Travellers

Pretty much every route in New Zealand is dotted with scenic detours & surprises, so make the most of them! Get off the beaten track, bask in our remote hidden locations, and get an authentic taste of each place you visit. PRO TIP: With such a long itinerary, you'll be happiest if you allow for 2-3 nights in most locations This gives you at least one full day to soak up your surroundings in each place. Sample Itineraries for Long Stay Travellers 22 Day Ultimate New Zealand Family Holiday 28 Day Road Less Travelled Itinerary 32 Day Full Monty North to South Itinerary

REMEMBER: There is no right or wrong way to travel New Zealand, but to enjoy your trip to the fullest, give your travel style the attention & respect it deserves.

Unless you're celebrating a lottery win, your travel budget will play a big part in deciding the length of your New Zealand stay. Here are some ways to see more for less:

1) For Cheaper New Zealand flights, travel in Spring or Autumn

Because New Zealand is a major summer AND winter destination, travelling outside of these periods, in spring or autumn (fall), is cheaper. Autumn is from March to May, while spring is from September to November.

PRO TIP: If you travel in late spring or early autumn, you'll see some seriously stunning seasonal scenery.

Check out gorgeous pink & purple lupin flowers lining the shores of Lake Tekapo in November, or the forested Queenstown mountainsides turning red when the leaves change colour in April. Find out more about New Zealand Seasons

2) Wallet-friendly accommodation: book early for high season stays You'll get more for your money by booking accommodation early. Demand is sky-high from December to February, which coincides with the New Zealand school summer holidays. PRO TIP: The busiest (and most expensive) times to travel are Christmas, New Year, public holidays and late January / early February. National and regional New Zealand Public Holidays

3) Queenstown Accommodation: Getting More For Your Money Expect to pay more for accommodation in Queenstown because demand is high all year round. Avoid disappointment by booking as early as you can. PRO TIP: Beat the big prices (and the crowds) by staying out-of-town. Frankton is only a 10-minute drive from Queenstown, is well-served by public transport, has sensational lake views and is considerably cheaper. Now you can afford to splash out on that scenic flight to Milford Sound!

4) Food and Drink Eating out for every meal can cause your budget to spiral dangerously out of control. If you love restaurant dining, try having your main meal at lunchtime: lunch prices are often cheaper than in the evening, and the food is equally tasty. PRO TIP: Even on a tight budget, you can eat like a king by trying fresh local produce wherever you go. Central Otago cherries, Hawkes Bay apples, green-lipped mussels in Havelock, West Coast whitebait, Bluff oysters... the list is endless! 5) Save Money on Car Hire If car hire quotes are eating up your budget, try to plan a circular route where you pick up and drop off the car in the same town. Why? Because car companies need to pay a driver to return the car to the city where you hired it. This cost sneaks into your hire fees.So 8 days of car hire from Christchurch to Christchurch is much cheaper than 8 days of car hire from Christchurch to Nelson.

Building Your Dream Trip

So you've figured out how much time you have available, your must-see attractions, your travel style, and your budget. It's time to get the map out! PRO TIP: Make Friends with Google Maps You can plan your trip with a regular map, but Google Maps makes trip planning easy - you can create your own New Zealand map in the "Google My Maps" section and add places of interest as you go along. It's easy to tweak the route, change your mind and try out different options.

Research Driving Distances & Times

This is important because your eyes can deceive you...

Here's an example: Lake Tekapo and Franz Josef Glacier look pretty close together on a map of the South Island. It looks around the same distance as Lake Tekapo and the town of Timaru, right? Nope - not even close. Driving from Lake Tekapo to Timaru takes around 1.5 hours non-stop. Lake Tekapo to Franz Josef? A bare minimum of 5.5 hours non-stop. What's the difference? Well, those spectacular, towering mountain ranges you have come here to admire are sitting right between Tekapo and Franz Josef. And there's simply no way to drive across them. So how can you figure out New Zealand's driving times and distances?

PRO TIP: Use driving distance calculators (with caution)  Online driving distance calculators are super handy - but here's what they DON'T take into account: ·    Scenic lookout spots (these are everywhere!) ·    A long, lingering lunch at that gorgeous-looking winery you just passed. ·    Sheep on the road (they're generally not in a hurry to get off the road) ·    Driving carefully and slowly on our winding roads during rain / snow.

Have a play with First Light Travel's   New Zealand Travel Time & Distance Calculator

REMEMBER: It's the little things that will make your trip special. To experience New Zealand to the fullest, always allow more time than you think you will need.

The Best Places to Break Up Your New Zealand Journey

Are the bucket-list destinations on your map spaced widely apart? Avoid travel burnout by sneaking some clever breaks into your itinerary:

Driving from Picton to Christchurch (minimum 5 hours):  Add a 1-night stay in beautiful Kaikoura (and make time for a whale-watching tour)

Driving from Christchurch to Queenstown (minimum 6 hours):  Spend a night at Lake Tekapo surrounded by Southern Alps views.

Driving from Nelson to Franz Josef Glacier (minimum 6 hours):  Add some West Coast rainforest splendour & cracking ocean views with a 1-night stay in Punakaiki

Driving from Christchurch to Dunedin (minimum 4.5 hours)  Don't miss out on all the stunning coastline between Christchurch and Dunedin - spend a night in quirky Oamaru, and watch world's smallest penguins swim to shore in the harbour.

Help! I can't fit in everything I want to do!

Sacrificing a bucket-list location is heartbreaking. But don't panic - these time-saving suggestions might help in a pinch: Fly between the North and South Islands:  A flight from Wellington to Christchurch saves you 1-2 days of driving. Fly from Wellington to Auckland:  This saves 1 day of driving. If you're visiting both the North and South Islands this is an awesome way to save time Fly from Auckland to the Bay of Islands:  this only saves 3-4 hours of driving, but you may be on the road a lot in the Bay of Islands visiting widely-spaced attractions, so it's more relaxing if you can fly. The major rental car agencies all have outlets at these airports, making car hire a breeze.

Milford Sound The long way: 12 hours by road from Queenstown  The short way: A half day scenic flight from Queenstown

Hobbiton The long way: a half day excursion from Rotorua  The short way: save driving time by visiting Hobbiton on your drive from Auckland to Rotorua - you'll only need 2 hours for the tour itself.

Franz Josef Glacier The long way: Allow half a day for a Glacier Heli Hike  The short way: A 35 minute scenic helicopter flight (you still get to land on the glacier and look around!)

How long to allow for other popular bucket-list activities:

Allow A Full Day For:  Cape Reinga road trip, Tongariro Crossing Alpine Hike Allow A Half Day For:  Skydiving, White Water / Black Water Rafting, Canyoning, Whale Watching / Swimming with Dolphins, Nevis Bungy Jump in Queenstown, TranzAlpine Scenic Rail Journey, Hole In The Rock Scenic Cruise Allow 3 Hours or Less For:  Bungy Jumping, Jet Boating, Scenic Flights, Glow Worm Cave Tour, Weta Cave Lord of The Rings Tour

PRO TIP: Be An Early Bird Time your activities to take place in the morning, so you can drive to your next destination in the afternoon. Skydiving and Hot Air ballooning activities offer some seriously early departures, you can even be back before breakfast!

80+ Sample New Zealand Itineraries To Inspire You

Whether you're coming for a romantic honeymoon, a winter ski break, family fun or a Lord of the Rings pilgrimage... you name it, First Light Travel have created it. We have over 80 New Zealand Self-Drive Itineraries on our website, each of them created by our very own NZ travel specialists: 1-7 Day Self Drive Itineraries  8-14 Day Self Drive Itineraries  15-21 Day Self Drive Itineraries   22+ Day Self Drive Itineraries  

Finally, if the DIY approach feels like hard work, why not take the stress-free route and give the experts a call?

Believe it or not, using First Light Travel’s Itinerary Planning Service doesn’t cost you any more than doing it yourself: we get paid out of commission to the companies we use,  so you don’t need to pay us a penny for our assistance when you book with us. While you're busy getting on with life, First Light Travel will custom-design a bespoke self-drive itinerary just for you, an itinerary which:

Fits your budget, blends seamlessly with your timeframe & travel style, puts your bucket list items front & centre, offers exceptional, handpicked accommodation to suit your wallet, immerses you in nz's incredible beauty and diversity.

We'll work with you to fine-tune the itinerary until you're 100% happy, then take care of every booking and offer 24/7 support while you are exploring New Zealand. Are you ready? Let's plan your New Zealand dream trip! 

Our Service saves you time and money.   Head to our Itinerary Planning Service to get started!

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Classic 10 Day North & South Island Highlights

Want to maximise your time in New Zealand and cover the best of both islands in 10 days? Then look no further than our most popular 10 Day Highlights...

The Grand NZ Self Drive Tour

The New Zealand Grand Tour is a comprehensive look at both the North and South Island of New Zealand. Spend a relaxing 2 or 3 nights in those must-see locations – after all, you are on holiday. Experience the must-do activities and excursions on this very popular 26-day easy going and fun self drive itinerary.

Easy going pace, experiencing those must see and must do excursions.

Three Week Best of New Zealand Vacation Package

The Three Week Best of New Zealand Vacation Package is a comprehensive look at both the North and South Island of New Zealand. Spend a relaxing 2 nights in those must-see locations – after all, you are on holiday. Experience the must-do activities and excursions on this very popular 21-day easygoing and fun self-drive itinerary.

Pricing terms

The price is based on current exchange rates but is only an approximation. Please contact us for a final price

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Home » Oceania » New Zealand » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking New Zealand Travel Guide (BUDGET TIPS • 2024)

Kia ora, mate! I imagine you’re here because you’re on your way to a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the mystical land at the bottom of the planet. Otherwise known as New Zealand, Aotearoa, or the land of the long white cloud… 

Known for its sheep, majestic mountains, All Blacks, beaches, campervanning, Maori culture, and Kiwis (the people, the fruit and the birds). This little set of islands will blow your mind.

New Zealand welcomes the adventurous, the brave, the broke, and everyone in between. It won’t take long for New Zealand to fill you up with fish ‘n’ chips and ease you onto the long list of travellers who will tell you that “ New Zealand’s the best country they’ve ever been to ”. 

Once you get under the hood of this magical land, there’s no turning back. Literally, you’ll probably end up buying a campervan and living in New Zealand forever… 

I backpacked New Zealand with a year-long visa and felt a bit like Bilbo Baggins: it was to be a hobbit’s journey! I’ve spent more than six months exploring this INCREDIBLE land and I am completely and utterly in love with it. 

I’ve bundled up all of my knowledge into this neat little koha: a one-stop New Zealand travel guide. It’s brimming with budget tips and travel hacks to make your time in New Zealand mean as! From cheap places to stay and epic hiking spots to the less exciting (but very important bits) like visas and insurance. 

So, grab a pen and paper (you’ll want to remember this stuff) and let’s go backpacking New Zealand together.

Why Go Backpacking in New Zealand?

Made famous by the dramatic, unearthly scenery in Lord of the Rings, New Zealand is more than just an unbelievable movie set. Travelling in New Zealand is every outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Made up of two islands, your adventures are infinite.

The two islands do stand in noticeable contrast to each other. It’s fair to say that everywhere in New Zealand is mindbogglingly beautiful (except Auckland – curse you Auckland). That said, travelling on New Zealand’s North and South Islands are two different experience. That’s what makes deciding where to stay in New Zealand a real struggle.

• North Island is much more populated (by New Zealand standards). There are a lot more developments and urban areas and while there are still many of New Zealand’s beautiful places, it lacks the uncut, untamed, and unabashed glory we’ve come to expect from Aotearoa.
• That’s what  South Island  is for. Near empty of people by comparison – and it only gets emptier the further south you go – South Island brings New Zealand’s best. Dramatic prehistoric scenery, endless oceans of sheep and cows, and the feeling of being outside of the world’s chaos: South Island is the tits.

It doesn’t stop there. Before I left backpacking for New Zealand, my cousin equated the landscape to biomes in a video game (weird, yes, I know, but bear with me). He was right.

Travel 100 km in New Zealand and the whole landscape changes. A rugged coastline turns into glacier country turns into Colorado-esque boulder playgrounds. New Zealand is a playground of wonderment.

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking New Zealand

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Lots of New Zealand’s attractiveness builds from its plentiful and well-guarded national parks. There is so much variety, however, that whether you’re hitchhiking or planning a road trip , you’ll need an itinerary… Or two! One itinerary to highlight the North Island, and the other to highlight the South Island.

You can easily combine both itineraries if you have a month or more to travel in New Zealand. Many travellers backpack here on a year-long work visa. If that is the case, you have plenty of time to explore New Zealand’s beauty.

2-Week Itinerary for New Zealand: The North Island – Te Ika-a-Maui

This itinerary will start in Auckland . If you’re a city person, you can definitely find plenty of things to do in Auckland – restaurants, nightlife, galleries, and nearby beaches galore.

This is also a great place to base yourself if you’re making the trip to the Bay of Islands (north), the  Rangitoto Islands  just off the coast of Auckland, or  Coromandel , slightly East. You can also make a trip to Hobbiton , the real live set they used to film the Hobbit wonderland in Lord of the Rings.

Then head to Rotorua , a geothermal hotspot (no pun intended) full of geysers, mud pools, and, yes, smelly sulfur. You can also engage with the indigenous Maori culture.

Further south you’ll find Taupo and the epic Tongariro National Park . This is a great spot to bike and New Zealand’s great walks.

Next stop: a stay in Wellington , the cool, hipster capital of New Zealand known for its food, drink, and art. If you’re a wino, drive through Hawke’s Bay Wine Country on your way to Wellington.

After visiting Wellington, loop back around to Mt Taranaki , a classic 2,518m volcanic cone. Then go to the Waitomo Cave s: damp, underground tunnels home to glowing worms! Before getting back to Auckland, surfers should stop at Raglan , the hippy beachside slow-town of North Island.

• Best Hostels in Auckland
• Best Hostels in Rotorua
• Best Hostels in Lake Taupo
• Best Hostels in Wellington

3-Week Itinerary New Zealand: The South Island – Te Waipounamu

Get ready to be wowed. If you’re backpacking New Zealand for nature, this South Island itinerary for you. Find a cheap place to stay in Christchurch , but then move on – Christchurch isn’t worth a long visit.

Make your way to Kaikoura on the coast. Kaikoura is popular for whale tours and helicopter flights! If you’re a wine person, drink up some Sauvignon Blanc at the Marlborough Sounds on a wine tour in New Zealand . Picton is a naint town to base yourself.

If these types of activities don’t fit your budget, fear not, we’re heading into nature soon. The best things in life are free after all?

Next Stop: Abel Tasman National Park . You’ll think you’re on a tropical beach (minus the temperature). Nearby you can drive to  Whaririki Beach (pronounced ‘Far-ri-ree-kee’) – squeezed between Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Park – and will take you through wonderful hippy-haven Golden Bay .

Drive through  Punakaiki , home of the  Pancake Rocks : a series of coastal cliffs that literally look like giant stacks of pancakes. Around these rocks are also several impressive blowholes.

Next is off to Franz Josef Glacier to witness the world’s steepest and fastest moving glacier. After that, continue on for a stay in bohemian Wanaka , also known for its famous tree in the middle of a lake.

Wanaka is close to senstown and it’s only a short trip between the two. When you’re ready to leave darling Wanaka (never), travel an hour down the road and stay in Queenstown . New Zealand’s adventure and backpacker capital there’s heaps to do in Queenstown: ski in winter, hike in summer, bungee jump or skydive all-year-round, and party every goddamn night!

Saving the best for last, get ready to make the Milford drive to Milford Sound . After being gobsmacked by Rudyard Kipling’s “ Eighth Wonder of the World ” over and over again, finish South Island in New Zealand’s own Deep South.

Travel to the Southern Scenic Route and the Caitlins to see some astounding forests and windswept coastline.

Now that we’ve covered the travel itinerary ideas, we’re going to discuss some of the best places to go in New Zealand. Read on for more backpacking wonders!

Backpacking Auckland

Most backpackers start in Auckland – it’s the starting point for a lot of people travelling to New Zealand. This North Island city holds the majority of New Zealand’s population and it’ll probably be the busiest place you visit in New Zealand.

Auckland Central itself is just like any other Western city, perfect for picking up any last-minute necessities but spend too long here and you will drain your funds fast. It’s busy and it’s certainly not the best New Zealand has to offer, but it is worth noting that there are some beautiful places to visit in Auckland in the surrounding area (away from the CBD).

A lot of tours kick off from Auckland, like the Hobbiton movie set tour . You’ll get to see Hobbiton holes first-hand, grab a drink from The Green Dragon Inn and drive through breath-taking natural scenery along the Waikato River. What would a trip to New Zealand be without taking a selfie in front of Bilbo Baggin’s green door anyway?

Visit the sky tower for some views over the city, or kickstart your adrenaline by jumping off the top! If you are willing to get out of the city, there is plenty to do. The forests to the west are way more inviting than the city vibes or head to the North Shore for some beach time!

Backpacking Rangitoto and Waiheke Island

There are a number of islands around Auckland to explore and it’s as simple as catching the ferry there! No need to book in advance; just pop down to the ferry terminal to buy your ticket. These two spots near Auckland are definitely worth the day trip:

• Rangitoto Island ($36 NZD return) – A volcanic island off the coast of Auckland, Rangitoto is uninhabited by people and a reserve to some of New Zealand’s native birds and bush. There are multiple hiking loops and plenty of cool caves to explore. Get to the top for sunset and enjoy panoramic views of Auckland and the sea horizon behind you. Make sure you take that last ferry back though or you’ll be stranded.
• Waiheke Island ($42 NZD return) – White sand beaches, beautiful vineyards, great walking trails, and incredibly blue water, this is the perfect place to spend a day. Eating out on the island is expensive, so I would recommend bringing a picnic or barbeque food, or cooking yourself and eating down by the beach. It’s the perfect next place to go in New Zealand after Auckland to detox those concrete jungle feels!

Backpacking Northland

Before you completely bail on Auckland and start heading south, there’s a whole region north of Auckland. It’s kinda like Game of Thrones in reverse. Auckland is a big dumb wall (that ruins hitchhiker’s days) and north of it, you have the land of eternal summer.

Although not strictly off of New Zealand’s tourist spots, it is fair to say that it’s lesser explored. There are fewer people up here and more empty space of some rather striking nature. It’s kinda like the South Island of North Island. There’s also more ice – I guess it is like Game of Thrones!

For a few of New Zealand’s top highlights in Northland (on and off the tourist trail):

• Whangarei – The last city you’ll get heading north with a gorgeous surrounding area – beautiful beaches and a bunch of small but sexy mountains (it’s not the size that counts).
• Bay of Islands – Easily the biggest tourist spot in the north of New Zealand but with good reason: it’s spectacularly beautiful with a lot of cool islands to explore.
• Waipoua Kauri Forest – Did somebody say a 3000-year-old tree? The kauri trees here are magnificent and the giant snails ain’t bad either (though he dead ones stink worse than Rotorua). Do note though, the ancient forest here is dying of the kauri dieback disease so follow all the guidelines .
• Far North – Pretty much anywhere you go this far north is going to be a much less touristic New Zealand backpacking experience.
• Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua – The almost northernmost point of New Zealand, there’s like a whole section I could write on this magical place. It’s arguably the most sacred place in all of New Zealand for the Maori people the air feels palpably otherworldly. Y’know, no spoilers: go find out the rest for yourself!

Backpacking Raglan

If it wasn’t for an even more awesome hippy town coming up soon (in the south), this would be the top sticky place in New Zealand to visit for backpackers seeking those Byron-style vibes. This cute little hippie/surf town caters well to New Zealand backpackers.

It is touristy but it draws a good kind of tourist – the earthy backpacking joint-rolling kind. Raglan is known for being one of the best surf and kitesurf beaches in New Zealand and it has a great chilled out vibe. Most people around here will definitely be surfing (probs playing backgammon too) and everyone is keen to teach you how.

Surfboard rental is kinda expensive at about $20-$30 NZD for a half-day but if you stay at a hostel in Raglan, they will often have discounted lessons and board hire available. Definitely try meeting someone through Couchsurfing  here; you will meet some wicked people who will probably have boards, boats, and kayaks that you can borrow!

Backpacking Coromandel

Only a two-hour drive from Auckland is the Coromandel Peninsula. There are loads of activities making this a wonderful weekend getaway.

The white sand beaches are pristine at New Chums Beach and don’t forget to hike up to the overlook for epic views. Hot Water Beach , while not very scenic, is a fun experience to soak in natural hot springs oceanside during low tide. The Karangahake Gorge is very scenic and has some short walking tracks.

The best stop and a must-visit in New Zealand is Cathedral Cove . Come during low tide and preferably at sunrise or sunset. There are only two hostels in Coromandel, however, there are several campsites on the peninsula itself for around $10.

Backpacking Rotorua

Rotorua – or the town that smells like farty-egg-feet as most people will refer to it –  is actually not as smelly as it is made out to be… Ok, that’s a lie. But it’s still definitely a must-visit place in New Zealand!

There is LOADS of geothermal activity here. This town is incredibly tourist orientated and backpacker-friendly – the main backpacker area of Rotura – the working side of town – is full of travellers! There are also heaps of New Zealand’s adventure activities in the area making it a rival to Queenstown… except Queenstown doesn’t smell like a fish’s butthole.

There are loads of places for you to stay, including hostels, hotels, Airbnbs and motels in Rotorua . However, as is often the case when backpacking New Zealand, they don’t always come cheap.

I would recommend CouchSurfing here since the hostels cost quite a bit. If hostels are your only option, Rotorua Central Backpackers is an awesome one in the centre of Rotorua.

While backpacking here, check out the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland for all things Geothermal. You can hire a mountain bike and take the trail to the park or pay for the shuttle service to take you there if you are in a less active mood. Entry to the park is around $33 NZD – slightly pricey but totally worth it and a must-do while backpacking New Zealand.

The Redwoods are incredible and you can easily spend a day wandering through the woods and swinging on vines pretending to be Tarzan. The Green and Blue Lakes are a must-see while here, as are the hot pools. You will need a car to reach many of these places in and around Rotorua but hitchhiking is a snap in New Zealand.

Backpacking the East Cape Road

Take a road trip in the spring/summer around the East Peninsula of the North Island. It is beautiful and relatively unexplored by travellers. Rugged coastline, mountainous scenery, beautiful sunrises, and a chance to experience being off New Zealand’s beaten track.

One of the must-do stops around the East Cape is the beautiful Te Kaha : a rural area with some of the most unique and friendly homestays! I stayed at the lovely  Maraehako Bay Retreat  for two nights.

Also in this area is the gorgeous Tatapouri : an incredibly small, local seaside town where you can feed Stingrays, tackle some of New Zealand’s epic swell with your surfboard, and enjoy the view from horseback or a deckchair. Some sights to see around the East Cape include the East Cape Lighthouse , which is also the most easterly point in New Zealand.

You can also visit the Tolega Bay area, home of the longest pier in New Zealand and super fun to jump off of. There are heaps of activities along New Zealand’s East Cape and the area is incredibly backpacker-friendly given its removal from the rest of the tourist trail; volunteering opportunities are high!

Backpacking Tongariro National Park

Skip ahead to see more of New Zealand’s wealth of national parks in a later section, but this one deserves special mention. This park is New Zealand’s oldest and is also a dual World Heritage site both for its geological significance as well as its spiritual significance to the Maori people.

Tongariro National Park on the North Island is one of New Zealand’s most famous Lord of the Rings filming spots. It is home to the famous ‘Mount Doom’ and of course, the Tongariro Crossing – a ‘Great Walk’ one of New Zealand’s best day hikes .

There are many LOTR filming locations around here as well as many alternative walks but not much else other than hiking (tramping) trails. Tackle the mighty Tongariro Crossing (19.4km ) and witness steam coming off the still-active volcano. If you’re brave enough, follow in Frodo’s footsteps and climb Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom).

Taupo is a good base for exploring the park. It’s a super beautiful lake and as an added bonus there are free hot springs to melt the weariness away after the walk! Head to the Spa Thermal Park.

Backpacking Mount Taranaki

The most picture-perfect volcano in New Zealand is Mount Taranaki ; on a clear day, it can be seen from hundreds of kilometres away. This area of the North Island has some pretty amazing sights to explore and epic hikes. Climbing Mount Taranaki is one of New Zealand’s harder hikes to do but the pay-off is well worth it.

For an easier hike than the summit, check out the Pouakai Tarns for a stunning picture of Mount Taranaki. Nearby in New Plymouth , the area around the Paritutu Rock is beautiful. Just up the coastline are two incredible places to explore during low tide.

The Three Sisters Beach and Elephant Rock , as well as the White Cliffs walkway, are some of the most scenic coastlines the north island has to offer. As with most major attractions in New Zealand , there are plenty of hostels in New Plymouth as well as other accommodations.

Backpacking Wellington

Backpacking around Wellington  was my absolute favourite city-adventure in New Zealand. This funky place is great to spend a few nights resting your achy legs from the crossing. Set on the bottom tip of the North Island, you can take the ferry across the strait or fly to the South Island pretty cheap from Wellington.

The city is super warm and carries a real alternative-friendly vibe. Hippies, travellers, LGBTQ folks, lovable guttertrash… Welly carries a genuine feeling of acceptance that usually feels more like a pretend mask in a lot of other “progressive” cities elsewhere.

If you have the time or have that wonderful working holiday visa for New Zealand, Wellington is easily a place to stay for a while. The surrounding nature is dope, the city has a lot of cool happenings going on, offers many amazing hostels, and even in the central hub of the city there still manages to be a warm village feeling. Bumping into a friend randomly in the middle of the city is a given.

Any complaints? Yeah, the weather sucks in winter. Icy rains and 40km/h winds – fun!

Things to Do in Wellington

There are so many awesome things to see and do in Wellington. So much so, I just had to give it a little bonus section! Here are a few of my top 5 picks of what to do in Wellington:

• Freyburg Pool and Fitness Centre – Excercise? Boo! Na, this place is the best! It’s right next to Oriental Bay and beach and it’s $5 for sauna privileges. You know what that means? Hot-and-cold, baby!
• Cuba Street – Any walk down Cuba Street is a solid day; street merchants, buskers, Wellington’s night markets are there. There is a lot of BoHo(ish) shops along Wellington’s Cuba Street and it’s just something of a hub and focal point in the CBD.
• Op-Shopping – Speaking of shopping in Wellington! The second-hand shops in Welly are kickass (actually, in New Zealand as a whole). Go find something colourful!
• The Rogue and Vagabond – A neat little bar that has live music most nights of the week. The nightlife in Wellington is sweet with a bustling music scene but The Rogue and Vagabond gets some really eclectic and off-beat stuff!
• Rent a bicycle – Wellington has this whole mountain city thing going one and mountain city’s have the whole ‘ bombing hills at 120km/h without a helmet ‘ thing going on. Getting back up is a bitch though.

Backpacking Tasman and Golden Bay

Starting off South Island now and it’s a strong start!

The northernmost areas of the South Island of New Zealand where the smokeables are dank and plentiful and the sun is emotionally-available most of the year. This area of New Zealand is spectacular and easily one of the highlights for me.

Tasman Bay begins with  Nelson which is a pretty city but a bit ‘East Coast Australia’ feeling for me. It’s popular with travellers though meaning you’ll find some good choices of backpacker accommodation in Nelson . Once you get a bit further north up to Motueka though, it starts to get real nice.

There are some sweet places to stay in Richmond just a short 15-minute drive from Nelson. Perfect to crash without breaking the bank!

A top destination in New Zealand for Kiwis wanting to live the permaculture life (and travellers wanting to volunteer in it), with that comes the hippies and with that comes the endless swathes of smoke. Jokes aside, the area is gorgeous: gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park and some stunning beaches. Kaiteriteri is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful beaches but touristy; check out Kina Beach for something quieter (with the $5 campsite next door).

Golden Bay just gets stickier. It’s a bubble and I mean that in the best way possible. There’s one road in and out over the mountains and it’s safe to say that some people haven’t crossed those mountains for a couple of decades.

Head to Takaka , a timeless little town, if you’re looking to get embroiled in New Zealand’s doof scene (hippy festival) or just wanna connect with some travellers of the grungier variety. They generally congregate down by the river . Don’t worry: they’re easy to find.

Backpacking the West Coast

The West Coast region of South Island is full-fucking-power Aotearoa – there are no there words for it. It’s one of the most dramatic coastlines I’ve ever seen and I know that word is really overplayed but there simply are no other words I feel match it.

For me, it’s one of the best drives in New Zealand. It doesn’t actually feel like you’re in the 21st-century anymore. You legitimately feel like a moa – the OG kiwi bird – might step out in front of your car and kamikaze-roadkill itself at any time.

Giant ferns leap out over densely forested cliffs, the weather is harsh and unforgiving (it ain’t called ‘The Wild West Coast for nothing), and every bend on the highway opens up to some new “ Ooohh “. Oh, and those sandflies will eat you alive – bring mosquito protection! Legend has it that the coasters of the sparsely-populated West Coast have developed a natural immunity to these foul devils…

If you can do the whole thing from  Westport in the north through to  Haast and beyond to  Wanaka , you’ll get a true sense of how special travelling New Zealand is. West Coast – an unmissable place to visit in New Zealand, no questions.

Travellers can find an array of truly r emarkable Airbnbs in Westport with breathtaking views of the Tasman Sea where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and tranquility of the West Coast region.

Must-Sees of the West Coast Region of New Zealand’s South Island

Some must-visit spots on New Zealand’s West Coast. There are heaps more than this… Hell, if you can handle the hormonally-moody rain complete with mood swings (a protective rain jacket is mandatory packing) and the blackened legions of flying itchy-bitchies, you could get lost in the West Coast’s jungles for a bit.

Failing that, however:

• Karamea – Actually north of the West Coast proper and comparatively less-frequented. There are beaches, caves, hot pools, and a backdoor entry into the  Kahurangi National Park.
• Punakaiki – Not much going on here but it is home of the Pancake Rocks and blowholes – a famous New Zealand attraction.
• Franz Josef and Fox Glacier – Ahh, now this is the true tourist spot on the West Coast of New Zealand and one of the busiest areas you’ll come across there (even comparatively to Greymouth – the largest town). I’m actually not a fan. The glaciers weren’t super impressive, and the prices in the area are all mega-jacked. HOWEVER, if you have the spare cash for a helicopter tour and hike on the glaciers , then you’re in for a treat. A glacier is way more impressive from on top of it rather than a few kilometres away…
• Hokitika Gorge – Super beautiful in its own right but the river (and river mouth) is an excellent place to go in New Zealand to find  pounamu  – that type of jade every single bloody Kiwi wears around their neck like they’re in a secret club. (I want in!) Just remember how sacred pounamu is. If you find one, then your pounamu has chosen you and that’s your pounamu.
• Blue Pools – Let’s just say that that’s no misnomer.

Backpacking Wanaka

Sweet darling Wanaka, oh how I adore you. If you were an Italian maiden, I’d serenade you from beneath your balcony (and then eat poison and die).

Consider Wanaka like a good Queenstown. Okkk, some people love Queenstown but it’s super touristy and just a bit… backpackery (I know, I know, but you know the vibe I mean).

However, half an hour drive away is Wanaka, full of eccentric loveables, surrounded by the same gorgeous mountains of Queenstown, and still with a twinkling lake (complete with that famous tree). I would say that for anyone that Queenstown just feels like a bit much, stay in Wanaka.

There’s no shortage of that uncut Otago region nature around Wanaka to explore Hiking Rob Roys Peak is a good start; it is crazy beautiful once at the peak.  There is also no shortage of lake activities in Wanaka: joints by the lake, joints on a cruise on the lake, joints while kayaking on the lake. Hell, joints while abseiling down a waterfall!

The backpacker hostels in Wanaka are pricey (welcome to accommodation in New Zealand), however, there are some campsites around town… that are also kinda pricey. If you need to save some cash, Couchsurfing or sneaky camping is the way to go.

Backpacking Queenstown

Backpacking Queenstown – Oh, the home of adrenaline! Queenstown is known around the world as adventure capital and it does not disappoint. The list of things to do when planning a trip to Queenstown is never-ending. With so many travel and tour companies operating here, it’s certainly the place to go for adventure travel in New Zealand.

A snow destination in winter with delicious icing-sugar powdered slopes, or in summer, it’s the place in New Zealand for every other adventure activity you could think of: massive bungee jumps, hiking, white water rafting, climbing and mountaineering, and it’s a top spot to go skydiving too! It’s also a total backpacker hub.

There’s heaps  of nightlife in Queenstown, substance-galore, and no shortage of tourists of the ‘ young, dumb, and full of red-hotted ideals ‘ variety. If that’s what you’re seeking, Queenstown is the perfect destination in New Zealand for it. It’s also an easy place in New Zealand to find a backpacker job; a lot of people just spean a season of their working visa in Queenstown.

Even the cheap hostels in Queenstown are expensive, and the council has pretty rigidly clamped down on freedom camping of any description. A good alternative is staying out of town somewhere cheaper ( Franklin, Arrowtown , or there’s a free campsite at Cromwell ) and hitching in.

Drinking and eating in Queenstown can be as cheap or as expensive as your taste makes it. The famous Ferg Burger is a must-do while not breaking the bank! Or you could head to Searle Lane Bar and enjoy cheap drinks and Pizza at happy hour! Oh, and for any nights out, pre-greasing the wheels is a must.

Backpacking Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

The tallest mountain in New Zealand is…Mount Cook! And no, you cannot hike it. Well, you can, but you’ll need some heavy-duty adventure gear , a strong sense of stupid-bravery, experience (it’s a knife-edge point), and probably a parental permission slip too.

It doesn’t matter though because Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is another marvel when it comes to hiking in New Zealand , with some of the best tramping to be found. This national park is centre to the stunning Southern Alps mountain range that defines the South Island of New Zealand. The drive into Mount Cook National Park winds along the lake with several viewpoints and it’s a very sexy approach.

Once in the park, there are two valleys to explore, the Hooker Valley and the Tasman Valley . The Tasman Lake was once a massive glacier that has receded several kilometres in just the last decade. The Hooker Valley Track is a wonderful easy 3-hour walk to Hooker Lake; glacier melt floats in the lake beneath the watchful peak of Mount Cook.

For one of the best hikes in New Zealand, head up to Mueller Hut. This popular day hike takes around five hours or plan ahead and book a night stay in the hut. These are the best views of Mount Cook and staying for sunset to see the last light on the tallest mountain in New Zealand is truly something special.

It is cold, so come prepared but staying the night in complete silence mixed with thunderous booms from nearby collapsing glaciers is incredible to experience. There are no hostels around Mount Cook, but many of New Zealand’s beautiful lodges in the village or paid camping is available in the park. Or head over to Lake Tekapo ; stop and check out the Church of Good Shephard if you head that way!

Backpacking Milford Sound and the Fiordlands

An absolute must-do while backpacking New Zealand is visiting the stunning Milford Sound. Part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site , Milford Sound is the best known and most visited fiord and with good reason. As Rudyard Kipling called it, “the eighth Wonder of the World”.

The Fiordlands of New Zealand is one of the wettest places on earth so, again, that rain jacket is a must. Moody, serene, and devastating all at the same time, Milford Sound is something you gotta see to really feel the scope – no written word and captured image can do it justice…

There is a number of ways to see the sounds. You can stay in the small town of Te Anau as a base: there are plenty of campsites, freedom camping spots, and camper parks here plus some hostels. Self-drive down and take in the incredible views; the drive is just as beautiful as the destination.

For getting out on the sounds, booking a cruise is the tourist-standard but a kayaking adventure is going to be way more adventurous! Or shit, just book a dive in the inky waters and go see it from below: Milford Sound offers some of the best diving in New Zealand as a whole!

There are also a couple of other spectacular multi-day tramps (and more of New Zealand’s Great Walks).

The  Milford Track  (pre-booking the walk is almost a guarantee) is one of the most authentic ways to experience the sounds. Waterfalls, rainforests, and glacier-carved valleys are all there on this four-day hike.

Alternatively, the  Kepler Track is another multi-day hike that will take you on a different journey to see a less-touristed side of the Fiordlands. One way or another, you gotta walk in this area. It’s too damn pretty!

Getting Off the Beaten Path in New Zealand

It’s totally possible – a few steps into New Zealand’s overwhelming natural wonder just about anywhere is going to give those adventure feels. At the same time, it’s New Zealand so you never quite get that feeling of being lost in an unknown and foreboding land – it’s a good mix!

If you’re looking to break away from New Zealand’s tourist spots, the aforementioned far north and New Zealand’s ‘Deep South’ are both excellent starts. I love that New Zealand has a deep south – it totally is too! Endless oceans of sheep, a slightly drawlier accent, and a lot of farmer life. That said, the people are still wonderful.

A few of the best spots in New Zealand’s deep south are the Catlins Region and the Southern Scenic Route  along the souths’s coastline. It’s hard hitching but well worth it for the payoff in the feeling of beautiful desolation and wildlife spotting opportunities.

Once you hit Bluff (the almost-southernmost point of New Zealand) you can catch a ferry to Stewart Island/Rakiura – Aotearoa’s under-appreciated third island. There’s like one settlement here and then nothing but unabashed and untouched nature. It’s also the best place to go in New Zeland to see wild kiwis (of the actually feathered variety).

Dunedin is another city in the south that often gets overlooked by backpackers. It’s an interesting city with Scottish architecture, an odd mix of conservative people and best-brand-weirdos, and a bustling student life. There’s a whole local party scene with the students and a dope fire-dancing scene too – the best I found in New Zealand!

Arthur’s Pass on South Island is another must-visit in New Zealand. Not strictly tourist-free but such a wild piece of Jurassic mountainous nature that it doesn’t matter. Head to Castle Hill in the area for some of New Zealand’s best bouldering (it’s a goddamn proverbial playground)!

That, of course, is all the highlights of the South Island because that is the majesty of South Island – one giant rugged adventure! I’d say, however, if you’re more looking to get off the beaten path in New Zealand in a cultural sense, volunteering is the way to go.

Volunteering with Workaway , WWOOFing, and everything else is extremely common in New Zealand; honestly, there’s something around just about every corner. Any step into this life is not only a perfect way to backpack New Zealand on a budget, but it’s also a great way to see the local life. Even just talking to strangers and expressing interest will often find you a host.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

When it comes to what to do in New Zealand, the options are endless. It’s not a large country but is absolutely bursting with wonder and amazement. These aren’t all of New Zealand’s must-dos by any stretch, but they are the pick of a few of my faves.

1. Tramp Like a Kiwi

You have so many options for hiking in New Zealand – legitimately endless. The wealth of huts to stay in on trails – both free and paid – make this only easier. Figure out what to take hiking , pack your pack, lace your boots, and go have an adventure!

2. Go Bungee Jumping

This is the country bungee jumping was invented in, after-all. With so many beautiful places to jump, you’d be a fool not to jump off a bridge! (Plus, this is New Zealand, so really you should feel safest here.) Queenstown is the go-to destination in New Zealand for yoyo-like fun but there are plenty of other jumps around .

3. Meet the Maori People…

Are truly spectacular. On a personal note, this isn’t like the Aboriginals of Australia where a wall of division is immediately obvious (rightfully so given their despicable persecution).

The Maori people are incredibly open to travellers: bigass smiles and endless flows of conversation. Generally, I found they were also delighted to teach people about their culture, language, or just talk some shit so go meet them!

4. Find a Wild Kiwi: Gotta Catch ’em All!

Again with the Australia comparison, spotting a kiwi bird in the wild in New Zealand is the equivalent of a wild platypus in Australia. It’s the holy grail and a total rite of passage so you better get (non-violently) hunting! Stewart Island is the top point of interest to check out in New Zealand but there are other hotspots too.

5. Splurge on a Glacier Heli-Hiking Excursion

Why nooot? I can’t say that this is cheap, but it is one of those once-and-a-lifetime experiences. Besides, maybe you’ll see a yeti!

Oh yes, the doof scene is cranking in New Zealand and the music is hella tight. From wobblin’ psy to breaking D’n’B to some real funky glitchy bangers, hippies are boogieing everywhere (and the scene is super open to travellers). The Golden Bay area is the prime hotspot but parties in New Zealand are everywhere. Twisted Frequency Festival over New Year’s Eve is the supreme cliff-jump into the rabbit hole.

7. Cycle along Central Otago

All you bikers out there have to get to this area to cycle along the Otago Central Rail Trail through beautiful landscapes and old mining towns. Balance the fitness with numerous historic pub stops or vineyards! And just as a side-not. the Otago region just so  mwah!

8. Kayak the Milford Sound

I’ve just gotta make a second shout-out to Milford Sound because it is one of the most spectacular things to see in New Zealand. This part of New Zealand has beautiful waterfalls , staggering cliffs and peaks, and dark cobalt waters. It rains most of the year, so enjoy the moody vibes if you don’t get a sunny day. Head out there on a kayak and your eyes peeled for seals and dolphins!

9. Drive around New Zealand in a Campervan

New Zealand and van travel lifestyle go together almost as well as New Zealand and an overwhelming sense of inner peace! This actually isn’t as expensive as it sounds, and the best way to see New Zealand is by campervan!

You will need to have at least $3,000 to buy a van but after you’re done backpacking around New Zealand, you can hopefully sell the van close to the amount you paid for it. Plus, a van will allow you total freedom in New Zealand and the ability to camp more versus staying in expensive hostels and hotels.

The other option is to rent a van, which in the long run (if you stay long enough) is actually the more expensive option. However, if you’re looking for a shorter-term van adventure, I’d recommend using the iconic JUCY rentals . (more on this to come!)

10. Live in New Zealand

Many countries are able to get a year-long work visa for New Zealand . This means you can work for several months, and travel afterwards with the money you saved up! If the opportunity to live in New Zealand is there, it’s one of the best things to do; it’s a truly magical place and a new home to many expatriated travellers who finally felt they’d found the place to settle.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Accommodation is not cheap in New Zealand; even hostels are expensive! In the ‘high season’ (summer and in some areas, winter) they will set you back by upwards of $35 NZD per night for a shared dorm. Only stay in backpacker hostels around New Zealand when absolutely necessary or your daily budget travelling in New Zealand is going to fall apart.

If you’re looking for a paid room, sadly hostels still remain the cheapest option. You may occasionally stumble across a cheap New Zealand Airbnb , but it’s still a limited selection. So how about saving money on accommodation in New Zealand?

Couchsurfing is widely used and a great way to meet new people and locals while backpacking in New Zealand. It does require some pre-planning though; the rock up in town and see what is around is not the best method for Couchsurfing.

Working for accommodation (and probably food too) is another excellent option in New Zealand. If you know you are going to be hanging around an area for a while, check with local hostels homestays if they offer some sort of bed and board thing. Workaway , again, is another great platform, as is WWOOF for farm-based work, or Facebook groups and even the local town notice board (legit).

Camping in New Zealand – free or otherwise – is the other cheap accommodation option. Tents, cars, and the vanlife is all a dream in New Zealand but it’s not a cut-and-dry though so I’ll cover camping in a different section coming up .

You’ll find Kiwi’s are incredibly generous when it comes to opening their doors to you and hitchhiking or meeting folks sometimes can end up in a bed or place to stay. Yeah, travelling costs in New Zealand are high but the country and people are also super kind to the homeless dirtbag. Generally, in New Zelaand, it always somehow works itself out.

Camping in New Zealand – Freedom or Otherwise

Ok, so here’s the deal: New Zealand is (sometimes) seen as a golden freedom camping destination and that’s becoming less and less true. A lot of campsites these days are not free or purely for self-contained vehicles i.e. has toilet, greywater, and sceptic waste functionality.

As a whole, travelling in a non-self-contained campervan in New Zealand is still possible, but you’ll either be paying or aiming for free campsites (apps are good for sifting through the campsites) or paying. So, is freedom camping dead in New Zealand?

Na, not by any stretch.  Even outside of just parking in a mate’s driveway, rules (formal or informal) do change by region so it’s still possible in many areas. For example, the Otago region cracks down hard on freedom campers courtesy of Queenstown’s popularity but up in Golden Bay, they tend to turn a blind eye… mostly.

What about sans-car? Well, it’s still illegal pretty much anywhere outside of designated areas, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to get away with. Generally in a nice hidden spot, you’ll be fine; just be discreet, pack up early, and  leave no fucking trace or I will Freddy Krueger your dreams.

It is worth noting that you’re always risking a heavy fine, but that’s the bureaucratic side of things. Most Kiwis I met were all guns-ho a’blazing about a vagrant hitchhiker enjoying Aoteroa’s land to the fullest. Hell, most of them would point me to the best local park to sleep in.

The long and the short? If you want to save on accommodation prices, pack some suitable camping equipment ! It’s a total necessity.

The Best Places to Stay in New Zealand

I made no solid plans for New Zealand. In fact, my research of the country pretty much consisted of binge-watching The Lord of The Rings and Hobbit films. And then the reality of the cost of travel in New Zealand hit me.

New Zealand is booming as a backpacking destination, courtesy of those famous setpieces for Lord of the Rings. Despite the backpacker boom, New Zealand is expensive . There are no two ways about it; Kiwis say it, Saudi Arabian princes would say it, Indians definitely say it!

That doesn’t mean you can’t travel cheap in New Zealand because you definitely can. I was able to travel on less than $10 a day, but you gotta get dirty!

A more realistic daily budget in New Zealand (for those that prefer their meals not to be harvested from the trash can) is about $20-$30 a day with the appropriate budget backpacking tools-of-the-trade . This is going to mean a mix of skipping accommodation, volunteering, hitchhiking, cooking, and going easy on the goodies – drink, drugs and activities. With those tricks loosely applied, you’ll still have some budget-leeway for the good stuff.

Instead, at a more New Zealand backpacker holiday level (hostels, meals out, shopping, and whatevs else you crazy cats get up to),  $60-$80 is more realistic. Yikes!

Looking at individual costs:

• Food prices in New Zealand  are expensive. You can cook budget meals definitely, but eating out always hurts and there’s no cheap and local everyman street food (except arguably fish ‘n’ chips). Aiming for less than $10 a meal when eating out is a necessity for budget backpackers.
• Accommodation prices in New Zealand suck smelly Rotorua egg-farts. You’ll find cheaper hostels in New Zealand, but you’ll never find a cheap one. You really never want to be paying more than $20/night for a dorm .
• Transport costs between New Zealand’s cities are not wholly unforgivable, but they’re still expensive. Inside the cities is ok though. As a point of reference, the three-hour bus ride from Auckland to Rotorua will cost you between $20-$35 .
• Living the vanlife will help the costs, but the fuel prices in New Zealand are super yukky so it only goes so far. Usually, petrol prices hover around $1.30-$1,50/litre .

The good news is that, while there are a lot of expensive activities in New Zealand, there are also plenty of free ones. Hiking, going to the beach, bathing in hot springs, and visiting amazing scenery is just the tip of the glacier.

A Daily Budget in New Zealand

Money in new zealand.

At the time of writing (May 2023), 1 NZD = 0.62 USD . You can work this out as roughly $10 NZ being $6 US for the simple maths.

The money in New Zealand is super colourful and uncomplicated to manage. It’s covered with enough pretty birds and vibrant colours that holding a stack of New Zealand dollars makes you feel like you’re attending a rainbow parade!

Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs in New Zealand are pretty much everywhere: just watch out for international fees. Travel with a travel-specific debit or credit card to avoid these! If you’re working in New Zealand, you’ll be getting an NZ bank account regardless.

Travel Tips – New Zealand on a Budget

I said that backpacking New Zealand on a budget was totally doable, right? Well, it is! But you’ll have to be creative. After a pretty long stint in New Zealand travelling with no money, I’ve put together these kickass tips for travelling New Zealand . It’s the simple life.

• Camping – A dire necessity but see the next section.
• Couchsurfing – Although you can get by with a tent, Couchsurfing is a wonderful safety net for budget travellers in New Zealand and a lot of fun too!
• Volunteering in New Zealand – Always a strong recommendation, especially in New Zealand. Days spent with dirty hands and full bellies are my spiritual Nirvana.
• Hitchhike – You already know how I feel about hitching, however, it’s also a brilliant way to save on transportation costs in Australia. I couldn’t have travelled New Zealand without it.
• Cook your own food – Carry a top-quality backpacker stove on your backpacking trip to New Zealand, especially if you’re camping. When you do have a kitchen available, cook up a storm!
• Busking – Much like hitchhiking and volunteering, New Zealand is where the busking madness began for me. Knowing how to busk and then a solid day’s can definitely cover a decent chunk of your daily cost of travel in New Zealand.
• Food giveaways – Are around and quite open to travellers (eg. The Free Store in Wellington ). Alternatively, the Krishnas are bloody everywhere in New Zealand – haribol ! From Auckland to Wellington to Dunedin they are always doing cheap meals, food giveaways, and probably yoga classes too.
• Dumpster Diving – it ain’t the fanciest, but it really does the job. You’d be surprised how many people throw away perfectly eatable food or trendy clothes.

Why You Should Travel to New Zealand with a Water Bottle?

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

December to February marks the high season (and summer) in New Zealand. These are the busiest months for the beaches, hiking, and outdoor exploration. There are plenty of festivals and events going on too. This is also the most expensive time to visit New Zealand.

The ski towns (Wanaka and Queenstown in particular) also experience high season in winter (June to August) .

Your best bet for backpacking New Zealand on a budget is to visit during shoulder season, so March to May , and September to November . The weather is still great (although noticeably less great the further south you are), and you’re going to get fewer crowds and better deals.

Outside of the ski towns, winter in New Zealand is a cheap time to visit as well, though the beach towns will be cold and sleepy. Northland and the Tasman/Golden Bay area stay pretty damn nice all-year-round though.

What to Pack for New Zealand

Make sure to pack right for New Zealand ! On every adventure, there are six things to never go travelling without:

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Oh, and bonus entry: pack sandfly protection and  lots of it.

I almost feel silly writing about safety in New Zealand, considering New Zealand is consistently ranked as the  most peaceful country in the world . Crime rates are extremely low and everything from sleeping in parks to hitchhiking is extremely safe!

Therefore, when we talk about how to stay safe in New Zealand while backpacking there, we are instead referring to the unpredictable weather that can hit when you’re out doing adventurous things. Don’t underestimate nature, keep updated about the weather (that shit turns quick), and invest in proper hiking footwear , relevant attire, and camping gear if you plan to be out in the National Parks a lot.

Secondly, the sun is  strong in New Zealand – it turned my bloody hair blonde! The clear, unpolluted atmosphere and relatively low latitudes produce sunlight stronger than much of Europe or North America. Always stay sun-protected.

Thirdly, crime is low but dicks be dicks – I got my phone stolen in Raglan… two days after returning someone else’s lost phone – Karma is a lie! Stay smart, especially on beaches, and travel with a money belt to protect yo’ cash and goodies!

Oh, and watch out for the sheepies while driving.

Past that, there’s nothing much outside of the standard safety advice for travelling anywhere . New Zealand ain’t Oz: there are no snakes, like one spider, and even the derros waiting to roll you at the dodgy train stations are friendlier about it!

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in New Zealand

Sex? Well, yeah, duh.

Kiwi girls are some of the most beautiful, friendly, and down-to-earth chicks you’ll ever meet when backpacking. Typically they love to have fun, drink, and party, and it goes the same with the lads. If you be looking, you’ll find a date no sweat.

As for drugs?

It’s all there too, from deliciously dank bud to knockin’ psychedelics to catapulting stimulants. It’s all illegal, so be smart where and when you buy and take it, but everything is available (if expensive). New Zealand even has a pretty major crystal meth problem so that’s fun! Bonus safety tip: stay away from meth (‘ duh, no shit sherlock ‘ moment of the century).

Booze and cigarettes are expensive as you would expect in New Zealand. Cigarettes, however, are  shockingly expensive: bring as many pouches of tobacco as customs will let you. And when it comes to a night out, you gotta pre-drink.

As a general rule though, there is a kickass party scene in New Zealand and holy shit the boogies are tight! Outdoors, indoors, club, pub, festival, or hippy throwdown, the music just ALWAYS seems to be bangin’. That’s not something Kiwis half-ass.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting New Zealand

There may be no spiders, but there are still coastline-shattering earthquakes. Travelling without insurance is risky: do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure! Take a guess at how cripplingly pricey a medical bill In New Zealand will cost?

Much of The Broke Backpacker team travels with World Nomads and have been for some time now. They’re easy to use, professional, and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

The two easiest airports to fly into are Auckland on the north island and Christchurch on the south island. Wellington also gets some international flights but not as many as Auckland. Since New Zealand is an island (well multiple) you will have to fly here!

Auckland will most likely have the cheapest flights, and it’s easy to catch a domestic flight from there to most any other airports in New Zealand. It’s also worth noting that a domestic flight from Wellington to Nelson can cost as much – or sometimes less – than the ferry crossing.

Entry Requirements for New Zealand

The rules change a lot depending on where you’re from but luckily the official site for visa information for New Zealand is magnificently designed. Suck it, India: that’s a proper user experience!

I told you New Zealand was easy right? Well, a  Visitor Visa is applied for online (for most nationalities) and is to be obtained before arrival. Entering as a visitor, you must have sufficient funds to cover your stay in New Zealand and onwards travel  and you may be asked to present proof of said funds and onwards travel. Those things are always a ‘potential scenario’ though.

Alternatively, you can apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority and then once you arrive at Auckland’s International Airport (it has to be Auckland for the NZeTA), you can apply for a proper visa.

A New Zealand Visitor Visa can last up to as long as nine months, but it is highly contingent on the variables, especially where you’re from. After the allowed term, you can apply for another visa or even move to a student or working visa if you’re looking at living in New Zealand.

So, what’s the cost of a visa for New Zealand? Again, it’s extremely nationality-dependent so you’ll have to do your own research . It is worth mentioning though that a number of countries get visa waiver in New Zealand so also check when you’re working through that oh-so-elegant UI.

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Booking.com is quickly becoming our go-to for accommodation. From cheap hostels to stylish homestays and nice hotels, they’ve got it all!

Ok, so here’s the deal. Travelling around New Zealand kinda sucks… or does it? (Foreshadowing.)

The best way to get around New Zealand is definitely by car… sorry! There are multiple rental companies within New Zealand and depending on your budget, there are endless options in regards to the type of vehicle you can rent. You can also buy a vehicle and then sell it at a later date (probably to another hapless New Zealand backpacker).

There are buses in New Zealand, but they’re kinda hopeless (outside of public transport in cities which is more than serviceable). The intercity buses (conveniently named InterCity) are expensive: for example, $38 NZD, or the price of an expensive hostel, is the average cost to travel from Auckland to Wellington. Furthermore, for getting to the breathtaking points of interest in New Zealand (i.e. the reason you presumably came), you’re shit outta luck!

You can generally find shuttles and other transport for the major attractions, however, as you probably guessed, they’re expensive. So, about that car…

You can book a rental car for your trip to New Zealand before you even arrive so that it is waiting for you at the airport. Easy as! Booking ahead is crucial to ensuring you get the lowest price and your choice of vehicle.

Make sure you also purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more. It’ll come out cheaper than you’ll pay at the rental desk.

So, about that foreshadowing, hey?

Travelling by Campervan in New Zealand

It’s the best way to travel New Zealand! This also extends to car camping to a lesser degree, but travelling by campervan in New Zealand is just the dream. I met more van-nomads in there than anywhere else in my travels. Paired with a longer stay or a working holiday in New Zealand, buying a van is just da best.

Backpacker cars and vans are seasonal. When a rush of backpackers arrives in early and mid-summer, the buying frenzy is on and prices go up. Likewise, just before winter, backpackers are trying to offload their vehicles, sometimes finding themselves without a buyer, and begging for a quarter of the price they purchased it for – off-season travel wins again!

When you’re buying a car or campervan, your best option is finding a car on TradeMe . Facebook groups and backpacker forums have tons of cars but finding a good one is like finding a needle in a haystack. Prices can range from $2,000 NZD for a station wagon, $4,000 NZD for a whiz banger campervan, or up to $8,000 NZD for a high-end self-contained campervan. While a campervan is more comfortable for sleeping, a station wagon is a great alternative.

Make sure to get a vehicle pre-inspection, ensure it has a valid WOF, and run a vehicle history report to make sure it is not stolen or money is owed. When the time comes, say goodbye to your baby and sell her on (maybe even with a little profit).

A huge part of the attraction of backpacking New Zealand is exploring the truly gorgeous landscapes and making spontaneous stops.  There is so much freedom in a vehicle and the portable home – and skipping on accommodation – is going to make for much cheaper travel in New Zealand.

Campervan Hire in New Zealand

If you are short on time or just want to make an epic few-week road trip around New Zealand, you can simply hire a campervan! Budget allowing, it’s the best way to get around New Zealand – no contest.

So who to book with then? There are tonnes of van rental companies in New Zealand, however, I recommend JUCY rentals . They operate in a lot of places but their van game in Australia and New Zealand is  strong . Plus, they’ve been around for yonks!

Check em’ out and enjoy the shenanigans.

Hitchhiking in New Zealand

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes . This is where it all began for me. What started out as hitchhiking in New Zealand filled me with adventurous fire and led to many other journeys hitching (Japan, India, Israel, to name few).

You know who else hitchhiked in New Zealand too? My dead grandma! (…When she was alive, of course.) This is back in the bloody 1940s or something so, man, hitching across Aotearoa’s magnificence is a two-thumbs-up recommendation and a blessed land for the beginner.

It’s easy – developed Western country rules – and people are ridiculously kind. Kiwis that you never in a million years thought would pick you up will, sometimes accompanied by an offer of a bed or dinner. Better yet, they’ll be heartwarming meetings and lead to the weirdest of most wonderful adventures.

There’s not much country-specific knowledge required for New Zealand: I’ll just point you to our Hitchhiking 101 Beginner’s Guide as a crash course for the newbies or a refresher course for the vets. Cities like Auckland (the fucking wall) or Wellington can be a total pain but still manageable and even in the south-of-the-south, someone will eventually pick you up (though wait times can drag).

In summary? Do it.

Onwards Travel From New Zealand

Since New Zealand is surrounded by water, you’ll be catching a plane onwards, and the choices are pretty straightforward.

Travelling to Australia is a no-brainer (unless you just came from there). It’s another backpacker dream destination PLUS it’s right next door (and usually so far away)!

Australia is another superb working holiday destination as well. Bless that obscenely high minimum wage!

Heading off backpacking to Southeast Asia is the other likely candidate. It’s close by and it’s  way cheaper. If you’re getting sick of paying a small fortune for a bowl of porridge for breakfast, consider Southeast Asia.

Any other suggestions? Yeah, one more and it’s a cool one.

Since you’re in the area, consider travelling to any of the Pacific Islands and continue exploring Oceania /Australasia/still-kinda-Asia. Though still touristy – especially with lads and laddettes from Down Under – they aren’t so heavily backpacked. Plus, after backpacking New Zealand, you may just have a strong affinity for Polynesian cultures,

There are a lot of Pacific Island nations but as some brainfood:

• Tahiti (French Polynesia)
• Papua New Guinea

I’ve already made reference to this numerous times but oh, man, most definitely. New Zealand is a land built for volunteering and backpacker work . Much like its sister country Australia, travellers from all over the world view New Zealand as a dream working holiday destination.

Expected localist crap and employers taking advantage of backpackers aside (which is minimal, to be fair), travelling and working in New Zealand is spectacular. The minimum wage is high – albeit slightly lower than Australia (but you can just consider that paying a premium to be in a better country) – and there are plenty of employment opportunities right around the country. And usually somewhere ridiculously gorgeous!

In fact, when I meet travellers on the road who are planning on visiting Australia for work, I generally just tell them to go to New Zealand instead. I haven’t heard a complaint yet!

The most common types of backpacker work in New Zealand tend to be agricultural; following the picking trail with the seasons is very common. Hospitality gigs (cafes, bars, hostels) are also easy to get as is work in the tourism industry.

Most backpackers in New Zealand tend to find seasonal work in the tourist hubs – Queenstown and Rotorua, in particular – or major cities like Auckland or Wellington. That said, farms are everywhere as are orchards, and there always seems to be some work floating around. Even in the beach towns of Raglan and Takaka (which tend to be extremely localist as anyone from a beach town will tell you), I met plenty of travellers with a job.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteering in New Zealand

But why work for cash when you get work for free! Yay for indentured servitude!

If you’re going without a work visa and aren’t a fan of pulling the sneaky, volunteering is a classic choice in New Zealand. A free bed and meal(s) is pretty much always a guarantee, and if your host isn’t offering that, you’ll generally find someone within a 30 km radius who is.

Of course, it’s not just about the bed. The experience of volunteering while on the road is rather rewarding. All these years later and I STILL remain friends with some of the hosts I volunteered for plus I got some cool experiences to boot (like milking a goat!).

I already mention Workaway and WWOOF as the gold standards in New Zealand (as are more old-school means), however, a few Workaway alternatives rear their head including our bonafide favourite: Worldpackers!

Worldpackers is another volunteering platform we’ve reviewed and adore. They don’t always have as many volunteering gigs in sheer number, but they do offer very substantial and authentic experiences plus a hold host of nifty community features that the fiercely impersonal Workaway lacks.

Hell, join the Worldpackers community as a Broke Backpacker reader (with the code BROKEBACKPACKER ) to get a sweet discount on the signup fee – 20% off the annual subscription price. Churr, bro!

Work Visas in New Zealand

So, about how to actually work in New Zealand? Many nationalities have access to a Working Holiday Visa in New Zealand. This will allow for a stay of up to 12-months, and you can work! (Legally.)

There are a few extra stipulations over a normal tourist visa, however:

• Full medical insurance for the length of your stay.
• For people ages 18-30 only.
• Have at least $4200 NZ in funds available.

Again, the New Zealand Working Holiday visa fees and fine print vary by your passport’s nationality. There’s a lot of extra details to research, so some adulting will be required.

Y’know… Before you go to New Zealand and forget your adult responsibilities.

If you’re finding all of this a bit complicated,  Global Work and Travel  may be able to alleviate some of the VISA complications for you. They offer working holidays and internship opportunities in many locations throughout New Zealand, both of which require the working holiday VISA.

In fact, they’ll support you throughout the entire process; from VISA guidance to finding you the perfect placement. You’ve got to be between the ages of 18 to 35 though…apologies if this isn’t you!

Internet in New Zealand

New Zealand allows you to be as connected or disconnected as you want. In the main towns, you’ll find no problem to grab four bars of signal. However, wander out in the sticks and your signal will disappear pretty quick.

The cheapest and easiest way to stay connected in New Zealand is with a local SIM card. You can buy one at the airport or just wait until you’re in town. You can expect good coverage in any built-up areas but don’t expect too much consistency outside of that, particularly in rural areas and particularly on South Island.

The major providers of SIM cards in New Zealand are:

Honestly, they’re all pretty comparable price and coverage-wise. I do recommend Spark though because they have a  crapton of public phone boxes around the country which act as WiFi hotspots for Spark customers. You get a 1 GB allowance per day, they’re seriously everywhere (like tuk-tuks in Asia), and one time while downloading Spotify playlists at a booth, I met some random legend and he offered me a ride.

WiFi is pretty common throughout New Zealand, and most hostels and homestays will offer WiFi. Free WiFi is offered at certain hotspots around cities, on buses, and in some cafes and bars, but you will often have a limit on time or download usage, so don’t expect to Skype for long! Outside of busy urban areas, free WiFi becomes harder to find.

Maybe food isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of travel in New Zealand, but actually prepare to be amazed (at both the taste and your empty wallet).

New Zealand has both fresh seafood and produce markets throughout the country to get your breakfast on. You can find all sorts of dining experiences from simple yet hearty traditional Maori food, to a thriving coffee and craft beer scene (not to mention the world-famous New Zealand wine), to just the many damn delicious places to eat around New Zealand.

• Maori hangi  – This involves meat and vegetables slow-cooked in an underground oven.
• Fry bread  – It’s bread that’s fried. Is it good? Do the 3 extra kilos I put on from fried bread alone give you a clue?
• Boil-Ups  – A popular dish in Maori communities. These are cooked by boiling different ingredients together like a soup.
• Seafood  – From lobster and fish to sea urchin, New Zealanders consume a lot of seafood!
• Paua – A large sea snail seafood delicacy.
• Whitebait Fritter:  A delicacy in New Zealand and currently demands the highest price of any fish in the country.
• Fish ‘N Chips  – So, the Kiwis didn’t exactly create fish ‘n’ chips but man they know how to cook ’em! Find yourself some kumara chips (sweet potato) for some extra awesomeness.
• Kiwi Burger  – Beetroot and fried egg along with your standard burger patties.
• Pavlova  – A desert in New Zealand made with meringue, whipped cream, and fruit. The cause of WWIII will be the ongoing dispute between Australia and New Zealand as to baked the first pavlova.
• Manuka Honey:  Highly sought-after honey internationally due to its acclaimed medicinal purposes.
• Vegemite  – It’s Australian but if you’ve come this far, you need to try it. If anyone tells you Marmite is better, punch them in the dick.

As Peter Jackson once described, “ New Zealand is not a small country, but a large village. ” It’s so true. Kiwis are always ready to help you out wherever possible, whether it is telling you about the best place to sit and watch the sunset while you devour fish ’n’ chips, or driving you out of their way to get you to where you need to go (often with a parting gift of something dank).

New Zealander’s pride themselves on their laid-back camaraderie for life and collective openness to strangers. It’s fair to say that it’s just a Kiwi thing. When travelling in New Zealand, I rarely, if ever, felt the cynicism towards tourists that I’ve felt in so many other places in the world; only a sincere desire to share their home

On my travels in New Zealand, I have been consistently amazed at just how kind the Kiwis can be – strangers will open up their homes to you or just check to see if you need some help. Sometimes, I didn’t even have to hitch; people would just pull over and offer me a ride as I was walking out of town.

The Maori people, though obviously Kiwi and very much fitting in with the above statements, still retain their cultural identity, and it is a beautiful one. Family comes first but family is more than just your blood.

The Maori culture stands as something truly amazing to explore and learn about. If the opportunity arises to spend some time with them and make some Maori friends, take it. It”s 100% worth the experience.

New Zealand and all of its many peoples – from the colonial-heritage Kiwis to the Maori descendants to the many migrants that now call it home – feel harmonious. Things are not perfect, and neither is their history, but when put in comparison to nearby ex-colony neighbours, New Zealand’s history is one much-less stained with blood and decrepit behaviour.

Non-Maori Kiwis on average possess a much higher level of respect for the indigenous people of their home. They want to share it, and it is heartwarming to behold. Put it this way:

Once while hitchhiking through the far north of New Zealand hitchhiking, a middle-aged woman driving her Down Syndrome child back to Auckland picked us up – two shoe-less, smelly, dirtbag-hippies. In her car, she was playing an educational CD teaching the Maori language.

That would never happen in Australia.

Useful Travel Phrases for New Zealand

So, English is the spoken language in New Zealand (officially) If you’re reading this, you’re presumably golden. That said, the Maori do very much have their own spoken language (on top of English) and it’s not uncommon for a white Kiwi to know a few words… usually about three.

The left side is a few Maori words; the right side is some choice New Zealand slang:

• Kia Ora  – Have life (Maori greeting and commonly used everywhere)
• Whanau (far-noe)  – Extended family (cultural significance)
• Kai  – Food (it’s been adopted as Kiwi slang)
• Koha  – Donation/a gift of what you can provide
• Aotearoa  – New Zealand, ya dumb-bum!
• Mean  – Awesome/sick
• Choice  – Mean
• Jandals  – Flip-flops/thongs
• Churr/Churr, bro  – Right on/cheers/thanks
• She’ll be right  – It’ll be fine
• Beached as – This.

A Brief History of New Zealand

While the Dutch explored New Zealand first, the British were the ones to colonise New Zealand in the 1800s. Prior to that, New Zealand – or Aotearoa- was only inhabited by the Maori people, a Polynesian people who settled sometime between 1320 and 1350.

The Maori culture is rich, vibrant, and fairly unique having developed isolated from other Polynesian cultures over many years. For many years, the Maori tribes engaged in regular warfare and combat was a vital part of their culture along with a deeply-ingrained mythology, dance, art, and numerous other things (shout-out to the poi spinners).

The signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 was supposed to lead to coexistence between the two peoples – indigenous and colonisers. Unfortunately, Maori came under increasing pressure to sell their land for settlement.

This led to conflict and in the 1860s, war broke out on the North Island. While the North Island experienced a series of wars, the less-populous South Island remained relatively peaceful with only one Treaty-related armed conflict.

Around the same time, many aspects of life on the South Island allowed New Zealand to flourish. The Otago region was experiencing a major gold rush, and Dunedin became the country’s wealthiest city. Sheep farming was established on extensive grasslands and railways were built with towns springing up or expanding.

In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give women the right to vote. State pensions and state housing for workers were also offered first in New Zealand and in 1907, New Zealand became independent.

New Zealand in Modern Times

In modern times, New Zealand has borne the brunt of conflicts similarly to much of the rest of the world, namely WWI, WWII, and the Great Depression. Despite this, New Zealand stands as an incredibly prosperous country and, rather pridefully, is considered one of the most peaceful on the planet.

Although Maori relations have struggled periodically over the years, noticeably throughout the 1970s and latter half of the century when protest movements began to arise among Maori people over land rights and recognition of the culture, many of these grievances have been settled.

There are ongoing concerns and nothing is perfect, but in the greater scope of the world’s history, the largely positive relationship between New Zealand and it’s first people is not only heartwarming but also worthy of respect.

There is a lot of beauty in New Zealand and a lot of things to see. Even more, there is a lot to experience. From the Maori culture to the Kiwi smile, there is a lot to pay attention to while backpacking around New Zealand more than just sunsets and touring Hobbiton .

Don’t let New Zealand pass you by.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Hiking in New Zealand

If hiking is your thing, you will quickly realize why Kiwis throw on their gators and massive hiking boots to hit the mountains any chance they get.

The most popular hikes in New Zealand are the Ten Great Walks . These hikes have world-class infrastructure, comfortable huts, and are all good hikes for beginners. Hut reservations are required in advance, and bunks cost between $32 and $140 NZ per night depending on the hike.

Check out this post for a comprehensive guide on Nine of the Ten Great Walks of New Zealand .

While these are the most popular, don’t be worried if you didn’t score a reservation. There are even better treks in New Zealand! Getting into the backcountry, or tramping as the Kiwis call it, has advantages of smaller crowds and more serious hiking.

For experienced hikers, you cannot go wrong with your pick of:

• Travers-Sabine circuit to Blue Lake
• The Copeland Track
• Or potentially one of the absolute best hikes in New Zealand, the Cascade Saddle

If venturing into the mountains is not your thing, it is still worth checking out some of the incredible day hikes around New Zealand.  The best day hikes in New Zealand for beginners are:

• Diamond Lake

For a more advanced hike, check out:

• Mount Taranaki
• Mueller Hut
• Avalanche Peak

One way or another, everywhere you go in New Zealand, there’s a walk worth doing. It’s safe to say that some of the best hikes in the world are in New Zealand. Make sure you spend at least a little time getting lost in New Zealand’s spectacular national parks.

Joining an Organised Tour in New Zealand

Solo travel in New Zealand is the name of the game. That said, if you are short on time, energy, or just want to be part of an awesome group of travellers, you can opt to join an organized tour. Joining a tour is a great way to see a majority of the country quickly and without the effort that goes into planning a backpacking trip. However, not all tour operators are created equal – that is for sure.

G Adventures is a solid down-to-earth tour company catering to backpackers just like you, and their prices and itineraries reflect the interests of the backpacker crowd. You can score some pretty sweet deals on epic trips in New Zealand for a fraction of the price of what other tour operators charge.

You’re almost ready to go soak in the natural beauty of amazing scenery, snow-covered mountains, active volcanoes, strangely friendly people, and maybe a few major cities. If you’ve still got some questions, here are some answers about the New Zealand backpacking experience.

Is solo backpacking in New Zealand worth it?

Damn it, yes! Don’t get me wrong, if you bring a buddy with you, you’re going to share an amazing adventure. But if you go it alone, you’re opening up your world to infinite possibilities that will well and truly change your life.

How is backpacking New Zealand without a car rental?

Look, it can be done, but it’s far from the same experience. My best advice is to practise some patience because you could either be waiting a while for those (expensive) buses or waiting a while to score a hitchhike to save money. But hey, a backpacking trip in New Zealand should involve plenty of adventure.

How much should I budget for backpacking New Zealand?

With around $70, you’re going to be able to travel comfortably – depending on your travel style. If you practise plenty of budget backpacker tricks, you can save money. Likewise, if you’re a boogie bugger, a New Zealand trip will eat your budget.

Can I go to Mordor?

It’s not recommended. But if you take a Sam, you might make it… Anyway, why would you want to leave Hobbiton? You have good food, a warm hearth, and all the comforts of home. Okay, I’m done with the Lord of the Rings stuff now.

We’re almost at the end, ready to hit the road, hoist that backpack, and go to New Zealand – the adventure capital. Before you do, any last thoughts for the New Zealand travel guide?

Yeah, one more important thing.

Be Good to New Zealand

Travelling gives us a lot of opportunities. Sometimes, it’s for the betterment of ourselves and the world. At other times, it’s to just act like a twat.

Too many drugs, drinks, or just plain ego, we all mess up. I’ve messed up.

Some days we wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Other days we just miss home.

However, it’s still important to remember to take responsibility for yourself and your actions on any backpacking trip, and New Zealand is no different. It’s a privileged, rich, and Western country, sure, but it’s still important to treat the land and the people that belong to it with kindness.

Smile, be kind, show an interest in the culture: no one forced you to be there. You’ve chosen to enter someone else’s home as a visitor – be respectful.

Take off your shoes, don’t use up all their toilet paper, and be good . Nothing says it better.

Now You’re Ready to Go To New Zealand!

That’s it, all the info you may need… more or less. Truly, backpacking in New Zealand is an unforgettable experience.

This outro is an update for our New Zealand budget travel guide written by me, two-and-a-half years since I travelled in New Zealand. I still miss it.

New Zealand taught me a lot of things. It taught me how to travel and how to travel well. I now believe in the goodness of people and the beauty of life. New Zealand taught me to love life.

A lot has changed since those simple dirtbaggin’ days in Aotearoa. I’ve changed, the world has changed, and travel changes, but New Zealand hasn’t – not so much. It’s still one of the most gorgeous places on this beautiful and complicated planet.

I don’t go so much in for the hippy-dippy spiritual stuff anymore, but New Zealand deserves it. It’s a truly special home, and I genuinely believe there is healing in that land. There is magic there.

If you’re going Backpacking New Zealand, budget travel or a holiday, I bid you the very best time. Keep this travel guide handy and see the best of New Zealand. If you choose to settle, you wouldn’t be the first.

Hell, maybe I’ll see you there one day. Love and light to you. Did I really just say that?

Dammit, New Zealand.

• Backpacking Fiji
• How to Find Cheap Flights
• How To Live on a Boat
• The Best Ultralight Backpacks

Updated: February 2020 by Ziggy Samuels at ZiggySamuels.com .

Updated May 2023 by Laura Hall .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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17 Comments

The price of those great walks have gone up recently, but they are still totally worth it. Hiking has to be of my favourite things to do in New Zealand… there’s something about the views and feeling so peaceful.. and the endorphins ?

Hello! Your article says that Auckland is New Zealand’s capital but actually Wellington is. Auckland is our largest city and was once upon a time the capital city, but Wellington has been the capital city since 1865 so it’s a pretty established thing! Thanks 🙂

Yes, Wellington is definitely New Zealand’s capital. We apologise for the fault in the writing. Those responsible have been sacked. (Not really.)

A vacation turned to be an adventure and good memory when you spending it with your family. Camping is not a new concept but the availability of new camping gadgets has made this fun activity more interesting.

Local kiwi here. Read this post out of curiosity most of it is pretty good but Auckland is NOT the capital and the majority do not live there. Only about 1/5 of the popularion do. Wellington is of course course the capital.

Thanks for the corrections 🙂

If you have 16 days what places would you suggest? We would like to do a little of everything.

I’m heading to New zealand for the first time next weekend as a girls trip and am so excited! Thank you for the amazing tips.

By any chance, did you travel to the Cook Islands?

Regards, Parth

I’m afraid not, not this time…

I wanted to go to New Zealand with my girlfriend due to work opportunity. It seems as an exotic place to visit.

About to try a backpacking trip in NZ and you have inspired me.

About to sign up 🙂

Cheers Sharon…

The idea of backpacking in New Zealand never crossed my mind, however not it is on my mind. What was your best experience in there?

Hi great post! Just wondering what backpack did u use? I’m currently having a hard time picking up backpack.

I have a Berghaus Freeflow as my hiking backpack and an Osprey Aether as my main travel backpack 🙂

thankyou!!! super helpful and hopefully will be using this info in the near future

Looks incredible. Saving this post for when we go. So many awesome activities. I don’t know why we haven’t explored NZ yet. We’d love to buy a camper and travel both islands for a while. Cheers for sharing Janey.

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Christchurch to Nelson Loop

W ineries, wildlife and adventure on the Christchurch to Nelson loop

• Marlborough wineries
• Abel Tasman National Park

View the route below

Experience a blend of history, adventure , wildlife and the spectacular outdoors on this 11-day loop from Christchurch to Nelson and back.

Travel through the Garden City and Akaroa , then up to Kaik ō ura for whale watching and on to the world-famous Marlborough wine region.

Explore Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park, see the rugged West Coast and relax in the thermal waters of Hanmer Springs before heading back to Christchurch.

Day 1: Explore Christchurch

Punting on the Avon River, Christchurch - Canterbury

By ChristchurchNZ

Ride the Christchurch Gondola, New Zealand

By nztour.co.nz

Visit the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch - Canterbury

By International Antarctic Centre

• Punting on the Avon
• Christchurch Gondola
• International Antarctic Centre

Discover the best of Christchurch

Top experiences in Christchurch

There’s so much to see and do in Christchurch   – join a guided half day tour   or hire a bike from Chill Explore   and explore the inner city cycle paths. T he Christchurch Tram   is a fun way to get around and you can l earn about the region’s seismic history and post-quake rebuild at Quake City . Enjoy the beautiful Avon River with the famous Punting on the Avon v   then ride t he Christchurch Gondola   high into the Port Hills for panoramic views. Travel in a H ä gglund snow mobile and feel the chill of an Antar c tic storm at t he International Antarctic Centre or have an up-close wildlife adventure at Orana Wild life Park   where you can hand-feed giraffes and travel through a lion habitat .  Or f inish the day at   Willowbank Wildlife Reserve (opens in new window) .  S tay centrally at Amber Kiwi Holiday Park , or Tasman Holiday Parks  just outside town.

Day 2: Akaroa

Kaikōura dolphins, Christchurch - Canterbury

The Giants House Mosaic & Sculpture Garden, New Zealand

By Hollie Hollander

A little piece of France on the Canterbury coast

• The Giants House
• Wildlife cruise

Learn about Akaroa

Just 90 minutes from Christchurch is the tiny French -style coastal settlement of Akaroa .

History tells of a French whaling captain who had planned a French colony here , but the Treaty of Waitangi was signed before he could establish it . T he newly - arrived French settlers stayed anyway and n early 200 years later the ir influence remains. Browse Akaroa’s galleries and boutique stores and stop for lunch at one of the French-inspired eateries.

Don’t miss The Giants House – a garden of international significance with incredible sculpture s and mosaics .

Akaroa Harbour is famous for its marine life, like penguins , fur seals and the endangered Hector’s dolphin . Take an Akaroa Harbour Nature Tour with Black Cat Cruises , or go sea kayaking to see these creatures up close.

You could stay in Akaroa or h ead back to Christchurch ready to travel north in the morning.

Day 3: Christchurch to Kaikōura

Goose Bay, Kaikoura, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Graeme Murray

New Zealand fur seals relaxing in Kaikoura, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Kyle Mulinder

Swimming with dolphins, Kaikoura, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Miles Holden

Marine animals and whale watching in Kaikōura

• Whale watching
• Marine adventures

Learn about Kaikōura

From Christchurch, head north to Cheviot and out to the surf beach at Gore Bay for a short walk to the impressive Cathedral Cliffs . Then it’s just an hour to Kaikōura , with its array of activities and delicious food experiences.    

Experience the world-famous Whale Watch Kaikōura , book an albatross encounter or a dolphin tour , and see fur seals while swimming or kayaking . Back on land, you can work up an appetite on mountain bike trails (opens in new window) that include rugged coastline and mountain ranges .  

Kaikōura is a foodie paradise  with exceptional local seafood, a gin distillery and breweries to try. Don’t miss iconic crayfish caravan Nins Bin – this 50-year-old family business is the place to go for the freshest seafood. Or do it yourself on a fishing tour  and have your catch filleted and bagged to cook back in your campervan. Stay at Kaikōura Top 10 Holiday Park (opens in new window) and be sure to watch for dolphin pods cruising past the beach.

Day 4: Kaikōura to Blenheim

Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough

By Chris Mclennan

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, New Zealand

By James Orphan

Take a cruise in Marlborough, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Newzealand.com

A day in the world-famous Marlborough wine region

• Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
• Marlborough Sounds cruise

Discover Blenheim

Blenheim is in the heart of Marlborough – New Zealand’s biggest and best-known wine region thanks to the famous s auvignon blanc wine made here and enjoyed around the world . Make the most of your time here with a guided wine tour by bike  or choose a part or full-day tour by shuttle .

Aviation buffs will love the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre , which has one of the world’s largest private collections of Great War aircraft and artefacts.

You can see the beautiful Marlborough Sounds  from Picton , just 20 minutes away, w ith a trip on the Mail Boat Cruise  or enjoy a cruise and lunch on the water .

Back in Blenheim you can stay centrally at Spring Creek Holiday Park  or next to the beach at Rarangi Campsite  just outside town .

Day 5: Blenheim to Nelson

Havelock Mussel Festival, Marlborough

By Havelock Mussel Festival

Centre of New Zealand walk, Nelson Tasman

By jodastephen

Cycling the vines, New Zealand

By The Gentle Cycling Company

Explore vibrant Nelson

• Greenshell mussels in Havelock
• Centre of New Zealand walk
• Nelson wineries and craft breweries

Learn about vibrant Nelson

On the road to Nelson is Havelock (opens in new window) , known as ‘the greenshell mussel capital of New Zealand ’. B rowse its galleries , head out on the water for a Greenshell Mussel Cruise (opens in new window) , s ee how the residents of the remote Pelorus Sound live with a day on the Pelorus Mail Boat  or jump on a water taxi or shorter cruise .

Nelson (opens in new window) is a vibrant town and on the doorstep of some of New Zealand’s most beautiful outdoor spots . It has plenty of walks and hikes (opens in new window) to choose from , like the iconic Centre of New Zealand Walk (opens in new window) or e xplore by bike on one of Kiwi Journeys' (opens in new window) many tour s , such as the popular Rabbit Island  day trip .

M eet local artists on a gallery tour , t ry paddle boarding  at Tahunanui Beach and e njoy dinner at one of the many café s, craft breweries  (opens in new window) or wineries (opens in new window) . There’s a wide range of campgrounds and holiday parks but be sure to book ahead.

Day 6: Abel Tasman National Park

Explore Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

By Nelson Tasman

Kaiteriteri Beach, Nelson Tasman

By Jonathan Kennett

Split Apple Rock Kaiteriteri Kayak Nelson, New Zealand

Experience the beauty of Abel Tasman National Park

• Kaiteriteri Beach
• Paddle a waka

Learn about Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park but one of its most popular thanks to its untouched golden sand beaches , waterways and native bush.

On the way, stop at Kaiteriteri with its stunning turquoise water beach and take part in the unique cultural experience of paddling a waka (a traditional Māori canoe)  with Waka Abel Tasman . You can access the Abel Tasman from Kaiteriteri or nearby Marahau in the south, and from Golden Bay and Totaranui in the north. There are plenty of t racks t o choose from, ranging from a couple of hours through to several days and tour operators offering guided walk s and kayaking , or even skydiving and canyoning .

Abel Tasman AquaTaxi can get you closer to the more remote s pots . H ead back to Nelson for the night or book a spot in Moutere (home to New Zealand’s oldest pub) or one of the campgrounds along the coast.

Day 7: Nelson to Murchison

Buller Canyon jetboating, Nelson Tasman

By Nelson Regional Development Agency

The Natural Flames Experience, Nelson Tasman

By Camilla Rutherford

Flyfishing, Murchison, Nelson Tasman

By Owen River Lodge

Natural wonders and history in Murchison

• Natural Flames Experience
• Fly fishing

Go for gold in Murchison

Head inland on SH6 to Murchison , regarded as ‘the white water capital ’ of N ew Zealand for the number of rivers surrounding it, including the mighty Buller. The former gold-mining town still has many of its original buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Jump on board the Buller Canyon Jet for a high speed adventure on the water or try fly fishing with a local guide (opens in new window) .

Murchison is also where you’ll find the incredible sight of flames dancing on the forest floor – join The N atural Flames E xperience to see this phenomenon up close and experience a working deer and sheep farm .

There is also river rafting , mountain biking and scenic and historical walks (opens in new window) to enjoy , such as the Maruia Falls Track, or the Kawatiri Historic Railway Walk , complete with eerie train tunnel to explore .

Day 8: Murchison to Punakaiki

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, West Coast

Spectacular river canyon in Paparoa National Park, West Coast

By Hiking New Zealand

Water rafting in the Buller Gorge, New Zealand

By Ian Trafford

Natural wonders in Punakaiki

• Buller Gorge
• Pancake Rocks

Digest the beauty of Punakaiki

Travel through the Buller Gorge and out to the West Coast, known for its wild coastline and mining heritage.

Stop for the night at Punakaiki , where bush-clad hills lead down to amazing coastal rock formati o ns . Explore Paparoa National Park , wh ere you’ll find the famous Pancake Rocks and spectacular blowholes , as well as cave rafting (opens in new window) . The walks range from the short Truman Track (30 minutes return) to the Pororari River Track and Fox River Caves Track ( both three hours return) , or the   Paparoa track , one of New Zealand’s Great Walks , which is a 2-3 day hiking and mountain biking track. 

Book a spot at Punakaiki Beach Camp (opens in new window) , just 700m from the Pancake Rocks and close to the Punakaiki Cavern with its glow worms and stalactites.

Day 9: Punakaiki to Lewis Pass

Shantytown, Near Greymouth, South Island, New Zealand, New Zealand

By Pete Edgeler

Rafting near Reefton, West Coast

By Inland Adventures

Monteiths Brewery, West Coast

By Fraser Clements

Step back in time on the West Coast

• Shanty Town

Stop off and learn about Greymouth

Head south down the coast from Punakaiki for a stop at Greymouth , considered the heart of the West Coast.

Pop into Monteiths , part of New Zealand’s brewing history , for a brewery tour and tasting. S tep back in time with a visit to Shanty Town , a replica 1900s pioneer town with gold panning, heritage train rides and more.

From Greymouth it’s an hour to Reefton , another town with a gold-mining past and now home to the award-winning Reefton Distilling Co.  To ur the distillery and discover how they use locally foraged ingredients from the West Coast rainforests.

From here it’s just 45 minutes to Maruia Hot Springs in Lewis Pass. Book a night here and enjoy the on-site thermal pools and maybe even spoil yourself with a spa treatment.

Day 10: Lewis Pass to Hanmer Springs

Fly over snow Hanmer Springs, New Zealand

By Hanmer Springs Ski Area

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa , Christchurch - Canterbury

By Hurunui Tourism

Relax and recharge in Hanmer Springs

• Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
• Adventure activities

Learn how to unwind in Hanmer Springs

Enjoy a day in the picturesque alpine village of Hanmer Springs , where there’s something for everyone .

For adventure , there’s bungy jumping , rafting and quad biking , or in winter head to the slopes at the Hanmer Springs Ski Area . Hanmer Trails (opens in new window) offers mountain biking, walking and horse riding. Find a little magic o n the Forest Amble Walk where wooden sculptures hide amongst the trees and then connect to the nearby Fairy Door Walk  for even more fun.

Kids will also love Hanmer Springs Animal Park   for hand-feeding all sorts of wildlife. Finish the day at the famous Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa (opens in new window) with its range of thermal , sulphur and freshwater pools and a large kids’ area with slides to keep everyone entertained.

Keep the relaxation going with a night at Hanmer Springs Top 10 Holiday Park  with its private wood-fired hot tubs .

Day 11: Hanmer Springs to Christchurch

Hurunui Hotel, Christchurch - Canterbury

By #bottletheworld

Colourful spring gardens, Christchurch - Canterbury

By The Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Wine tastings in Waipara, Christchurch - Canterbury

Explore the Waipara Valley wine region

• Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Explore the local wineries

Take a leisurely drive back to Christchurch and e njoy morning tea at the h istoric Hurunui Hotel (opens in new window) .

E xplore the vineyards and stop in at the cellar doors dotted around the Waipara Valley wine region , north of the city. K nown particularly for its r iesling and p inot noir , Waipara is home to several leading New Zealand wineries like Pegasus Bay, Greystone Wines, Black Estate, and Terrace Edge,  among others.

B ack in Christchurch, unwind with a walk in the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens and then browse the central city shop s – head to Cashel, High and Colombo Streets, New Regent Street and The Arts Centre for local designers, gifts and homewares.

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Driving in New Zealand

Important things you need to know about  driving in New Zealand .

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When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 and how is it celebrated?

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.

As a new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries will fast one more day, completing 30 days of Ramadan. The first day of Eid will then be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

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Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

Other countries follow independent sightings.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.

It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date -filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbours and accepting sweets as they move around from house to house.

Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.

In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.

Eid amid the onslaught in Gaza

For some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza this Eid, this will be the first Muslim religious holiday after more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. With little food aid, and very limited water, Gaza’s Eid al-Fitr will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks.

What are common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages around the world.