New Zealand Travel Guide

Browse 743 travel reviews, 2,507 travel blogs and 59,148 travel photos from real travelers to New Zealand.

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New Zealand Overview

With their striking, varied countryside made all the more famous as the undisputed star of The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, the astounding islands of New Zealand have something for nature lovers of every flavour. With ten times as many sheep as humans, and abundant indigenous cultures to explore, few dispute NZ tourism’s claim to be amongst the most memorable spots on earth.

Even capital city Auckland gets in on the natural wonders, with volcanoes and lava ridges forming the backdrop to a vibrant city and green suburbia, littered with sometimes dazzling and often embarrassing read morearchitecture, the best dating from Victorian and Edwardian times.

Few hang around in the cities, though; there are just too many adventures to be had. Hefty bungee jumps are essential traveller fare, while the still more intrepid head out to sea aboard kayaks to drift nervously amongst the numerous whales and dolphins. Windy Wellington is an essential stop off on the significant sailing scene, while Tongariro National Park is home to off-the-beaten-track bike rides, and dramatic roof-of-the-world hikes. Then there are the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, which can be explored on foot or absorbed in full from the air, plus the picture-postcard waters and craggy shorelines of Abel Tasman National Park, and the astonishing views from the southern Islands TranzAlpine train.

As much as the nature is utterly compelling (and should be at the core of every trip), New Zealand throws up countless other memorable moments, like munching on slimy hu hu grubs straight off the grill, stumbling across ancient Polynesian ceremonies, and exploring the vineyards or boutique beer barns of the inner islands. Then there are the surf towns, the vivacious nightlife and blend of steamy thermals, and Maori culture to be found amongst the tattooed tribes of Rotorua.

Overcome your fears all at once, by swimming with whales, rolling down steep slopes in polystyrene balls, and coming face to face with the kind of food you’d rather have left under a rock. Or you could just stick to ogling the stunning scenery, but where would be the fun in that?

Auckland #1 most popular location
We all know New Zealand’s reputation, but what you might not expect is the beauty that greets you in its cities. True to the rest of the country, Auckland is steeped in natural beauty, surr…
1,395travelers 129reviews 338blogs
Christchurch #2 most popular location
Christchurch is still home to a hefty colonial influence, displaying its ex-Englishness around many an atypical corner, and defying the country on the whole's step away from influences import…
422travelers 45reviews 226blogs
Queenstown #3 most popular location
Queenstown is to New Zealand what Ko Phan Ngan is to Thailand. That is, Queenstown is an undisputed party capital. New Zealand’s reputation amongst backpackers precedes it: the place to go …
139travelers 80reviews 217blogs
Rotorua #4 most popular location
Named after the nearby lake and nicknamed Sulfur City, Rotorua is a small New Zealand North Island city known for its geothermal activity, a quirk that leaves the smell of Sulfur forever drif…
48travelers 42reviews 128blogs
Wellington #5 most popular location
Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, is – like much of New Zealand – set on a harbor, surrounded by undulating hills and home to plenty in the way of outdoor adventure. Wellington has a h…
461travelers 41reviews 110blogs
Taupo #6 most popular location
There's just something about New Zealand that sparks the inner adventurer in everyone. Perhaps it is the majestic skylines, the deep-blue waters, or the lush forests that cover entire regions…
24travelers 27reviews 72blogs
Dunedin #7 most popular location
The second-largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, and one of the main centers for the country as a whole, Dunedin sits at the head of Otago Harbor on a series of hills and valleys o…
94travelers 20reviews 73blogs
Nelson #8 most popular location
When you first hear the name it almost sounds fairly bland, like an unseasoned steak or a bad red wine. But, just as you cannot judge a book by its cover, you cannot judge a town by its name,…
63travelers 10reviews 48blogs
Wanaka #9 most popular location
Most commonly known as the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, Wanaka is a resort town in the Central Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand, nestled on the southern banks of La…
14travelers 15reviews 61blogs
Kaikoura #10 most popular location
Located on the southern coast of Marlborough between Christchurch and Blenheim, Kaikoura is one of the most famous places in New Zealand if you are coming for the seafood. Technically it is n…
7travelers 10reviews 50blogs
Napier #11 most popular location
Napier is proclaimed the "Art Deco City" of the world, after it was re-built in the 1930s in the wake of a very destructive earthquake. The city was re-built using traditional art deco techni…
24travelers 4reviews 26blogs
Paihia #12 most popular location
3travelers 8reviews 21blogs
Picton #13 most popular location
Picton. Picton is the gateway to the South Island, the Interisland Ferry from Wellington arrives in Picton after a delightful, beautifully scenic cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. Vi…
2travelers 15reviews 38blogs
Hamilton #14 most popular location
Hamilton is the largest inland city in New Zealand and 5th largest city overall. It lies in the Waikato region of the north island. Because of its location along the Waikato River, it has a h…
83travelers 13reviews 26blogs
Tauranga #15 most popular location
The city of Tauranga is the largest coastal city in the Bay of Plenty region and although it has typically been a place to retire to, it's growing rapidly and there is plenty to see and do fo…
60travelers 6reviews 8blogs
Franz Josef #16 most popular location
Nothing more than a dot on the map in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand, Franz Josef is nothing more than a little town in the middle of nowhere, built in reference to …
5travelers 9reviews 59blogs
Blenheim #17 most popular location
Blenheim is not yet a city, only a large town of 32000 people. There is good shopping in the town and in the outskirts at Springlands, and Redwoodtown and Renwick. The town is situated alon…
14travelers 23reviews 7blogs
Milford Sound #18 most popular location
Considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling, as well as booked by New Zealand as their most famous tourist destination, and arguably one of the world’s most ecotacular-d…
27travelers 11reviews 57blogs
Te Anau #19 most popular location
Te Anau is a town located on the edge of the Fiordlands National Park on the south island of New Zealand. The name Te Anau is taken from the lake that the town sits by which happens to be th…
4travelers 4reviews 28blogs
Fox Glacier #20 most popular location
Fox Glacier is a small township located about 3 hours from Greymouth on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. This area is called ¨Glacier Country¨ as there are 2 glaciers in c…
3travelers 7reviews 24blogs
Greymouth #21 most popular location
Greymouth the main centre of the Grey District lies beside the Tasman Sea and the Grey River. It is the geographic and commercial heart of the West Coast, with the largest population. Today i…
11travelers 8reviews 23blogs
Manukau City #22 most popular location
1travelers 2reviews
Invercargill #23 most popular location
Invercargill is New Zealand's most southern city and is located on the Southern Scenic Highway. The south island has a Scottish influence as can be seen in Invercargill with the names of r…
12travelers 2reviews 13blogs
Palmerston North #24 most popular location
Palmerston North or in Māori Te Papa-i-oea is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of 79,800 (June 2008 es…
47travelers 1reviews 14blogs
Kerikeri #25 most popular location
6travelers 2reviews 6blogs
New Plymouth #26 most popular location
New Plymouth is located on the west coast of the North Island, about 5 hours drive from both Auckland and Wellington. It is a much looked over attraction which is locally well-known for its b…
33travelers 1reviews 5blogs
Hanmer Springs #27 most popular location
Hanmer Springs is an amazing place. If you are in the area you must must go and see it! It's beautiful! We went there and stayed at the Heritage. It was snowing at the time and probably…
3reviews 11blogs
Oamaru #28 most popular location
Oamaru is known for its penguin colony, viewable at night in summer in hundreds rushing up ashore. Do not miss the Historical District, Penny Farthing Factory and Lime Stone Sculptures!
7travelers 4reviews 13blogs
Hokitika #29 most popular location
Hokitika is a township on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, 40 kilometres (25 Miles) south of Greymouth, and close to the mouth of the Hokitika River. The town has a population of…
4travelers 3reviews 16blogs
Lake Tekapo #30 most popular location
Lake Tekapo is near Mt Cook which is New Zealand's highest mountain. Its waters and views are a must see. There are accommodations there and some activities to do.
2travelers 2reviews 17blogs
Gisborne #31 most popular location
14travelers 3reviews 9blogs
Whangarei #32 most popular location
26travelers 1reviews 11blogs
Whitianga #33 most popular location
Whitianga is on the east coast of the north island and is considered part of the Coramandel Peninsular. It is a great spot for tourists hoping to fish or kayak. The town is a big game-fis…
4travelers 1reviews 11blogs
Coromandel #34 most popular location
The Coromandel is a rugged, densely forested peninsula where rivers force their way through gorges and pour down steep cliffs to the sea. Teh peninsula, with its beautiful coastal scenery and…
5travelers 3reviews 10blogs
Punakaiki #35 most popular location
Punakaiki is a small community on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, between Westport and Greymouth. The community lies on the edge of the Paparoa National Park. The Pancak…
1travelers 3reviews 18blogs
Westport #36 most popular location
1travelers 14blogs
Motueka #37 most popular location
5travelers 3reviews 9blogs
Hastings #38 most popular location
9travelers 1blogs
Turangi #39 most popular location
1travelers 1reviews 1blogs
Akaroa #40 most popular location
1travelers 4reviews 13blogs
Lower Hutt #41 most popular location
6travelers 1blogs
Russell #42 most popular location
Go to the bay of islands and not visiting Russel is.....verry bad indeed!! Russell hase everything Pahia "a ferry ride away" does´nt have!wonderfull helpfull and friendfly people, Nice scen…
4blogs
Ohakune #43 most popular location
1travelers 1reviews 3blogs
Tongariro #44 most popular location
The name Tongariro originally covered the three mountains of the park (Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu) and comes from tonga (south wind) and riro (carried away). The story goes that Ngatoro…
3travelers 3reviews 18blogs
Abel Tasman #45 most popular location
Abel Tasman National Park (established in 1942) is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and world-famous Abel Tasman Coast Track. It also has a mild climate and is a go…
2travelers 5reviews 20blogs
Raglan #46 most popular location
Raglan is a quaint little surfing town located just an hour west of Hamilton, New Zealand. In addition to great surfing, there are lots of unique shops and restaurants. It is a relaxed town a…
3travelers 3reviews 11blogs
Waitomo #47 most popular location
Waitomo is famous for its limestone caves. Tours through the Waitomo Cave (more commonly know as the Glow-worm Cave) and the Aranui Cave have been feature attractions for decades and are sti…
4travelers 3reviews 24blogs
Arrowtown #48 most popular location
Arrowtown is small historic gold mining town on the South Island of New Zealand. It is a great destination for a day-trip if staying in the area. It is central to the region's fabulous wineri…
1reviews 5blogs
Cambridge #49 most popular location
Cambridge is located in the Waikato region of New Zealand. It is located about 25 kilometers southeast of Hamilton on NZ 38, along the Waikato River. It's population is about 15,000 persons…
7travelers 3blogs
Wanganui #50 most popular location
Wanganui is a city with about 40.000 inhabitants that is surrounded by wide green hills. The city is located on the southwest coast of the North Island. In 1840 this town was founded and …
15travelers 4blogs