From its active volcanoes, deep glacier lakes, unique wildlife, and extraordinary fjords, one thing’s for sure, on this country of Kiwis there will never be a dull moment.
Best Time to Visit
January
February
March
December
History
The first people to arrive in New Zealand were the ancestors of the Māori. The first settlers probably arrived from Polynesia between 1200 and 1300 AD. They discovered New Zealand as they explored the Pacific, navigating by the ocean currents, winds and stars.
Present Day
From its active volcanoes, deep glacier lakes, unique wildlife, and extraordinary fjords, one thing’s for sure, in this country of Kiwis there will never be a dull moment. This beautiful island nation is home to just over 4 and a half million people, many of whom pass utilizing the self-appointed nickname “Kiwi.” This slang is derived from the country’s countrywide symbol: a flightless bird known as, you guessed it, the kiwi. New Zealand as an entire is pretty modest in size, comparable in landmass to Japan.
Future
New Zealand is a beautiful place to visit and to experience nature by sitting in the lap of nature! You must plan a trip to experience the exotic places of New Zealand. From its active volcanoes, deep glacier lakes, unique wildlife, and extraordinary fjords, one thing’s for sure, on this country of Kiwis there will never be a dull moment.
Must Visit Places ------------
Queenstown
Queenstown, on the South Island, is one of the most popular destinations in New Zealand for tourists. There are so many outdoor activities to be done in Queenstown that it's pretty much a requirement on any traveler's bucket list. Visitors can skydive or bungee jump, with amazing views of lakes, canyons, and mountains on the way down, or go whitewater rafting on the Shotover River.
Abel Tasman National Park
Located on the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park is renowned for its gorgeous sandy beaches and the granite cliffs that rise up above them. The perfect spot for a day trip to the beach, where visitors can kayak, canoe, and sunbathe on a secluded stretch of sand, Abel Tasman National Park is also well known for its hiking trails.
Aoraki - Mount Cook
The village of Mount Cook sits at the bottom of this massive mountain, which at 12,218 feet at its summit is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. The mountain lies within the bounds of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, which is an exceptionally beautiful place, full of rocky snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear glacial lakes, and some lovely hiking trails.
Auckland
Auckland is one of the biggest cities on New Zealand's North Island and is one of the most major cities in the whole country. It's a world-class city with some unbelievable nature right at its doorstep, and it makes a great homebase for a stay in New Zealand.
Central Otago
Central Otago refers to the central region of the South Island, in the Otago Region. In sunny Central Otago, visitors will find dry, hilly landscapes and some beautiful heritage towns. Otago was the center of the gold rush in New Zealand, and some of the small towns there, like Bannockburn, Naseby, and Ophir, still reflect this history with their old-school charm.
Chatham Islands
The Chatham Islands are an archipelago of about ten islands located about 500 miles east of New Zealand's South Island. The Chatham Islands, with their sheer rocky coastlines and rugged green wilderness, were the ancestral home of the Moriori people, a Polynesian tribe very similar to the Maori of New Zealand's main islands.
Christchurch Canterbury
Christchurch is a city on the South Island of New Zealand on the East Coast of the island and in the region of Canterbury. It's the second-largest city in New Zealand and is known as the Garden City for its gorgeous gardens and parks. The traditional English feel of Christchurch is offset by the common New Zealand feeling of never being too far from nature, and it's true: There are oceans, beaches, and mountains at the city's doorstep.
Dunedin
Dunedin, a city on the South Island, was founded by Scottish immigrants. It's a university town that isn't as often visited by tourists as other cities in New Zealand, so it has a best-kept secret feel to it. The beautiful Edwardian and Victorian architecture, trails for hikers and bicyclists, and diverse city life full of food, nightlife, art, and shopping all combine to make Dunedin a lovely paradise of a city.
Fiordland
Fiordland is named for the fiords of Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, which were carved by glaciers millions of years ago and lie within Fiordlands National Park. The crystal-clear blue waters, from which mountains rise up on all sides, are part of some of the most dramatic landscapes in all of New Zealand. The mountain to sea vistas, with their forests and splashes of color, are picture perfect, as are many aspects of this beautiful place.
Kaikoura
Most restaurants in Kaikoura serve this local specialty, caught right off the coast. Kaikoura is actually very well known for other marine life as well; there is an abundant population of seals, dolphins, and whales that live permanently in the ocean near the town. A whale watching tour taken from Kaikoura is almost always fruitful, with plenty of wildlife to observe, including a local population of fur seals that are pretty entertaining.
Lake Tekapo
This town in the geographical center of the South Island is named for the lake of the same name, which lies just north of the town. Lake Tekapo is beautiful and colored a unique cloudy blue due to the glacier-ground rock flour in its waters, and the town, with mountain vistas rising from the lake's turquoise edges, is both historical and friendly.
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka, the fourth-largest lake in New Zealand, is located inland on the South Island in the Otago Region. The crystal-clear waters of this gorgeous lake make for some beautiful photos, and the sunny inland weather makes for even more beautiful days spent out on the water. During the summer, Lake Wanaka is perfect for sailing, fishing, and kayaking, and the nearby mountains provide a great setting for hiking, climbing, and even skydiving.
Marlborough
Marlborough, a region located at the northernmost tip of the South Island, is a name that should sound familiar to anyone who appreciates a good wine. The region is famous worldwide for its sauvignon blanc, which is grown and produced at vineyards throughout the area. Other reasons to visit Marlborough include its delicious fresh seafood from the coastal waters and, like most of New Zealand, its gorgeous landscapes.
Matamata
Matamata is a must-see destination for any Lord of the Rings fans visiting New Zealand. This small town on the North Island has a number of delicious cafes, and its location, set into the shadow of the Kaimai Mountain Range, is downright stunning. But what draws people to Matamata is what lies just southeast of the town, namely the filming set and location for Hobbiton, the home of Frodo Baggins and his hobbit companions in The Lord of the Rings series.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a beautiful sight: Forged thousands of years ago by glaciers, its waterfalls and flowing waters are framed by sky scraping mountains, which reach up with their rocky fingers into the air. Boat cruises of the sound, which are offered both during the day and overnight, are an excellent way to interact with this piece of nature.
Napier
Napier serves today as an excellent example of art deco architecture, with distinctly New Zealand touches such as Maori patterns and aesthetic details. Delicious vineyards that produce pinot gris and Syrah, farmers' markets, and annual festivals to celebrate the town's heritage are just a few of the other details that make Napier feel like a step back to a simpler time.
Nelson Tasman
Nelson Tasman is the sunniest region in all of New Zealand, and its landscapes - full of golden beaches, dense green forests, tall mountains, and freshwater springs - reflect that sunny demeanor. On a sea kayak tour, visitors can spot penguins, seals, and maybe even some dolphins, while on land they can visit Abel Tasman National Park.
Northland
Northland is, as the name suggest, the northernmost region of New Zealand. Its climate is subtropical, with lots of sunshine, warm temperatures, and pleasant days, and the region encompasses not just the main island but also the Bay of Islands as well as thick forests of kauri trees and an abundance of marine life.
Most of the Stewart island is forested and undeveloped with over 80 per cent of the island is set aside as the Rakiura National Park, giving you the chance to explore the wild side of New Zealand. Most of the pastimes on Stewart Island have to do with the outdoors, including hiking, camping, and birdwatching. One of the most popular treks on Stewart Islands the Northwest Circuit, which can take several days to complete for even the fastest hikers. However, the trek offers spectacular views and access to amazing wildlife.
Paihia
230 km drive from Auckland. and then directly go to Paihia at beautiful Whangarei falls. Next is Kawa Kawa and this is the only town in New Zealand which got a railway track through the middle of the town.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is one of the best places to go in New Zealand for fishing, sailing, and other watersports. The Bay of Islands is about three hours by car from Auckland. This gorgeous region is made up of 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula.
Taupo
Lake Taupo, on the North Island, is a large and beautiful lake that formed in the caldera of a volcano of the same name. It is the largest lake in New Zealand based on surface area, and the lake, in its volcanic bowl, is a beautiful place to visit. Visitors to the area can soak in the warm, geothermal pools at Wairakei Terraces, fish for trout in the lake's waters, or cycle along the trail that follows the edges of the lake.
Waitaki
The Waitaki Region stretches through the center of the South Island, meaning that it contains beautiful coastlines as well the imposing mountains and green plains of the island's inland regions. In the coastal town of Moeraki there are boulders strewn upon the beach that are over 65 million years old, and in the waters off the land's edge there are dolphins that leap into the air as they play. Further inland, the town of Oamaru and its white stone buildings are a lovely and charming stop on the way to the famous Aoraki / Mount Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand.
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Township is green and hilly, but underneath the sunny, glassy area lies something much darker and more intriguing: A system of caves and underground streams. Visitors to the Waitomo Caves can see the massive stalactites and stalagmites all lit up by the population of phosphorescent glow worms that live in the caves and illuminate the space with an eerie light. T