Travelogues New Zealand
4.0K Travel reports · 265 travel bloggers · 62.7K photos · Best time to travel: January & February · Create a travel blog · About Vakantio
Vacation in New Zealand : Highlights & Travel Tips
New Zealand is a dream destination for travelers who want dramatic scenery, outdoor adventure, and a relaxed, welcoming culture all in one trip. From snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes to wild coastlines, geothermal valleys, and rolling green countryside, the country packs remarkable variety into two main islands. What makes it especially memorable is how accessible these landscapes feel: in a single itinerary, you can hike through alpine national parks, sip world-class wine, explore Māori cultural experiences, and unwind in small towns known for their friendliness and fresh local food.
Key highlights include Milford Sound and Fiordland for unforgettable fjord views, Queenstown for adventure sports, Rotorua for geothermal activity and cultural performances, and Auckland or Wellington for urban dining and arts. Many travelers also love driving the South Island for its cinematic scenery, including Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, and the West Coast glaciers. For practical planning, renting a car or campervan offers the most flexibility, but distances can be longer than they appear on a map, so avoid overpacking your schedule. Weather can change quickly, especially in alpine areas, so layers and waterproof gear are essential year-round, and booking accommodations and transport well ahead is wise during the peak summer season.
Popular travel destinations New Zealand
Best time to travel New Zealand
The best time to visit New Zealand is during January and February, when travel popularity peaks and conditions are ideal for road trips, hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the country’s beaches, cities, and outdoor experiences. December and March are also excellent choices, offering warm weather with slightly fewer crowds than the height of summer.
All travel reports from New Zealand
Nugget Point Lighthouse
The first tour of this sunny day and a beautiful lighthouse with a dream path along the beach.
Moray Boulders
First stop on my tour to Dunedin.
Lake Tekapo / Mount John- Sternenwunder
Night hiking with a view of the Milky Way
Christchurch Sunrise Tour
The early bird catches the light, but he certainly won’t disdain the bed afterwards!
New Brighton Beach
Distraction on the beach with a super beautiful sunset.
Te Oka Bay & Track
Hello dear ones, here I report to you about another hike on the southern peninsula near Christchurch. Here I hiked the Te Oka Bay Track and during my hike and my view in both...
Mount Vernon
My first real hike in New Zealand.
High expectations
The further south we go, the windier it gets. We forego the numerous viewing points and only stop at one where, theoretically, dolphins can be seen. There we drink a coffee,...
Milford Sound - Rain, Shine and Boat Tour
Best of both worlds: Mystical in the rain & impressive in the sunshine
Had a pig
We're going to a farm! I'm freaking out! There are pigs, sheep, goats, a rooster and a farm cat. The owners are really sweet and every guest is greeted with a homemade muffin...
The passage
We arrive in Wellington late in the evening and spend the night in a terrible parking lot. It's right on the main street, it's full to capacity and a guy next to us is talking...
A perfect dinner
We leave the mud and bad weather behind and head to Leigh. Here we first stop at the dive shop and I finally book my first dive. However, it won't take place for another two...
Pinguin Roadtrip
We initially agreed with our winegrowing employer that we would stop working in the vineyard a week before the cherry season started. We used this week to do a road trip along...
Week 5 - Wellington + Picton
The drive from Taupo to Wellington took six hours and was scenic! Driving here is super pleasant, the drivers are so nice and relaxed, at the beginning all the pee breaks are...
Tasman bei Janina & Jonas
As mentioned in the previous post, we took the camper and the ferry to the South Island to Tasman to Janina and Jonas. We even saw a few dolphins and a penguin during the ferry...
Buying a camper and camper life
What is worth waiting for....! We found and bought a campervan. In retrospect, we were really lucky because the camper was the cheapest of all the ones we looked at and was also...
Week 1 - Auckland
Arrived so well in New Zealand and got rid of the jet lag. After a few very foggy days due to the time difference, I was finally able to go on a few first trips. I was prepared...
Tag 25 & 26 - Kaikoura - Kaitaki - Viewpoint - Robben
We took an Uber to the pier on Friday. The driver was older, but very, very pleasant, courteous and nice. Old school. That was a tip. Afterwards we took the Kaitaki 🦈🐙⛴️ from...
Day 23 & 24 - Wellington - Mount Ruapehu - Mount Viktoria - Harbor - Lord of the Rings (Mountain of Destiny, "Get off the Road!", "Frodo's Tree")
On Wednesday the time had come, the longest drive from Taupo to Wellington with just over 5 hours was about to take place and we were supposed to drive past Tongariro National...
Tag 20 & 21 - Taupo - Waiotapu - HOBBITON
Sunday things got really exciting. Driving was on the agenda... 🫣 But first things first. When we checked out of our hotel in Auckland, we walked to Hertz (car rental company)...
Wandering in Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland National Park
Wanaka - Great Maze & Puzzling World
The subantarctic islands
After leaving the Antarctic continent, we headed north with a few twists and turns. (Almost) on the way were the Balleny Islands, Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, Auckland...
Pahia & Tutukaka Beach (Bay of Islands)
Morning Pic Wake up with a view of the .... trees and the sunrise over the sea. The first time completely blue sky🤩 Calm has settled in on the campground...
Cape Reinga or also known as the jumping place of the souls
Morning Pic We wake up with the seagulls dancing on our roof. Which is not a problem, as we get to see the sunrise because of it. Plus, there are plenty of big...
Coromandel
29.11.22 Morning Pic Von Hahei fahren wir heute über die Coromandel Peninsula. Die Halbinsel ist sehr hügelig und wird von der Bergkette Coromandel Range durchzogen die...
Tauranga and visit to Pete & Lou's avocado farm
Morning Pic After a 'Christian' night, we start our day with Ham & Eggs as an Advent breakfast at Mount Maunganui in Tauranga. Since today is Sunday, there are a...
From Opotiki to Rotura and Papamoa
Morning pic We slept really well and wake up to bright sunshine. Unfortunately, the showers turn out to be "cold showers" for me. Jürgen has better luck later and gets...
From Napier to Hawke's Bay/Gisborne Peninsula
24.11.22 Waking up to an ocean view...what could be better. Sunrise Napier We are starting early morning towards Hawke's Bay. The weather looks dangerous...
From the South Island to the North Island & Wellington
22.11.22 From Picton to Wellington Hot shower in the morning and off to the ferry terminal. We have to be there by 6:30 am at the latest. We drive through Queen Charlotte...
From Mount Cook to Queenstown
16.11.22 We have breakfast at the Mount Cook Campground and then drive past the Heritage Hotel again, partly to have internet access and partly to enjoy luxury toilets again....