Travelogues New Zealand
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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
Piha Beach - first arrive
Quiet day on the windy beach and campsite playground
Tag 31 - Queenstown - Lake Ohau - Viewpoint
In my guidebook it is written that basically every resident of Twizel took part in Lord of the Rings: In the Battle of the Pellenor Fields. However, that was 20 years ago and...
Day 30 - Twizel - Tasmania Lake - Mueller Lake
Twizel is a small, cozy village in which we feel comfortable. You can compare it with home 😁. Nevertheless, nature and forests always have something ominous - like in a horror...
Tag 27 & 28 - Christchurch
Breakfast on the second morning was again very nice in the Hamptons. As a farewell gift, we gave you a box of chocolates as a thank you because we were treated so lovingly. I...
On the Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula - located just southeast of Auckland - is like a miniature Northland. Here too there are thousands of bays and beaches, rainforests and kauri trees,...
Catlins, Otago Peninsula and Dunedin
After returning from Stewart Island, our next destination was the Catlins - one of our favorite regions in New Zealand. The Catlins is a rainforest area on the South Coast, with...
The West Coast of the South Island
One of our guides from the Antarctica tour - a New Zealander who grew up on the West Coast of the South Island - told us that the Fjordland Crested Penguins...
February 9th Abel Tasman National Park
From Marahau we take a water taxi to the Abel Tasman National Park. Yes, there is a tractor with a boat in tow and we get on. Then the tractor with the boat goes to the water...
Friendship Point
Actually, we wanted to spend our last week in the north and on the Coromandel Peninsula, which are known for their beautiful beaches and coasts. But Gabrielle threw a spanner in...
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Taranaki in the distance
Without a car to Raglan
The days in Auckland were quite unspectacular. I placed a few ads on the internet and waited for a willing buyer to come along. But things didn't really move forward because the...
The Catlins
Tired from hiking, we slept in the next morning (until about 8 o'clock). After a relaxing breakfast, we continued south, passing Invercargrill, to a coastal region called the...
City tour in Auckland
Hey guys! After sleeping in and having a relaxed breakfast, we each booked a ticket for the Sky Tower in Auckland online and then went there. Upon arrival, we took the...
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Emerald Lakes
Continuing the journey to the South Island
Since neither of us were in the mood for sightseeing in the city, we continued on to Wellington after a cozy wake up. We parked our van in the central Oriental Bay, where we...
Birthday party and Orakei Korako
Birthday party with Kiwi cake, beautiful thermal valley, hot bathing weather!
Day 21 - Morrrdoorr or Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Now is the day when I am going to attempt the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a day hike in Tongariro NP. The weather is good and at 7 am I take the shuttle bus to the start of the...
Tag 130 - 135 "hiking in the shadow of the mountain"
The green queen
Tag 129 'The Shire'
In 1998, Peter Jackson flew over New Zealand's "Shires" and could hardly believe his eyes when he saw Alexander's farm. That's what J.R.R. Tolkien's classic work is known for....
Day 15 - Exploring the Golden Bay
Today's route took us towards the Golden Bay. First, we have to cross the Takaka Hill. During my last visit two years ago, it was closed due to multiple landslides, completely...
Te Waikoropupu Springs and Wharariki Beach
Want to see the clearest water in the world? Of course! So we headed to the coast of Golden Bay. That's where the Takaka River is located, and near there you can admire the Pupu...
Day 7 - Flooded in the Catlins
Road closure - that's the motto of the day, but more on that later. Originally, the plan for today was to drive the Southern Scenic Route from Owaka to Invercargill and make...
Day 4 - Trip to Akaroa
Due to jet lag, I am up early and decide to drive to New Brighton Pier again for sunrise. The wind is so strong that it adds a free sand exfoliation on top. Then I head towards...
Wellington to Picton
Nach ca. 2,5 Monaten war es nun Zeit uns von der Nordinsel zu verabschieden. Das hieß, wir müssen nach Wellington um von dort aus mit der Fähre nach Picton auf die Südinsel zu...
Mount Taranaki
In the west of the North Island, in Egmont National Park, lies Mount Taranaki. Pascal really wanted to do the Fanthams Peak Track there. I wasn't so sure about it yet. It is...
A cookie, pancakes in the great outdoors, and a little disappointment...
30.01.20 Today we're heading to the West Coast. It's surprisingly difficult for us to leave the cozy breakfast table in the bright sunshine. However, we have a long way to go,...
18.12.19 The adventure begins at 626,197km!
I have been sitting at Ibis Budget Auckland Airport for breakfast for 8 hours - which I was able to book for 1 dollar when I booked the hotel months ago. The room costs 105...
31.12.19 Silvester am East Cape
Der erste Kaffee des letzten Tages von 2019 entspannt in der Heckklappe meines Campers genießen Der unweigerliche Vorteil des Alleinreisens ist, dass man nichts machen muss,...
Milford Sound and Goodbye
Sunday the 12th til Tuesday the 14th of January: The weather on Sunday first looked better then the forecast had promised. Our drive to Milford Sound was beautiful with rainbows...
Queenstown
Wednesday the 8th til Saturday the 11th of January: Driving to Queenstown, Claudia and me stopped at another LOTR film location, the Pillars of the Kings. It's on the Kawarau...