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
25.11.2017: The strenuous ascent towards the sky
Today we don't have to go very far. Mt Cook Village is only 80 km away from Lake Tekapo. On the way, we pass a lavender field, but unlike elsewhere, there are no purple buds to...
12/11/2017 - Sunday walk
St. Heliers Bay
05/11/2017 - Waiheke Island
The early waking up continues. On this day too, there was no sleep after 06:00 in the morning. So we got ready and had some cereal with milk for breakfast.Now it was Sunday in...
Tag 57: stunning Fjordland
'I want to see mountains again, mountains, Gandalf.' We start the sunny day at 7:45 with our bus. We have chosen a tour with bus and cruise to not take any risks with the camper...
Day 1 of Northland
Hello everyone, Here I am again, another day has passed and the time together with Lina and me is coming to an end. We have exactly one more week together before it's time to...
Chapter IV - Lake Tekapo × Lake Pukaki
The lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki with the highlight on the horizon - Mount Cook.
Taupo .... the fate mountain must wait
We actually came to Taupo to finally do the Tongariro Crossing. After two days, when the path was finally open, we thought we could start. THIS TIME (we learn from our...
Thick - Fat - FUCK OFF!!!
Yesterday - great weather (not....) ......we didn't let that stop us and went to the Giant Sand Dunes. Mega.....(is probably one of my new favorite words). Indescribable when...
Ab in den Norden / Tane Mahuta & 90 mile beach
So yesterday we went up north from Auckland. On the way, I realize that we will actually have the opportunity to check off the first item on our list. Off to Tane Mahuta to...
Of sheep and kiwis
Long long time ago I can still remember... Oh man, it's been a long time since I wrote anything here, but due to the poor internet connections in the last hostels, I couldn't...
Queenstown
So many people I met on my trip said that Queenstown is the most beautiful city in New Zealand, so I was looking forward to it. However, when we arrived, I was a bit...
Arthurs Pass
07.02.207 As it is going to rain all night, we decide to sleep in. We drive to Arthurs Pass, which connects the west coast with the east coast. There we chose the Temple Basin...
From Blue Rivers and Bizarre Rocks
02/06/2017 The alarm clock rings early, as rain is forecasted from 12 o'clock, which is typical for the West Coast of the South Island, as here the masses of clouds coming from...
Hello from Rotorua
We arrived in Rotorua late at night and since our journey for the next day was planned, we didn't have much time for this place. However, right from the beginning, we got a...
They see me rollin...
Hello dear ones, today there is only a short entry, on the one hand there is not much to report and on the other hand I am really tired and could go to sleep now at just before...
Hello again in Queenstown
30.01-02.02.2017 We are heading to Cromwell, a city located 50 km east of Queenstown, known for its many orchards. We visit various farms to ask for work, unfortunately without...
Southland and the Hippie Tinker Museum
26/27/01/2017 We visit Nugget Point and Roaring Bay at dusk to observe the Yellow-Eyed Penguin. Three specimens frolic on the beach and entertain their spectators. The...
Coromandel Island
Our next destination is the Coromandel Peninsula. From Thames, a coastal road leads to Coromandel Town, where we will stay overnight. We drive along the sea in the evening sun,...
New Zealand-Auckland and surroundings
Our second stop is Auckland. Auckland is a tad more expensive than Dubai but definitely worth the money. At first, we were skeptical because like in any big city, it was loud...
Auckland - Welcome to the other end of the world
Even from the plane, you can see how beautiful New Zealand is. Everything is green, mountains & coasts are just amazing. Once we arrive at the airport, we have to go through...
6. Wwoof with the Christmas family in Levin (December 14, 2016 - January 09, 2017)
Our sixth Wwoof with the Schellke family was all about cleaning, cleaning, cleaning - and that's an understatement...
Arrowtown - Wine enjoyment and cycling
Finally some sunshine! The tour back to Lake Wakatipu was breathtaking, you could have stopped to take photos constantly. We bypassed Queenstown and headed to our next...
NEUSEELAND #Nordinsel
1 country, 2 islands, 26 days, 3,845 kilometers, and 1,000,000 unforgettable moments! On the North Island, we explored Wellington and stayed at an organic farm. We were warmly...
The Catlins
Rainforest, waterfalls, penguins, and an impressive coastline.
Lake Wanaka
On Sunday (29.01) we went to Wanaka - to Lakeview Holiday Park: yes, camping again and no, still no internet 🙄 We spent the day dutifully washing clothes, going shopping, and...
Mount Cook & Lake Pukaki
Great weather and breathtaking views
HOT WATER BEACH II / COROMANDEL
25.01.2017 TAG 82 HOT WATER BEACH II / COROMANDEL After being a little late yesterday, today we took the shovels in hand and went back to Hot Water Beach - digging our own hot...
Abel Tasman National Park
'Beautiful', 'Looks like in a catalog', 'Absolute must-do' are just some of the comments we heard when we asked locals or other travelers about Abel Tasman National Park.
Dunedin & Otago Peninsula
Our journey continues to Dunedin, the last stop before the Catlins that I have been looking forward to since the beginning of the trip.
Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove
Our next stop was Whenuakite, the starting point for exploring Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. On our way to the eastern side of Coromandels via Route 309, which once again...