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
29.12.2017: Hardest Day Tramp ever
Punchbowl Falls
16/12/2017 - Heading to Rotorua
The two days at Mount Maunganui flew by. We would have gladly stayed longer, as we had such a beautiful view from our car. But our journey continued, and so on our way, we...
18.12.2017: Rob Roy Glacier - a highlight!
At 9:00 am, our fully booked minibus departs from the iSite Wanaka for the 50 km journey to Raspberry Creek Carpark. The last 30 km is a rough gravel road that will shake you...
12/17/2017: Visit to a Ghost Town
If I had known beforehand what the access road to Bendigo Ghost Town was like - who knows if I would have dared to drive it. But at some point, there was simply no turning back....
14.12.2017: Off to Paradise!
Glenorchy is definitely not on the list of New Zealand travelers who only have 3-4 weeks to spend at the other end of the world; unless it's an ardent 'Lord of the Rings' fan...
Cape Reinga / Far North
The last six days we spent with our van on the peninsula north of Auckland. We drove about 1000 KM along dreamy beaches on the east coast (Orewa, Whangarei, Bland Bay, Bay of...
8.12.2017: Experience fireflies up close
We made the right choice with our excursion to Milford Sound yesterday, because today the sky looks exactly as I expect it in Fjordland - cloudy, but at least it is not raining....
New Zealand | North Island | The End of the World
What is the most important thing in the world It is people, it is people, it is people
4.12.2017: Impressive 'Cathedral Caves'
At 6:00 AM the alarm clock rings. We depend on low tide and leave early for the Cathedral Caves, which are only accessible two hours before and one hour after low tide. A...
1.12.2017: Once around the Otago Peninsula
Today I want to show Eric the picturesque Otago Peninsula. First on the agenda is Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. But before we can make eye contact, a ticket booth...
30.11.2017: Sightseeing in and around Dunedin
Our first night in the car was more comfortable for some and less comfortable for others. While I slept quite well and woke up in a cozy warm sleeping bag, Eric froze overnight...
Tag 39 Kaikoura
Das vorbereitete Frühstück fällt aus, weil ich den Wecker zweimal wegdrücke und dann schon los muss. Die Abfahrt zur Walbeobachtung liegt zum Glück nur fünf Minuten ums Eck....
Day 35 Christchurch
I set off at 10 o'clock in the morning and the day doesn't start off quite optimally. The noise in the clutch area becomes noticeably louder and being familiar with VW buses, I...
Christchurch
With a delay of almost one hour and two additional hours of time difference, we landed in Christchurch at 1 am and were grateful for our hotel near the airport. In the morning,...
11/11/2017 - Next Stop: Devonport
Once again, we were drawn to the sea. To get to the city center of Auckland, we took a longer route today. Instead of the regional train that takes us to the city center within...
Tag 67: Abel Tasman National Park Hiking
We start the day with cloudy skies like yesterday. To do the most popular part of the Great Walk, we take the cruise along the entire park and back to Medlands Bay. From here we...
Vom Lake in the Mountains
Now that we've spent so much time on the coast...
Oh! Ah! Maru!
We've been on the road for a while now and...
Chapter III - A day at Mt. Hutt
After Arthur's Pass, we continue to the local mountain of Christchurch, Mt. Hutt. Located on the famous 'Inland Scenic Route 72', this ski resort attracts a large number of...
Cathedral Cove - Coromandel
....here's an addition from Coromandel :) We are currently in Rotorua and it is actually so cold that yesterday I dug out my winter hat and gloves. In preparation for the South...
Signs of life
Hello everyone, A little sign of life from me. Unfortunately, my computer has given up the ghost, so there are currently no blog entries. I hope it's relatively inexpensive...
Arrived!!! Auckland...
'I never want to fly again' was probably mine and Paddy's favorite phrase on our 33-hour flight to New Zealand. But after being thoroughly checked and 'sniffed' by the dogs at...
The countdown is on
Hello everyone, I'm back again. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but not much has happened lately. I've been working diligently, both during the week and on the...
Day 54 + 55 - Flight back home
Since I had returned the car with a full tank around 10, the long day probably started around 7 in the morning. As described in the blog, I was stuck in traffic for quite a...
Picton and Blenheim
In pouring rain, we reached the camping site a few kilometers north of Picton on an uneventful drive. Well, it stopped raining in the evening and we were able to set up our...
Haast Pass heading west
04.02.2017 The day starts off a bit disappointing as we realize at the gas station that we don't have any Kiwi dollars left. But that doesn't stop us and we pull out our golden...
Day 43 - Rain and a Nice Reunion
The day started as rainy as it ended. Otherwise, this day was completely different from my previous days in New Zealand. I enjoyed the breakfast buffet to the fullest!...
Taupo - Lake Taupo
Taupo is a beautiful peaceful place located directly on an azure blue lake. The picturesque view was at its best with its mountain panorama. We had a good eye for hostels and so...