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    New Zealand

    Travel Guide New Zealand

    New Zealand's two main islands offer fjords, glaciers, volcanoes, long beaches, plus vibrant Māori culture and dense hiking trails.

    by Felix Gillen

    Contents

    • Why go
    • Highlights
    • Explore regions
    • Round trips
    • Local food
    • Good to know
    • Best time to visit
    • Travel advice

    Why Go To New Zealand?

    New Zealand combines fjords, glaciers, active volcanoes, and subtropical beaches within a compact area, linked by well-developed roads and a dense network of hiking trails. Additionally, there's the vibrant Māori culture, which you experience in Rotorua, the Bay of Islands, and in the country's daily life. For active nature lovers, suitable tours for every level await here, from a Great Walk to a glacier hike.

    Where in New Zealand?

    Pick a region. The highlights, road trips and places below follow your choice.

    Akaroa
    Highlight 1 of 8

    Akaroa

    Akaroa is situated within an ancient volcanic crater on the Banks Peninsula, approximately 80 kilometres southeast of Christchurch.

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    Awatere Valley
    Highlight 2 of 8

    Awatere Valley

    The Awatere Valley lies south of Blenheim beyond the Weld Pass; its central hub is the small town of Seddon. The valley is higher, cooler, and drier than the Wairau Valley, and its wines are considered fresher and more herbaceous.

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    Bay of Islands
    Highlight 3 of 8

    Bay of Islands

    The Bay of Islands is a sprawling bay on the east coast of Northland with around 140 islands. Paihia is the departure point for boat tours; historic Russell lies opposite, and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are right next door.

    In the Bay of Islands began Māori and European history: whalers, missionaries, 1840's Treaty of Waitangi signing. Paihia has most lodging and tour providers; Russell's quieter, boasting historic buildings.

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    Blenheim
    Highlight 4 of 8

    Blenheim

    Blenheim is Marlborough's largest town, situated in the flat Wairau Valley, surrounded by vineyards. The town itself is quiet and compact, with cafés around Seymour Square and paths along the Taylor River.

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    Kerikeri
    Highlight 5 of 8

    Kerikeri

    Kerikeri is a small town in the north of the Bay of Islands, surrounded by fruit orchards and vineyards. At the Kerikeri Basin stand the Kemp House and the Stone Store, the country's oldest surviving European buildings.

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    Paihia
    Highlight 6 of 8

    Paihia

    Paihia is the main tourist hub of the Bay of Islands, a small town on a long waterfront road featuring beaches, motels, and restaurants. From the Wharf, boat tours, dolphin trips, and the ferry to Russell set off.

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    Rotorua
    Highlight 7 of 8

    Rotorua

    Rotorua smells of sulfur, and that's part of the experience: The city on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua lies in the middle of a geothermal area.

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    Russell
    Highlight 8 of 8

    Russell

    Russell, in Māori Korōrāreka, was a wild port for whalers and merchant ships in the 1830s. Today, it is a tranquil spot with wooden houses, a waterfront promenade, and some of New Zealand's oldest buildings.

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    How to plan your trip to New Zealand

    From the guide to the road: here is what comes next.

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Trip to New Zealand

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      • 2Awatere Valley4 days
      • 3Bay of Islands5 days
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    Regions to Discover

    Explore the diverse regions of New Zealand.

    Auckland

    Auckland

    The Auckland region includes the country's largest city, the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, the west coast with black sand beaches, and the Waitakere Ranges. Most travellers land here and start their tour in Auckland.
    Bay of Islands

    Bay of Islands

    The Bay of Islands is a sprawling bay on the east coast of Northland with around 140 islands. Paihia is the departure point for boat tours; historic Russell lies opposite, and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are right next door.
    Canterbury

    Canterbury

    Canterbury is New Zealand's largest region by area, stretching from the Pacific coast across the vast Canterbury Plains to the main ridge of the Southern Alps. Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island, with an international airport and a rail connection to the West Coast.Inland lie the turquoise lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park with the country's highest mountain. On the coast await Kaikōura with whales and seals, and Banks Peninsula with Akaroa.
    Central North Island

    Central North Island

    The Central North Island is New Zealand's volcanic country. Between Rotorua, Lake Taupō, and Tongariro National Park, the ground steams, mud pools bubble, and geysers erupt into the air. Also in the west are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.Here you'll find hiking trails over volcanic craters, thermal baths, lakes for fishing and paddling, as well as places where Māori culture, especially that of the Te Arawa in Rotorua, is visible in everyday life.
    Coromandel Peninsula

    Coromandel Peninsula

    The Coromandel Peninsula lies east of Auckland, between the Hauraki Gulf and the Pacific. A forested mountain range separates the tranquil west coast, with Thames and Coromandel Town, from the east coast, with beaches like Hahei, Hot Water Beach, and Whitianga.
    Fiordland National Park

    Fiordland National Park

    Fiordland, at around 12,500 square kilometers, is New Zealand's largest national park and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Te Wāhipounamu. Fourteen fjords, including Milford and Doubtful Sound, cut deep into mountains covered in rainforest. Te Anau is the gateway for almost all tours.
    Gisborne

    Gisborne

    Gisborne, in Māori Tairāwhiti, is located on the far east of the North Island and is one of the first places to see the sun rise each morning. You can expect long surf beaches, vineyards with abundant Chardonnay, Māori communities with a rich history, and a coastline away from the main tourist routes.
    Hawke's Bay

    Hawke's Bay

    Hawke's Bay on the East Coast of the North Island is both orchard and wine country. Around Napier, Hastings and Havelock North, apple orchards, vineyards, and gravel soils alternate; the coast features long beaches and the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. The 1931 earthquake still shapes the cityscape: Napier and Hastings were rebuilt in Art Deco and Spanish Mission styles afterwards.
    Marlborough

    Marlborough

    Marlborough, located in the northeast of the South Island, is known for two things: the vineyards of the Wairau Valley and the intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. This is where ferries from Wellington arrive, making it the first impression of the South Island for many travellers.The area around Blenheim is one of the sunniest in the country. In the Sounds, you can hike the Queen Charlotte Track, paddle through tranquil bays, or take a mail boat to secluded accommodations.

    Nelson Tasman

    Nelson Tasman is located at the northwestern tip of the South Island and is one of New Zealand's sunniest regions. Its main town is Nelson on Tasman Bay, from where you can reach three national parks: Abel Tasman with its bays, Kahurangi to the west, and Nelson Lakes in the mountains.Between Nelson and Motueka lie fruit orchards, hop fields, and vineyards, while in the remote northwest you'll find Golden Bay with Farewell Spit.
    Northland

    Northland

    Northland stretches from Auckland to Cape Reinga at the northern tip. The east coast is rugged and full of bays, especially the Bay of Islands, while the west coast is wild with long beaches, dunes, and ancient Kauri forests. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840.
    Otago

    Otago

    Otago stretches from the Pacific coast near Dunedin to the lakes and peaks of the Southern Alps around Queenstown and Wanaka. In between lie the dry, golden highlands of Central Otago with its vineyards and the wild coast of the Catlins.

    Southland

    Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region, from the peaks of Fiordland to Foveaux Strait. It includes vast farmland, the city of Invercargill, Bluff Harbour, Stewart Island, and the southern Catlins.
    Taranaki

    Taranaki

    Taranaki, located on the North Island's west coast, is centered around a mountain: the 2,518-meter-high volcanic cone **Taranaki Maunga**, formerly Mount Egmont. Since 2025, the mountain, along with its neighboring peaks, has been a legal person as *Te Kāhui Tupua*; the national park surrounding it is now called **Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki**.In **New Plymouth** you'll find the Len Lye Centre, Pukekura Park, and the Coastal Walkway with the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge. To the west and south, **Surf Highway 45** leads past surf breaks, lighthouses, and small coastal towns to Hāwera.
    Waikato

    Waikato

    The Waikato , south of Auckland in the north of the North Island, is primarily green pasture and dairy land, traversed by the Waikato River , New Zealand's longest river. Hamilton is the main city, with the Hamilton Gardens . To the west, Raglan attracts with surf beaches on the Tasman Sea; to the east are Cambridge and Matamata, home to the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings films. In the south of the region, you'll find the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. For hiking, the Hakarimata Range near Ngāruawāhia, the fenced mountain forest of Maungatautari, and the Karangahake Gorge, with its gold mining traces, are ideal. Most of…
    Wellington

    Wellington

    The region at the southern tip of the North Island stretches from the capital through the Hutt Valley and the Kāpiti Coast to the Wairarapa with its wineries. For most travellers, Wellington is the hub between the North and South Islands.
    West Coast

    West Coast

    The West Coast stretches as a narrow strip for about 600 kilometers along the South Island, between the Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps. Rainforest, wild beaches, and rivers characterize the landscape; the towns are small and spread far apart.In the north await the limestone landscapes of Paparoa and Kahurangi, in the center the old gold mining towns of Greymouth and Hokitika, and in the south the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Most travelers drive the entire coast.
    Bay of Plenty

    Bay of Plenty

    The Bay of Plenty stretches along the North Island's northern coast from the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Runaway. Long sandy beaches, the port city of Tauranga, and the volcanic cone Mauao in Mount Maunganui characterize its western part; inland, mainly kiwifruit and avocados are grown. Off the coast near Whakatāne lies the active volcanic island Whakaari (White Island); tours have not taken place there since the December 2019 eruption. When engaging in activities in volcanic and geothermal areas, as well as when swimming in the sea, always adhere to local warnings and restrictions. General information can be found in…

    Recommended Itineraries

    Discover the best routes through New Zealand.

    New Zealand Classics North & South

    New Zealand Classics North & South

    The route leads from Auckland via Rotorua to Wellington, by ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton, and then across the South Island to Lake Tekapo. The ferry takes a good three hours, and the drive from Picton via Kaikōura and Christchurch to Tekapo takes around seven hours.

    12 Days
    Stops at a glance
    1. 1.Auckland
    2. 2.Rotorua
    3. 3.Wellington
    4. 4.Picton
    5. 5.Lake Tekapo
    View Route Details →
    New Zealand South Island Road Trip In-depth

    New Zealand South Island Road Trip In-depth

    The route leads from Lake Tekapo to Aoraki/Mount Cook, on to Queenstown and Te Anau, then via Wanaka and Haast Pass to the West Coast glaciers. From Te Anau, it’s just over two hours’ drive to Milford Sound; Wanaka to Franz Josef is about four hours.

    15 Days
    6 stops
    Leisurely New Zealand by Camper

    Leisurely New Zealand by Camper

    From Auckland, the camper travels via Rotorua and Taupō to Wellington, with multiple nights at each place. The longest drive, from Taupō to Wellington, takes around five hours, passing Tongariro National Park.

    11 Days
    4 stops
    New Zealand: Comfy without a camper

    New Zealand: Comfy without a camper

    The route focuses on three fixed hotel locations: Auckland, Rotorua, and Wanaka on the South Island. From Auckland to Rotorua, it's about a three-hour drive. To Wanaka, you fly via Auckland to Queenstown and then drive just over an hour from there.

    11 Days
    3 stops
    New Zealand Beach Nature Mix

    New Zealand Beach Nature Mix

    From Auckland, you drive about three hours north to the Bay of Islands, then head back south via Auckland to the geothermal fields of Rotorua. The journey from the Bay of Islands to Rotorua takes a good six hours and can be split with a stop in Auckland.

    10 Days
    3 stops
    New Zealand Family-Friendly Roadtrip

    New Zealand Family-Friendly Roadtrip

    On the North Island, you'll travel from Auckland to Rotorua and Taupō, then switch to the South Island for Lake Tekapo and Wanaka. Travel between these stations usually takes one to three hours; for the switch to the South Island via domestic flight or the Wellington–Picton ferry, plan at least a full day.

    17 Days
    5 stops

    What you eat in New Zealand

    Hāngī

    Hāngī

    Māori pit oven

    Hāngī cooks meat, Kūmara, pumpkin for hours in an earth oven using heated stones, covered with cloths & earth. It's tender and lightly smoky. Find it at Rotorua cultural evenings, markets, or festivals.
    Pavlova

    Pavlova

    Meringue Cake

    Pavlova consists of a meringue with a crisp crust and soft centre, topped with cream and fresh fruit like kiwi or berries. It is named after ballerina Anna Pavlova, who toured New Zealand and Australia in the 1920s. Which of the two countries invented it is still debated today.
    Greenlip Mussels

    Greenlip Mussels

    Greenshell Mussels

    The large, green-lipped mussels are found only in New Zealand and are mainly farmed in the Marlborough Sounds. Havelock is known as the Green-lipped Mussel Capital. They are served steamed with white wine and garlic or oven-baked.
    Whitebait Fritters

    Whitebait Fritters

    Fish fry omelette

    Whitebait are tiny, almost transparent juvenile fish that migrate to river estuaries in spring. Bound with a little egg and pan-fried, they are usually served on white bread with lemon. The South Island's West Coast is the center of this seasonal specialty.
    Meat Pie

    Meat Pie

    Meat pastry

    This convenient puff pastry pie, filled with mince and cheese or steak and gravy, is New Zealand's quintessential everyday snack. You can find them in every bakery and many gas stations. An annual competition crowns the best pie nationwide.
    Hokey Pokey

    Hokey Pokey

    Vanilla Ice Cream with Honeycomb

    Hokey Pokey is vanilla ice cream with crunchy pieces of honeycomb caramel and is considered New Zealand's favorite ice cream flavor. It's available in supermarkets as well as in every ice cream parlor, often in generous scoops in a waffle cone.

    Good to Know

    Essential info for your trip planning.

    Land & People

    The KiwisNew Zealanders call themselves Kiwis. Around five million people live in the country, most on the North Island…

    History & Society

    Arrival of the MāoriThe ancestors of the Māori reached Aotearoa, as the country is called in Māori, around the 13th…

    Food & Drink

    What You Should TryThe cuisine thrives on excellent primary products: lamb, beef, fish, and seafood like green-lipped…

    Practical Info

    Entry and CustomsGerman citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to three months, but require an electronic…

    Getting Around

    By CarMost travellers get around by rental car or campervan. Driving is on the left.

    RV Travel

    Vehicle and Freedom CampingNew Zealand is a classic camper country, with options ranging from simple vans to motorhomes…

    Traveling with Kids

    GeneralNew Zealand is a relaxed family destination: short walking trails, beaches, wildlife viewing, and many…

    Best Time to Visit

    When is the best time for your trip?

    November
    February
    March
    April
    14–19°C·70–95 mm(moderate rain)
    When is actually the best time to travel to New Zealand? Well, that's one of those questions without a single, perfect answer, as New Zealand is a country that offers its own unique charm in every season. What you should know, however, is that since New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are exactly opposite to those in Europe. When it's winter for us, New Zealand enjoys summer, and vice-versa.Let's go through the different seasons so you can decide for yourself when the perfect time for your adventure is:Summer (December to February): This is peak travel season. Days are long and warm, ideal if you enjoy hiking, relaxing on the beach, or water sports. Nature is lush green, and the atmosphere is lively. Keep in mind, however: Many New Zealanders also take their holidays then, so popular spots can be crowded, and prices for accommodation and tours may be higher. Early booking is a must here!Autumn (March to May): For many, a hidden gem! Temperatures are still pleasantly mild, tourist crowds thin out, and the landscape, especially on the South Island, transforms into a beautiful display of gold and red hues. It's a fantastic time for hikes and road trips, as trails are often less busy and the weather usually remains stable.Winter (June to August): If you're a fan of winter sports, the New Zealand winter on the South Island is exactly right for you. Here you'll find excellent ski resorts. The North Island is milder in winter but rainier. Away from the ski slopes, it's significantly quieter, prices are lower, and you'll experience a completely different, often mystical side of the country. Keep in mind that some hiking trails or roads in higher altitudes might be closed.Spring (September to November): Spring is a time of awakening. Lambs are frolicking everywhere, nature blossoms, and the days get longer. Temperatures are moderate, but the weather can still be quite changeable with occasional showers and wind. It's a good time if you want to experience nature in its full glory and avoid the biggest tourist rush.Ultimately, it all depends on what you hope to get out of your trip to New Zealand. If you want sun and beaches, choose summer. If you love golden landscapes and quieter hikes, then autumn is ideal. If you're looking for adventure on the ski slopes or solitude, winter might be just right. And if you prefer blossoming nature and want to avoid the mid-summer hustle and bustle, then spring is your time. New Zealand will enchant you no matter what.
    Das Klima in Neuseeland ist aufgrund seiner geografischen Lage und Topografie sehr vielfältig. Da es auf der Südhalbkugel liegt, sind die Jahreszeiten im Vergleich zur Nordhalbkugel vertauscht. Nordinsel: Die nördlichen Regionen der Nordinsel (z.B. Northland, Auckland) haben ein subtropisches Klima mit warmen, feuchten Sommern und milden Wintern. Die Niederschläge sind über das ganze Jahr verteilt, können aber im Winter tendenziell höher sein. Südinsel: Die Südinsel hat ein eher gemäßigtes Klima. Die Westküste (z.B. Fiordland, West Coast) ist extrem regenreich, mit üppigen Regenwäldern. Die Ostküste (z.B. Canterbury, Otago) ist deutlich trockener und sonniger, mit größeren Temperaturunterschieden zwischen Sommer und Winter. Im Landesinneren der Südinsel prägen die Südlichen Alpen ein alpines Klima mit viel Schnee und niedrigen Temperaturen im Winter. Wetterphänomene: Neuseeland ist bekannt für seine schnellen Wetterwechsel. Es ist nicht ungewöhnlich, innerhalb eines Tages alle vier Jahreszeiten zu erleben, besonders in den Bergregionen. Starke Winde können ebenfalls häufig vorkommen. UV-Index: Besonders in den Sommermonaten ist der UV-Index in Neuseeland extrem hoch. Reisende sollten auf ausreichenden Sonnenschutz achten. Wassertemperaturen: Die Wassertemperaturen variieren stark zwischen Nord- und Südinsel. Im Norden können sie im Sommer bis zu 22-23°C erreichen, während sie im Süden selten über 18°C steigen und im Winter deutlich kühler sind.

    Seasons

    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    Sommer (Hauptsaison)
    Herbst (Übergangssaison)
    Winter (Nebensaison / Skisaison)
    Frühling (Übergangssaison)
    Best Time to Visit
    ▶Show detailed monthly data
    MonthTemp (°C)Rain (mm)Sun (h)
    January19.0757.5
    February19.0707.0
    March17.0856.5
    April14.0955.5
    May11.01104.5
    June9.01203.5
    July8.01153.5
    August9.01054.0
    September11.0905.0
    October13.0806.0
    November16.0707.0
    December18.0657.5

    Travel advice

    Safety, entry requirements and health: the official, up-to-date advice for New Zealand is published by the UK government on GOV.UK.

    Go to GOV.UK

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI
    Felix at Kuirau Park in Rotorua, New Zealand

    Who's behind Fernweh?

    Hi, I'm Felix.

    I love to travel, and I love planning even more. Fernweh.guide is my attempt at building a really good online travel guide.

    About Fernweh

    All places in New Zealand

    • Abel Tasman National Park
    • Akaroa
    • Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
    • Arrowtown
    • Auckland
    • Auckland (city)
    • Awatere Valley
    • Bay of Islands
    • Bay of Plenty
    • Blenheim
    • Bluff
    • Britomart
    • Buller Distrikt
    • Cambridge
    • Canterbury
    • Cape Reinga
    • Central North Island
    • Central Otago
    • Christchurch
    • Coromandel Peninsula
    • Coromandel Town
    • Cuba Street Quarter
    • Doubtful Sound
    • Dunedin
    • Fiordland National Park
    • Gisborne
    • Gisborne Wine Region
    • Glenorchy
    • Gletscherregion (Franz Josef & Fox Glacier)
    • Government Gardens
    • Greymouth
    • Hamilton
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Hawke's Bay
    • Hokianga Harbour
    • Hokitika
    • Inner City Gisborne
    • Invercargill
    • Kaikōura
    • Kerikeri
    • Lake Tekapo
    • Manapouri
    • Mapua
    • Marlborough
    • Marlborough Sounds
    • Matamata and Hobbiton
    • Milford Sound
    • Mission Bay
    • Motueka
    • Mount Eden (Maungawhau)
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Mount Victoria
    • Napier
    • Nelson
    • Nelson Tasman
    • New Plymouth (City Center)
    • Northland
    • Ohinemutu Māori Dorf
    • Otago
    • Otago Peninsula
    • Paihia
    • Picton
    • Ponsonby
    • Port Hills
    • Punakaiki
    • Queenstown
    • Raglan
    • Renwick
    • Rotorua
    • Russell
    • Southland
    • Stewart Island (Rakiura)
    • Surf Highway 45 (coastline)
    • Tahunanui
    • Tairua & Pauanui
    • Taranaki
    • Taupō
    • Tauranga
    • Te Anau
    • Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki (Egmont National Park)
    • Thames
    • The Catlins
    • Tongariro Nationalpark Gebiet
    • Viaduct Harbour
    • Waiheke Island
    • Waikato
    • Wainui Beach
    • Waitangi
    • Waitomo
    • Wanaka
    • Waterfront
    • Wellington
    • Wellington (City)
    • West Coast
    • Whakarewarewa (Redwood Forest Area)
    • Whangarei
    • Whitianga

    More about New Zealand

    • Best Time to Visit New Zealand
    • New Zealand with Kids