New Zealand Travel Guide

New Zealand has many beautiful destinations, including Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua, and Christchurch. Could you visit Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, and the Waitomo Caves?

My personal favourites:

North Island:

• Waikato Region

  (Hamilton, Waitomo, Matamata) There are plenty of exciting sites to visit, including Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hamilton Gardens. If you’re a fan of Lord of The Rings or The Hobbit, visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set is a must!

• Rotorua

  This natural wonderland has unique geothermal landscapes and a rich Maori culture. You can immerse yourself in the Maori culture, relax in geothermal pools and spas, or even try mud spas. And that’s not all. There are also geothermal sites, considerable rides, and much more!

• Wellington

  This city is a vibrant hub of creativity and culture. The unique cafe culture and the bustling arts scene, with events like The World of Wearable Art (WOW), make it a paradise for artists. And if you’re a movie fan, you must attend the famous film production house, WETA Workshop, which has a section open to the public. You may also visit Te Papa Museum and learn about New Zealand history in depth!

South Island:

• Kaikoura

  If you love ocean wildlife, Kaikoura is not missed. I’ve visited this place more than three times and hope to return one day. You can quickly join one of the whale-watching tours, and there’s a high chance you will meet the resident whales in the region. If you’re lucky like me, you will also see a school of dusky dolphins galloping over the ocean! And if you’re fortunate, you will see orcas migrating through as well!

• Christchurch

  As someone from Asia, this was my first time visiting Europe before I reached Christchurch. Christchurch is a city that came out of fairytales—with the traditional English architecture, i.e. Christ’s College. The cathedral was pretty before the earthquake damaged it, but how the locals rebuilt the city gave the place a new identity as a symbol of resilience and hope. You can also walk on the Brighton Pier and see people drawing sand art. 

• Mackenzie District

  (Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Aoraki/Mt Cook)—What can I say? This scenic area is genuinely breathtaking, like no other place on earth. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, surrounded by beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains. It’s one of the places on Earth where you can watch the galaxy with the naked eye.  

• Queenstown 

  Magnificent landscapes look over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables from all angles. Visit Milford Sound, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, and Wanaka, too. There are so many things to do here; bonus if you enjoy extreme sports such as bungy jumping, jetboating, and skiing during winter; even if you’re not, there are still plenty of activity options.