New Zealand. A land of contrasts.

We’re here to take the guesswork out of your holiday, and if you opt for a private driver, you’ll have their knowledge at your disposal any time you need it. However it’s always good to know the basics before you embark upon any trip. We’ve compiled an honest, helpful collection of tips and information to consider when planning your New Zealand vacation.

Mountain landscape with snowy peaks, a clear lake reflecting the mountains, a small waterfall, and rocky terrain under a blue sky.

New Zealand Information

  • Population: 5 million

  • Language: English, Sign, Te Reo (Māori)

  • Money: NZ Dollars (about 2 to 1.65 USD)

  • Capital: Wellington

  • Biggest City: Auckland (population 1.7 million)

  • Size: 268,021 km² (103,883 Sq.Miles)

  • Length to drive: 2,090 km (1,298 miles)

  • Drive on the left side of the road

  • Uses the metric system

  • Summer opposite to Northern hemisphere

Fun Facts

  • The Māori name is Aotearoa

  • “Kia ora” is the Māori greeting

  • More coastline than the continental USA

  • Crazy about Rugby

  • Voted least corrupt country in the world

  • The first country in the world to see the new day

  • Still part of the British Commonwealth

  • Australia is 4,157 km (2,583 miles) away

  • Sorry, no Hobbits only were they lived

  • The place were Bungy jumping started

A rugby team in black uniforms lined up on a field, with one person standing in front of them, facing the team, and a large audience in the background.

When to Go

Lamb

Spring

September, October, November

Average Temperature 19 °C (67 °F)

The weather’s warming up, attractions are getting busier, and the days are getting longer – a great time to really pack a lot into your day. There will be rain showers but it’s worth it for the rainbows and waterfalls. NZ’s Great Walks start opening up again too (these need to be booked well in advance – often up to six months ahead).

Two people playing on a beach during sunset with the ocean and a silhouette of a headland in the background.

Summer

December, January, February

Average Temperature 23 °C (75 °F)

Summer travel can be bliss. However, from late December through to February, it’s peak season, so for some attractions there may be crowds. Make sure you book at least six months out for the best choice of accommodation, especially in premium holiday spots near the coast.

A river flowing through a canyon with steep rocky cliffs and vibrant autumn foliage in shades of orange, yellow, and green lining the banks, set against a backdrop of mountains.

Autumn

March, April, May

Average Temperature 19 °C (67 °F)

Usually with warm days and cool nights, the temperature is comfortable enough to allow a huge variety of activities, from beach swimming and kayaking through to thermal pools and day hikes. In the South Island, you will also enjoy the array of autumn colour and, yes, you could even include a stop at a world-class vineyard.

Scenic view of snow-capped mountains reflecting on a calm lake under a clear blue sky.

Winter

June, July, August

Average Temperature 13 °C (55 °F)

Spectacular winter scenery and fewer travellers makes this a great time to travel. The ski season is open June to October, with the best skiing usually from July to September. Although some of the main nature walks are closed at this time, short walks are usually still very accessible.

New Zealand’s Main Cities and Regions

New Zealand has four main cities, and is divided into 16 very diverse regions. We’ve compiled a short guide to each region’s unique characteristics and attractions to help you, especially if you have limited time for your vacation.

The North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui)

Scenic view of Cape Reinga, New Zealand, with green hills, sandy beach, and turquoise ocean under a clear blue sky.

The Far North

The Far North is considered the birthplace of Aotearoa New Zealand. The first canoes arrived here on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour, and later the Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in the Bay of Islands. Natural and cultural history abound in the region everywhere you look.

A view of Auckland skyline at dusk with the Sky Tower illuminated in green and red lights, surrounded by city buildings and boats docked in the harbor.

Auckland

New Zealand’s largest city Auckland shines as the commercial and cultural centre of New Zealand. Its location on 50 islands and 48 dormant volcanoes makes it unusual and breathtaking to behold. With New Zealand’s largest airline hub, Auckland is the perfect place to start your New Zealand vacation.

A picturesque Hobbit house with a round yellow door and grassy roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden fence, featuring quaint windows and garden decorations.

Waikato and the Coromandel

Just south of Auckland, the Waikato is famed for rugged beaches, underground glow worm caves, the Hobbiton movie set and rich farmland.

The Coromandel Peninsula sports picturesque beaches and a whole range of attractions and activities.

Three people in traditional Maori attire performing a haka dance in a forest setting with a fire in the foreground.

Rotorua

The seething power of the inner earth comes to the surface in Rotorua. Explore the region's geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Maori people. Rotorua highlights include Mount Tarawera, Whakarewarewa Forest, Ohinemutu, several stunning lakes and many amazing geothermal locations.

A sailboat with red sails on a lake near rock carvings on a hillside with lush greenery.

Taupo and the Central North Island

This region is one of New Zealand's top tourist destinations with beautiful forests, volcanic mountains and stunning Lake Taupo. It's also the adventure capital of the North Island, with jet boating, bungy jumping, world-class mountain biking, and snow activities. Walk one of the local hikes for a close-up experience of Tongariro National Park (a World Heritage area), or simply relax in one of the region’s geothermal hot springs.

Surfers riding waves in the ocean during sunset, with rocky shoreline in the foreground.

North Island's East Coast

Catch the first sunrise of the world's new day and explore a stunning coast that few people know well. The North Island's East Coast incorporates Tauranga, Gisborne, and remote East Cape—the easternmost point of the main islands of New Zealand.

Vintage cars parked on a street with people in period clothing in front of an art deco building.

Napier, Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa

Loved for its sunny climate, fabulous beaches, sheltered coastal plains and long-established vineyards. The Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa region covers Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and Martinborough. Napier is the main 'port' city of Hawke's Bay and has the second largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world behind Miami.

Snow-capped mountain reflected in a calm lake, surrounded by grassy landscape at sunrise.

North Island's West Coast

The North Islands West Coast is a place to find the soulful beauty of New Zealand's heartland, and also home to the dynamic cities of New Plymouth and Palmerston North. Fringed by a coastline of stunning surf beaches, Mt Taranaki is ever-present in this region—a huge, dramatic volcanic cone with a snowy top in winter.

Red cable car traveling on a track with a cityscape and ocean in the background under a pink sunset sky, surrounded by lush greenery and architecture.

Wellington (New Zealand's capital)

Wellington is a compact and walkable city known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a downtown area only 2 km across, most major attractions and cafés, restaurants and shops are within easy walking distance from hotels. Wellington also offers a little Hollywood glamour – the majority of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was filmed in and around the city. And the city is also the gateway to New Zealand’s South Island, with regular ferry services.

The South Island (Te Waipounamu)

Scenic view of a blue sky over a calm sea with green hills in the background, and a boat in the distance creating a white wake.

Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough

The very top of the South Island has luxurious experiences and space aplenty. Discover the Marlborough wine region, Abel Tasman National Park, and the vibrant cities of Nelson and Blenheim, along with the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds.

Two sea lions resting on rocky coastline with turquoise ocean in the background.

Kaikoura and Canterbury

Kaikoura is well known for its crayfish and marine life (its name literally means 'to eat crayfish' in Māori. It's also famous for whale and dolphin watching tours. Here, coastal and mountain experiences combine to create a place where there's something hair-raising thrilling, day-dreamingly relaxing, and breathtakingly beautiful for every traveller

A vintage red tram labeled "City Tour" traveling on tracks through a pedestrian street lined with modern buildings, trees, and people walking or sitting.

Christchurch (gateway to the South Island)

Christchurch is the South Island's largest city, and one of the world’s most unique destinations. Bordered by the Port Hills and the Pacific Ocean, it is situated on the Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps as a majestic backdrop, allowing for a huge array of experiences all within just a few hours’ drive. Christchurch international airport is the second-largest behind Auckland.

Scenic lake view with snow-capped mountains and forest reflection at sunset.

The West Coast

New Zealand's brooding West Coast has the power to touch your soul. A place of solemn mountains, icy glaciers and surreal coastal formations, it has an otherworldly and often untouched ambience. Yet the region is well known for its coal mining history alongside its abundant unique natural attractions. Visit the Oparara limestone arches in Karamea and Kahurangi National Park, check out Greymouth, the heart of the West Coast, and don't miss the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers.

Scenic landscape with a winding road heading towards Mt Cook.

Mt Cook Mackenzie Country

Mt Cook and the MacKenzie Country sit to the east of the Southern Alps in New Zealand's South Island. Mt Cook National Park was gazetted in October 1953 and established to protect the area's landscape, flora and fauna. At 3,754 meters, Mt Cook (Aoraki) is New Zealand's highest mountain. Tekapo, and Twizel, the two closest towns to Mt Cook, are also popular tourist destinations and holiday hot spots.

A scenic view of snow-capped mountains, a lake, and Queenstown in the foreground at sunset.

Queenstown and Lakes District

Spectacular Queenstown and the Lakes District are some of the most iconic tourist destinations in New Zealand. Located in the southwestern, unspoiled alpine region of the South Island, Queenstown is built around a pristine inlet on sparkling Lake Wakatipu. To the north of Queenstown is the world-famous ski area Cardrona and the glacier-fed lakes of Wanaka and Hawea.

Dunedin Railway Station

Dunedin

Dunedin is considered one of New Zealand’s four major historic cities and is the largest city in the lower South Island. Originally settled by Scottish settlers, Dunedin still retains a strong and proud Scottish heritage; even its name, 'Dunedin,' is Gaelic for 'Edinburgh'. As New Zealand’s oldest city, Dunedin is famous for its stylish Victorian and Edwardian architecture as well its close proximity to marine-based wildlife on the stunning Otago Peninsula.

Moeraki boulders by the sea on a sandy beach under a blue sky with clouds.

South Island's Lower East Coast

The Otago Peninsula boasts superb natural attractions in its abundant wildlife, only a 15-20 minute drive from Dunedin. Nowhere else in the world has the world's largest seabirds living so close to human settlement.

Further north on the Otago coast is Oamaru, often used as a movie set, and known for the grand white-stone buildings of its old harbourside precinct. On Moeraki Beach, about halfway between Oamaru and Dunedin are the unique, perfectly round Moeraki Boulders, which weigh up to four tons each.

A turquoise river flowing through a rocky canyon with a bridge and Bungy Jumping

Central Otago

Central Otago is a powerful landscape – arid and raw, with weathered ancient mountains, alpine herb fields and fast-flowing rivers.

In the 1860s, Central Otago was a gold-mining hub, but today's gold is wine. Pinot Noir, the most fickle of grape varieties, excels in these southernmost vineyards and most wineries offer tours and tastings.

CruiseMilford Sound Cruise

Fiordland

Fiordland, just 2 hours from Queenstown or Invercargill, is one of the southern hemisphere’s greatest wilderness regions. It has World Heritage Status for its spectacular natural features, remarkable beauty and role in demonstrating the earth’s evolutionary history. Its extraordinary scenic splendour has earned this region a reputation as a significant walking destination, and a 'must-see' status for anyone traveling to New Zealand. Among its gems are Mitre Peak, the stunning fiords of Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, the beautiful lake towns of Te Anau and Manapouri, and the Kepler, Milford and Routeburn Tracks.

Island landscape with lush greenery and ocean view, featuring prominent rocky formations and scattered trees in the foreground.

Southland and Stewart Island

Southland is the southernmost region of New Zealand. Here you can rediscover yourself and, given the luxury of time, you can encounter wild places in Southland that few have seen. Main centres in Southland include South Catlins, Gore, Invercargill, Bluff and Stewart Island.

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