13 terrific reasons TO check out new ZEALAND

Updated: 12/4/20 | December 4th, 2020

new Zealand is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world. With its snow-capped mountains, ancient glaciers, rolling hills, and copious amounts of wine, it’s a destination unlike all others.

Tucked away in the corner of the world, it’s a country that requires some planning to visit. Flights here aren’t cheap, after all. Round-trip flights from the us are practically always over $1,000 USD and the journey takes upwards of 23 hours.

And even when you arrive, the country itself is far from being budget-friendly.

Yet even with that in mind, it’s a destination I never get exhausted of visiting. new Zealand is worth every penny if you ask me.

While it has seen a grow in tourism in recent years, new Zealand is still the stunning and unspoiled country I first went to numerous years ago.

Christchurch has recovered from its earthquakes and now a hip place to be; Wanaka is still provides amazing hiking; the glaciers were just as mind-blowing as ever; the forests still home to fantastic walks; and Kiwis just as fun and friendly as ever.

In short, if new Zealand isn’t on your travel list it ought to be.

To help you plan your trip, here are my favorite places to check out and things to do in new Zealand that you shouldn’t miss:

1. explore Abel Tasman national Park

Stepping into Abel Tasman is in some ways like stepping into Thailand. The stunning beaches and azure water feel like they belong in the tropics, not new Zealand. The hiking is beautiful, with huge ferns, huge, lush trees, and a temperate climate. It’s also home to the Abel Tasman Coastal Walk, a 60km hike and one of the 9 terrific Walks of new Zealand.

If you want to explore the park beyond its hiking trails, rent a kayak. This will let you check out the tiny coves and beaches that make the area so special. Rentals cost 60 NZD per day.

The park is best as an overnight or multi-day trip as it’s too far from Nelson to really do it justice in a day trip.

2. Glacier Trekking on Fox and Franz Josef

Everyone check outs Franz Josef for one reason: the glaciers. Hiking the glaciers here lives up to the hype and is an unforgettable experience. because the glaciers have receded and are melting rapidly due to climate change, the glacier caves and walks have been shut down.

At present, the only way to trek on the glaciers now is through heli-hike (a half-day or full-day helicopter/hiking experience). They are expensive (485-499 NZD) but the helicopter ride, trekking, and whole experience are worth the price in my opinion.

Conversely, you can just go on a helicopter trip without the hiking (they last about twenty minutes and cost around 200 NZD) or just hike to the glacier face and take photos from a distance.

No matter what option you choose, pass through this area while you make your way down the South Island. You won’t regret it!

3. Do an extreme Sport

New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world, where many people blow their budget on a broad range of exciting activities, from bungy jumping to skydiving to white-water rafting.

There are a million activities to choose from: you can skydive essentially anywhere; Queenstown is home to Shotover jets (rocket-like boats that zip on shallow rivers), ziplines, and bungy jumps; and there’s caving, zorbing, transalpine hiking, paragliding, and so much more. If it can be done outdoors, it can be done in new Zealand.

Here are some prices for activities to help you budget and plan:

Bungy jump – 150-220 NZD

White-water rafting – 120-200 NZD

Zorbing – 105 NZD

Skydiving – 350-550 NZD

Paragliding – 205 NZD

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, don’t miss the Nevis Bungy jump — it’s the highest in the country!

4. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Considered the best day hike in all of new Zealand, the track takes you to where they filmed Mordor in The Lord of the Rings. The 19.4 km walk is easy in parts (the beginning and end) and steep in others (especially the portion after “Mount Doom”) so you’ll get a good mix of difficulty levels. It’s also one of the terrific Walks of new Zealand.

However, even if you aren’t a strong hiker (and I am not), the Tongariro crossing is easily completed in a day (it typically takes between 6-8 hours). Trekking through this otherworldly, red-colored environment of volcanoes and sulfur was the highlight of my whole time in new Zealand.

Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, a hat, toilet paper, and a sweater or jacket (the weather can change rapidly)

5. learn about Maori culture

Maoris were the original inhabitants of new Zealand, arriving from Polynesia between 1320-1350. I’ve loved learning about their history and culture (especially after seeing the film Whale Rider. It’s incredible. view it!) They are a friendly and happy people, and there wasn’t one Maori person I met who I didn’t love.

Rotorua is typically the best city to see Maori cultural shows, though there are other noteworthy sites around the country, including the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Tane Mahuta, and the Te Papa museum in Wellington.

Shows typically last around 2.5- hours and include a trip of a conventional village, performances, and a meal. Tickets range from 99-150 NZD.

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6. Don’t miss Wellington

Everyone talks about Auckland (which, as opposed to popular belief, is not the capital), but the real magic takes place in Wellington (which is the capital). The architecture and eclectic vibe give this city a funky personality. Wellington is a city with character.

It has a popping nightlife, tons of art galleries and cafés,  a stunning harbor (that is best seen from mount Victoria, which overlooks the entire city), and is easily walkable. Be sure to hit some of the museums like the museum of Wellington, Te Papa, and the terrific war Exhibition.

7. check Out the glow Worms

Definitely one of the coolest things I did while in new Zealand, the Waitomo glow worm cave is hyped and touristy but still amazing. You walk or abseil down into darkness and float down the (very cold) river while staring up at caverns covered in “lights.” It’s like taking a look at the stars — but (spoiler alert) they are actually gnats that glow due to a chemical reaction as they attract food.

I found the three-hour trip long enough, but if you like to abseil, you ought to consider the five-hour version. This experience is one of my many long lasting memories of my trip.

Tickets cost around 150 NZD for the 3-hour rafting trip and 260 NZD for the 5-hour trip. If you just want to walk around the caves and see the glowworms, tickets cost around 55 NZD.

8. Hang Out in Queenstown

Everyone hypes Queenstown. Tutti. and it lives up to the hype — and then some!

The city has such a feisty and outdoorsy energy to it. even though it has become hugely popular and filled with people, I cannot express my love of Queenstown enough. It’s surrounded by stunning peaks, has narrow streets and pedestrian lanes filled with shops and restaurants, a spectacular lake, tons of trails and parks, and Queenstown hill viewing over the city like a benevolent overlord.

This is one of the best spots in the country to do an extreme sport (bungy, skydive, shotover jet, etc), take a red wine tour, or just chill out on a nearby beach.

9. check out Hobbiton

If you’re a The Lord of the Rings junkie, new Zealand is a must. This is where they did all the filming, and throughout the country, you can take Lord of the Rings trips and check out Fangorn Forest, Gondor, and where Frodo destroys the one ring. many of the sets have been taken down, but a bit of the Shire and some of the hobbit houses still remain on the North Island.

To see Hobbiton, you’ll have to take a tour. trips last around 2 hours and cost 89 NZD for adults and 44 NZD for kids under 16.

10. explore Fiordland

Located in the southwesternmost part of new Zealand (and also home to various Lord of the Rings film locations), the Fiordland region is considered one of the country’s many beautiful and remote. filled with enormous mountains, deep lakes, swelling rivers, untamed forests, and resplendent fjords, many of it has never been set upon by man. save a few places where boats and planes can go, the government has made the land off-limits, ensuring that that will be the case for a long time to come.

This region is home to the majestic Milford and doubtful Sounds, the Milford and Keppler Tracks, and lots of camping and hiking opportunities. If you want to experience new Zealand’s nature away from the crowds, come here.

11. discover Stewart Island

Tiny, out-of-the-way Stewart Island lies off the South Island at the very, very bottom of new Zealand. It’s a place where Kiwis have their summer homes and go to escape the hustle and bustle of, well, I guess Auckland (there’s not too much hustle and bustle in new Zealand). The town has maybe a dozen buildings; the coastline dotted with private homes and boats.

Come here to see dolphins and do some single-day or multiday treks. If you aren’t into hiking, you don’t need much more than a day or two here, unless you really want some peace and quiet, then stay forever.

12. chill Out in Christchurch

Though significantly damaged by earthquakes in 2010 and 2011(Oltre 185 persone sono state uccise e 3000 edifici sono stati danneggiati), Christchurch è rimbalzato e sviluppato in una città nuova di zecca. La vecchia Christchurch mi sembrava davvero stantio, ma questo nuovo è davvero in movimento. Ha un nuovo senso di speranza e vivacità, bar funky, molti più mercati, nuovi ristoranti, negozi e mostre. I locali stanno davvero usando questa possibilità per fare una migliore Christchurch. È un giorno nuovo di zecca per la città e adoro dove sta andando.

Se sarai lì per alcuni giorni, assicurati di dare un’occhiata al Museo Canterbury, che ha una replica completa della città durante l’era vittoriana; e Quake City, un museo interattivo dedicato ai terremoti 2010-11. Non perdere la gondola nelle colline vicine anche per una vista ampia della città!

13. Bevi abbondanti quantità di vino

La Nuova Zelanda è ben nota per il vino, producendo alcuni dei migliori bianchi che il mondo ha da offrire. Se ti piace il vino, assicurati di fare un viaggio a Otago (si trova sull’Isola del Sud e noto per il suo Pinot), Hawkes Bay (North Island) o Marlborough (noto per Sauvignon Blancs e situato sull’Isola del Sud).

Ci sono anche molti percorsi per bicicletta attorno alle regioni del vino rosso, quindi puoi bere e andare in bicicletta (che è meglio che bere e guidare!). È anche molto meno costoso che pagare per un viaggio guidato (che costa circa 85-250 NZD a seconda della regione e della lunghezza del viaggio). Il Gibbston River Trail, un percorso di 11 km in bicicletta vicino a Queenstown attraversa un numero di vigneti ed è un modo divertente per esplorare e assaggiare alcune delle migliori annate della zona.

***
Se non è chiaro da questa lista, adoro la Nuova Zelanda. È uno dei miei paesi preferiti al mondo e non mi sono mai esaurito di tornare indietro.

E, sebbene queste potrebbero essere le mie tredici cose preferite da vedere e fare in Nuova Zelanda, questa lista graffia solo la superficie. C’è anche la Baia delle Isole, Raglan per il surf, il Coromandel, Dunedin per birra, Wanaka e Monte Cook per l’escursionismo, Hammer Springs per le sorgenti termali e, beh, hai l’idea. C’è molto qui. Non ti annoierai mai, soprattutto se ami la vita all’aria aperta.

C’è un motivo per cui i viaggiatori non hanno mai niente di male da dire sul paese.

Prenota il tuo viaggio in Nuova Zelanda: suggerimenti e trucchi logistici
Prenota il tuo volo
Usa Skyscanner o Momondo per trovare un volo a basso costo. Sono i miei due motori di ricerca preferiti perché cercano siti e compagnie aeree in tutto il mondo, quindi sai sempre che nessuna pietra viene lasciata nulla. Inizia prima con Skyscanner perché hanno la portata più significativa!

Prenota il tuo alloggio
Puoi prenotare il tuo ostello con HostelWorld in quanto hanno l’inventario e le migliori offerte più significative. Se vuoi rimanere in un posto diverso da un ostello, usa Booking.com in quanto restituiscono costantemente le tariffe più convenienti per le pensioni e gli hotel a basso costo.

Se stai cercando molti più posti in cui soggiornare, ecco un elenco completo dei miei ostelli preferiti in Nuova Zelanda.

Non dimenticare l’assicurazione di viaggio
L’assicurazione di viaggio ti salterà contro malattie, lesioni, furti e cancellazioni. È una vasta protezione nel caso in cui qualcosa vada storto. Non ho mai fatto un viaggio senza di esso perché ho dovuto usarlo numerose volte in passato. Le mie aziende preferite che offrono il miglior servizio e valore sono:

Ala di sicurezza (per tutti sotto i 70)

Assicura il mio viaggio (per quelli più di 70)

Medjet (per ulteriore copertura di rimpatrio)

Cerchi le migliori aziende con cui risparmiare?
Dai un’occhiata alla mia pagina delle risorse per le migliori aziende da utilizzare quando viaggi. Elenco tutti quelli che uso per risparmiare denaro quando sono in viaggio. Ti farà risparmiare anche quando viaggi.

Vuoi molte più informazioni sulla Nuova Zelanda?
Assicurati di dare un’occhiata alla nostra robusta guida di destinazione sulla Nuova Zelanda per anche molti più suggerimenti di pianificazione!