North Island of New Zealand Itinerary

New Zealand North Island Itinerary: Options for 5 Days to 2 Weeks

Julie Itinerary, New Zealand Leave a Comment

If you are planning your New Zealand North Island itinerary, there are a lot of things to consider. Not only do you have to consider how much time you have available, but your travel interests will have a big impact on where to go and what to do. In this guide, we list multiple ways to plan your New Zealand …

Northland New Zealand

Northland, New Zealand: Cape Reinga & the Twin Coast Discovery Highway

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Journey to the top of New Zealand and explore Northland, one of the least inhabited areas of this country. Climb giant sand dunes, cruise through the Bay of Islands, see the largest trees in the country, learn about the Treaty of Waitangi, and drive on the longest beach in New Zealand…these are all things to do in Northland. This is …

South Island New Zealand Itinerary

Two Week South Island New Zealand Itinerary: 3 Road Trip Routes

Julie Itinerary, New Zealand Leave a Comment

If you are planning your two week South Island New Zealand itinerary, we have three exciting road trip routes to share with you. Two of these are done point-to-point from Queenstown to the Cook Strait, perfect for those who also plan to visit the North Island on the same trip. The main difference between these two itineraries is whether you …

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Photo

15 Amazing Things to Do in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Aoraki / Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Getting a glimpse of this mighty mountain is one of the best things to do on the South Island. Top things to do at Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park include hiking to viewpoints of Mount Cook and iceberg filled alpine lakes, taking a flightseeing tour, viewing the night …

Christchurch New Zealand

16 Amazing Things to Do in Christchurch, New Zealand

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. A series of devastating earthquakes rattled the city in 2010 and 2011, and these events have left their mark on the city. Learning about these earthquakes is one of most popular things to do in Christchurch, but you can also visit a wildlife reserve, drift on the Avon …

South Island New Zealand Itinerary

10 Day South Island New Zealand Itinerary: 4 Different Ways

Julie Itinerary, New Zealand Leave a Comment

With 10 days on the South Island of New Zealand, you have just enough time to visit several top spots. Queenstown, Wanaka, the Milford Sound, and seeing Aoraki / Mount Cook (New Zealand’s tallest mountain) all top the list, but you also have the option to add on the Southern Scenic Route, Akaroa, Abel Tasman, and the Marlborough wine region. …

Tasman Valley Hiking Trails

Tasman Glacier View, Blue Lakes, and Tasman Lake Hiking Guide

Tim New Zealand Leave a Comment

This Tasman Valley Hiking Guide covers the various walking tracks in the Tasman Valley section of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. These trails lead to Tasman Glacier View, Blue Lakes, Tasman Lake, and the Tasman River. You could easily spend several hours walking all of these tracks, but are all of the tracks worth hiking? In this Tasman Valley …

Things to Do in Rotorua

20 Amazing Things to Do in Rotorua, New Zealand

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Relax in a natural hot spring, walk amongst towering redwoods, experience a traditional hāngī dinner, see geysers and bubbling mud pots, and roll downhill in an inflatable ball…these are all things to do in Rotorua, New Zealand. Rotorua is well known for its geothermal activity. Geysers, hot springs, and mud pools are located in and around the city. But it …

Things to do in Wellington

Top 10 Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Wellington is a beautiful city on the North Island of New Zealand. It is packed with fabulous bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries. Walking the waterfront is a must-do, as is visiting Te Papa and riding the historic cable car. In this guide, we list 10 of the best things to do in Wellington plus where to eat and where …

Bay of Islands from Paihia

Paihia, New Zealand: Best Things to Do, Day Trip Ideas & Bay of Islands Tours

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

The small town of Paihia is known as the gateway to the Bay of Islands. One of the best things to do in Paihia is to take a boat tour of the Bay of Islands, but you can also visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, go wine tasting, go skydiving, spend some time in the historic town of Russell, or …

One Week South Island Itinerary

One Week on the South Island of New Zealand: 4 Ways to Plan Your Trip

Julie Itinerary, New Zealand 2 Comments

If you have one week on the South Island of New Zealand, there are several different ways to plan your time. Whether you want to go hiking in Wanaka, visit the Milford Sound, see Aoraki/Mount Cook from the land and the sky, or spend your days engaging in all of the heart-pounding activities Queenstown has to offer, we have four …

Auckland Itinerary

Auckland Itinerary: Best Way to Spend 1, 2 & 3 Days in Auckland

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Stroll through Viaduct Harbour, enjoy the view from the Sky Tower, day trip to Waiheke or Rangitoto Islands, go whale watching, and day trip to the Waitakere Ranges…these are just some of the things you can do in Auckland. If you are planning your Auckland itinerary, the biggest factor in planning your visit here is the length of time you …

Things to Do South Island New Zealand

40 EPIC Things to Do on the South Island of New Zealand

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

The South Island of New Zealand (Te Waipounamu) is a wonderland of glacier-capped mountains, iridescent lakes, rugged coastal scenery, vineyards, and charming towns. Wine tasting, bungy jumping, hiking, trekking, and taking eco cruises to see dolphins and penguins all top the list of the best things to do on the South Island. Whether you prefer to go on scenic drives …

New Zealand Itinerary

Queenstown Itinerary: 3 Unique Ideas for Your Perfect Vacation

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

If you are planning your Queenstown itinerary, there are a lot of things to consider. How long should you spend in Queenstown? Where should you stay? Should you rent a car? What are the best things to do in Queenstown? In this guide, we share with you the top experiences in Queenstown and then how to put them together to …

Best Wanaka Hikes

Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain Track: Best Routes, Map & Trail Stats

Tyler New Zealand 2 Comments

A visit to New Zealand would be incomplete without witnessing the beauty of Lake Wanaka. For those that want incredible views without struggling up the difficult Roy’s Peak Track, the Diamond Lake & Rocky Mountain Track has you covered. This 7.3 km/4.5 mile trail offers incredible vistas over both Diamond Lake and Lake Wanaka, while being structured in a way …

Wanaka New Zealand

20 Epic Things to Do in Wanaka, New Zealand

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Wanaka is one of our favorite places in New Zealand. Lake Wanaka is a gorgeous lake, surrounded by mountain peaks, waterfalls, lavender farms, vineyards, and forests. On a visit to Wanaka, take your pick from some of New Zealand’s most famous day hikes, go wine tasting, climb a via ferrata, and eat freshly baked chocolate chip cookies while you watch …

North Island New Zealand

30 Amazing Things to Do on the North Island of New Zealand

Julie New Zealand 2 Comments

Cruise the Bay of Islands, go blackwater rafting, spend a day on beautiful Waiheke Island, go sandboarding, hike the spectacular Tongariro Alpine Crossing, see glowworms and kiwi birds, visit Hobbiton, and explore the geothermal areas around Rotorua and Taupo…these are all things to do on the North Island of New Zealand. There is something here for everyone. Sample some of …

Bay of Islands

Bay of Islands | Things to Do, Map, Photos & HELPFUL Tips

Tim New Zealand 2 Comments

The Bay of Islands is a popular stop when exploring New Zealand’s North Island. Located near Paihia, and consisting of 144 islands, the Bay of Islands is known for its beautiful blue water, dramatic shorelines, and picturesque coves. The best way to experience the Bay of Islands is via a boat or helicopter tour. There are a wide range of …

Queenstown New Zealand Photo

Queenstown Bucket List: 25 Epic Things to Do in Queenstown

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Queenstown is one of the best places in New Zealand to engage in heart-racing, thrilling adventures. Paragliding, bungy jumping, jet boat riding, skydiving, hiking, skiing, and mountain biking all make the list of the best things to do in Queenstown. But you can also keep your feet firmly on the ground and go hiking, shopping, go for a scenic drive …

Cathedral Cove

Cathedral Cove Boat Tour | Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

Julie New Zealand Leave a Comment

Cathedral Cove is one of the top attractions on the North Island of New Zealand. To get here, you have several options. You can get here by boat, by kayak, or on your own two feet. We took a cruise with Hahei Explorer to see Cathedral Cove. During our visit, which was in April 2023, the Cathedral Cove beach was …