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. Mindenki. 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(Több mint 185 embert öltek meg, és 3000 épületet sérültek meg), Christchurch visszapattant és vadonatúj városmá fejlődött. A régi Christchurch számomra nagyon elavultnak érezte magát, de ez az új tényleg felfelé van. Újdonsággal rendelkezik a remény és a vibráció érzetével, a funky bárokkal, sokkal több piacra, új éttermekkel, üzletekkel és kiállításokkal. A helyiek valóban használják ezt a lehetőséget, hogy jobb Christchurch -t készítsenek. Ez egy vadonatúj nap a város számára, és szeretem, ahova megy.
Ha néhány napig ott leszel, akkor ellenőrizze a Canterbury Múzeumot, amelynek átfogó másolata van a városról a viktoriánus korszakban; és a Quake City, egy interaktív múzeum, amely a 2010-11-es földrengéseknek szól. Ne hagyja ki a gondolát a közeli dombokba való lovaglásról, hogy a városra is elsöprő kilátást nyújtson!
13. Igyon bőséges mennyiségű bort
Új-Zéland jól ismert a borról, és a világ által kínált legjobb fehérek közül készít. Ha szereti a bort, feltétlenül utazzon Otagóban (a South Island -en található, és a Pinot -ról ismert), a Hawkes -öböl (Északi -sziget) vagy a Marlborough (a Sauvignon Blancs -ről ismert és a déli szigeten található).
A vörösboros régiók körül is sok kerékpározási pálya is van, így inni és kerékpározni (ami jobb, mint az ivás és a vezetés!). Sokkal olcsóbb, mint egy irányított utazás fizetése (amely a régió és az utazás hosszától függően 85-250 NZD-t fizet). A Gibbston River Trail, egy 11 km -es séta és kerékpározási ösvény Queenstown közelében számos szőlőültetvényen keresztezi, és ez egy szórakoztató módszer a terület legjobb évjáratának felfedezésére és kóstolására.
***
Ha ez a listából nem egyértelmű, szeretem Új -Zélandot. Ez az egyik kedvenc országom a világon, és soha nem vagyok kimerülve, hogy visszamegyek.
És bár ezek lehetnek a tizenhárom kedvenc dolgom, amelyeket új -zélandon látok és tennivalók, ez a lista csak a felületet karcolja meg. Van még a Szigetek -öböl, a Raglan a szörfözéshez, a Coromandel, a Dunedin for Sör, a Wanaka és a Mt. Cook túrázáshoz, Hammer Springs a Hot Springs számára, és nos, megkapod az ötletet. Nagyon sok van itt. Soha nem fog unatkozni, főleg, ha szereti a szabadban.
Ennek oka az, hogy az utazóknak soha nincs semmi rossz mondanivalója az országról.
Foglalja le Új -Zélandra tett utazását: Logisztikai javaslatok és trükkök
Foglalja le a járatát
Használja a Skyscanner vagy a Momondo-t, hogy keressen olcsó repülést. Ők a két kedvenc keresőmotorom, mert a világ minden tájáról keresnek webhelyeket és légitársaságokat, így mindig tudod, hogy a kő nem marad hátra. Először kezdje el a Skyscannerrel, mert ők a legjelentősebbek!
Foglalja le szállását
Foglalhatja le hostelét a Hostelworld -nál, mivel ezek a legjelentősebb készletek és a legjobb ajánlatok vannak. Ha a hostel kivételével valahol másutt szeretne maradni, használja a booking.com-ot, mivel azok következetesen visszatérnek a vendégházak és az olcsó szállodák számára.
Ha sokkal több tartózkodási helyet keres, akkor itt található az Új -Zélandi kedvenc hosteleim teljes listája.
Ne felejtsd el az utazási biztosítást
Az utazási biztosítás megóvja Önt a betegség, a sérülés, a lopás és a lemondás ellen. Széles körű védelem abban az esetben, ha bármi rosszul fordul elő. Soha nem megyek utazásra nélküle, mivel a múltban sokszor kellett használnom. Kedvenc cégeim, amelyek a legjobb szolgáltatást és értéket nyújtják, a következő:
Biztonsági szárny (mindenki számára, aki 70 alatt van)
Biztosítsa az utazásomat (a 70 év felettiek számára)
MedJet (további hazatelepítéshez)
Keresi a legjobb vállalatokat, amelyekkel pénzt takaríthat meg?
Nézze meg az erőforrás -oldalamat, hogy a legjobb vállalatok használják az utazás során. Felsorolom mindazokat, amelyeket pénzmegtakarításhoz használok, amikor úton vagyok. Pénzt takarítanak meg, ha utazás is.
Sokkal több információt szeretne Új -Zélandról?
Feltétlenül nézd meg az Új -Zélandon található robusztus rendeltetési útmutatónkat még sokkal több tervezési tippet!