New Zealand Travel Guide
Glaciers, fjords, hobbits, and the world's most dramatic landscapes
Citizens of many countries can visit New Zealand visa-free for up to 90 days. Check the New Zealand Immigration website for requirements specific to your passport.
Best Time to Visit
Peak season. Warm and dry, Good for hiking, beaches, and the South Island. Milford Sound and Queenstown are at their best. Book accommodation well ahead.
Shoulder season with striking golden foliage, fewer crowds, and lower prices. Excellent for wine regions (Marlborough, Hawke's Bay) and the North Island.
Ski season at Queenstown (Remarkables, Coronet Peak) and Mount Ruapehu. Cold but striking. Whale watching season in Kaikōura. Very few tourists.
Lambing season and wildflowers. Waterfalls at full flow from snowmelt. Great for hiking and cycling before summer crowds arrive. Pleasant temperatures.
Top Things to Do
Milford Sound
Often called the eighth wonder of the world. Sheer cliffs plunging into dark fiord waters, waterfalls everywhere, and dolphins year-round. Best seen by boat from Te Anau.
Queenstown
The adventure capital of the world. Bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, skiing, and paragliding, all surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu.
Hobbiton, Matamata
The real Shire from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. 44 hobbit holes set in rolling green hills in the Waikato. Guided tours run daily, book weeks ahead.
Rotorua Geothermal
Bubbling mud pools, erupting geysers, and the distinctive sulphur smell. Te Puia is the best geothermal park. Combine with a Māori hangi feast and cultural performance.
Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
Two of the world's most accessible glaciers descending almost to sea level on the wild West Coast. Heli-hike tours land you on the ice for a walk through crevasses and ice caves.
Abel Tasman National Park
Golden beaches, clear turquoise water, and lush native bush. New Zealand's most popular national park, best explored by sea kayak or the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Thousands of tiny glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa, found only in NZ) illuminate the cave ceiling like a galaxy. A silent boat drifts you through the darkness beneath them.
Māori Culture, Bay of Islands
The birthplace of New Zealand. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840. Experience a pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), haka, and hāngī (earth oven feast) at a marae.
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New Zealand eSIM Plans
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Staying Connected in New Zealand
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Spark NZ, One NZ (formerly Vodafone), 2degrees
Speed
Excellent 4G/LTE in cities and towns. Coverage thins in remote South Island areas. 5G in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch.
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Free WiFi at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch airports. No registration required.
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