New Zealand

Excitement – Diversity – Adventures

Spectacular sites, Exciting Adventures, Wild Nature, Excitement, Diversity & Adventures

New Zealand has an amazing range of breath-taking scenery, from beaches and subtropical forests in the North to glaciers, lakes, and snow-covered mountains in the South. There are also fjords, volcanoes, hot springs, and beautiful rolling green pastures, a diversity like no other place on earth.

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Ready for Land of the Kiwis?

New Zealand is truly one of the most picturesque and photogenic places on earth. A small island nation of just over 4.5 million people, New Zealand is made up of two major land masses (North Island and South Island) and a number of smaller islands including Stewart Island located in the south-western Pacific Ocean. The two main islands are divided by a 22km stretch of water called the Cook Strait.

When to visit?

Temperatures in New Zealand are generally mild, but the weather can vary a lot around the country. Locals like to joke that you can experience four seasons in one day! Summer (December-February) is the most popular time to visit New Zealand

DEC – MARCH • Summer • 29 °C
JUNE – SEPT • Winter • 27 °C

What to see?

Local attractions: These are our favourite places and hidden gems throughout New Zealand.

Balloons over Waikato
New Zealand's premier hot air balloon festival. Held annually in Hamilton, this five-day iconic event attracts balloonists from all over New Zealand and around the world.
Queenstown Winter Festival
Celebrate the arrival of winter in true Queenstown style with 10 days of parties, fireworks, music, comedy and plenty of mountain fun. The festival is held every year
Glowworms, Waitomo
Renowned not only in New Zealand but throughout the world, the glowworms in the caves are a sight to behold. The unique Arachnocampa Luminosa (sounds like a spell from Harry Potter!) can only be found in New Zealand and there are literally thousands of these stunning glowworms found beneath the ground at Waitomo.
MOERAKI BOULDERS, DUNEDIN
Another of New Zealand’s amazing natural rock formations, the Moeraki Boulders can be found on the east coast of the South Island just north of Dunedin. These magical spherical boulders are around 60 million years old and you will find them scattered all along Koekohe Beach.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Visitors can learn about New Zealand history. By visiting Waitangi. It is an important site in New Zealand because it was here that Maori chiefs signed an agreement with representatives of the British crown. The most architecturally significant buildings are Te Whare Rūnanga (The House of Assembly) and the Treaty House.
Art Deco in Napier and Hastings
The Art Deco artistic and architectural style was popular at the time, and lots of Napier buildings were built in this style. A major attraction when visiting Napier is taking a tour of the city in a vintage vehicle. Napier also hosts the annual Napier Art deco Festival in February or July.
Balloons over Waikato
New Zealand's premier hot air balloon festival. Held annually in Hamilton, this five-day iconic event attracts balloonists from all over New Zealand and around the world.
Queenstown Winter Festival
Celebrate the arrival of winter in true Queenstown style with 10 days of parties, fireworks, music, comedy and plenty of mountain fun. The festival is held every year
Glowworms, Waitomo
Renowned not only in New Zealand but throughout the world, the glowworms in the caves are a sight to behold. The unique Arachnocampa Luminosa (sounds like a spell from Harry Potter!) can only be found in New Zealand and there are literally thousands of these stunning glowworms found beneath the ground at Waitomo.
MOERAKI BOULDERS, DUNEDIN
Another of New Zealand’s amazing natural rock formations, the Moeraki Boulders can be found on the east coast of the South Island just north of Dunedin. These magical spherical boulders are around 60 million years old and you will find them scattered all along Koekohe Beach.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Visitors can learn about New Zealand history. By visiting Waitangi. It is an important site in New Zealand because it was here that Maori chiefs signed an agreement with representatives of the British crown. The most architecturally significant buildings are Te Whare Rūnanga (The House of Assembly) and the Treaty House.
Art Deco in Napier and Hastings
The Art Deco artistic and architectural style was popular at the time, and lots of Napier buildings were built in this style. A major attraction when visiting Napier is taking a tour of the city in a vintage vehicle. Napier also hosts the annual Napier Art deco Festival in February or July.

How about the accommodation?

From luxury lodges to back-to-nature camping, and glamping, accommodation in New Zealand is varied and plentiful.
Accommodation providers with the Qualmark symbol have undergone rigorous assessment to earn their stars – something to bear in mind when researching places to stay in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s luxury accommodation is often found in the most stunning locations. Make your journey extra special with a unique accommodation experience.

Holiday parks and campgrounds offer fabulously scenic locations for a great price. Meanwhile, hotels and motels are typically centrally-located and ideal mid-range options.

ways to get around

The most popular way to get around in New Zealand is by car. There are no trains in New Zealand so the other options are the buses, flights, taxi or private drivers

Cars (self-drive)

See the sights at your own pace and hire a rental car to travel around New Zealand.. You can also hire bikes or motorbikes.

Ferries and water taxis

You’ll find ferries carrying regular passengers and vehicles travelling between outlying islands and smaller water taxis in some locations for quick and easy trips.

Rails

Travelling by rail gives you a front-row view of spectacular scenery often not visible from the road. There are three main scenic rail journeys in New Zealand, traversing the North and South Islands.

ways to get around

We highly recommend seeing the towns and villages in a meaningful manner by bicycle since it’s environmentally friendly and helps provide income to local businesses. Train travel is also an option between cities as it will offer the best opportunity to mix with locals. Personal encounters such as these can become your most cherished memories. When you join us on the Japan Journey, our specialists will also arrange your transport options for you, leaving you with nothing to worry about once you depart.

Cars (self-drive)

See the sights at your own pace and hire a rental car to travel around New Zealand.. You can also hire bikes or motorbikes.

Ferries and water taxis

You’ll find ferries carrying regular passengers and vehicles travelling between outlying islands and smaller water taxis in some locations for quick and easy trips.

Rails

Travelling by rail gives you a front-row view of spectacular scenery often not visible from the road. There are three main scenic rail journeys in New Zealand, traversing the North and South Islands.

travel tips

Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do in New Zealand:

  • Don’t Compare It With Australia
  • Don’t Disrespect Maori Culture
  • Be Open To Experimenting With Food
  • Don’t Expect The Hustle-Bustle Of The City
  • Don’t Be Afraid To Go Offbeat
  • Don’t Ignore The Tiny Islands
  • Take Precautions To Not Get Robbed
  • Don’t Take Customs Lightly
  • Don’t Ignore National Parks For Great Camping
  • Don’t Compare It With Australia
  • Don’t Disrespect Maori Culture
  • Be Open To Experimenting With Food
  • Don’t Expect The Hustle-Bustle Of The City
  • Don’t Be Afraid To Go Offbeat
  • Don’t Ignore The Tiny Islands
  • Take Precautions To Not Get Robbed
  • Don’t Take Customs Lightly
  • Don’t Ignore National Parks For Great Camping
man looking out into body of water

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