New Zealand Travel Guide

Continent: Oceania
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New Zealand Travel Packages

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New Zealand Travel Essentials

Ideal Duration: 10-14 days for the North and South Islands' highlights; 3 weeks for a more extensive exploration

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Best Time: November to February (Summer) Read More

Accommodation Cost (per night in USD): Dorm bed: $15-30
Budget: $40-80
Mid-range: $100-200
Luxury: $250 and above

Budget for Food & Drinks (per day in USD): Budget: $15-30
Mid-range: $40-70

Visa Policy for Indians: eTA (Electronic Travel Authority) for short stays

Visa Policy for Other Nationals: eTA or Visa-Free for many countries

Getting In New Zealand: Auckland Airport (AKL), Christchurch Airport (CHC Read More

Getting Around New Zealand: Cars, campervans, buses, domestic flights, and trains Read More

"The Land Where Adventures Wait"

New Zealand Tourism

New Zealand, an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is famed for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and adventure opportunities. From towering mountains and pristine beaches to lush forests and geothermal wonders, New Zealand offers a diverse and unforgettable experience. Divided into two main parts, the North Island and the South Island, it is a country of stunning natural diversity and rich cultural heritage. 

Rich in Maori culture, New Zealand, or Aotearoa as the locals call it, is a diverse mix of contemporary cityscapes and attractions that will take you back to New Zealand's past. The North Island and South Island, along with numerous smaller islands, provide a wide range of environments to explore. The North Island is known for its geothermal wonders, such as the bubbling mud pools and geysers of Rotorua, as well as the cosmopolitan cities of Auckland and Wellington

The South Island is renowned for its dramatic landscapes and is home to the majestic Southern Alps, which offer world-class skiing and mountaineering. Fiordland National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its stunning fjords, including Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. The South Island’s clear lakes, such as Lake Tekapo, and the vibrant city of Queenstown, known as the world's adventure capital, offer endless outdoor activities, from bungee jumping and skydiving to hiking and biking.

New Zealand’s coastal beauty is equally impressive, with pristine beaches, rugged coastlines, and abundant marine life. The Bay of Islands in the North Island is a paradise for sailing, fishing, and dolphin watching, while the wild, windswept beaches of the West Coast in the South Island are perfect for exploring tide pools and sea caves. The country is also famous for its wildlife, unlike any other region in the world, with species found only on this island. 

Being so down south in geography, the weather conditions of New Zealand are patchy and extremely unpredictable. Be prepared to endure all sorts of weather within a day!  Culinary delights await in New Zealand,  from world-renowned wines in regions like Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay to delicious seafood and farm-to-table dining. New Zealand’s blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural richness makes it a must-visit destination. 

Must Know Before You Travel to New Zealand

  • Be updated about volcanic activity: If visiting one of the volcanoes, keep updated about the latest warnings - https://www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/vab
  • Check weather forecasts: You may experience four seasons in one day in New Zealand. So, check weather updates and stay informed.
  • Custom restrictions: Certain food items are prohibited from entering New Zealand. Check the list and make sure you do not carry any prohibited items. (https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/)
  • Free WiFi: Free WiFi is only available in central Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, and Dunedin in New Zealand. 

Top Attractions in New Zealand

Best time to visit New Zealand

New Zealand is a country that offers something for everyone in all seasons, whether you’re seeking outdoor adventure, family fun, relaxation, food and wine, or cultural experiences. Its diverse climate and stunning landscapes make it a great place to visit any time of the year. The best ti... (Read More)

Holidify's opinion on Travel to New Zealand

What's Great about Travelling to New Zealand?

Friendly locals. Plenty of activities available. Beautiful scenery. Relaxed pace of life.

What's Not So Great about Travelling to New Zealand?

Average infrastructure. Minor earth tremors. Lot of sandflies. Strong, hot sun.

Who should Travel to New Zealand?

Adventure enthusiasts. Photographers. Art and culture lovers. Newly wed couples.

Read More on New Zealand Travel

Exchanging Money in New Zealand

The official currency of New Zealand is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD$). All major credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted and widely used in New Zealand. Traveller's cheques are no longer accepted.

You can exchange currency at banks, hotels, and Bureau de Change kiosks found at international airports and main city centres.

There is no restriction on the amount of currency that can be brought or taken out of New Zealand.

Nightlife in New Zealand

New Zealand's nightlife is vibrant and varied, offering something for everyone, whether you're looking for bustling city clubs, laid-back beach bars, or cultural performances.
  • Auckland has a dynamic nightlife with numerous bars, clubs, and live music venues, especially in areas like Ponsonby, K' Road, and the Viaduct Harbour. The city offers many late-night dining options, from upscale restaurants to food trucks.
  • Wellington: Known for its artsy vibe, Wellington offers a mix of live music, theatre, and performance arts. Cuba Street and Courtenay Place are popular spots. It also has many craft beer pubs and cocktail lounges.
  • Christchurch: Post-earthquake, Christchurch has developed a new and exciting nightlife scene with pop-up bars, live music venues, and night markets. The Avon River area offers scenic spots for evening relaxation.
  • Queenstown: Known as the adventure capital, Queenstown also boasts a lively nightlife with bars and clubs that cater to both locals and tourists.
  • Rotorua: While not a major nightlife hub, Rotorua offers unique evening experiences like Maori cultural performances and traditional feasts.
  • Taupo and Wanaka: These areas offer a more relaxed nightlife with cozy bars, lakeside venues, and occasional live music.
  • Wine Tours: Many wine regions, like Marlborough and Hawke's Bay, offer evening tours and tastings, sometimes accompanied by live music or outdoor dining.
  • Night Markets: Cities like Auckland and Wellington host night markets featuring food stalls, local crafts, and live entertainment.
Read More About Nightlife in New Zealand

Shopping in New Zealand

Shopping in New Zealand offers a diverse and delightful experience, blending modern retail with unique local products and vibrant markets. In major cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, you can explore a mix of high-end boutiques, international brands, and innovative shopping centers. Auckland's Sylvia Park and Britomart, Wellington's Cuba Street and Lambton Quay, and Christchurch's Cashel Street are notable spots. Additionally, local markets such as Auckland's Otara Flea Market and Wellington's Harbourside Market offer fresh produce, crafts, and artisan goods.

Regional areas like Queenstown, Rotorua, and Taupo also provide unique shopping opportunities, including traditional Maori crafts, wool products, and local souvenirs. Specialty items like greenstone jewelry, Manuka honey, and New Zealand wines are popular purchases. 

Read More About Shopping in New Zealand
Read About Souvenirs from New Zealand

Festivals of New Zealand

The major festivals that are celebrated in New Zealand are the Auckland Festival, New Zealand Fringe Festival, Kiwiburn, New Zealand International Comedy Festival, Grey Lynn and St Patrick's Day. During this period, the culture of the country is highlighted and displayed wonderfully.

Read More About Festivals in New Zealand

Traveller Tips

  • Carry Prescription: Carry a doctor's certificate if you have a certain quantity of medicines with you to avoid problems with New Zealand customs on arrival.
  • Driving is on the left side of the road.
  • Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in New Zealand, even in bars and restaurants.
  • PhoneCard: New Zealand has more than 2000 public phones that can be used with a Phonecard. You can purchase it from most supermarkets, service stations, and dairies (convenience stores). 
  • PowerPoint/Plug: New Zealand uses Type I plugs. 
  • Internal Flight: It is best to book a domestic flight to see both the North and South Islands.

Food of New Zealand

The food of this country has drawn its inspiration from Asia, Europe and Polynesia. Some ingredients that you will find in almost every dish here are pork, lamb, salmon, lobster, mussels, scallops, oysters and kumara or sweet potato. Kiwi as a fruit is very popular here and consumed on a large scale. Pavlova is the national dessert of New Zealand. Barbeques are a vital part of life for the locals, and it signifies their laidback lifestyle. A lot of seafood is cooked at these barbeques, apart from other meat. Fish and chips are also popular in New Zealand and are perfect for a takeaway. In Beverages, people drink a lot of beer and wine in this country.

Top Hotel Collections for New Zealand

Photos of New Zealand

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Reviews

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Sam Roberts

3 years ago
Food not good and it not very nice as well as hotel rotting and towels stink . Bath is broken, pipes Leakey and TV is broken. People are always getting food poisoning

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