New Zealand lies to the southwest of the Pacific Ocean and promises breathtaking landscapes adorned with picturesque coastlines and the mightiest mountains. One of New Zealand’s highlights is its opportunities for adventure activities as well as its nice blend of museums, art galleries and heritage sites. Get ready for mammoth national parks, dynamic Māori culture, and world-class surfing and skiing.

The best time to visit New Zealand for tourists is the summer season. Months from September to February are considered to be the best months to visit New Zealand. February is considered the peak month in New Zealand with an average temperature of 25 degree Celsius. During the summer season in New Zealand, various festivities like Christmas and New Year can also be enjoyed.

New Zealand pretty much dishes out all sorts of cuisine for its tourists. However, there are some native dishes that you must absolutely try. Kiwi Burgers, Pavlova, savoury pies, and Honey Pokey ice cream which is basically caramelised honey-comb, are Kiwi delicacies you should not miss either.

Start with the traditional Maori Hangi which is meat and veggies slow cooked in an underground oven and another Maori favourite Kumara which is a variety of sweet potato. Seafood is obviously very popular, especially the Kiwi favourite Crayfish, paua – sea snails and Kina – a sea urchin.

Buying souvenir is an important part of New Zealand travel itinerary. All the main cities are dotted with great shopping destinations to explore. Auckland has Ponsonby Road, K’Road and Britomart for high-end fashion. Wellington has Lambton Quay, which is a long strip of shopping street selling books, clothes, shoes, jewelleries. Willis Street and Cuba Mall are worth visiting too. Check out Tinakori Road for some unique boutiques. For art and craft items, Nelson is the city to be. Pottery, handmade items, handicrafts, wooden carvings, glass art – you name it and you will find it. If you are in NZ, then green jade stone or pounamu is a must-buy trinket, and it is best found in Hokitika and Greymouth. Rotorua is famous for best Maori souvenirs.

English is the most widely spoken language in New Zealand. Māori is the official language of the indigenous Māori people.

1. AUCKLAND

Auckland is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most historic cities apart from it being the largest and most populous, making it one of the country’s most important tourist hubs. Situated by two large harbours, Auckland combines natural beauty and cityscapes, drawing in visitors for leisure and business alike all year round.

Auckland has a plethora of activities and attractions on offer for every kind of traveller, giving visitors the luxury of choice in terms of experiences. It is world-renowned for being home to a number of volcanoes, islands and mountains. To add to its beauty, the city is dotted with beautiful green parks, gardens and lakes. You can head to one of the numerous viewpoints around the city for a beautiful view of the natural landscapes with the gorgeous modern skyscrapers, making Auckland’s cityscape a treat to the eye.

Places to visit in Auckland: Sky Tower, Cornwall Park, Rangitoto Island, Waiheke Island, Auckland Art Gallery

2. WELLINGTON

Known for its vibrant creative culture intensified by the sumptuous cuisine, delicious wine, world-class craft beer and coffee, Wellington is the capital city and the most populous urban town in New Zealand. Guarded by majestic mountains and snuggled between cosy hills, the city also has a flat waterfront downtown and a hook-shaped harbour to accentuate its beauty further. Besides the pleasant climate, beaches and lively culture, the town resonates with the celebrations and festivities of several events, carnivals, festivals and fairs frequently held here.

Places to visit in Wellington: The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Zealandia wildlife conservation eco sanctuary, Wellington Cable Car, Wellington Zoo, Botanic Gardens, Weta Cave, City Gallery Wellington, Wellington museum

3. CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch is New Zealand’s third and South Island’s third and largest city. It is a hub for English culture and heritage in New Zealand, combined with some of the best gardens in the world, earning it international acclaim as the ‘Garden City’. The modern buildings blend with the remnants of the Gothic architecture from the Victorian-era heritage of Christchurch and the Canterbury region. Due to the amazing connectivity from other regions in New Zealand, Christchurch is a famous stopover and gateway to the Southern Alps, as well as adventure and tourism of the Canterbury region, such as skiing, dolphin spotting, or just admiring the serene and exotic natural beauty of the area.

Places to visit in Christchurch: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Christchurch Gondola, The International Antarctic Centre, The Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial

4. QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown is a beautiful town on the Southern Island that is famous for being an adventurer’s paradise! With a plethora of activities for the thrill seekers, coupled with some marvellous and picturesque attractions make Queenstown a memorable visit. It is home to some of the most popular ski resorts in New Zealand and hosts thousands of visitors every year for the same. 

With a backdrop of the Southern Alps and stunning Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a stunning destination. Queenstown might not be the most commercial and industrial city in New Zealand, but the activities here attract people worldwide. Apart from that, it is the place for the highest bungy jump in the country, the largest rope swing in the world, and other exhilarating activities such as sky diving, ziplining and numerous trekking trails through the nearby hills.

Places to visit in Queensland: Lake Wakatipu, Milford Sound, Coronet Peak, Routeburn Track, The Remarkables

5. ROTORUA

Considered to be an epitome of the flourishing Maori culture, this charming town is set with the backdrops of volcanic landscapes and enveloped in stunning mountain peaks, meandering streams, dense woods, mesmerizing waterfalls and several freshwater lakes. Popular as a ‘geothermal wonderland’, it is home to several bubbling mud pools and hot water springs. These natural hot springs are perfect for taking a dip and relaxing and are a highlight here at Rotorua.

Places to visit in Rotorua: Hot Springs at Te Puia, Polynesian Spa, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Wai-O-Tapu, Tamaki Maori Village, Skyline Rotorua, Redwoods Forest, The lake of Rotorua, The Rotorua Museum of Art and History

6. HAMILTON

Hamilton is not the most popular name on any New Zealand tour itinerary, but it is an essential one if you want to know as much as you can about the vibrant indigenous Maori culture and other cultural events of the history. Located in the Waikato region of North Island, Hamilton’s map is dotted with museums, galleries and theme parks, as well as restaurants, bars and cafes.  

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