Snow capped peaks, lakes and oceans of every hue, and two islands split into the subtropical north and alpine south… New Zealand is a natural wonderland begging to be explored.
A pressing question for travellers tends to New Zealand is where to spend the bulk of their time: North or South Island? There’s no clear cut “winner – both islands are stunners.
The North Island is home to three quarters of the population. It’s the place for Maori culture, warm weather, the artsy capital city of Wellington and big-city Auckland.
For rugged good looks and a cooler climate, venture down to the less-populated South Island.
While the cities of Auckland, Queenstown and Wellington offer plenty of cosmopolitan charm, it’s the islands’ outdoor attractions that bring travellers this far south.
The Fiordland National Park tops the list on most wanderlust itineraries, but equally impressive is the Bay of Islands on the North Island. Inland, Tongariro National Park and Rotorua offer dramatic volcanic landscapes with bubbling mud pools and explosive geysers.
South Island highlights include Mount Cook (New Zealand’s tallest mountain), the unfathomably blue waters of Hokitika Gorge, Canterbury Plains’ green patchwork, the strange rock formations at Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki. Then there’s the Southern Lakes region around Lake Wanaka, Abel Tasman National Park, the Marlborough Sounds and the rain-drenched West Coast.
In winter, skiing is possible on both the North and South Islands while nine official “Great Walks” take intrepid hikers across some of the country’s most spectacular scenery. The Milford Track is the most famous, but don’t miss out on Rakiura Track in Southland and the Routeburn Track in Otago.
Spring and Autumn offer the best combination of warm weather and fewer crowds. If you want to ski, the winter months of May-August are ideal, but Lord of the Rings fans will be enthralled year-round with Middle Earth tours and an opportunity to visit the shire of Hobbiton, located in the heart of the Waikato region.
Regardless of whether you like your adventure served up big or small, New Zealand is a destination that belongs on the top of any outdoor lover’s bucket list.
Adrenaline Junkies; Backpackers/Budget Travellers; Beach Bums; Couples/Honeymooners; Eco Travellers; Families; LGBTQ-friendly; Nature Lovers; Road Trippers
