Mountains, fjords, volcanoes and big outdoor adventures
New Zealand is a pair of large islands in the South Pacific with very varied scenery in a small space. The North Island has volcanoes, geothermal areas and Māori culture, while the South Island has the Southern Alps, glaciers and fjords. It is famous for walking tracks, adventure sports and road trips. It suits outdoor lovers, families and self drivers.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A fjord with sheer cliffs and waterfalls in Fiordland National Park. Cruises and kayaks run daily.
A lakeside town under the Remarkables known as the adventure capital, with bungee, jetboats and skiing. It is a base for the south.
A one day hike across volcanic terrain with emerald lakes. It is in a UNESCO listed national park.
A geothermal town of geysers, mud pools and hot springs, and a centre of Māori culture. It smells of sulphur.
The Shire film set from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, kept as a green village. Visits are by guided tour.
Caves lit by thousands of glowworms seen from a boat. Black water rafting is also offered.
New Zealand's highest mountain with glaciers and easy valley walks. The Hooker Valley Track is a favourite.
A milky blue lake with a small stone church and lupins in early summer. It is part of a dark sky reserve.
Golden beaches and forest trails along a coastal track. Kayaking and water taxis make it easy.
A subtropical bay of over a hundred islands with dolphins and sailing. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are here.
Glaciers flowing down toward rainforest on the west coast. Heli hikes land on the ice.
The national museum covers Māori culture, nature and history in an interactive way. New Zealanders enter free, while international visitors pay.
Auckland's harbour city has ferries to Waiheke Island, known for wineries and beaches. It is an easy day trip.
A coastal town where whales, dolphins and seals are seen close to shore. Mountains rise behind.
A lake town quieter than Queenstown with great hikes like Roys Peak. The lone lake tree is famous.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Largest city and main airport.
gateway, food · Open the city guideAdventure and southern base.
adventure · Open the city guideGeothermal and Māori culture.
culture, nature · Open the city guideCapital with museums and food.
culture · Open the city guideSouth Island gateway.
gateway · Open the city guideLakes and hikes.
hiking · Guide comingGateway to Milford Sound.
nature · Guide comingBase for the Bay of Islands.
sailing, history · Guide comingSunny town near Abel Tasman and wineries.
beaches, arts · Guide comingWhales and seafood on the east coast.
wildlife, coast · Guide comingUniversity city with Scottish heritage and wildlife on the Otago Peninsula.
wildlife, history · Guide comingBeaches and city.
Bay of Islands, Auckland, Waiheke
Volcanoes and geothermal sites.
Rotorua, Tongariro, Waitomo
Beaches and whales.
Abel Tasman, Kaikōura, Marlborough
Glaciers and peaks.
Mount Cook, Franz Josef, Lake Tekapo
Lakes, adventure and fjords.
Queenstown, Wanaka, Milford Sound
Windy capital and sunny wine country.
Wellington, Marlborough Sounds, Nelson
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: December to March. Summer is warm and best for hiking and road trips.
The South Island is cooler with snow in winter, which is ski season from June to September.
January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
73°F daily high, 68°F average, 2.3 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates New Zealand Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Self drive is best; public transport between towns is limited.
Accommodation, food and activities are expensive.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Rules change, so check the NZeTA page of Immigration New Zealand and your own government's travel advice before you book. |
| Plugs | Type I; 230 V |
| Tap water | safe |
| Tipping | Tipping is not expected but appreciated for good service. |
| Payments | Cards and contactless are used almost everywhere. |
| Emergency | 111 |
| Etiquette | Respect Māori customs at marae and follow your hosts' lead. Strict biosecurity rules apply, so declare food and outdoor gear on arrival. |
| Driving | On the left |
| Between cities | Most visitors rent a car or campervan. Domestic flights link main cities, and the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries cross Cook Strait. Intercity buses run between towns. |
| Main airports | AKL, CHC, ZQN, WLG |
| Ride apps | Uber |
Polynesian voyagers, the ancestors of Māori, settled the islands around the 13th century. Europeans arrived from the late 18th century, and the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and many Māori chiefs in 1840. Wars and land loss followed in the 19th century. New Zealand became self governing, was the first country to give women the vote in 1893, and today recognises te reo Māori as an official language.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.