Trip Planner New Zealand

Queenstown and Wanaka at a Glance

The main street of Arrowtown in autumn, lined with large sycamore trees in full golden and amber colour, with heritage stone and timber shopfronts, fallen leaves covering the footpath, and the Lakes District Museum visible in the background.

Two lakes, two personalities, one impossibly beautiful corner of New Zealand. Queenstown delivers the bungee jumps, the ski fields, and the finest pinot noir on the planet. Wanaka offers the same mountain backdrop with half the crowds and twice the soul. Between them, the Southern Lakes region is simply unmissable.

Southland and Fiordland at a Glance

A swimmer wading into the crystal-clear glacial waters of Lake Marian in Fiordland, arms outstretched, with the steep bush-covered valley walls, snow-dusted peaks, and dramatic cloud formations of the Darran Mountains reflected in the still green water behind her.

Stand at the edge of Milford Sound as Mitre Peak rises from black mirror water. Walk four days through ancient beech forest to get there. Kayak the silence of Doubtful Sound. Watch the Southern Lights burn above Stewart Island. Southland and Fiordland don’t just show you New Zealand — they show you the end of the world.

Canterbury at a Glance

The restored blue and gold Christchurch heritage tram passing through the colourful pedestrian precinct of New Regent Street in the Christchurch CBD, with pastel-painted Spanish Mission style shopfronts and outdoor café tables lining the brick-paved street.

From the rebuilt laneways of Christchurch to the ice-blue immensity of Aoraki/Mount Cook, from sperm whales breaching off Kaikōura to the Milky Way blazing over the Mackenzie Basin — Canterbury contains more extraordinary landscapes per square kilometre than almost any region in the Southern Hemisphere. This is New Zealand’s South Island at its most varied and spectacular.

West Coast at a Glance

View of the rugged west coast of new zealand showing surf and rocks.

Ancient glaciers descending to sea level, 30-million-year-old rocks stacked into impossible formations at Punakaiki, turquoise gorges glowing like gemstones, and gold rush towns that once rivalled Dunedin in their ambition — the West Coast is New Zealand at its most elemental. Remote, rain-drenched, and utterly unforgettable, this is the South Island’s wildest edge.

Waikato at a Glance

Aerial view of the Waipā River winding through frost-touched green farmland in the Waikato at dawn, with low morning mist hanging over the river flats and the ranges visible on the horizon.

Step inside a Hobbit hole near Matamata, float beneath a galaxy of glowworms at Waitomo, and watch surfers carve the Southern Hemisphere’s longest left-hand break at Raglan — all within two hours of Auckland. The Waikato hides more world-class experiences per kilometre than almost anywhere in New Zealand, and most visitors have barely scratched the surface.

Taranaki at a Glance

Scenic view of Mt Taranaki with walking trail and lake in New Zealand.

Taranaki is New Zealand’s best kept secret — a near-perfect volcanic cone rising from a surf-lashed coastline, with world-class gardens, kinetic art, and one of the country’s most awarded coastal walkways on its doorstep. From the Pouakai Tarns at dawn to the breaks of Surf Highway 45, Taranaki rewards every traveller who makes the detour.

Bay of Plenty at a Glance

View from Mount Maunganui looking Southeast along the golden surf beach with Pilot Bay and Tauranga Harbour on the right and the Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon.

New Zealand’s sunniest region delivers golden beaches, world-class surf, and a coastline that rewards slow exploration. From the sheltered sands of Pilot Bay to the vast sweep of Ōhope Beach, the spectacular Wairere Falls, and the Cathedral Cove sea arch on the Coromandel — the Bay of Plenty lives up to every word of its name.

Auckland

Evening view of Auckland

New Zealand’s largest city spans two harbours and the Hauraki Gulf’s islands. Auckland combines urban dining, beaches, and volcanic cones with easy day trips to Waiheke Island vineyards or Rangitoto. Best for first-time visitors, city breaks, and travellers wanting culture, nightlife, and coastal scenery within one destination.

Wellington and Wairarapa at a Glance

Wellington City skyline and the golden sand beach of Oriental Bay nestled along the blue waters of Wellington Harbour.

New Zealand’s compact, walkable capital blends culture, coffee, and coastline. Wellington offers Te Papa, a thriving food scene, and film industry attractions, while the Wairarapa wine region sits just over the hill. Best for culture seekers, foodies, and wine enthusiasts wanting city and country in one trip.

Hawke’s Bay

A beautiful sunrise over the ocean horizon in Hawke's Bay, casting vibrant orange and golden light across the calm water and pebble shoreline.

Art Deco architecture, award-winning wineries, and 2,200 annual sunshine hours define Hawke’s Bay. Centred on Napier and Hastings, the region offers cellar door tours, coastal walks, and a relaxed East Coast pace. Best for wine tourists, architecture fans, and travellers seeking New Zealand’s sunniest, food-focused region.