New Zealand
Aotearoa
Destination Guide
How to use my destination guides
My destination guides are organised in two main sections:
Overview
This will help you to decide if this is a location for you, and if so, where you may want to spend your time. For larger countries, I also provide additional overviews of different regions, states and territories.
Specific Recommendations
Here I list specific things to see and do. For each, I provide star ratings so that you can easily see how good, unique and adventurous each place is. This means that you can easily pick out where sounds right for you!
Overview
Like so many others, I loved my time in New Zealand! New Zealand, often called by its indigenous Maori name of Aotearoa, is an easy-going, laid-back place with welcoming people and incredible land and marine life. The country comprises two main islands, imaginatively named: North Island and South Island. I found NZ to be a great place for nature lovers; it has a lot packed into a small space. In contrast to neighbouring Australia, I found that the landscapes in New Zealand (NZ) changed more quickly as you passed through them, whereas in Australia you I would have to drive much further before the landscapes transitioned. I highly recommend this country if you love nature or anything adventurous. New Zealand is heaven if you want to do white water rafting, kayaking, skydiving, mountain biking, scuba diving, snorkelling, whale watching, trekking, climbing, multi-day hikes where you camp or stay in huts, getting a helicopter onto a glacier then hiking around it; chances are if you can think of a crazy outdoor sport to do, you can do it here. If you are a party person or love cities, you will still enjoy NZ if you are in the right place; however, I would recommend other places over and above NZ.
To give you a flavour of New Zealand, it is remote, located east of Australia it takes a long time to get here from any other country. When you get there, you will also find it somewhat sparsely populated. This island nation is home to around 5 million people, 4 million of whom live on the North Island. I have talked more about the vibe of the north and south islands, specifically in a separate section below; however, for an overview, you will find the North Island to have more people, volcanoes and Maori (the natives of NZ).It is believed that the Maori landed in NZ sometime in the 1300’s and they found the islands uninhabited by other humans. It is also believed that the Maori emigrated from East Polynesia, so their culture has some similarities. What’s crazy to me is that it’s believed that they in turn had originally migrated from Taiwan, no short distance to cover over a lot of ocean between a lot of small islands! Despite the islands being uninhabited by humans, it is said that there was an abundance of wildlife, notably bird life, because mammals had never made their way to NZ. This means that some birds had taken on the roles typically undertaken by mammals, including their national bird (and nickname for the locals), the kiwi. This bird is a flightless groundwelling bird, although unfortunately, it is a rare find to see in the wild today.
The island is also home to some unbelievable marine life and plant life. It is home to the famous Kauri Tree, which is towering, girthy and ancient – unfortunately, as with the native bird population of NZ, the numbers of these trees are not as high as they were in previous centuries.
The Maori named the island ‘Aotearoa’, and you will often see this name used as well as New Zealand. I was told by some Maori people I met that it means “long white cloud” because when the Maori arrived by boat, clouds hung over land giving away its location to the sailors who then made landfall and colonised the island. Given the size of the island, it can be presumed that these clouds were pretty large, especially since NZ is far, far larger in size than most other islands in the region, save for Australia, and I presume they were easily the largest islands they had ever seen. You will also find other Maori words and place names used in conjunction with names given by the British; this can be a little confusing at times.
Unlike the indigenous Aboriginal peoples of neighbouring Australia, the Maori all speak one language, which means it’s far easier to pick up some words. I would suggest learning at least the very jolly “kia ora”, which is pronounced a ‘ke-or-a’.
The Language
New Zealand (Aotearoa) is easy to travel to as everyone speaks English. You will also find many people with varying degrees of Maori, the language of the native people there. Learning a few words of Maori is nice if you can, and I recommend at least learning “kia ora”, which is a common greeting. It is pronounced ‘kee or-a’.
Economy and Safety
New Zealand is a first-world country with a strong economy per capita, and they use New Zealand Dollars (NZD). It is a safe first-world country, and I also found hitchhiking here safe. I know plenty of girls who also hitchhiked here and were fine, but as always, it’s best to take a friend or two and use common sense. If you haven’t travelled before and either have some money or want to do a working holiday, this could be great for you. It’s got a lot in a small space, you can earn some money here with other young people, and it’s super safe.
Nature
The landscapes in NZ are phenomenal. You have a good variety from sand dunes to mountains, rivers, volcanoes and forests. You also have beautiful beaches and marine life, as well as plenty of good surf spots.
As for animals, unlike neighbouring Australia, you’re safe here; there is very little that’ll cause you harm in New Zealand! There are no snakes and no crocodiles. There is the odd deadly animal, such as the very rare katipo, which looks a bit like Australia’s deadly redback spider, but you’d be hard pressed to find one, let alone get bitten by it. They are home to loads of fun wildlife, including lots of bird life, penguins, sea lions, fish, and the list goes on!
Travel Ease
There are loads of ways to get around in New Zealand. Many people use buses, car rentals, hitchike or rent campervans. If you are in a couple, then renting a campervan is probably the best way to go. Many travellers do ‘The Kiwi Experience’ where a bus takes you around the island to attractions and you have some degree of flexibility as to what you do on the way. I used buses, hithiked and rented a car for parts of South Island. I found New Zealand to be one of the safest and easiest countries in the world to hitchhike and met some incredible people while hitchhiking here. Given how sparsely populated the country is, you may find that getting around everywhere on public transport is difficult. Also, do research on the ferry crossing between the islands and book ahead, especially if you have a car to take across.
History
The first European to see NZ was the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman and his crew in 1642. You will find many geographical places named after him, including the ‘Tasman Sea’ which lies between Australia and New Zealand, Tasmania and the beautiful Abel Tasman National park which is located in the north-west of New Zealand’s South Island. Zeeland is located in the Netherlands, and that is why the islands have the name New Zealand today. He was attacked by Maori and did not make landfall in NZ. The next European explorers would see NZ more than 100 years later when the now famous Captain James Cook (a fellow Yorkshireman like myself) arrived in 1769. Coincidentally, a Frenchman, Jean-Francois, came by just two months later. Cook also accurately mapped the coastline of NZ and returned there on each of his three voyages. Europeans (or as the Maori call them, ‘Pakeha’) settled the island initially as part of the colony of New South Wales (Australia); however, the colony of New Zealand was officially formed in 1841.
Interactions between Europeans and Maori were initially friendly, with trade being undertaken. The Maori were never united as one nation and were a tribal people, like any other part of the world. Different nations would trade with one another as well as fight one another for land and take slaves. There are many forms of the famous haka; some are to welcome guests, however, most famously it is used as a war dance and is used by the ‘All Blacks’ – the NZ rugby team. It’s a heck of a sight, and you have to see it when you are in NZ! A key part of New Zealand’s history was the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty is controversial, to put it mildly. It was signed by the British and the chiefs of New Zealand’s North Island. From the British perspective, their interpretation is that the sovereignty of New Zealand was ceded to the British Crown. From the Maori perspective, it was a signing of an agreement which states that the Crown and Maori were equal. This treaty and its interpretation are of great importance to this day, and it’s a good thing to know about before you go to have a better understanding of how the country came to be.
The New Zealand Wars (or ‘Nga Kapanga o Aotearoa’) took place from 1845 to 1872. It began as a result of a number of local land disputes and snowballed into a full-on conflict. On one side was the British government and their Maori allies (including the Ngapuhi, who were the largest tribe in the country at the time and represented an estimated 40% of all the Maori population) and opposing them were other Maori tribes. The British and their allies won the war, which resulted in large land confiscations from the ‘rebel’ Maori tribes. Besides this, war life has been relatively peaceful between the settlers and the Maori.
Modern Society in New Zealand
Many may disagree with me here, but I actually think that New Zealand is an incredibly well-integrated country with good relations between the Pakeha (settlers of European descent) and the Maori. I don’t normally like to be political, but I want to share my experiences from meeting Pakeha, Maori and those of a mixed heritage to give you a better understanding of the situation as I have been told of it from both sides. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent a good bit of time in NZ and have family from there, but as with any colonial history, it’s a life’s work to fully understand it all, but here’s my understanding of it from what I’ve seen and heard.
Firstly, it is important to note that there are not really any full-blooded Maori in New Zealand left. Many of those I met, although looking Maori to me, would tell me proudly of their mixed Maori and European heritage; many of those I met were half or at least part Scottish, as a large number of Scots emigrated to NZ in the years gone by. Also, as far as I saw, Maori and Pakeha interact constantly and from what I can tell, have similar values, humour crucially for me, they acknowledge one another. This may sound odd to those who are less well-travelled, but having spent considerable amounts of time in Canada and Australia, I can tell you that this should not be taken for granted. I believe Australia is a good point of reference, as it was also a British colony in a similar part of the world and was settled at a similar time. In Australia, the native Aboriginals and those of European descent will often not mingle together and walk past one another without interaction. Some deep-rooted prejudices on both sides create some hostility and although there is rarely outright violence between the two groups, I would say in many areas of Australia, the people are not well integrated. Likewise, Canada (also a former British colony) was settled at an earlier date than Australia and New Zealand, giving them more time to integrate; however, there is still some lack of integration between people, with indigenous Canadians having their own land, police force and with some prejudices being present on both sides, from what I have found. Like with NZ, however, I found that many indigenous Canadians are also of mixed heritage. Don’t get me wrong, there are those who are unhappy in NZ. I have found that some Pakeha believe that the Maori receive an unfair amount of assistance from the government, such as financial aid, as a result of overly-generous reparations, especially when many Maori are of mixed heritage. Many Maori are still aggrieved by the wrongs of the past and feel that more should be done to reverse the impact of colonialism. Like I say though, these are discussed by a few and discussed similarly to that of political disagreements with no prejudice or hate towards the other side, from what I saw.
I would say that NZ culture is very similar to that of British and Australian cultures. We are all light-hearted people, although I would say that New Zealanders are the most open and welcoming of us all. I often judge a country by how easy it is to hitchhike there and in New Zealand, I had no problem. I remember having some of the best conversations I have ever had in my life, sitting up front with the locals of NZ, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you. For those of you who are not used to tattoos or from countries where tattoos are viewed negatively, you should know that to the Maori, they are incredibly important. You will regularly see Maori people covered in tattoos, including face tattoos. Furthermore, I can only describe the Maori people I met as gentle giants and a great laugh. Physically, like many of those with similar genetics in Pacific Islands, they are often huge people, both tall and strong; departments I am regrettably not well blessed!. Maori and Pakeha are lovely and as beautiful as the country is; it’s the lovely people that make it really special. I also think the Maori language sounds beautiful and I was lucky enough to listen to a performance of a traditional Maori song in a cave with great acoustics when I was there, which made for an incredible moment. The Maori are also great craftspeople, making many good souvenirs such as jewellery and other items, many of which have important meanings.
Lord of the Rings
You probably all know that The Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand, with the film’s Director, Peter Jackson, being from here. If you didn’t know this, you do now! That means all those beautiful landscapes you see in the movies are here! That being said (and I may be wrong here), some clever camera work is used and I feel many places are smaller than they look in the movies – I found that parts of Canada and Mongolia looked more like what I expected Middle Earth to look like in truth. Don’t get me wrong, though, it is stunning and if you are not a fan of the films, I would recommend going to Hobbiton. I will write more about this on my ‘Andy Recommends’ section of my website. You can also go to the Weta Workshop in Wellington, where they have loads of props, models and ‘bigatures’ (the minutes used for sets but which are actually massive).
North and South
New Zealand comprises two main islands: North Island and South Island. You can fly or get the ferry which goes to and from Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island). Below is my overview of the vibe for both islands.
North Island
I would say that the North Island offers more variety than the South Island. The vibe of the North Island is everything from larger cities (mainly Auckland and Wellington), volcanoes, beaches, green farmlands, sand dunes, surfing, lots of volcanic activity like hot springs and more Maori cultural experiences.
When I went to NZ, I landed in February 2023 a cyclone hit the following day. Unbeknownst to me, this is not common even in NZ. Although it wasn’t bad in Auckland, where I landed, which is located in the north-west of NZ, it did wreak havoc in the east of North Island, meaning I didn’t visit that area. All I know is that there are forests (as many were taken out by the storm) and some good surfing spots.
Other than the far east, however, I am reasonably well-travelled for North Island. Auckland is a sprawling city; however, I found it wasn’t interesting if I’m honest and I genuinely wouldn’t recommend spending time here – if you want city life, you’re better off somewhere else. There is a cool peninsula in the north of Auckland called Northlands and this is worth a visit. At the northern tip, at Cape Reinga Lighthouse, you can see a strange line in the ocean where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, which is definitely worth seeing because many of us (me included) are not used to seeing this sort of thing. There are also big sand dunes here, where you can sand board on, which is a lot of fun. You also have good beaches and islands in this area. You can see beautiful rolling hills like those around Hobbiton, caves and volcanoes. Places like Rotorua are also great for seeing Maori culture (although it is a bit touristy). In the far south of North Island you have Wellington, the nation’s capital. I much preferred Wellington to Auckland, as despite having a smaller population, it’s more compact and just a nicer vibe. You can also get the ferry from here to Picton on the north of South Island.
South Island
I found the vibe of the South Island to be mainly mountains and nature. There are far fewer people here and the views are incredible. You can do day hikes, boat trips, see glaciers, and in the winter, you can ski. I loved the North Island, but I feel that after a while, you can do everything there. Maybe you could go somewhere to surf over and over again, but as much as there is to do, I feel like at some point you would feel like you are doing things more than once. South Island, on the other hand, I feel like it is virtually endless. There are so many mountains here and so much to explore in the wilderness. Firstly, you have some wine country near Blenheim, which is located at the north of South Island, not far from Picton, where the ferry from Wellington, North Island, arrives on South Island. In the NW of South Island is Abel Tasman National Park, where you can do hiking, kayaking, see amazing beaches and see sea lions in pools left behind on beaches at low tide. Glaciers like Franz Joseph are in the west, and further south on the west coast are the Fjordlands, which are incredible inlets of water surrounded by mountains. Mount Cook, the largest mountain in NZ, is very picturesque, as are so many other locations. You can visit places like Christchurch in the east of South Island should you want to head to a larger town settlement for a while and everyone’s favourite: Queenstown, which is towards the south of South Island. As with North Island there is plenty to do outside, like skydiving, etc. and you can also see penguins! There are also epic multi-day hikes on South Island where you can stay at huts in the mountains overnight.
Overview Summary
New Zealand (Aotearoa) is awesome! If you love nature and doing a wide range of activities this could be a great fit for you. If you are more of a city person however, then I would consider lookng elsewhere; the cities in NZ are nice but they are not as famous or large as many other more populated nations.
Given New Zealand’s friendly locals and the large number of tourists of all ages, this is a great place to visit. If you are young, you can travel, meet people in hostels, as many follow the same tourist route or tour buses, or you can do a working holiday. If you are a couple or a bit older, there is also plenty to do. If you have some more money and friends you are going with, or if you are in a couple, I would recommend road tripping around in a campervan. For those more serious outdoorsy people you can enjoy white water rafting, hiking, mountain climbing, snorkelling, scuba diving, mountain biking, multi day hikes where you camp or stay in huts along the way, getting helicoptered onto a glacier and then hiking across it, skydiving, bungee jumping; if it’s something to do outdoors chances are you can do it here.
Specific Recommendations
How to interpret my specific recommendations
My specific recommendations are listed below. Firstly, you will find: its name, a quick link to locate and save it to your Google Maps, and for some, a photo. The photos, if present, like all those on this page, have either been taken by me or feature me in them. If you save the location to your Google Maps, I suggest that you add a note on there too, to remind you that you heard about it here. A good way to do this is by copying my website link into the location description. This way, you can check back here nearer the time of your visit to jog your memory as to what is there. I use Google Maps to plan all of my trips and, when used to its full potential, it is incredible! If you haven’t already, check out my blog post on how I use Google Maps to revolutionise my travels!
I provide a description of each location, as well as a duration estimate for how long you may want to spend at that location, to help with your planning.
I also provide star ratings for three categories.
Andy Argo
My overall rating
Worth seeing if you’re passing
Worth a detour if you have time
A must see!
Adventure
The level of exertion and danger involved
Easy to access, low risk and no strenuous exercise required
Some exercise is required, such as hiking. Some risks, such as bad weather, uneven ground, steep edges, etc.
Involves more exercise, greater danger or both. Examples include diving or scrambling up mountains, where experience is required.
Uniqueness
How well known and unique a destination is
A well-known destination or one that is not overly unique. I have listed restaurants in this category as food is everywhere.
Somewhat unknown or unique
Very unique
Some other points to note are:
- I like a bit of danger and history, so you may find that my ‘Andy Argo’ star ratings are sometimes (but not always) a little biased in favour of these types of locations.
- On my ‘Andy Argo’ stars, if I have given something one star, it’s good and worth doing. Having one star doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s still high praise, as I only include the crème de la crème on this list!
- My duration recommendations are based on what I think is the minimum amount of time you would want to spend there. I always recommend being spontaneous when travelling and changing plans depending on your circumstances, how you feel, and following advice from locals. Remember you’re there to enjoy it, so don’t feel rushed and stressed, you’re on holiday!
- In a small handful of instances, I have included somewhere I have been with zero Andy Argo stars. I have done this a handful of times for very touristy places. These are locations which I have been to and which are sufficiently famous that I think people would wonder why they aren’t on the list, but which, in my opinion, don’t make the cut and are overrated (sorry).
- I have been to the vast majority of these recommendations; however, sometimes I include several locations which I haven’t been to for the following reasons:
- A friend of mine has been there and has highly recommended it to me.
- Internet searches suggest it sounds noteworthy enough to include.
Disclaimer – I am not responsible for your safety or enjoyment at any of these locations. Everything I have recommended here is based on my experience and opinion. I may have recommended places I visited years ago or, as mentioned previously, a handful which I have had recommended to me. Do your own research before visiting any attractions to ensure that you think you will enjoy them and that they are sufficiently safe. My recommended duration times are also estimates based on my opinion; do your own further research and plan accordingly. I have recommended places which I think people will like, but it is all based on my opinion; I may love something that you hate. Be sure to have sufficient travel insurance and make your own judgments. Check weather forecasts and consult reputable local guidance before visiting anywhere you seek to visit. For more adventurous activities, ensure that you are physically and mentally prepared and that you have the right supervision, equipment, and training for the activity. Long story short, use some common sense and don’t sue me, I’m broke enough already. Happy travels, Andy
Specific Recommendations
For your ease of planning, I listed my recommendations by those on North Island and those on South Island.
into NGiven the size of Australia, I’ve broken it down by state and territory to provide specific locations to visit.
North Island
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal Landscapes
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Adventure stars: 1-3, depending on what you do there!
Description
Northlands is the name given to the peninsula which protrudes to the north of Auckland. There is loads to do here, and because it’s a bit of a detour compared with the rest of the country, many people skip it. I think the best way to see Northlands is by renting a car or campervan as a group.
Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Giant Sand Dunes (Te Paki Sand Dunes)
Landscape
There are tours here, but not a massive social scene for meeting people who aren’t in your party. I really think it’s worth doing, however, as it’s beautiful, sparsely populated and has a huge variety of environments in a small space. Also, when planning your Northlands trip, be conscious that this peninsula looks small compared with the rest of NZ, but don’t be fooled, it’ll take some time to get around, with the drive from Auckland to the end of the Peninsula (Cape Reinga) being around a six-hour drive one way. There are loads of nice beaches and coastal walks. One highly recommended coastal walk, which I unfortunately didn’t get around to, is the Mangawhai Cliff Walk, which has great reviews but people say can be strenuous. I also enjoyed camping and hiking on some of the islands, like Whangaroa Island; however, I’d recommend doing this with people, as I think it may be a bit boring and lonely otherwise – the island is only small, so hiking around it is beautiful but doesn’t take long. It’s a good place to relax for a night, though and look at the stars and chat with your chums. You can also check out the Kauri Forests (such as at Tane Mahuta or Puketi Forest), which are the huge indigenous trees which are native to NZ. You can also see plenty of silver ferns here (the emblem of NZ). Ninety Mile Beach is worth checking out and is a beautiful spot. Whangerei Falls and Rainbow (Waianiwaniwa) Falls are also worth a visit and chances are you’ll be heading past on your drive.
Me stood next to a Kauri tree. I’m in the bottom right looking tiny and I’m 6’6″! (I wish, I’m 5’10”)
Looking up at the Kauri tree
I’m saving the best until last, though. I highly recommend heading to the far north of the peninsula at Cape Reinga, where you will find a lighthouse with the same name. This area is a really cool place, there are stunning cliffs, beautiful beaches and this is an epic place to see where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. I was blown away by this because you can see a clearly defined line in the ocean where they both meet, stretching away into the distance from this point – it’s bizarre but so awesome! Also nearby, you can find the Cape Reinga Giant Sand Dunes. This is a great place to go sandboarding. You can rent the boards on the way in, so it’s really easy to do and great fun and you can pick up some decent speed if you opt in for the steeper, larger dunes. I cannot recommend this enough! But do it at your own risk and don’t sue me…
Google Maps Links for Northlands Locations
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Movie set
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+ (or however long your tour takes)
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
For those of you who have seen The Lord of the Rings, you will know what this is and no doubt have it on your bucket list. For those who don’t know what this is, please go anyway, even if you have no interest in the movies; you will like this place all the same, as I will soon explain.
Some quick backstory is that the books (on which the films are based) for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were written by J.R.R. Tolkien, an Englishman. The Director, Peter Jackson, is from New Zealand (hence why the films were shot in NZ), and his parents were both English. They chose Hobbiton to be a location which was akin to that of an old, quintessential English Village style and the whole area reminds me very much of the Yorkshire Dales, where I grew up. So much so, I had to pinch myself that I was on the other side of the world, given how similar it looked. Hobbiton was made as a movie set for the Lord of the Rings films before being largely dismantled. The farmer had an influx of tourists wanting to see the Hobbiton film set, but not much remained, so when they made the prequel films, they built the movie set once more, however made it permanent so that it could remain for tourists afterwards and I am so glad that they did. As much as I don’t rate the Hobbit films, I am really grateful that they did such a good job on the set here. Anyway, back story over. You have to see this place for some reasons:
- This is probably the most famous and iconic movie set in history.
- Despite it being very touristy and having big crowds, I found it incredibly relaxing. It feels like you are walking around a beautiful, perfect world where people live a life which is wholesome and intertwined with nature.
- You can have amazing food and drink in The Green Dragon pub. This feels like you are transported back in time to an old mead hall: wood everywhere, beautiful ceramic drinking cups and hearty food. I really loved their cider too.
- You get a guided tour and the people who work there are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate; they are all there because they love it and it really shows!
- I am normally someone who avoids crowds of tourists like the plague, but this is definitely a location which is worth braving the crowds for, highly recommend it.
I did a tour from Auckland, which tied Hobbiton in with the Waitomo Glowworm Caves (more on that below), as I was car-less at the time, but many tours go here, so it’s easy to get to.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Cave
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
To caveat, yes, this is touristy, but it is still worth going because of how unique it is. For me, a cave is mostly a cave. Some caves have cool stalagmites and stalactites, but after a while, as beautiful as they are, even they get old (excuse the pun).
I’d personally rate some caves higher if they look really unique, if you can scramble around inside them and get some fear factor out of it, or if they have a cool hidden lake inside next to them (see my Railway Beach, Thailand recommendations if this appeals). Despite this, I still rate this highly. The caves get a high volume of tourists, so the walk down is steep, but much like a normal staircase and the caves are beautiful. The two best reasons to go are that, for me, our guide was Maori and she sang a beautiful song in her native language – this was enhanced by the natural acoustics of the cave and was stunning to hear. I can’t guarantee that you’ll get a guide who does this, but if you do, it’s amazing to hear. You are then taken on a short boat ride through a flooded section of the cave, where you can see loads of glowworms on the roof of the cave. This was beautiful to see, and it really messes with your head because, for me anyway, it felt like I was staring up at a very starry sky. Really cool to see and highly recommend for this reason. The boat section is short as, as I say, they have a lot of tourists, but for me I still found it worthwhile. I was without a car and booked a tour to Hobbiton that also went there. Many tours then return you to Auckland, or can drop you off somewhere else (like Hamilton), so you can continue south so do your research.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: City
Recommended Duration: Minimal
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
If you are going to New Zealand, the chances are that you will fly into Auckland (or potentially Wellington). It’s NZ’s largest city with a population of 1.7 million people (bear in mind that NZ as a whole has around 5 million). If you are in Auckland you may as well see it.
If you don’t land here you may have to drive through it to get to Northlands which is the peninsular north of Auckland and which is worth making a detour for. To me though Auckland isn’t great and many from there and who have visited agree with me. It’s not that Auckland is a bad city but I don’t feel it’s that good either. It just feels very generic. It’s modern, so has little character in my opinion but also it isn’t like Singapore or Dubai-style modern city either which has the charms of being a very advanced modern city. The people are nice but like any big city its inhabitants have their own lives going on and people are more friendly further from the city. I’ll be honest if you’re there spend a day to get the vibe but to me, this place isn’t that great – sorry Auckland. To be fair though, if you come to NZ you come for nature and activities, not to see Auckland. If you are there and need something to do, go up the Sky Tower, walk down the waterfront, get a sim card – I got my form vodafone and its definitely worth having data in NZ for booking and planning on long journeys. Also Auckland Lookout isn’t too bad.
Rotorua (Overview)
Add to Google Maps
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Town with activities
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Adventure stars: 1-3, depending on what you do there!
Description
I love Rotorua, a lot of people pass through here, but for me, I feel that you can really spend a good bit of time here. The most well-known tourist attractions are volcanic attractions such as geysers and Maori cultural experiences; however, there are plenty of other incredible things to do besides this. Despite all of these activities being in close proximity to one another and all being in and around the town of Rotorua. I’ve decided to break them down into the following categories:
- Rotorua – Māori culture
- Rotorua – Volcanic vibes
- Rotorua – Redwoods Tree Walk
- Rotorua – Mountain Biking (from beginner to advanced)
I discuss the above categories in more detail separately below.
The town is nice, small, but it has everything you need and has a safe and friendly vibe. There are also plenty of locals here – it’s not just a tourist town, so you can go for a drink with locals. The town is on a lake which was the caldera of a volcano and there are numerous other lakes, forests and mountains nearby – it really is a beautiful spot. Also, for those seeking adventure in NZ, there are some really good outdoors shops here and it’s where I bought some good hiking boots which lasted for the first year+ of my travels. I really think there is something for everyone here with different levels of exercise, fitness and adrenaline for each activity, so make sure that Rotorua is on your list!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Culture
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I was really excited to come to NZ and see some Maori culture. Having grown up watching the All Blacks (NZ Rugby team) do the Haka before each game, I was desperate to see it. I went to one of the Maori culture experiences and I was ok but a bit of a tourist trap.
It was cool to see a Maori performance, but you can tell they get a lot of tourists, so it didn’t feel that authentic. I went to the Te Puia to see them, which also has some cool geysers to the rear. There was some good information about Maori life pre-British Colonisation and how the tribes would war with one another. There are also some cool Maori crafts. If you only get one chance to see something Maori and learn about them, this is a good introduction to their culture. Maybe for me, part of the problem was that I went during the day, maybe check out their website as they do events in the evenings too, which sounds better, where you get to try Maori food, etc., and with more information on Maori rituals. There is another site slightly further from the town at Te Pa Tu, which may be a better option, so maybe do your research on both sites if you are keen to see some Maori culture.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscapes
Recommended Duration: 3 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
There are a lot of different geysers and areas of volcanic activity in the area and in NZ in general and particularly around Rotorua. I’ve given this place 3-stars for uniqueness because, although you can see geysers in many areas of volcanic activity, few places have the variety of Rotorua.
Many have different colours, sizes and of course, that classic eggy sulphur smell, mmm! Quite frankly, there are too many to name them all, but the best in my opinion, are just outside of Rotorua at Wai-o-Tapu – you need to pay to enter here, but it’s worth it. Another good spot is the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, which isn’t nearby and has the epic blue-coloured Inferno Crater. If you don’t get time to go here, then you can walk to ‘Rachel Spring Whangapipiro’ or the Kaurau Park Mud Pools, both of which are located in parks near the centre of the town. One final recommendation is in the Polynesian Spa – I didn’t go here, but I had friends who did and they highly recommended it.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Nature Walk
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
California Redwoods were planted here in the early 1900’s and they are epic! Not only this, but walkways have been built up into the trees so you feel a bit like you are in Rivendell (from The Lord of the Rings for those who don’t get the reference). It’s beautiful during the day, but I recommend going late in the day as it’s potentially even better at night, as they suspend lights in amongst the trees and it’s really magical, well-worth doing! Paid entry, but worth it.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Activity
Recommended Duration: 3 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I had never done mountain biking before, so don’t let the thought of it put you off if you are new. The forests, hills and lake around the town are incredible. I rented a bike from Torpedo7 in the town which was good. I then headed up towards Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake).
I’d highly recommend this route; it’s a fair bit of climbing uphill to get there, but well worth it, especially on a nice sunny day when you can relax by the lake. Coming back down through the forests around there is also stunning and a bit scary, but doable for beginners (undertake at your own risk) and there are trails for those with different ability levels. If you fancy it you can also push further this way onto Lake Tarawera. Good fun and a great way to see the sights and take in the landscapes. I also recommend cycling and hiking rather than driving everywhere in any country to really experience it, especially nature, which can only truly be appreciated when you are in it.
Raglan
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal town
Recommended Duration: 2 days
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Raglan is located on the west coast of North Island. I have heard great things about the town; it is famous for being a bit hippie and a good place for surfing. Many of my friends have been here and loved it and found it a great place to relax and enjoy life. Many people have described it to me as a similar vibe to Byron Bay in Australia, however, a bit smaller, of course.
I personally love surfing and these types of towns, so you may be wondering why I didn’t go here. In truth, everyone told me to go here but I had just spent nearly a year in Australia and done plenty of surfing and see more beautiful beaches than I could shake a stick at so the idea of seeing more coastline with a similar vibe to that didn’t appeal at that point in time and I was keen to see volcanoes, mountains and try new experiences – it’s definitely somewhere I’d venture to on my next trip back though.
Taupo
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Lakeside town
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Adventure stars: 1-3, depending on what you do there!
Description
Taupo is a cool town and it’s only an hour south of Rotorua, so it’s easy to get to on your route through the country. It’s a nice town on a beautiful lakeside. There are plenty of places to do skydiving in NZ. My brother did his in Taupo a few years prior to my visit and he loved it.
The town has a decent social vibe. I would recommend heading up with some friends to Otumuheke with your swimming gear, as there is a hot spring of water you can relax in off to the side of the river. The hot water mixes with the river water, so it’s not super hot but definitely pleasant to relax in. Past this, you can also go further to see Huka Falls. Beyond this is the Crater of the Moon, where hot gas comes from the earth; it’s got good reviews, but I didn’t head this far up and stopped at the falls.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: National Park and hike
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is a must-do if you visit NZ, it’s basically a right of passage for everyone visiting the North Island. The Tongariro National Park is famous for its volcanoes and much of the park has a desolate appearance of bare rock – this, combined with its massive volcanoes made it the perfect filming location for Mordor in The Lord of the Rings, so if it looks familiar, that’s why!
Many tourists (myself included) do a one-day trek across the National Park. When I went, the weather was beautiful, with blue skies and warm enough. Take some good shoes; you can probably get away with good trainers/approach shoes, but I would recommend hiking boots. The weather can also change quickly here, so be prepared. Check the weather before – just because it looks stunning in the morning doesn’t mean that it’ll stay this way and many people are caught out on this route and get into difficulty. The hike takes you past volcanoes and over rocky landscapes with the final section being a deceptively long downhill walk through a forest. If you book a tour which drops you off at one end and picks you up at the other, make sure that you check your time so that you don’t miss the bus. There isn’t any shelter on this route from the sun or elements, so prepare for anything. It’s great though and nice to do it with friends. Also be conscious that some of the mountain summits are sacred to the Maori people and the locals aren’t keen on you summiting them – no matter how tempting that may be!
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal town, epic volcano, beaches, waterfall etc.
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Adventure stars: 2-3, depending on what you do there!
Description
Many tourists skip this area of NZ, and to me it’s a big mistake! Mount Taranaki (also known as Te Papakura O Taranaki) is awesome! Firstly, to look at it is about as iconic as a volcano can be. I know I will get loads of hate for this, but I think this volcano looks better than Mt. Fuji! You’re also more likely to get a view of this than Mt. Fuji and there are far fewer tourists. Not that I didn’t love Mt. Fuji, but this volcano and this part of the world is massively underrated and little known for how awesome it is!
It is a pure, standalone volcano with very symmetrical sides. If you stay somewhere like Durham Lake Holiday Park, you can also pitch up with a view of the Volcano. You can also hike up this volcano, which is epic; it can be subject to bad weather, which changes quickly (as I found out firsthand), but it’s definitely worth doing. Honestly, this place is so iconic and super underrated. Make sure to check it out. The town of New Plymouth is also cool, you can surf near the town (weather dependent) and when I was there by chance, I stumbled across a classic American car rally with the town decorated and more classic cars than I could shake a stick at (not what I expected in a sleepy corner of NZ, that’s for sure!). I was there in February and it seems to be around a similar time each year. On your way here, you can also stop off at the very tall Mount Damper Falls. It’s a nice drive across the hills to New Plymouth too.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal city
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Unfortunately, I didn’t have too long in Wellington as I was trying to catch up with some friends on South Island. Wellington is located on the southern tip of North Island and is where the ferry departs from to reach South Island.
Wellington has a great vibe though, much better than Auckland (sorry Auckland) and it is one of only 3 cities in NZ which I would class as ‘real’ cities in terms of size by international standards (I only class Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with other NZ ‘cities’ resembling large towns in my view (sorry Kiwis). Unlike Auckland, however, which is a spread out sprawl, Wellington is confined by mountains, which means the city is much more condensed. It probably doesn’t have more high rises than Auckland, but it feels that way with much more in a small area. It also overlooks a beautiful natural harbour. I stayed at the Trek Global Backpacker hostel, which had a good social scene when I was there. Some main attractions are the Weta Cave – the main studio of Weta Workshop, who were behind The Lord of the Rings – they have models from the movie and loads of information. Take a walk around the harbour too, it’s stunning on a nice day. You can also check out the Mount Victoria Lookout, the M museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa) and just outside the city, Zealandia Te Mara a Tane wildlife sanctuary.
South Island
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastal town and hikes
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Picton is a small coastal town located on the north coast of South Island. It is also where the ferry from Wellington on the North Island arrives on the South Island.
It’s a small town, but chances are that if you are doing the whole of NZ, you will pass through here. A great short but steep hike that I’d recommend is the Tirohanga Track. I also enjoyed the Picton Harbour View Track. I didn’t get around it, but the longer (73.5kms) Queen Charlotte Track looks incredible and comes highly recommended and is located to the west of Picton.
Blenheim
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Food and drink
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I’m not a big drinker and prefer adventure but for those who are into their wines, Marlborough is famous for its wines with Blenheim being its capital. It’s a beautiful flat part of the country with plenty of vineyards and you can do some wine tasting etc if that’s your thing.
Kaikoura
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Marine life
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
I was car-less for most of my time in NZ and this was a bit of a detour for me so unfortunately I had to miss it. That being said, I have heard that whale watching here is amazing and it comes highly recommended to me.
Christchurch
Category: City
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
I’ve heard great things about Christchurch. I heard it has good character and and a nice vibe with street art, trams, a gondola.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: National Park and coastline
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I really liked the National Park and it’s a great place if you like hiking and nature. If you are heading to NZ and not Australia, then I would recommend this place even more, as in many ways it has an Australian appearance to it (in miniature). Beautiful beaches and coves with forest to walk through. You can walk the coastal track in several days camping as you go if you feel adventurous, or you can get a boat to drop you off on the famous coastal track and then you can walk back to civilisation in a day or more. You can also do kayaking and things here too, which is good fun with dolphins swimming around.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Coastline
Recommended Duration: 1 day
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I went here with a friend who was desperate to come here because he had seen it on his laptop as a Windows screensaver. At first, I was hesitant, but I wasn’t disappointed. The beach is large with some really cool rock formations and the best bit (which was a nice surprise as I didn’t know this until we got there) is that if you go there at low tide, you can see seal pups!
At low tide, the water recedes and pools of water are trapped on the beach where seal pups are kept safe and guarded by adults. You can see these seal pups playing in the pools and jumping from one pool to the next. its super wholesome and very cool. Please remember that they are wild animals, so give them some space to do their thing. I was able to stand on a rock and get a nice view down into a pool with a few others, which was incredible.
Heaphy Track
Category: Hike
Recommended Duration: 5-day hike (approx. and subject to ability
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
Unfortunately, I didn’t do this when in NZ, but it looks incredible! It’s a walking track with mountain biking permitted from May-November too. It’s 78 km (48 miles) long. The landscape looks incredibly varied. There are huts and campsites along the way. Please note that bookings are required, so do some planning in advance. Research online suggests that the hike will take at least 4 days to complete.
Labyrinth Rocks & The Grove Scenic Reserve
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscapes
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
These are two separate places; however, they are close to one another and have a similar theme. It’s good fun to go here with friends and walk down through the rocks and trees, scrambling around. There are also some nice lookout spots in places.
Paines Ford
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Activity and swimming
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
This place looks awesome however I didn’t hear about it until after I had left NZ! Its famous for small hikes, climbing up rocks, jumping into water, you can also deep water solo here (climbing with no ropes and falling into the water below). Obviously, do your own homework in case there are any dangerous areas with shallow water or dangerous currents, but it’s definitely worth looking into this place.
Angelus Hut Tracks
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Hiking
Recommended Duration: Multi-day hikes
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
This area looks incredible for hiking and there are huts and campsites here. Only go in the winter if you have experience and the right gear (crampons, ice axes etc.). Its got great reviews online though and looks incredible.
Hokitika Gorge
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Hike
Recommended Duration: 1 hour
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
This place is easily accessible with a car being around 10 minutes walk each way from a road. You will find a long footbridge over an impressive gorge.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscapes (glacier)
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
The town of Franz Josef is tiny without much to do in the town itself. There are some amazing activities to do nearby, including the famous Franz Josef glacier in NZ. My brother highly recommended doing the heli-hike to me here, so I splashed the cash and did it.
I found it pretty cool because you’re geared up with crampons, jackets, etc. in the town, then flown up to the glacier, which is elevated above the town. The helicopter ride is short but fun. When you are dropped on the glacier, you can see the helicopters, then plummet off the edge of the cliff we are dropped on and fly back to the town. You then do a guided walk before returning to the chopper and taking that dive yourselves. It is touristy with lots of people doing it when the weather permits, but I still loved it and thought it was good fun. There are also lots of great hikes in the area. The catch is that the weather here is very hit and miss. You may well have plenty of downtime here, passing the time while the train blows over. Also, for any tours like the heli-hike, you may find dates changed, etc., to accommodate for bad weather, which is common in this part of NZ.
Upper Copland Valley Track
Category: CATEGORY
Recommended Duration: DURATION
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
This trail sounds awesome and I am gutted that I didn’t do it! It sounds like a pure adventure with the trail being a bit rough and ready, with landslides making the trail hard to follow at times, sandflies (which bite), and rope bridges. It sounds hardcore and frankly epic! Definitely worth looking into. Experience and the right equipment is required for this trek.
Mount Sunday
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscape & film location
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but my internet research suggests it may be worth visiting
Description
This area looks beautiful, and it was also used as a filming location for Edoras (home of the Rohirrim) in the Lord of the Rings films.
Fox Glacier
Category: Glacier
Recommended Duration: As per tour booking
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
This glacier came highly recommended to me, with many saying it is even better than Franz Josef Glacier.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscapes and hiking
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is easily one of my highlights of NZ and of travelling as a whole. If you drive up from the south via Lake Pukaki (that’s ‘Pukaki’ with a ‘P’), you’ll be treated to a stunning view as you approach. When you arrive to the south of Mount Cook there are loads of great hiking trails.
I’d recommend heading up to Hooker Lake for an incredible walk with rope bridges and a stunning view of the mountains across the lake behind. Come prepared, as the weather can change and use some common sense as always. I was lucky to do this with a good group of people with stunning weather and it was phenomenal. We also braved a very brief dip in the glacial lake, which still had icebergs floating in it – and it was very brief indeed! I do not recommend you do this for liability reasons, but if you ignore my advice and do it anyway, don’t linger too long; many people have gone into shock in glacier water.
There are also other hikes nearby, like heading up to Mueller Hut and Kea Point by Mueller Lake.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscape
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
This is a really cool place and came out of the blue for me, as it doesn’t look like what I expected from New Zealand. This place looks straight out of a western with dry earth canyons to walk through and has a very cool vibe. It’s a great stop-off point on your way up towards Mount Cook too and definitely worth stopping for.
Lake Tekapo
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Lake
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
There is a nice town on the south of the lake. It’s a very picturesque and a nice place to stop at if you’re in the area.
Lake Ruataniwha
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Lake and lakeside town
Recommended Duration: 1 hour+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I stayed here for a night on my road trip. I am a bit biased because I saw easily the most incredible and unforgettable moonrise over this lake that I have ever seen and will probably ever see. The lake itself is a nice stop off point on your drive by but at the same time you wouldn’t be missing out too much if you shot past it as there are other better lakes in the area. Given the mind-blowing view I got at night here with the stars and moon I couldn’t not include it on this list.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Lake and lakeside town
Recommended Duration: 1 day+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
I would highly recommend stopping here. The town is ok, but the hiking nearby is incredible. There is a tree in the lake which many people stop at for a photo, but to get a truly incredible view, head up Roys Peak!
It’s a steep climb but the path is good and the view is mindblowing, making the tough climb well worth the effort. I would advise against taking photos on your way up, as the best views are at the top, so enjoy the climb and take it in, then have your photo session once you’re up there. Some other nearby hikes which I didn’t get around to doing but look good are the Isthmus Peak Track, Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain Walks and the Rob Roy Glacier Track.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Lakeside town
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
If you haven’t heard of Queenstown before you get to NZ, you will definitely hear of it when you are there. This town is the hub of the backpacking and international community in NZ and the people it attracts and the wealth of activities which you can organise from here mean that for me makes is a 3-star for uniqueness despite being at first glance, just another lakeside town.
Not only is there winter sports in the area for the colder months but there is also tons to do in the summer making it appealing all year round. The town is the perfect size; not too small, and not too large with most things in easy walking distance. There are often buskers in the street and there is a good nightlife too. There are plenty of hostels and you will bump into people you have met along the way on your travels. There is a nice park overlooking the lake (Queenstown Gardens) and loads of activities nearby. You can book skydiving here (very weather dependent) and hike up plenty of mountains. My favourite hike nearby is Ben Lomund just to the west of the town – I loved hiking this then taking a dip in the lake with some friends on the way down to cool off on a hot summer’s day. There is a luge near the town, along with plenty of other activities in the nearby area, which you can book while you’re there. There is a super famous burger place here called Fergburger – everyone will tell you to go here as its a bit of a tourist must do thing for the town but personally I had better burgers elsewhere in the town and I wouldn’t say you need to do it – it was nice but nothing that special (sorry to everyone who is a die hard fan).
Glenorchy
Category: Lakeside town with hiking
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me*
Description
Many people, including Kiwis (New Zealanders), recommended this town to me as it’s on the same lakeshore (Lake Wakatipu) that Queenstown is, however, it’s further north, smaller and quieter. I didn’t go here, but wanted to make a note of it, should you get to Queenstown and decide you want somewhere smaller and quieter.
Penguins
Category: Wildlife
Recommended Duration: 2 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
New Zealand is home to loads of great wildlife, especially marine wildlife. NZ is also a place where you can see penguins! I personally do this as I saw some in Victoria, Australia, just a few months prior, so I didn’t take the detour, but if you haven’t seen them before, I’d say they are definitely worth seeing.
There are several places to see penguins in NZ, typically along the south of the South Island. Some areas with good reviews are: Roaring Bay Penguins and Seals Observatory and in the area around Curio Bay. Bear in mind that penguins are wild animals and they come and go as they please, so do your homework about the time of day and where to see them for your best chances to find them. I saw thousands of the little guys come ashore on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia and that was awesome, it was like Penguin D-Day, so feel free to check out my review for that too if you are going there as well as weigh up which is best for you.
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscapes
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
Many tourists travel to Milford Sound in the Fjordlands for a boat trip. I got unlucky and not only had my rental car break down, but also had fog – it was still good and atmospheric, but you are not guaranteed a blue sky day like in the photos you see online!
Also, I hitchhiked there and back and met some great people, so the broken down car definitely turned it into an adventure instead (I got picked up by some amazing gals from Singapore on the way back who I met up with a few months later when I was there and who gave me some great insider knowledge, so happy days!). If you do the boat trip, you can drive or get a bus there and come back without breaking a sweat. If you are more adventurous, however, you can do loads of hikes in the area. Some more notable ones are: The Chasm Bridge, Gertrude Saddle Route, Christine Falls Track and the Lake Marian Track.
Doubtful Sound
Category: Landscapes
Recommended Duration: 4 hours+
Andy visited?: No, but people have recommended it to me
Description
Many people I met gave Doubtful Sound glowing reviews and say it is better than Milford Sound to the north. The feedback I had was that it’s harder to get to than Milford Sound (which is what I found as well), which makes it less frequently travelled. It’s worth looking into though, should you wish to see a fjord with an amazing review.
Te Anau
Add to Google Maps
Adventure
Andy Argo
Uniqueness
Category: Landscapes and hiking
Recommended Duration: 2 days+
Andy visited?: Yes
Description
The area has incredible hikes nearby of varying length. A super famous one is the Kepler Track. It’s rough and notorious for having intermittent good weather and plenty of rain. It takes around 3-4 days to complete. You have to time your trip correctly as it’s recommended that you do it from late October to the end of April and it’s around 60kms (37 miles).
I hope that you have found this free Destination Guide useful. It took a lot of time and travel for me to make this, so if you would like to show your thanks by sending a small donation, I would be very grateful. This can be done on my Support Me page. Thank you!
Happy travels!
Andy Argo
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Title image: The view north-west from Roys Peak, Wānaka, New Zealand.