New Zealand
travel guide for New Zealand
Hope you find value in our New Zealand Travel Guide! We spent about 6 weeks touring both the South Island and North Island by rail and by car. This is a stunningly beautiful country and one of our favorites.
New Zealand Travel Guides
5 Cool and Unique Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand
The capital of New Zealand, Wellington, was our retirement travel destination on the south end of the North Island after…
The Northern Explorer Train in New Zealand
As two people who have experienced this incredible train journey through the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, we are…
The 9 Best Things to Do in Christchurch, New Zealand
Our first destination on the South Island was the oldest established city in New Zealand – Christchurch. If you’ve been…
Trains and More: Wellington to Greymouth via Christchurch
We left Wellington and headed to the South Island. Check out our blog about this wonderful city here. But, we…
Bungee Jumping in New Zealand : 7 Reasons You Must Try It
Our Visit to the Kawarau Suspension Bridge We made our first trip to the spectacular country of New Zealand. Here…
Cool Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand: The Adventure Capital of the World
Queenstown conjures images of bungee jumping and rolling hills. But this city on the South Island, known as the ‘Adventure…
15 Days Along the West Coast of New Zealand
South Island Road Trip Itinerary If you are planning your first visit to New Zealand, you may be wondering -…
10 of the Best Day Trips from Queenstown + Bucketlist Bonus
Queenstown, New Zealand is an adventure-packed capital of the world with many activities spread throughout the city. But the main…
The 10 Best Wellington, New Zealand Restaurants (with map)
Packed with an array of restaurants, from fine dining restaurants to spots featuring delicious authentic Mexican food, the capital of…
10 Amazing Queenstown, New Zealand Restaurants (includes map)
Picturesque scenery, top-tier hospitality, and a vibrant food scene have helped Queenstown, New Zealand transition into a top foodie destination…
The 10 Best Restaurants in Christchurch, NZ (map included)
While considered small in many countries, Christchurch, New Zealand has many restaurants and food offerings that rival larger cities and…
Top 10 Wellness Resorts on the North Island of New Zealand
While New Zealand’s North Island is home to the country’s capital and largest city, it also features an array of…
The 9 Best Attractions in Rotorua, New Zealand
New Zealand is jam-packed with unique nature spots, but the best volcanic landscapes are found in Rotorua, which can be…
The Top 10 New Zealand South Island Wellness Resorts
New Zealand’s South Island, also known as Te Waipounamu or Te Wahipounamu, is a wondrous place packed with lush rainforests,…
10 Amazing New Zealand North Island Boutique Hotels (includes map)
Te Ika A Māui, the northern island of New Zealand, is a lush area where you can simultaneously explore top restaurants and Maori culture. While…
Top 10 Incredible New Zealand South Island Boutique Hotels (includes map)
While New Zealand’s South Island (Te Waipounamu) is generally thought of as a paradise for nature lovers, you can also find…
Amazing Things to Do in Auckland, New Zealand (includes map)
As the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland is an urbanite’s dream, swarming with world-class creations like the Harbor Bridge,…
The 5 Best Bucket List Destinations for Retirement Travel
This video is a list of five of the best bucket list destinations in the world for retired travelers in…
New Zealand Facts:
Capital: Wellington
Language: English, Te Reo Maori
Monetary Unit: New Zealand Dollar
Population: 5.08 Million
Form of Government: Constitutional Monarchy with a Parliamentary Govt.
Total Area: 103,500 Square Miles
National Parks: 13
Electrical Plug Type: I
Best Time to Visit New Zealand
We have linked a great website to this button showing the weather for this location by the month. Click below to be taken to Weather-and-Climate.com.
Our Visit
We began our 2023 travels in the very early morning when we took this shot of the sun rising at the train station. After arriving at the Auckland Airport, we took a bus (buy a metro card at an airport convenience store $5) to the Puhinui Train Station, and then a train to the city. We spent under $2 each for fare. The taxi can cost up to $55 USD. We love clean buses, nice trains, and friendly people. We encountered them all!
Explore travel in another country!
We have traveled to many countries, so check out our guides here!