New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country with many amazing places to hike! Both the North and South Island have so much to offer trekking lovers. I’ve visited twice and hiked many of them, so decided to create this list of 10 incredible day hikes in New Zealand for you. The landscape here offers an incredibly diverse of scenery making a variety of stunning hikes. Toy can hike snow-capped mountains, lush forests, live volcanos, coastal trails, amazing lakes, and more. There are hiking options for everyone. And while New Zealand has an extensive network of trails known as the “Great Walks”, which are often multi-day hut-to-hut hikes, many of these…

Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, offers a range of diverse and fun experiences for travelers. From a variety of heart-pumping activities at its iconic Sky Tower to the vibrant atmosphere at Viaduct Harbor, the stunning beauty of nearby islands and beaches, multitude of vineyards, multicultural cuisine, and learning its history at one of its many museums. It’s definitely worth it to stay here a few days to explore it all when visiting New Zealand. This post covers the top things to do in Auckland. The Top Things To Do In Auckland Explore Viaduct Harbor Viaduct Harbor is pretty and has a nice energy, making it a perfect place to explore.…

Looking for an amazing adventure in Auckland? Take the sunset kayak tour across the bay to Rangitoto Island, an uninhabited volcanic island, hike to its peak, watch the sunset behind the Auckland skyline, and kayak back to Auckland in inky-black darkness. I did this on the last day of my trip in New Zealand and it was amazing. I absolutely loved it! If you do this, make sure to book it early though, as space fills up quickly! Sunset Kayak Tour To Rangitoto The sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island takes about 6-7 hours total. It operates year round, starting at 4 PM in the summer and 2 PM in…

Waiheke Island makes a great day trip as there are many fanstastic places to visit on this laid-back little gem! Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, you really can’t miss this island when visiting the area. It’s known as the “island of wine” with about 30 wineries and cellar doors, but there are also many great restaurants, wonderful sandy beaches to explore, multiple walks, and some interesting history. The island is full of greenery and rolling hills with amazing views from their vistas, like the view of Rangitoto Island in the photo below and its eastern end was once a volcano that erupted about 15 million years ago. Originally…

Explore the 12 best things to do in Wellington, New Zealand. The country’s capital. Located on the southeastern tip of the North Island, many people stop here for a night to catch the 3.5 hour ferry across Cook Straight to the South Island. While you’re here, discover the best things to see and do, including walking along the waterfront, experiencing some local culture on vibrant Cuba Street, seeing the panoramic views at Mount Victoria Walkway Lookout and the Wellington Cable Car, going on a Lord of the Rings movie tour, visiting the Botanic Garden, and more. Best Things To Do In Wellington Walk Along The Waterfront One of the best…

The lookout point on Mount Victoria Walkway offers amazing panoramic views across Wellington’s picturesque harbor, the Cook Straight, and the surrounding valley. You can see the dramatic peaks of the Rimutaka Ranges, and on a clear day, possibly even the South Island in the distance. Best of all, this site is free. Plus, if you walk up the hill, you get a great workout too. This post covers Mount Victoria Walkway Lookout Point, how to get there, and what to expect. The Maori name for Mount Victoria is Tangi Te Keo, which means the ‘cry of the peak’ or the ‘cry of the bird’. It is also known as Matairangi.…

Christchurch is one of the biggest cities between popular Queenstown and the northern tip of the South Island, making it an ideal place to stop for a day or two with the long drives involved. Especially if you’re covering both the North and South Islands on your trip. But what exactly is there to do here? This post uncovers the best things to do in Christchurch from seeing the hundreds of vibrant street art murals designed to revitalize the city, exploring its lively, multicultural cafe scene, visiting the peaceful Botanical Gardens, hiking and biking in beautiful landscapes, doing some wine tasting, and possibly even a day trip to go whale…

Wine tasting in Marlborough, New Zealand’s premier wine region, is a must-do experience. Nestled in the northeastern part of the South Island, Marlborough’s reputation as a world-class wine destination comes from its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc, which has put this picturesque region on the global wine map. The cool climate and diverse terroir here provides excellent conditions for Sauvignon Blanc grapes. But there’s more here beyond this world-famous white. There’s also Pinot Noir, its second most popular varietal, as well as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling. There are now also some outstanding craft brews, providing a tasting opportunity here for just about everyone. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or someone who…

The resort town of Wanaka, with its beautiful blue lakes rimmed with majestic, snow-capped mountains offers many things to do for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This hidden gem, about an hour northeast of Queenstown, is a must-visit on the South Island. It’s less touristy than Queenstown, yet similarly stunning. Set near the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage area, it has a picturesque and charming town center, a laid-back vibe with friendly locals, and no shortage of opportunities for relaxation and adventure. This post covers the top things to do in Wanaka, from a hike to one of the most instagrammed views in New Zealand,…

Thinking about trying skydiving? New Zealand is an excellent place to do it. Even better, go skydiving in Wanaka on the South Island. You’ll see the rugged Southern Alps and several scenic lakes as you do your freefall, all strapped safely and securely to a professional skydiver. All you need to do is be brave enough to show up and have an adventurous spirit. You don’t need any gear or experience, the scenery is absolutely stunning, and you’ll have a natural high for at least a week! At least I did. This post covers Skydiving in Wanaka, why it’s one of the best places in New Zealand to skydive, how…