For such a small country, New Zealand has a big reputation. Most people know it as the place where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed, and it continues to be a dream destination for fans of these movies.
However, New Zealand has more to offer than just Hobbiton (yes you can see the hobbits houses in the North Island), and while it’s certainly a long way away, the fact that only the most determined visitors make the trip make it even more special for those who visit.
With a population of less than 5 million, you’ll see more sheep than people in this country. But don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s sleepy, as the country is home to Queenstown, known as the “Adventure Capital of the World”. This is where bungy jumping was invented, and the crazy kiwis have been throwing themselves off of things, rafting down rivers and convincing visitors to get in touch with their inner adrenalin junkies for years.
New Zealand is easy to travel, and with two islands you have your pick of where to start. The best idea is to fly into Auckland in the North Island, hire a campervan and go wherever the mood takes you. This gives you the freedom to stop and camp on the side of the road and leave whenever you like. From there, travel down to Wellington, the country’s capital and the place where you’ll get the InterIslander ferry down to Picton in the South Island. For those who hire a car, the car can go on the ferry with you, while campervan companies will have offices in both Picton and Wellington so you can drop a van off and pick a new one up.
In the North Island you’ll find Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand and the most populated, with 1 million residents. Rotorua is a must-visit, and is full of hot springs and geysers. To learn more about the Maori (the native people of New Zealand), you’ll find villages here where you can eat a Hangi (a Maori meal which is cooked on coals under the ground) and watch a show with Maori dancing.
Be sure to go to the hot water beach and dig a hole in the sand for your own personal hot spring.
Franz Josef Glacier
In the South Island, you’ll see some of the scenery which made New Zealand so famous. Along with Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, you’ll find ski fields, beaches, and the famous pancake rocks.
Visitors to Christchurch will be able to see a city undergoing a huge rebuild after earthquakes wiped out whole suburbs, including most of the city centre and all of the heritage buildings. But you’ll also see examples of true resilience as residents rebuild and invent creative ways to attract visitors, such as the shipping container mall and the food trucks.
To see the best parts of New Zealand, allow at least a month in each island. While the country can be explored in a month, this will mean missing out on some of the best hiking and photo opportunities.
