Fiords, volcanoes, vineyards and fine lodges within a few hours of each other, at the far end of the world.
New Zealand packs glaciers, fiords, volcanic plateaus, surf beaches and wine country into two islands about the size of Britain. Distances are manageable, the roads are quiet and the lodges are small and very comfortable, which suits a self-drive or a chauffeured tour.
A first trip usually covers both islands. In the north: the Bay of Islands, geothermal Rotorua and Māori culture, and the volcanoes of Tongariro. In the south: Queenstown, the lakes of Central Otago and the fiords of Fiordland. Short domestic flights link the two.
The caveats are the journey and the weather. It is a full day's travel from London, and the weather in the mountains changes fast, so we build in spare days. Allow at least two and a half weeks.
The experiences we plan most often, with the months they are at their best.
Milford Sound is the best-known fiord in Fiordland National Park, with Mitre Peak rising sheer from the water and waterfalls pouring off the cliffs after rain. The drive from Queenstown is long, so we suggest flying in by small plane or helicopter, cruising the fiord and flying back. Rain only makes the waterfalls better.
The Milford Track is a four-day, 53.5 km Great Walk through glacier-carved valleys, rainforest and over the Mackinnon Pass. In the Great Walks season, from 1 November to 30 April, huts must be booked well ahead. Guided walks with private lodges make it comfortable, with hot showers and cooked dinners.
Queenstown sits on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables, a base for jet boats, hiking and, in winter, skiing. Beyond the town, Central Otago is known for pinot noir: cycle between cellar doors in the Gibbston Valley, then drive the lakeshore road to Glenorchy. Autumn turns the poplars gold around Arrowtown.
Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area, recognised for its volcanoes and its importance to Māori. The Alpine Crossing is a full-day walk past steaming vents, craters and the Emerald Lakes. Book ahead and go with a guide, as the weather can change quickly.
Rotorua sits on a geothermal field of geysers, boiling mud and hot springs. It is also a centre of Māori culture: visit a marae with a local guide, learn about carving and weaving, and share a hāngī meal cooked in the ground. A private guided visit is far more rewarding than a large evening show.
In the subtropical north, the Bay of Islands has more than 140 islands, sheltered anchorages and dolphins. It is also where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, and a morning at the Treaty Grounds explains a great deal about modern New Zealand. Spend a day sailing, then stay near Russell.
New Zealand's luxury lodges are a reason to go. We use Kauri Cliffs or Eagles Nest in the north, Huka Lodge beside the Waikato River at Taupō, and Matakauri Lodge or Blanket Bay around Lake Wakatipu. In between, smaller boutique hotels and farm stays keep the trip grounded.
We match each trip in New Zealand to hotels, lodges and villas chosen for the way you travel. Tell us what matters and a specialist will suggest two or three that fit.
Ask for hotel suggestionsSample routes to start from. Every one can be changed.
A self-drive loop from Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook, over to Wanaka, down to Fiordland for Milford Sound, and four nights in Queenstown to finish. Short driving days, long walks.
New Zealand has four distinct seasons, the reverse of ours, and a temperate climate with mild winters and warm rather than hot summers. The mountains make weather local and changeable. From December to March, days are long and the Great Walks, open from 1 November to 30 April, are in full swing.
Autumn, in March and April, is our favourite: settled, clear and golden in Central Otago. Winter, from June to August, brings skiing to the Southern Alps and quiet lodges, though walks outside the Great Walks season need more care. Spring is fresh but unpredictable.
The Bay of Islands, Rotorua and Taupō in the north, then Queenstown, Milford Sound and Kaikōura in the south, with short flights between the islands. 14 nights.
Arrive via Singapore and rest in a harbour hotel. A gentle evening walk on the waterfront.
Drive north to the Bay of Islands. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a day sailing among the islands and a night in Russell.
Fly or drive south to Rotorua for geothermal valleys, a guided marae visit and a hāngī dinner.
Huka Falls and Lake Taupō, then a guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing if the weather allows.
Fly to Queenstown. A fly-cruise-fly day to Milford Sound, Gibbston Valley wineries and the road to Glenorchy.
Fly to Christchurch and drive north to Kaikōura, where mountains drop to the sea, for whale watching.
Drive back to Christchurch for the long flight home via Asia.
Practical notes checked against their sources. For entry and safety, the FCDO advice for New Zealand (opens in a new tab) is always the authority.
There are no direct flights. The fastest journeys to Auckland take about 24 hours with one stop, for example in Singapore or Dubai. A night or two in Asia on the way out helps with the time change.
UK passport holders can visit without a visa but must have an NZeTA before travel. Read the FCDO entry requirements (opens in a new tab) and apply ahead.
Read the FCDO entry requirements for New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
The UV is strong even on cool days, so wear sunscreen. Pack layers and waterproofs for the mountains. Check TravelHealthPro (opens in a new tab) and the FCDO health page.
The currency is the New Zealand dollar. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, and a 15% GST is included in displayed prices.
Spark, One NZ and 2degrees run the main mobile networks. Coverage is good in towns but patchy on mountain roads and in Fiordland.
Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, though a small tip for excellent service, private guiding or a multi-day trip is appreciated.
For a first visit, both. The South Island has the big landscapes: fiords, glaciers and the lakes around Queenstown. The North Island has Māori culture, geothermal areas, volcanoes and warmer beaches. If you only have two weeks and must choose, choose the South Island for scenery.
Driving is on the left and roads are quiet, so self-drive is easy for confident drivers. Mountain roads are winding, though, and some days are long. Many clients mix the two, driving scenic sections themselves and using private guides or small planes for Milford Sound and longer transfers.
February to April is our favourite, with settled weather, warm seas and fewer crowds than midsummer. December and January are longer and busier. Winter suits skiers. Hikers should plan around the Great Walks season, from November to April.
Yes. Fiji is a few hours' flight from Auckland and makes an easy beach finish. Australia is closer still, and a combined trip works best with three weeks or more.
Tell us a little and a specialist will reply with ideas, dates that work and a price. Best months: January to March.
Reef, red centre, rainforest and wild islands in one long trip, planned around the seasons of a continent.
Island resorts on clear lagoons, soft coral reefs and a warm village welcome, an easy add-on to Australia or New Zealand.
Tahiti, Moorea, the coral atolls of the Tuamotus and the wild Marquesas: 118 islands across a vast stretch of ocean.
