Tour New Zealand: The Ultimate Guide

On the other side of the world lies New Zealand. A beautiful country with a beautiful landscape and a climate comparable to that of the Netherlands. Because the country has many similarities with ours, many people have already emigrated to New Zealand. But if you don't want to move, a holiday or round trip to New Zealand is a good option. Because the country is so diverse, a trip through New Zealand with a camper van or car is really recommended. This way you can set the pace and visit the locations you are interested in. And there are lots of nice and interesting places to visit.

Besides the diversity of the landscape and the similarities with the Netherlands, New Zealand is of course known as the film location of the Lord of the Rings films. All Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films were shot in New Zealand. The beautiful landscapes and many idyllic villages can be found there. You can visit all these special film sets.

1. Features New Zealand

A round trip through New Zealand is very popular because you don't have to do any special vaccinations. The language of instruction is English and in some places even Dutch. This of course because of the many immigrants. You have to be very careful when talking to each other, because many New Zealanders can understand Dutch very well. This can sometimes cause uncomfortable situations when you don't expect it.

2. Best travel period round trip New Zealand

New Zealand has a maritime climate and the Netherlands a temperate maritime climate. The weather in both countries has many similarities. So the weather is very changeable. You can find four seasons in one day and that makes a round trip very adventurous. You have to be prepared for everything. The seasons are in terms of temperature exactly the opposite of the seasons in the Netherlands. So the warmest months are January and February. When we are wearing our winter clothes in the Netherlands, you can enjoy the sun in New Zealand.

However, this does not mean that those months are the best time to travel. Actually, it depends on the type of weather you like. New Zealand is suitable for travelling all year round. You can decide whether you go for a warm period or more for a cool time of the year. Here is an overview of the seasons in New Zealand.

• Lente: from September to November
• Summer: from December to February
• Herfst: from March to May
• Winter: from June to August.

3. Travelling through New Zealand

Are you going out with friends or your lover? Then choose a car, a camper or wicked van, these are all very easy to rent. A wicked van is a kind of mini camper for 2 or 3 persons. You rent a van with cool graffiti drawings and drive through the country. So you decide for yourself where you drive. There are many Bed & Breakfasts throughout the country and other cheap places available when you have a smaller budget. But you can also choose nice hotels.

4. Do you need travel insurance for a round trip through New Zealand?

That depends on what you're going to do. Are you going for standard excursions, nothing exciting and are you going on an organized group trip? Then a standard travel insurance is often sufficient. Do you choose to rent a car or motorhome? Then you should take this into account when choosing travel insurance. The latter is also important when you choose the active and exciting excursions. Look carefully what your insurance covers when you like a good dose of adrenaline.

5. Sights and the most beautiful places in New Zealand

5.1. Sky Tower

If we start our trip in Auckland a visit to the Sky Tower is indispensable. This lookout and telecommunication tower is located in the centre of the city. The Sky Tower is 328 meters high and offers spectacular views. In the tower there are three restaurants where you can eat delicious food. The restaurant The Orbit rotates so you can see every side of the city. Enjoy a delicious meal and a panoramic view.

In addition to the food, you can also use the SkyJump, Vertico Climb and SkyWalk in the tower. All three of these activities provide a large dose of adrenaline. At the SkyWalk you can walk around the tower, but at the top! The SkyJump actually says it all. You jump from a plateau 192 meters down. At the Vertico Climb you climb 300 meters up inside the tower. After that you can enjoy the fantastic view. The Sky Tower is definitely worth a visit!

Update 2020: Vertico Climb is now permanently closed.

5.2. Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a wide bay of 16 km on the north coast of New Zealand. The bay consists of about 150 islands. The Bay of Islands is a 3.5 hour drive from Auckland. This is not a boring ride, but a beautiful journey through nature. The enjoyment starts in the car. It is also possible to travel there by plane, from Auckland. This takes only 35 minutes.

5.3. Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island belongs to the Hauraki Gulf Islands. It is only half an hour by boat from Auckland. If you like beautiful water, rocky bays and beautiful beaches then this island is really worth a visit. The temperature on the island is wonderfully warm and thanks to the tropical view it really feels like a holiday. An important feature, besides the white beaches, are the wines on the island. There are about 30 wineries with many tasting rooms. Enjoy these special wines. But also for the more active among us there is plenty to do on Waiheke Island. There is a large network of hiking trails along the beautiful cliffs. Here you can kayak, dive and there are cable cars from which you can swing.

5.4. One Tree Hill

Do you think the Sky Tower is a little too much of a good thing? Then go to One Tree Hill for a nice view over Auckland. It's a dead volcanic cone in a volcanic field south of downtown Auckland. The last time this volcano erupted was between 20,000 and 30,000 years ago. This was once the largest prehistoric Maori settlement in New Zealand.

5.5. Rangitoto island

During your stay in Auckland a visit to Rangitoto Island is a nice trip. It is a small island north of Auckland. You can climb the volcano with a great hike. The Rangitoto volcano is relatively young and erupted 600 years ago. At the top of the volcano you have a great view over Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. A nice addition to your tour through New Zealand.

5.6. Rotorua

Rotorua is one of the most famous cities of the North Island, thanks to its many volcanic activity. It is a city with spouting geysers, delicious hot springs and steaming mud pools. It is the most thermal area of New Zealand. For the Maori Rotorua is a sacred place. So you will find a lot of memories of the Maori. Very characteristic of Rotorua is the smell. In the city it smells very much of rotten eggs. This is the smell of the sulphur that is released from the many geysers and hot springs.

You done visiting the hot springs and geysers, you ready for more exercise? No problem. Rotorua is also known for its hiking trails, exciting rafting opportunities and mountain biking in the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest. The best and most beautiful place in the world for mountain biking.

5.7. Lake Taupo

In addition to the lakes in Rotorua, you will also find Lake Taupo on the North Island. This is a beautiful lake known for its incredibly beautiful views, clear water and white plum stone beaches. The lake was formed by the largest volcanic eruption ever. The lake is home to many trout, making it a real paradise for anglers. The other activities at Lake Taupo are water skiing, surfing, paragliding and rafting. Do you really want to do something special? Sign up for Drift Diving or Rock 'n Ropes. Drift Diving lets you get carried away with the current of the Waikato River and float along with schools of trout. Rock 'n Ropes says it all. You sway through the forest on liana's, if it were a real Jane or Tarzan.

5.8. Waitomo Caves

The Waitomo Caves must have really visited you. Waitomo is a word from the Maori and it means: 'water flowing through a hole'. It is a large cave system of which not everything has been discovered yet. In the Glowworm Caves you can discover the magic of millions of glowworms. The glowworms cover the ceiling of the cave and a boat will take you through the caves to see this special effect. In the cave it is cold, so it is advisable to bring a warm sweater or vest. Besides the possibility to go by boat through the cave it is also possible to go black-water rafting or abseiling in the caves. Black-water rafting allows you to be carried away by the water, lying down in a pneumatic tyre. Very exciting because on some stretches it is quite cramped in the cave.

Abseiling is really very special. In the Lost World Cave there is the possibility to abseil from a hundred meters. After a spectacular abseil, you will walk through the caves, climbing and sliding through the water and cramped stretches. Canyoning in its most extreme form.

5.9. Lord of the Rings tour

Nearly everyone knows one or more films from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and many people know that these special films were shot in New Zealand. After the success of these films, the Hobbit films were also shot there. After the Lord of the Rings films were shot, the film sets were largely cleaned up and nature was restored to its former glory. After the shooting of the Hobbit films, it was decided to let a part of the film sets exist, so that they can be visited by tourists. So it is now possible to take a look at 'The Shire'.

There are several Lord of the Rings tours to book where you will be taken to several film locations and can take a look there. This is definitely worth it, because in addition to the special nature, you also get a special look behind the scenes of these great films. The film sets can be found on both the North and South Island. You can book a tour on both islands.

5.10. Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island. The Victorian architecture in the city is very reminiscent of England. After the earthquakes in 2010, 2011 and 2016 a large part of the city was destroyed. Since then, they have been busy restoring the city. When you are in the city, a visit to the Canterbury Museum and the Christchurch Cathedral should not be missed. The Canterbury museum is the most important museum of New Zealand. In addition to a lot of contemporary art, the museum also has an impressive collection of Maori art.

5.11. City of gardens

In Christchurch you'll find the City Gardens. One of the many entrances to this park is at the Canterbury museum. In the park you'll find a large collection of native and exotic plants. In 1863 the first tree was planted to commemorate the marriage of Prince Albert Edward of England and Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

5.12. International Antarctic Centre

International Arntarctic Centre. It is located in a suburb, close to the airport. As a visitor you will discover the secrets of Antarctica. It is the base of the American, New Zealand and Italian Antarctic explorations. It is an interactive exhibition about the South Pole. For children this is a great place because you can even make a snowman.

5.13. World's steepest street

In a suburb of Dunedin on the South Island you will find a very steep street. Baldwin street was called the steepest street in the world until 16 July 2019. The street is 350 meters long and has a gradient of 35%! Nice to see if you can cycle up the street.

5.14. Pancake Rocks

Paparoa National Park. Here you can clearly see what water can make. The rocks have been formed by thousands of years of rain, wind and rising water from the sea. Unique rock formations that come into their own during the different times of the water.

5.15. Queenstown

Queenstown is the largest city on the South Island. In addition, the city enjoys a great location on the beautiful, deep blue Lake Wakatipu. The mountains, lakes and rivers that surround the city ensure that you can do the most challenging sports here. Take a unique jump with Queenstown Bungeejumping. The first public bungee jump was installed here in 1988 by A.J. Hackett. Nowadays there are several places to jump, such as the 43 meters high Kawarau Bridge or 104 meters down from a bridge into a narrow riverbed.

In addition to bungee jumping you can also hang glide from the mountains, paraglide from Bob's Peak, rafting in the rivers Dart, Kawarau and Shotover, horseback riding and skydiving. In winter, skiing and cross-country skiing are also possible.

5.16. Onson Hot Polish

Queenstown is known for its great activities, but you can also choose to relax by visiting the Onson Hot Pools. These lovely steam baths lie high on a cliff overlooking the Shotover River Canyon. While relaxing in a lovely steam bath you will enjoy the view. The water temperature of the baths is between 37.8 and 39.8 degrees, depending on the outside temperature. You will enjoy a private steam bath where you can open and close the windows and the roof yourself. The pure water in the Hot Pools comes from the surrounding mountains. Relax of course.

5.17. Milford Sound

When you're on the South Island, a visit to the Milford Sound really shouldn't be missed. The Milford Sound is one of the most famous fjords in Fjorderland. You can sail through the Sound on a boat or join a multi-day hike. The beautiful nature will take your breath away. Enjoy the beautiful nature and enchanting waterfalls. Book a stay at Te Anau and visit not only the Milford, but also the Doubtfull Sound. A real must for nature lovers.

5.18. Abel Tasman National Park

It is the smallest national park in New Zealand, but definitely worth a visit during a tour of New Zealand. You can make great walks in the park. During the walks you'll walk over suspension bridges, beautiful beaches and impressive forests. But in addition to the blue sea, there are also beautiful bays and caves. A unique area to see. The Abel Tasman National Park is located in the north of the South Island.

5.19. At Papa Tongarewa: Museum of New Zealand

The National Museum of New Zealand is Te Papa Tongarewa. Of course this should not be missing from our list. A great museum in which you get to know everything that is important in New Zealand. Te Papa Tongarewa means: 'The place of treasures of the country'. And it really is. The building has 6 floors with exhibitions. You will learn everything about the rich history, culture and nature of New Zealand. There is a lot of Maori culture to be found and there are daily performances. It is a special place where you can learn everything about this great country with its unique nature and history.

6. Book a round trip to New Zealand: compare providers and accommodations

Do you want to make a really special journey where you can enjoy not only culture and nature, but also excitement and sensation? Then book your tour of New Zealand now. The possibilities in this country are endless!

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