Top attractions in New Zealand

New Zealand splits into two islands with different characters: the North Island holds Auckland, Wellington and geothermal areas around Rotorua, while the South Island is the mountainous one, built around the Southern Alps, fiords and long scenic drives. Crossing between them means a ferry or a short flight.

The guides collected here cover Auckland, Wellington and New Zealand overall. Seasons run opposite to Europe, with December to February the warm months and July to September the ski season in the south. Distances are moderate but roads are winding, so drive times routinely exceed what the map implies. Weather changes quickly in the mountains, which matters for any plan built around hiking rather than cities.