Destinations

The places worth basing yourself in across New Zealand, what to expect, how to get there, and how long to stay.

Aerial view over the Bay of Islands near Kerikeri with green headlands wrapping around blue water
Northland

Bay of Islands: an honest visitor's guide

What's worth doing in the Bay of Islands, where to base yourself between Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri, and when weather and crowds break the trip.

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The Avon River winding through central Christchurch with overhanging trees on the banks
Canterbury

Christchurch: The honest guide to New Zealand's Garden City

What you need to know about Christchurch: what's worth your time post-rebuild, how to use it as a South Island base, and the stuff most guides skip.

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Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown in autumn with golden trees on the foreshore and the Remarkables behind
Otago

Queenstown: Honest guide to the adventure capital

What's actually worth doing in Queenstown, when to skip the crowds, and how to base yourself here for Milford Sound and the rest of the South Island.

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Te Puia geyser erupting in Rotorua with steam drifting across the geothermal landscape
Bay of Plenty

Rotorua: an honest visitor's guide

What to do in Rotorua, which Māori cultural experience to pick, where to stay, and the practical stuff (yes, the smell) no one warns you about.

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The volcanic geothermal landscape at Wairakei north of Lake Taupō, with steam rising across the valley
Waikato

Taupō: an honest visitor's guide

What Taupō is like, how it compares to Rotorua, and how to use it as a base for the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Huka Falls and Lake Taupō.

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Lake Wanaka with snow-capped peaks rising behind the calm water
Otago

Wanaka: Queenstown's chiller cousin

Honest guide to Wanaka, NZ: Roys Peak, That Wanaka Tree, Rob Roy Glacier, Cardrona. How to get there, when to go and whether to base here.

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Wellington city, harbour and downtown buildings viewed from a hill above the CBD
Wellington

Wellington: an honest visitor's guide

What to do in Wellington: where to eat and drink, how to get there from Auckland or the South Island, and whether the famous wind ruins it.

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View from the Sky Tower over the Viaduct yacht harbour and Auckland CBD
Auckland

Auckland: Your honest first stop in New Zealand

Honest guide to Auckland for international visitors: how long to stay, what's worth doing, where to base yourself and when to skip ahead.

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Rugged South Island coastline near Dunedin — the same wild Otago coast the city sits on
Otago

Dunedin: Honest guide to NZ's underrated Scottish south

Wildlife, heritage, and a working university town three hours south of Queenstown. What's worth doing in Dunedin, what to skip, and when to go.

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A Fiordland fjord in the Te Anau region with sheer mountain walls dropping to deep dark water
Fiordland

Te Anau: Your gateway to Fiordland and Milford Sound

The honest guide to Te Anau, New Zealand. The smartest base for Milford Sound, plus the Kepler Track, Glowworm Caves, and what to do when you have a spare day.

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