Ah, New Zealand. Australia’s less deadly cousin. You go to Australia if you have a death wish.
There are several reasons to visit New Zealand, including wine and beaches. You go to New Zealand to find peace, frolic like a hobbit, and apparently, because we can’t have nice things, walk around barefoot.
Yeah.
So.
New Zealand, I like you.
You’re a beautiful country.
You have delightful people.
You have fantastic wine.
You have contributed to great cinematic masterpieces.
But.
None of that forgives the audacity you have about not wearing shoes.
No one asked for this unexpected foot content. Tuck those toes in, please and thank you.
I am just casually here reminding you. To put those bad boys away for all of us.
When I saw a man just wandering around Auckland carefree and shoeless, for a second, I envied him. He seemed like he was living a blissful life.
But ya know what, is better than a blissful life? I was absolutely throwing him Olympic-level side-eye for those questionable things masquerading as feet.
But we’re not here to talk about feet. We’re here to talk about why you should visit New Zealand and add it to your bucket list!
Back to New Zealand. Nestled in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is often described as “heaven on Earth” and tbh, I get why. Breathtaking landscapes, diverse culture, and endless adventures, it makes perfect sense why it ends up on everyone’s bucket list. Keep reading to learn more
1. More Sheep than People Makes New Zealand Peaceful
Let’s start with the vibes of New Zealand. New Zealand is so peaceful! It has more sheep than people. People can be exhausting. Sheep? Fluffy, peaceful, and drama-free. My kind of vibe. That kind of population ratio has me JUMPING on the next flight.
The limited number of people is probably a big contributor to New Zealand constantly being ranked one of the safest countries to visit.
2. Great Weather
Not only is it super safe due to the population mix, it also just has a super pleasant climate year round. During the summer (December to February), you can soak up the sun on beautiful beaches. During the winter (June to August), you can hit the slopes and explore the snowy peaks!
3. Experience Maori Culture
The Maroi are indigenous to New Zealnd (Aotearoa) and have a rich culture you can experience through visits to cultural centers such as Te Puia in Rotorua. Here you can see traditional haka and poi dances. There are also guided trips to tribal meeting grounds, where vitisors are often welcomed via a ceremony and can partake in a hāngi feast.
4. Natural Beauty That Will Leave You Speechless
New Zealand is easily one of the prettiest places I have ever travelled to. From snow-capped mountains to golden beaches, there’s something for everybody! And by everybody, I mean me as I literally tried to see EVERYTHING.
Pro Tip: Home to the iconic Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound— this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers dramatic landscapes of steep cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and calm waters.
5. Watch Dolphins
Ever dream of seeing a dolphin? You’re not alone. Go to the Bay of Islands to see both dolphins and whales!
6. Stunning Beaches
New Zealand is covered in beautiful beaches, but there are two I specifically want to call out:
Piha Beach
Less than an hour from Auckland, you can either drive here or hop on a tour. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it out to this beach but you BEST BELIEVE it’s on my bucket list for next time.
Cathedral Cove
Located on the Coromandel Peninsula, this beach is amazing. Honestly one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen. There are a lot of tours that leave from Auckland, you can check them out here
💡 Fun Fact: Did you know Cathedral Cove was a filming location for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian? Walking through the iconic walkway will feel like you’re entering another world, unfortunately, no talking lions or fawns. Which I know is an absolute bummer.
7. Famous Wine Regions
Lololololol, you thought we were going to make it through a post without me bringing up drinking? You’re cute, but you know what this is.
Unlike my usual feral recommendation, we’re going classy in New Zealand. New Zealand’s wine regions will have you sipping on cloud wine, making pour decisions, and thinking ‘wine not?’ when they ask if you want another glass.
Must-Visit Wine Regions and Wineries:
- Marlborough
- Famous for Sauvignon Blanc. Visit Cloudy Bay (cloudybay.co.nz).
- Central Otago
- Known for Pinot Noir. Don’t miss Felton Road Wines (feltonroad.com).
- Hawke’s Bay
- Top-notch Chardonnay. Check out Te Mata Estate (temata.co.nz).
- Waiheke Island
- Spend a day winery-hopping; start with Mudbrick Vineyard (mudbrick.co.nz).
- Canterbury
- Visit Pegasus Bay Winery (pegasusbay.com) for an unforgettable wine and food pairing experience.
8. Meet Unique Wildlife
We’ve covered the landscape and the wine, now we’re going to talk about my third favorite thing to see on trips: ANIMALS. Thanks to its isolation, New Zealand is home to some unique wildlife.
- The Kiwi. This flightless bird is New Zealand’s national symbol, and spotting one is a must for wildlife lovers. Specialized kiwi sanctuaries offer opportunities to observe these nocturnal birds up close.
I love them.
I want one.
New Zealand was not on board with me taking one home.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if Samwise Gamgee had one in his pocket because someone so pure of heart deserves a pure of heart animal. - The Kea. This is a playful parrot known to cause some shenanigans. It’s a curious bird, very cute and playful! Apparently, it’s also a bit of a thief so it’s recommended to keep on eye on your belongings.
- Marine Life. Visit the Kaikoura region to see seals, dolphins, and whales up close. Seasonal tours guarantee sightings and unforgettable experiences on the water.
Where can you go to see these delightful animals and more? The Auckland Zoo, which is one of my favorite zoos, ever.
9. Experience the Adrenaline Rush
You and I may have different ways to get our adrenaline rush on. I get a rush when selecting the cheeses for my dinner at the grocery store, you may get a rush doing something that makes me want to cry. New Zealand has lots of options of where to get an adrenaline rush that would indeed, make me cry.
Skydiving
If you are questioning your sanity or you already know you are crazy, you can go skydiving. Below are some locations to you:
- Queenstown: Soak in unforgetable views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountains
- Taupo: Catch views of Lake Taupō, snow-capped mountains, and lush forests
- Wanaka: Beaitful views of rivers
White Water Rafting and Jetboating
Slightly more sane and value your life? Maybe try water rafting. Below are some areas to explore:
- Tongariro River: Features a mix of raging rapids and serene stetches
- Shotover River: Go jet boating on the Shotover River and go through the narrow canyons at high speeds!
Glacier Hikes
Ok, ok, I hear you. You think sky diving is garbage and who cares about white water rafting? Why do those when we could go look at pretty ice cubes??? Let’s go to Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Ice-climbing or glacier hikes, you’ll want your warm layers for this!
10. Friendly People
With concepts like manaakitanga, hospitality is deeply rooted in the Maori and New Zealand cutlure. Solo travel is great in New Zealand, since it’s very safe and easier to meet people due to how friendly people are. If you are looking to travel, but don’t want to be alone, locals are often approachable and are happy to have conversations with you.
11. Visit Narnia
I already mentioned Cathedral Cove, but there are other amazing sites from Narnia that you can visit while here, including:
- Flock Hill – Canterbury: Battle scenes from Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Elephant Rocks – Waitaki Valley: Aslan’s camp
- Purakaunui Bay – Otago: Appears in Prince Caspian
12. Hobbiton and Lord of the Rings Filming Locations
Finally, we are getting to the reason why New Zealand was on my bucket list. Now looking at everything else on here, there are so many other reasons why New Zealand should have been on my list, but Hobbiton had me sold.
Embrace your inner hobbit by visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were filmed. You get to see all the different hobbit holes, Bag End and The Green Dragon Inn. If this isn’t your dream, no judgment (ok, a little judgment)—but maybe this blog isn’t your vibe 😘
Plan Your Journey to New Zealand
New Zealand isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience and I loved every second! It has everything you could ever want and you’re making a mistake if you’re not looking up flights right now.
And I’m judging you for that mistake, but you should get used to me judging you. I do it all the time.
Happy travels from us at DanckTravel!
FAQs about New Zealand
To make the most out of your New Zealand adventure, here’s some handy advice to keep in mind.
What’s the best time to visit New Zealand?
- Summer (December to February). Perfect for beach days, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.
- Winter (June to August). Ideal for skiing and taking in the snow-covered mountains.
What currency does New Zealand Use?
If you are planning an international trip, it’s always important to make sure you have the right currency on hand. New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar. If you are looking to get local currency before you travel, be sure to check out our guide.
Is it safe to travel in New Zealand?
It’s like you skimmed that part, huh? YES. New Zealand is very safe—but as always, don’t be that traveler.
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