Travelling New Zealand: Highlights, tips and must-visit spots

Kia ora (hello)!

Last year, I finally ticked New Zealand off my bucket list with a 17-day itinerary across both the North and South Islands. It turned out to be one of my absolute favourite travel experiences so far. New Zealand is a truly special place, not only is it jaw-droppingly beautiful, but the respect and pride they have for their native culture make it even more meaningful to visit.

I’d had New Zealand solo travel on my list for years, but I didn’t have a huge budget or unlimited time. So I chose to join a New Zealand group tour. The tour was 17 days, included loads of the activities I wanted and was great value for money. Would I have loved to stay longer? Absolutely. But with Christmas creeping up (and prices skyrocketing), I knew it wasn’t possible. I guess that just means I’ll have to go back one day!

I visited New Zealand in November and December. This felt like a great time of year to go, as it felt like summer was on its way. Of course we still had a little rain and it was chilly in some areas, but overall, I felt like it was a good time of year to visit.

Why New Zealand is great for solo travellers

New Zealand is honestly one of the best countries in the world for solo travellers. It’s incredibly easy to get around. The buses are efficient and reliable, even between the North and South Islands, and there’s also a strong backpacking New Zealand culture.

You’re never short of people to meet, whether in hostels, on buses or on adventure tours. Kiwis are super friendly and used to travellers passing through, so you never really feel out of place. Plus, the range of experiences from adrenaline sports to wine tasting, hiking to stargazing means there’s something for every type of solo traveller.

My New Zealand itinerary

So here’s my experience…

The North Island

Auckland
I started in Auckland. This is such a cool city, and a great starting point for any New Zealand itinerary. There’s plenty to do: museums (including the All Blacks Museum), great restaurants and buzzing nightlife. One of my favourite places to eat in Auckland was a restaurant called Jungle 8. Here you can order a bunch of different small plates. All the food I tried was insane. One of my favourite side trips was taking the ferry to Waiheke Island, which is perfect if you love wine, food and stunning views.

From Auckland, we also visited the Waitomo glow-worm caves (a must-see in New Zealand) and the famous Hobbiton movie set. Both lived up to the hype, magical, quirky and unforgettable. Even if you’re not a fan of Lord of the Rings, it’s still a great experience.

Rotorua
Rotorua is one of the most unique destinations in New Zealand. It’s known for its geothermal activity, bubbling mud pools, geysers and hot springs. Sure, it smells a bit like eggs, but you soon get used to it. Just don’t do your laundry there.

Some of the highlights here included:

• Visiting Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
• Swimming in a natural hot spring (just don’t wear your favourite swimwear as its hard to get the sulfur smell from it)
• White water rafting down Grade 5 waterfalls
• Trying zorbing, which was invented here
• Visiting a Māori village to enjoy a traditional hāngī meal and cultural performance

Rotorua should definitely be on your list if you’re planning a North Island New Zealand itinerary, especially to visit the Māori village.

Lake Taupō
Lake Taupō is absolutely stunning and a fun fact: it’s bigger than Singapore. It’s a chilled-out town but packed with activities like skydiving, bungee jumping and boat trips to the Māori rock carvings. The boat trip was one of my favourite activities. The scenery was beautiful and we were able to swim in the water, which was extremely refreshing. We also hiked to Huka Falls, where the water is such a bright turquoise it looks photoshopped.

One quirky highlight you can’t miss is the McDonald’s in an actual airplane. I know grabbing fast food doesn’t sound like the best way to experience culture, but honestly, it’s worth it just for the novelty. You can sit inside the plane while you eat and it’s such a fun little stop.

The South Island

Queenstown
Known as the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is without doubt the highlight of any South Island New Zealand itinerary. From the moment you fly in, it feels special. The landing is intense, weaving between mountains, but the views of snow-capped peaks and shimmering lakes are unforgettable.

The town itself is buzzing. There are so many cafés, bars, and restaurants to try. I loved Cowboy’s Queenstown, which was complete with a mechanical bull (a very fun night out). And of course, no trip to Queenstown is complete without trying the famous Fergburger. Yes, the queues are long, but the burgers are absolutely worth it.

Activity-wise, Queenstown really lives up to its reputation. Some of my highlights included:

• Jet boating on Lake Wakatipu, whizzing through canyons at high speed with spray flying everywhere. Adrenaline meets jaw-dropping scenery.
• Taking the gondola up to Bob’s Peak for panoramic views over the lake and mountains. You can also hike it if you’re keen, but I’ll admit I opted for the gondola (because one, it’s steep, and two, I just love gondolas!).
• Once at the top, we tried luge rides. It’s like real-life Mario Kart. You pay for a few goes at a time, so of course we went more than once. Some of the girls had also luged in Rotorua and said it was even better there, but honestly it was such a laugh either way.

If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is where the famous Kawarau Bridge Bungy is (the big one). It’s 134 meters (440 feet). There’s also a giant swing you can do. While I didn’t do the swing there, I have done it at another A.J. Hackett venue and I do really recommend it. As for bungee jumping, I think that might be my limit.

Queenstown also makes a brilliant base for exploring wider Fiordland. We used it as our jumping-off point for Milford Sound, but honestly, I could have stayed longer in Queenstown itself. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a foodie or just someone who wants to sit by the lake with a coffee, soaking in the mountain views, Queenstown has something for everyone.

Milford Sound and Te Anau
A visit to Milford Sound is one of the absolute best things to do in New Zealand. The fjord is breathtaking, with sheer cliffs, dramatic waterfalls and wildlife like dolphins. Our boat trip even drove under a waterfall for a freezing but fun “glacial facial.” Driving into and out of Milford Sound is an experience in itself. The winding roads are surrounded by mountains and lakes, with viewpoints that make you want to stop every five minutes.

We stayed overnight in Te Anau, a quiet lakeside town that’s often overlooked but really charming. We checked into a hostel, went out for dinner and just enjoyed the slower pace. Te Anau is small, but it has a cosy feel and makes a great base if you want to spend more time exploring Fiordland. I even met someone later in Fiji who was from Te Anau, proof that it’s small, but mighty!

Arrowtown
This is a small, historic gold mining town near Queenstown. This town feels completely different to Queenstown. It’s peaceful, with heritage buildings, cosy cafés and boutique shops. I only had an hour there, but it was enough to fall in love with the charm of the place.

Most importantly, I had the best pie of my entire trip from a little bakery here and I ate a lot of pies in New Zealand! If you’ve got more time, the restored Chinese settlement is also worth a visit for a glimpse into the town’s gold rush history

Wanaka
Wanaka is another gorgeous lake town with plenty of hikes, including the famous Roys Peak Track and the famous Wanaka tree. We were meant to Kayak around it, but due to bad weather, we couldn’t. So instead we went on a bike ride to the tree and around the lake. I’ll admit I’m not much of a “bike girly”, but it was still a fun way to take in the scenery. We even went for a swim in the lake afterwards, freezing but refreshing! And, as always in New Zealand, the bakeries didn’t disappoint. Wanaka had some of the best sweet buns I tried on the whole trip.

Hooker Valley Track
On the way to our next stop, we hiked the Hooker Valley Track near Aoraki / Mount Cook and honestly, it was my favourite hike of the whole trip. The trail isn’t too difficult, but the views are out of this world. You cross suspension bridges, walk alongside glacial rivers and end up facing the incredible Mount Cook with a lake full of floating icebergs at its base. The scenery felt almost unreal, like being dropped into a postcard. I loved every second of it, and if you only do one hike in New Zealand, I’d say make it this one.

Lake Tekapo
Our final official stop on the tour was Lake Tekapo and what a way to end. Tekapo is famous for its ridiculously turquoise water. Honestly, it looks like someone’s poured blue Gatorade into the lake. Surrounded by mountains, it’s one of the most photogenic places I’ve ever been.

We were lucky enough to be there during lupin season, when the colourful flowers bloom along the lakeshore. It just added to the magic and the contrast of pink, purple and blue flowers against that glacial water was unreal.

One of the best activities here was hiking the Mount John Summit Track, which gives you panoramic views over the lake and surrounding countryside. It’s not too challenging, and the reward at the top is so worth it. Even better, when you come back down, you can relax in the Tekapo Springs hot pools right by the lake, the perfect way to rest tired legs.

But the absolute highlight for me was the stargazing tour. Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, which means the stars here are some of the clearest in the world. We went out with a telescope and saw the moon up close, Saturn (which looked too perfect to be real), and even spotted shooting stars. I love the night sky, but this was something else; the Milky Way stretched out above us in a way I’d never seen before. It was the perfect ending to an incredible trip.

Other popular places to visit in New Zealand

Even though I covered a lot in 17 days, there are still so many incredible places in New Zealand I didn’t make it to. If you’ve got more time, here are a few worth adding to your itinerary:

• Wellington: New Zealand’s quirky capital on the southern tip of the North Island. It’s known for its thriving arts scene, craft coffee, and the iconic Te Papa Museum. Fun fact: it’s also the furthest place geographically from where I am from in the UK, literally the opposite side of the world.
• Christchurch: Often called the Garden City, Christchurch has reinvented itself since the earthquakes with modern architecture, trendy cafés and street art. It’s also the gateway to the Canterbury region, full of vineyards and coastal towns.
• Bay of Islands: A subtropical region north of Auckland with over 140 islands. It’s a paradise for sailing, dolphin watching and relaxing on golden beaches. The town of Paihia makes a great base here.
• Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers: On the South Island’s West Coast, these glaciers are famous for guided hikes and scenic helicopter tours. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can walk on a glacier just a short distance from the ocean.
• Abel Tasman National Park: A slice of coastal heaven with golden beaches, turquoise water, and lush forest. Perfect for kayaking, multi-day hikes or just relaxing.
• Kaikōura: A small coastal town known for incredible marine life. It’s one of the best places in the world to spot sperm whales year-round, and you can also swim with dolphins or go seal spotting.
• Dunedin: A student city with Scottish heritage, historic architecture, and easy access to the wildlife-rich Otago Peninsula, home to penguins and albatross.

Getting around New Zealand

Since I joined a New Zealand group tour, all transport was included, which made things simple. But if you’re travelling solo, New Zealand is super easy to navigate. The public bus system is reliable, ferries connect the islands, and plenty of day tours are available to major attractions like Hobbiton and Milford Sound.

Extra tips for solo travellers in New Zealand

• Apply in enough time for your NZeTA visa.
• Don’t bring food into the country as New Zealand’s biosecurity is strict.
• Carry your passport for ID, as foreign driver’s licences aren’t accepted.
• Pack for all weather, even summer can bring rain and cold winds.
• Budget wisely: adventure sports and activities are amazing, but can quickly add up. If you want to do an activity like bungee jumping or skydiving, incorporate that into your budget from the beginning.

Final thoughts

New Zealand completely stole my heart. Between the dramatic landscapes, the welcoming people, and the endless adventures, it’s easily one of the best destinations for solo travellers.

Even with just 17 days, I got to experience both islands and so many iconic spots. Would I go back? Absolutely. I’m already dreaming of a longer New Zealand itinerary that includes Wellington, Christchurch and the Bay of Islands.

If you’re considering travelling solo in New Zealand, my advice is: book the ticket. You’ll never regret it.