Why New Zealand Tops Our Travel Wish List Right Now

In the summer of 2023, I spent a month Down Under with my family, traveling through Australia and exploring both islands of New Zealand. Though it was as exhausting as it sounds, we made unforgettable memories—hiking the 'Great Walks,' sledding and jet boating in Queenstown, and enjoying high tea in Auckland. With plenty left to see, including a stay at one of the world's top new resorts on a high-country sheep station, here are some of the best spots to visit in New Zealand right now.

Queenstown and Wanaka

South Island

Queenstown has earned its reputation as New Zealand’s adrenaline hub—it’s the birthplace of bungee jumping and a gateway to the Southern Alps for adventure sports like heliskiing, jet boating, and luging at Skyline Queenstown. Though it’s become more developed and pricey over the years, no trip is complete without trying the legendary Fergburger (the size of a child’s head). The Ferg empire now includes Mrs. Ferg’s pastries, gelato, and coffee, along with Ferg’s Bar, open until 2 a.m. Don’t miss Madam Woo’s authentic Malaysian dishes or a cocktail and live music at Little Blackwood.

An hour north of Queenstown lies laid-back Wanaka, on Lake Wanaka’s southern shore, gaining a name as a foodie destination. It offers everything from fine dining to food trucks, with wineries and a husband-and-wife-run distillery taking advantage of pure alpine water. Don’t skip dinner at Kika! Wanaka’s focus on wellness encourages slow travel and support for Love Wanaka, a group raising funds for conservation and biodiversity in the region.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Queenstown can be tricky, with limited hotels and rentals available. Many travelers choose the Matakauri, now managed by Rosewood. With only 24 rooms, suites, and villas on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, it offers a secluded feel just seven minutes from town, with stunning views to match.

Auckland

North Island

Whether it's your first or 15th time in New Zealand, most travelers from the U.S. pass through Auckland, the country's biggest city and main international gateway. With its harbor packed with boats and striking volcanic landscapes, Auckland is breathtaking from every angle—whether you’re hiking Maungawhau/Mount Eden or Te pane o mataoho/Maangere Mountain, taking a ferry to the vineyards of Waiheke Island, or soaking in the views from Silo Park’s gantry, QT hotel’s rooftop bar, or the Sky Tower observatory.

If you're traveling with kids, immerse yourselves in an icy adventure with a colony of king and gentoo penguins at Sea Life Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium, or explore the history of New Zealand rugby and the haka at the Auckland All Blacks Experience. Just an hour's drive from Auckland, visit Sculptureum at Matakana, where six art galleries, three sculpture gardens, a vineyard, and the Rothko Restaurant create a delightful afternoon for all ages.

Where to stay

Cordis Auckland, a sister property of Langham located downtown, caters to both business travelers and families. The Corner Executive Suites feature a living room, a king-size bedroom, and a kitchen with a microwave and stove, alongside views of the Sky Tower and spacious bathrooms equipped with soaking tubs. Don’t miss the Cordis High Tea for Two, which also offers a delightful kids’ afternoon tea featuring Cody, the red panda mascot, and a sugar-filled treat for the little ones.

For more top hotel options, check out the new InterContinental on the waterfront, the Park Hyatt, or JW Marriott Auckland.

Where to eat and drink

Start your day with breakfast at Amano Bakery in Britomart, grab an Instagram-famous Giant Cookie from Moustache Milk and Cookie Bar, and enjoy Italian cuisine at Bivacco on the waterfront or Baduzzi in Wynyard Quarter’s North Wharf. For an upscale evening, swap your phone, puffer coat, and sneakers for a night of cocktails at Pineapple on Parnell, where social media is discouraged.

Wellington

North Island

Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park

South Island

New Zealand’s South Island needs no introduction. With natural marvels like the Remarkables and the Valley of the Trolls, it invites exploration by foot, car, helicopter, skis, jet boat, bungee, and more.

As Elen Turner wrote for Dinogo in 2022, 'The best way to experience the South Island’s natural beauty is by road-tripping. Start in Nelson, a city of over 50,000, and head west for about an hour to the eastern entrance of Abel Tasman National Park. Many travelers choose to hike the Coast Track, a five-day, 37-mile Great Walk, camping along the way. For those with mobility concerns or young kids, boat tours from Kaiteriteri offer access to turquoise bays and beaches.'

'Continue your journey over the infamous Tākaka Hill, known for its narrow, winding roads, and stop at a lookout for breathtaking views of Tasman Bay. Spend the night in Tākaka or Collingwood, and cap off your trip by visiting the 65-foot Wainui Falls and the sacred Te Waikoropupū Springs, a place of life, healing, and renewal for both locals and travelers.'

Craigieburn Valley

South Island

Between Christchurch and Queenstown lies Flockhill Lodge, a four-bedroom retreat on a 36,000-acre high-country sheep station. Dinogo hailed it as one of the 'best new hotels of 2023,' and I've been eager to visit ever since. The lodge’s greatest appeal is its secluded location, paired with incredible nature and cuisine. 'New Zealand–born chef Craig Martin crafts meals using local ingredients, like Canterbury-foraged Périgord black truffles and fresh hapuku from Rakiura,' writes Jessica Beresford. Along with these luxuries, the real highlight is the access to adventure: guided hikes, bike rides in the Southern Alps, snowboarding at Craigieburn, and fly-fishing at Winding Creek.

Fiordland National Park

South Island

Years ago, before kids, I embarked on my first New Zealand 'Great Walk'—a 25-mile, three-day trek through Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks along the Routeburn Track with Ultimate Hikes New Zealand. The Great Walks program, now 30 years old, added a new trail last year: the 38-mile Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland National Park. This hike offers ancient forests, Māori heritage, and serene coastlines. Base yourself in Queenstown, and don’t skip the famous Ferg Burger—it’s worth the wait.

This article was first published in 2023 and updated in September 2024 with new details.