Category: New Zealand

Ready to plan your trip? Check out our favorite places and activities in New Zealand – where we spent almost an entire year!

There are tons of great adventures and views on both the South Island and North Island.

Staying at a New Zealand Castle

When you find out you'll be near one of the only castles in the country, isn't the logical next step to find out if you can stay there? Yea, I thought so. That's how we ended up staying in an iconic New Zealand castle with amazing views and even more impressive... Read more

Memorable Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise in New Zealand

We originally planned to go to both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound during out epic New Zealand road trip, but with the intense flooding that happened just before our visit, Milford was no longer an option without a very long bus ride. So, we chose to spend what we... Read more

5 Fun Day Trips from Queenstown & Why It Makes a Great Base

As we traveled around New Zealand, all the other backpackers warned about how busy Queenstown is. And our research came up with similar results. We actually almost cut our trip there short! But with so much to do in the area, we decided to base almost a week of our... Read more

Coronet Peak Picnic Date with the BEST Views of Queenstown

The Queenstown area is known for its epic views and adventurous activities. It is definitely a can't-miss stop for anyone touring New Zealand. Want 360-degree views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains without all the work of hiking all the way up? Coronet Peak... Read more

Private New Zealand Glow Worms Tour with Unique Eco-Sanctuary Stay

Sometimes being extra spontaneous on a trip can really come back to bite you. Other times, it leads to unexpected places you would have never discovered had you not been forced to make a detour. That's how we discovered Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary outside Rotorua and... Read more

A Blissful Break at Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools

Whether exploring New Zealand by car, bus, bike, train, or your own two feet, at some point – your body is going to need a break after all that adventuring. And we highly recommend arranging to take that break when staying in Glacier Country so that you can... Read more

Detouring to See Hokitika Gorge with Grey Water?!?

After a great time in Arthur's Pass, we were headed to explore the Franz Josef Glacier area for a few days. It was going to be a 3+-hour driving day, so we didn't plan much – as we didn't know what the weather would be like. However, it was a beautiful day, so... Read more

Arthur’s Pass & Devils Punchbowl Waterfall

No matter how much we love a relaxing beach vacay or fun city stay, the mountains are always ringing us up and begging us to come visit. So, after a short paddle sesh on the north coast and a house sit in Christchurch, we set our sights on the rest of New Zealand's... Read more

Remote Coast Sea Kayak Tour of Abel Tasman National Park

Some places are just meant to be viewed from the water and Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand's south island is definitely one of them – especially to enjoy the beauty and wildlife of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Since this area is protected, only a... Read more

Touring Queen Charlotte Sound on a Picton Mail Boat Cruise

When researching must-stop places on your New Zealand road trip, you probably won't come across Picton – we didn't. However, most visitors still end up in this small, but picturesque port town because it is where the interisland ferry picks up and drops off... Read more