New Zealand Travel Recommendations

Queenstown - Absolutely stunning—highly recommend staying on the lake for the best views. The town itself reminds me of Vail! We stayed at Oaks, which was affordable but lovely. For breakfast, head to The Boat Shed—fabulous food and a great atmosphere.

Milford Sound Track - If you LOVE hiking and have the time, we did the 5-day trek with Ultimate Hikes through Milford Sound. Super well-organized, but honestly, a bit too long for us. If you’re looking for a shorter but equally stunning option, consider Routeburn Track (3 days)—probably a better use of time and money.
FYI: Milford Sound is a rainforest—it gets more rain than the Amazon, so be prepared!

Milford Sound Cruise & Kayaking- If you’re not doing the hike, this is a must. We didn’t kayak, but the cruise was breathtaking after our trek. It’s a bit far from Queenstown (doable in a day or two), so we recommend taking a bus rather than driving yourself.

Central Otago- We loved this region. Our Airbnb was on a working vineyard. This is New Zealand’s wine country and also home to charming old towns like Clyde (so cute). A highlight was biking the Central Otago Wine Trail—we loved Te Kanu Winery, where we got to design our own cheese board.

Wānaka- Great day trip from Queenstown or Central Otago. Roy’s Peak Hike is a must—it’s a straight uphill climb, but the views are some of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen. For wine lovers, check out Rippon Winery—but make a reservation in advance! We didn’t and missed out, but it’s famous for insane views and delicious wine.

If You’re Doing a Road Trip (Which We Recommend!)

The South Island is the way to go—just note that the weather can be unpredictable, and some drives feel long. Here’s where we went:

• Mt. Cook – It rained, so we didn’t get the views, but on a clear day, I imagine it’s stunning. Stayed in Twizel—not much going on there.

• Christchurch – A charming little English-style city. Had dinner at a pub, stayed at The Observatory Hotel (highly recommend), then moved on.

• Kaikōura – Could not recommend this place more. Wish we stayed longer—it’s untouched, breathtaking, and magical. We swam with wild dolphins, walked along the beach, and soaked in the beauty.

• Wellington – Skip.

• Marlborough Sound Ferry (Between South & North Island) – Also skip. Too long, not that interesting.

• Marlborough – Famous for wineries, but we didn’t have time to visit.

• Auckland – Flew out from here but didn’t explore. However, we heard amazing things about Waiheke Island—apparently, it’s the Hamptons of New Zealand with incredible wineries.