Go on a quest to Hobbiton, lord of NZ's cinematic attractions
With New Zealand vacation rentals scattered throughout the country, you're never far from the hottest tickets in town. The bucolic Hobbiton Movie Set lies close to Matamata, and Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss the chance to explore this slice of Middle Earth. Learn all about the country's past at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington, or head for Napier to find streets packed with art deco–inspired buildings constructed after an earthquake devastated the city in 1931. New Zealand is famous for its wine and no visit would be complete without a Wairau Valley vineyard tour.
Extreme sports and adrenaline-pumping action in New Zealand
New Zealand has a well deserved reputation as the world's leading adventure destination. It all started at the Kawarau Bridge near Queenstown when the very first commercial bungee jump opened for business in 1988. Today, you can go snowboarding in The Remarkables, kayaking on Lake Wanaka, skydiving over Taupo, and climbing up Mount Taranaki. Head to the waters off Kaikoura and go in search of giant sperm whales, or take a guided tour on the ice at Franz Josef Glacier. Heli-tours, mountain biking, nature safaris, and horse riding are all on offer. You can even go panning for gold in Arrowtown.
Enjoy the temperate climate, but do pack a sweater
As an island nation, New Zealand tends to benefit from a fairly temperate climate. Springs are crisp and summers warm. That said, the diverse nature of the terrain means things aren't quite that straightforward. Pay a visit to the Bay of Islands in winter and you won't see the mercury dip much past 50 degrees. Head to Queenstown at the same time of year and a t-shirt won't do you much good thanks to average lows of 30 degrees. The seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere, so keep costs down by booking New Zealand vacation rentals outside of the main holiday period of December to February.
Join the hordes and get snap happy in NZ
If there's one thing you can't escape in New Zealand, it's natural beauty. The risk of picking up a repetitive strain injury from clicking your smartphone or camera too much is real. Of course, you'll forget all about that as you cruise down Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. The views are just as impressive from the top of Ben Lomond near Queenstown as they are in the subtropical Bay of Islands, or from Ohope Beach as you gaze toward White Island, New Zealand's most active volcano. Whales, dolphins, kiwis, penguins, and tui are all here waiting to be spotted, so don't forget your binoculars.