I was originally born in Sydney, Australia but moved to New Zealand when I was just a little thing. I’ve always considered myself a Kiwi and if I’m honest there is a little bit of “sibling rivalry” between the two countries. While both countries are very similar, especially in terms of culture, they are polar opposites in some regards. Australia is a lot drier, warmer, more densely populated and has stunning beaches. New Zealand on the hand, is much greener, colder and sparsely populated. That means traveling between the two countries can be a great idea for a holiday, despite the relatively small flying distances.
If you’re living in Australia or just visiting, many places in New Zealand are a short enough flight distance to warrant the cost. Here are my top destinations to visit in New Zealand.
Auckland
This is a great city to visit as flights to Auckland are generally the cheapest across the board. Auckland is an interesting city and the largest in NZ. It’s also a great entry port to some of the northern beaches which are lovely and worth a visit. I lived in Auckland and particularly loved Devonport, which is a cute port suburb and Piha beach. Auckland airport is quite far out from the city, so just bare that in mind when you’re booking your flights.
Queenstown
This is a great place to visit in either summer or winter as it is bustling and alive in both seasons. During the winter you can carve the slopes of some of New Zealand’s best mountains. In summer, there’s a lot of great walks, bike riding tracks as well as water sport activities. Queenstown is regarded as the “Adventure Capital of the World” and is where bungee jumping was first invented, so if you’re looking to get your heart pumping this is the best place.
Nelson
Located at the top of the South Island, Nelson is home to some of New Zealand’s best beaches. The town itself is fairly laid-back and quiet, but absolutely stunning. There’s a bunch of amazing vineyards up here, so if you’re a fan of good wine, then you’ll be in heaven. Nelson is one of those places that locals like to go to enjoy their holidays because it is such a relaxing place.
Wellington
This is the art and cultural hot spot of New Zealand. The city centre is made up of tiny little streets and lane ways that are dotted with cafes, restaurants, bars and shops. Wellington is much more laid-back than Auckland and the entire city has a more chilled out vibe. Here you’ll find New Zealand’s best museum, Te Papa, which has a range of exhibitions including an earthquake simulator and a lot of great information on our native people.
These are my tips of unmissable places to visit in New Zealand. Thankfully with the cheap cross Tasman flight prices you can justify the price for a long weekend. For more information see New Zealand Travel Advice for Australians.
