New Zealand — Travelrags

National GeographicJul 11, 2026

10 "Great Walks" of New Zealand: Beaches, Forest, and Mountains By Foot

Whether you are looking for an hour-long hike or a multiday trek, these pristine trails will satisfy any level of adventure.

18 things in this story

Paparoa RangeTrailIt was the first New Zealand land seen by a European – Abel Tasman in 1642.
RouteburnTrailThe track can be done in either direction, starting on the Queenstown side of the Southern Alps, at the northern end of…
Milford TrackTrailForested mountains, stunning waterfalls, high rainfall
Sutherland FallsSightThe falls are located 13.5nm southwest of Chao Pass.
Abel TasmanViewpointAbel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer and explorer, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of…
Te AnauNeighborhoodIn Māori, Te-Anau means the Place of the Swirling Waters.
Whanganui National ParkSightEstablished in 1986, it covers an area of 742 km2 bordering the Whanganui River.
Whanganui JourneyTrailRiver trek, canoe or kayak through national park
Paparoa TrackTrailTraversed by hike or bike, offers panoramic views
Routeburn TrackTrailThe track can be done in either direction, starting on the Queenstown side of the Southern Alps, at the northern end of…
Rakiura TrackTrailLocated on Stewart Island, known for beaches and kiwis
Heaphy TrackTrailLongest Great Walk, winds through tussocks and palm forests
Abel Tasman Coast TrackTrailHugs dramatic coastline with boulder formations and beaches
Kepler TrackTrailThe track passes through many landscapes of the Fiordland National Park such as rocky mountain ridges, tall mossy…
Lake WaikaremoanaTrailFollows shoreline past remote beaches
Tongariro Northern CircuitTrailThe Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of the New Zealand Great Walks, offers a three- to four-day tramp through Tongariro…
Stewart IslandTrail
HeaphyTrail

Read the full piece at National Geographic →

National GeographicJul 7

In search of New Zealand's most mysterious penguin

The bush-dwelling penguins of New Zealand’s South Island offer Jamie Lafferty an insight into the species’ evolution and migration across the seas.

15 things in this story

Fiordland National ParkSightPark with myths, home to Tawaki penguins
Wilderness Lodge Lake MoerakiHotelOffers tours to secret beach via forest path
TawakiPlaceForest-dwelling penguin named after god of lightning
KeaPlaceAbout 48 cm (19 in) long, it is mostly olive-green, with brilliant orange under its wings, and has a large, narrow,…
KākāPlaceThe New Zealand kākā is a large species of parrot of the family Strigopidae found in New Zealand's native forests…
South IslandNeighborhoodWith a population of 1,256,700 as of June 2025, the South Island is home to 24% of New Zealand's 5.3 million…
kiwisHostelDunedin accommodation options at extremely affordable rates.
PacificSightSPP productions have scored major wins, taking home a Gold and a Bronze Tower at the annual Storytellers gala on…
MāoriPlace
KiwiPlace
Hine-nui-te-pōPlace
Gerry McSweeneyPlace
keasPlace
kākāsPlace
Fiordland penguinsPlace

Read the full piece at National Geographic →

The GuardianMay 9

Do look up: stargazing in New Zealand’s first dark sky community

It took 10 years for Naseby to achieve its DarkSky International certification. Now, a night out in the tiny Otago town is like ‘a tour through the history of the universe’ As the last strip of pink on the horizon fades to indigo on the Maniototo Plain in Otago, every word I speak arrives in a puff of condensation. Six hundred metres above sea level, in winter the temperature here can drop to -…

9 things in this story

Maniototo PlainNeighborhoodNaseby, New Zealandsparsely populated, site of 1860s gold rush
Naseby VisionPlaceNaseby, New Zealandvolunteer group that ran dark sky certification project
Naseby Night Sky ToursPlaceNaseby, New Zealandastronomy tourism business started in 2018
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky ReserveSightTekapo, New Zealandmajor stargazing drawcard
Alpha CentauriSightNaseby, New Zealandclosest star system, visible through telescope
Jewel BoxSightNaseby, New Zealandopen star cluster resembling a box of diamonds
Orion NebulaSightNaseby, New Zealandswirl of interstellar dust and gas
47 TucanaeSightNaseby, New Zealandcluster of up to 1 million stars
SaturnSightNaseby, New Zealandplanet with giant moon Titan visible

Read the full piece at The Guardian →

OutsideApr 9

The Seven Wonders of the Trail Running World

These epic routes belong on every runner’s bucket list

15 things in this story

Colorado RiverSightGrand Canyon National Park, United Statesriver at the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Kalalau TrailTrailHawaii, United States22-mile out-and-back to Kalalau Beach
HOKA Speedgoat 7PlaceNew York City, United Statesshoe designed for wild and rugged terrain
Presidential TraverseTrailNew Hampshire, United States18-mile route along Presidential Range spine
Appalachian Mountain Club hutsSightNew Hampshire, United Stateswater refill points on Presidential Traverse
Haena State ParkSightHawaii, United Statesparking reservation needed for Kalalau Trail
Timberline TrailTrailOregon, United States41.5-mile loop circumnavigating Mount Hood
Timberline LodgeHotelOregon, United Statesstart point for Timberline Trail loop
Four Pass LoopTrailColorado, United States27-mile route climbing four alpine passes
Maroon Bells-Snowmass WildernessSightColorado, United Statesstunning wilderness for Four Pass Loop
Tour de Mont BlancTrailChamonix-Mont-Blanc, France106-mile circumnavigation of Mont Blanc massif
Ultra Trail du Mont BlancFestivalChamonix-Mont-Blanc, Franceultrarunners race the Tour de Mont Blanc route
Milford TrackTrailFiordland National Park, New Zealand33-mile route through Fjordland National Park
Fjordland National ParkSightFiordland National Park, New Zealandstunning coastal mountains on South Island
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-RimTrailGrand Canyon National Park, United States42-48 mile route with 22,000 ft elevation change

Read the full piece at Outside →

OutsideMar 31

How a Border Collie Survived a 180-Foot Waterfall Fall and 2 Weeks in the New Zealand Bush

Molly, a four-year-old border collie, survived two weeks in the New Zealand wilderness after falling 180 feet down a waterfall.

5 things in this story

Southern AlpsSightextremely remote area where owner fell
HokitikaSightsmall town near where owner fell
Precision HelicoptersAttractioncompany that rescued Molly
Precision Helicopters, Ltd.Place
Australian possumsPlace

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Atlas ObscuraFeb 3

National Transport & Toy Museum in Wanaka, New Zealand

A massive variety of cars, planes, fire engines, farm equipment, engines, household goods, and toys call this place home. While navigating the museum's property can sometimes feel like wandering through a series of overstuffed garages, the condition and diversity of everything present is impressive and utterly unique. It's impossible to describe everything that's here: cars spanning the Morris…

9 things in this story

National Transport & Toy MuseumMuseummassive variety of cars, planes, engines, toys
Morris MinorSightcar spanning models from early to Ferrari 400I
Ferrari 400ISightcar spanning models from Morris Minor to this
LegoSightalmost every type of set
BarbieSightsection dedicated to Barbie items
toy shopMarketlargest in the area with model kits, Legos, RC cars
Air New Zealand airplanesSight
cast-iron banksSight
typewritersSight

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Condé Nast TravelerJan 31

Eight Seasons Into Bare Feet, Mickela Mallozzi Finds There's More of the World to Dance Through

The new season of the PBS travel show takes viewers to the beaches of Cuba, the mountains of Taiwan, and the heart of New Zealand’s Māori communities.

7 things in this story

Bare Feet with Mickela MallozziPlacePBS travel series about dance
PBSPlaceJoin Emmy® Award-winning travel host, producer and dancer Mickela Mallozzi.
Like a CubanPlaceBoutique travel agency
HavanaNeighborhoodFeatures Chinese Cuban community history
BaladyRestaurantOffers food from Arab countries
Amazon PrimePlace
Bay RidgeNeighborhood

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

Condé Nast TravelerDec 15, 2025

The Gold List 2026: The Top Hotels and Resorts in Australia and Oceania

Our global editors across four continents share their favorite places to stay.

10 things in this story

El Questro HomesteadHotelCattle station turned luxury property overlooking Chamberlain River.
Huka LodgeHotelTartan-and-teak retreat with roaring fireplaces.
Park Hyatt SydneyHotelElegant property on the edge of Sydney Harbour.
Injiid Marlabu Calls UsPlaceImmersive experience recounting Aboriginal history.
The RocksNeighborhoodHistoric neighborhood on the western side of Sydney Cove.
Luxury Lodges of AustraliaPlace
Chamberlain RiverSight
Waikato RiverSight
Sydney HarbourSight
Opera HouseSight

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →

The New York TimesNov 11, 2025

4 Luxurious New Zealand Lodges Where the Scenery Is the Star

Spread out along the road between Christchurch and Queenstown, lodge hotels, many in remote spots, offer luxury with a sense of place.

Smithsonian MagazineOct 24, 2025

Zoom in to the Beauty and Zest of New Zealand With These 15 Stunning Photographs

The island nation is home to some of the world's most gorgeous wildlife and scenic landscapes

1 sight in this story

Southern AlpsSightThe name "Southern Alps" generally refers to the entire range, although separate names are given to many of the smaller…

Read the full piece at Smithsonian Magazine →