Condé Nast TravelerOct 29
Planning Your First Trip to New Zealand? Here's Where to Go
Plus, our recommendations for how long to stay.
Two canvas tents beside the Mohaka River.
23 things in this story
- Lake TaupoSightTake a boat or kayak trip to Māori rock carvings.
- Huka FallsSightWater forces its way through a narrow rock channel.
- Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori rock carvingsSightStriking example of contemporary Māori art.
- Poronui Safari CampHotelTwo canvas tents beside the Mohaka River.
- Huka LodgeHotel
- Elsewhere
- AostaRestaurantArrowtown, New ZealandNorthern Italian cooking using Central Otago produce.
- AyrburnSightArrowtown, New ZealandFormer 150-acre farm with restaurants in restored buildings.
- Billy’sRestaurantArrowtown, New ZealandServes modern Chinese food in the original homestead.
- Arrowtown HouseHotelArrowtown, New ZealandSmall boutique hotel in town, easy walk to dinner.
- Millbrook ResortHotelArrowtown, New ZealandResort feel with apartments, rooms, and a spa.
- Dark Sky ProjectMuseumLake Tekapo, New ZealandIndoor experience brings Māori astronomy and science together.
- Mount John ObservatorySightLake Tekapo, New ZealandSummit Experience for nighttime stargazing.
- Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkSightLake Tekapo, New ZealandExcursion from Lake Tekapo.
- Cairns Alpine Resort’s Alpine LodgesHotelLake Tekapo, New ZealandInspiration from musterers’ huts with two bedrooms and kitchen.
- City GalleryMuseumWellington, New ZealandReopening has moved it up the list.
- PuffinRestaurantWellington, New ZealandOn the list for a glass of natural wine.
- RitaRestaurantWellington, New ZealandKnown for its changing set dinners.
- Super RitaRestaurantWellington, New ZealandDaytime deli, expected to open early next year.
- The Intrepid HotelHotelWellington, New Zealand18 rooms in Te Aro, near Cuba Street.
- Lake Te AnauSightTe Anau, New ZealandGlowworm caves across the lake.
- ManapouriSightTe Anau, New ZealandStarting point for route to Doubtful Sound.
- Milford SoundSightTe Anau, New Zealand
- Doubtful SoundSightTe Anau, New Zealand