New Zealand

Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is an island country consisting of two main land masses, the North and South Islands, and over six hundred smaller islands. New Zealand’s 269,055 square kilometers of land is home to over 4.5 million people, more than 50 volcanoes, and a diverse landscape of snow-capped mountains, rocky shores, and rolling pastures.

The Māori people arrived to New Zealand around 1,000 A.D., traveling by canoe from Polynesian islands near Tahiti. The rich cultural history of New Zealand is sure to fascinate any traveler and be a special treat to any visiting history buffs.

New Zealand’s natural beauty extends beyond just its breathtaking landscapes. Because of its distance from any nearby landmasses, the country is home to many animal species not seen anywhere else in the world. Nearly all of New Zealand’s land animals are birds, and many of these species have lost their ability to fly. Bats are the only land mammals to have made the ocean crossing to the island. Also finding its home on the island, the giant Weta is a relative of the cricket that weighs three times more than a mouse and is considered one of the world's heaviest insects. Along the islands' coasts, you can find both pilot and humpback whales that visit on their way to breed, orcas, and dolphins also frequent the waters surrounding New Zealand’s coasts.

Sports fans can catch a game of Rugby, one of the most popular sports among the island’s residents. Other one-of-a-kind activities include glacier hiking, kayaking to Cathedral Cove, and exploring the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Film enthusiasts might enjoy a tour of the Hobbiton Movie set where the famous Lord of the Rings movie was filmed, or a visit to one of the many other filming locations for the movie around the island.

With endless options and opportunities, planning a trip to beautiful New Zealand can be overwhelming. We have put together a few of our favourite trips and tours below. If none of those spark your interest, reach out to one of our travel consultants today, and we can find you the perfect vacation!

Know before you go

New Zealand is globally renowned for its breathtaking, diverse landscapes, its indigenous Māori culture, and its status as the "real Middle-earth" from The Lord of the Rings. It is also celebrated for adventure sports, high-quality wine, and being the birthplace of the flat white coffee.

Yes, food in New Zealand is generally considered expensive. Because it is an isolated island nation with a small population, it faces high transportation and wholesale costs, and sometimes ranks among the most expensive OECD countries for groceries.

Numerous major and luxury cruise lines sail to New Zealand, frequently departing from Australian hubs like Sydney and Brisbane, or directly from Auckland. Top cruise lines offering New Zealand itineraries are: Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Viking, Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas.

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