The Ultimate Travel Guide for a Luxury New Zealand Holiday

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and is a haven for adventure seekers. Whether you are travelling as a family, on a honeymoon or as a luxury getaway, the decision you need to make is less a matter of whether to go, but where and when.

From flying over awe-inspiring glaciers to sampling some of the finest wines in the world, there is a reason why New Zealand constantly tops travel polls. Most recently, it ranked eighth in the ‘Top Countries in the World 2024’ list voted by Conde Nast Traveller’s readers, and with its spectacular natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage and endless array of adventures, we understand why.

Before you begin planning the adventure of a lifetime, read the advice of our Australasia experts who have highlighted when to visit, the best spots and their favourite things to do on a luxury New Zealand holiday in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

The best time to travel to New Zealand is in the summer and autumn months down under, between November and April.

The months between November to February are full of long and sunny days, which are ideal for exploring the great outdoors. In March and April, the days are crisp and cool, and the leaves change colour, blanketing the landscapes with autumn foliage.

If you are looking to plan a luxury skiing holiday in New Zealand, the best time to travel is July and August. During these months, the snow dusts the peaks of the Southern Alps and the mountains transform into a winter wonderland.

Following their expert experience, our Australasia experts, Louisa and Gina, have created a list of the best spots to see in New Zealand.

The North Island

• Auckland, a wondrous seaside city
• Bay of Islands, an array of idyllic islands and historic sites
• Coromandel Peninsula, an unspoilt coastal playground
• Hawke’s Bay, an east coast paradise of wine-tasting and delicious food
• Hobbiton, a movie set for Lord of the Rings fans
• Rotorua, a town renowned for its hot springs and Maori culture
• Wellington, the home of the Te Papa Museum and world-class restaurants

The South Island

• Abel Tasman National Park, a coastal paradise with golden sand beaches
• Christchurch, a vibrant city full of family activities
• Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the largest alpine glaciers in New Zealand
• Kaikoura, a coastal town bursting with marine life
• Marlborough, the infamous wine region
• Otago Peninsula, home to the famous yellow-eyed penguins
• Queenstown, a town renowned for its adventure sports

Our experts, Louisa and Gina, have travelled extensively across both the North Island and South Island, and have handpicked their favourite things to see and do on a luxury New Zealand holiday.

Nowhere on the planet that can quite match the year-round show of whales at Kaikoura. Renowned as the whale watching capital of New Zealand, Kaikoura lies on the Pacific coast of the South Island. Here, you will see the giant sperm whales, who are year-round residents, and depending on the season, you may see migrating humpback whales, blue whales and more venturing close to the shore to feed. Kaikoura is also the perfect place to dip into the water and swim with the dusky dolphins.

A heli-hike over the spectacular Fox and Franz Josef glaciers is an unforgettable adventure that can’t be missed when travelling to New Zealand. Hop on a chopper and witness the jaw-dropping scenery below before touching down to hike across the ice on a guided tour. The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are two of the fastest moving in the world and with the terrain constantly changing, no two trips are ever quite the same.

New Zealand is home to some of the best walking trails in the world, but one of our favourites is the Hollyford Track in Fiordland National Park. As one of the only major low-altitude tracks in Fiordland National Park that can be walked all year round, the Hollyford Track is a guided trek, or rather ‘tramp’ as the Kiwis say, along a 56km trail through the largely untouched Hollyford Valley. Surrounded by spectacular landscapes of vast valleys, tranquil lakes and thundering waterfalls, the four-day trail begins at the end of the Lower Hollyford Road and ends by the sea at Martins Bay.

Renowned for its golden sand beaches and calm turquoise waters, the Abel Tasman National Park is perhaps New Zealand’s smallest national park, but it is the home to some of the best kayaking in the country. Whether you prefer a guided kayaking tour or an independent adventure, you will have the chance to explore all the hidden coves, islands and beaches that cannot be reached by hiking. On your travels, you may spot New Zealand’s resident fur seal colony and little blue penguins from a distance.

Explore Nelson & The Abel Tasman

From the award-winning Pinot Noir to the infamous Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough is one of the best places to visit in New Zealand for wine lovers. As the country’s largest wine producing region, Marlborough is home to 168 well-known wineries and small boutique family producers. Head to the area and treat your palate by embarking on wine tours at the wineries and cellar doors of some of the world’s favourite wines. If you enjoy Sauvignon and Chardonnay, we recommend paying a visit to one of Marlborough’s star attractions, Cloudy Bay.

Explore Blenheim & Marlborough

On one of our tailor-made trips to New Zealand, you can pick and choose exactly what you want to see and do. To start planning your luxury holidays, honeymoons or family getaways, speak to our Australasia travel specialists on +44 (0) 2039 933538 or make an online enquiry.