Holiday homes, airbnb and apartments in New Zealand

Visit New Zealand: the home of Hobbiton!

New Zealand is, quite frankly, one of the most beautiful places in the world. Full of sweeping glaciers, snow-capped mountains, long black sand beaches, smoking volcanoes and more. It's the set of the Lord of the Rings movies – including the famous Hobbiton which travellers can explore, and even stay in one of the quirky B&B holiday's rentals designed to look like a hobbit's home. Made up of two main islands – as well as several smaller ones that are well worth a visit – the North and South Island both have completely different vibes, so if you're going on a New Zealand backpacking experience make sure you stay at both of them.

Best time to visit New Zealand

New Zealand's great for anyone in the northern hemisphere looking for a bit of winter sun because they're seasons are reversed – so while the north of the world is blanketed with snow, New Zealander's are sunning it up in 30-degree heat. With a temperate climate, December through to the end of February is the best time to visit for a sunbathing holiday, while the autumn period of March through until May is the best for a backpacking style tour of the country. With fewer crowds and sunny but not too hot weather, it's perfect for sightseeing – and the prices are all lower as well. For a snow-sports style trip away, head down to New Zealand between June and August, when both Queenstown and the Central Plateau are covered in snow. In fact, temperatures here can drop to around minus 10 degrees celsius.

How to get to New Zealand

No matter where in the world you are, New Zealand is pretty far away, which means the easiest way to get there is to fly. The two main airports in New Zealand are Auckland and Christchurch. There are many different airlines that fly to New Zealand, including British Airways, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Virgin, Singapore Airlines and Jetstar. Flying from Britain can cost as little as £757, although going for the cheapest flight will mean sacrificing comfortable layovers – which can be important when the shortest trip from Britain to New Zealand takes at least 24 hours. Many flights from the UK will include stopovers in either North America or Asia. Typically, the biggest UK airport providing flights to New Zealand will go from Heathrow, although some flights are operating out of Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle at certain points throughout the year. As the flight to New Zealand is so long, some travellers may choose to find accomodation in Australia,where they can rest for a few days before hoppping on the short remaning flight to New Zealand. Apart from flying, there isn't really any other one to get to New Zealand – at least, not easily. No international passenger ferries run to the country, so unless you're on a cruise, own your own boat, you're working on a private yacht, or you somehow paid your way on to a cargo ship, then you're going to be flying over.

Where to stay in New Zealand

Queenstown

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand – and it's not hard to see why. Tucked away along the edges of Lake Wakatipu on South Island, Queenstown is in the perfect location for any number of great activities. From jet boating to fly fishing, and even river cruising, the lake is a superb spot for anyone who loves to get stuck into water sports and likes to immerse themselves in the water. Plus, its nestled in amongst a number of mountain peaks, which means there are plenty of hikes and trail for walkers and photographers looking to witness and capture the beauty of the island.

Auckland

The largest city in the country, Auckland is undeniably a tourist destination – but that doesn't mean it's not full to fits own charm.It's typically a lot warmer than most of the country, which means it's great for wandering around the city and exploring the various flea markets. Otara Flea Market is one such place; setting up every Saturday, the market is full of Polynesian and Maori traditional clothing, food, and local items – although bear in mind it's typically shut before midday. Exicte your taste-buds and reserve a self-catered apartment rental in Auckland and enjoy all the rich flavours which this city has to offer.

Taupo

Found on the north of New Zealand, Taupo is a bit of a more laid back, quieter Queenstown. Many hikes are surrounding the town, while Lake Taupo has plenty of options for fishing, boatings, and even the fantastic Huka Falls. Some of the best cheap accommodation in New Zealand can be found in Taupo, such as the Silver Fern Lodge. However, if you're looking for something a bit more upmarket, there are also some incredible luxury holiday rentals in Taupo – like the Huka Lodge, a luxurious 5-star retreat right on the banks of Waikato River.

Christchurch

Christchurch's aesthetic is very much that of a quintessential Victorian England town, complete with beautiful sculpture parks and gardens to die for. Christchurch is home to the Canterbury Museum, which showcases natural and human history exhibits, from rare Maori relics to the Christchurch Street that depicts how the town looked when it was first built during the Victorian era. Some of the best bed and breakfast accommodation on the island can be found here – such as the Grange Boutique B&B and Motel, a historic Victorian mansion that dates back to 1874.

Franz Josef

Set in the heart of a rainforest, Franz Josef is home to several cosy bars, a cinema, boutique cafes, and hot water pools, all along the base of the Franz Josef Glacier. It's a tiny little town, set amongst beautiful surroundings with a few hikes to do in and around the mountains.

Waiheke Island

Otherwise known as New Zealand's version of the Hamptons, Waiheke Island is famous for its stunning beaches, wineries, and vivid green landscapes. Just 35 minutes from the city of Auckland by boat, it's the perfect escape destination from the thriving metropolitan city. It was once a mini hideaway for those seeing more affordable accommodation away from the expensive cities; it's now become one of the coolest places to live in the world, playing host to many celebrity guests – including Bill Gates, Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, and Madonna.

Wellington

The capital of New Zealand, Wellington is the third most populated city in the country and considering it's the capital city, it's rather small in world standards. However, it's very compact, which lends it that city buzz atmosphere that travellers from all over the world love. The city is full of museums, art galleries, theatres and more – more than you could imagine from such a tiny place. It's got an incredible craft-beer scene for all the beer lovers, and a hipster skateboarding, coffee shop scene.

What to do in New Zealand

Explore Maori culture

Near Rotorua is the Tamaki Maori village, where travellers and tourists alike can witness the unique native culture that has lived on the island of New Zealand for centuries. It's undeniable that the Maoris have made an indelible mark on New Zealand; everything from place names to the famous haka of the All Blacks, and even everyday phrases used by New Zealanders all over the country come from the Maori culture. Rotorua is the hotspot for geothermal activity and the Maori traditions, and it's the host of a Marae – a Maori Meeting Ground – which sees a night of tribal dancing, warrior training, fire poi, hakas, and Maori "hangi" feasts.

Go tramping

In New Zealand, they don't go trekking; they go tramping. That's because of the number of fjord lands, snow-capped peaks, crater, lakes, and more – all of which combine to make New Zealand the best place for tramping in the world. Test out the "9 Great Walks" across the country, which includes the Tongariro Crossing and the 4-day Milford Track where travellers will see native forests, rivers, rugged mountain peaks, lush rolling valleys, deep gorges and more.

Take a Lord of the Rings tour

New Zealand is practically synonymous with J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Lord of the Rings, ever since the first movie was released in 2001. That's because a lot of the movies were filmed right here in New Zealand – and it's something the locals have embraced completely. In fact, if you fly with Air New Zealand, there's even a Hobbit-themed safety video before every flight.

Swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands

Spend a night on the Bay of Islands if you want to make the most of this incredible place – and the thing you have to make sure you do? Swim with the dolphins. Not part of a tourist trap, the waters here are full of dolphins swimming in their natural habitat, and the friendly locals will be happy to show you where.

Visit Waitang

It was here at Waitangi that modern-day New Zealand was founded. In 1840, an agreement was broached between local Maori tribes and the British Empire, when representatives for each side signed what became known as the Treaty of Waitangi. James Busby was chosen to represent the British Empire, and the house he resided in still stands to this day, allowing visitors in to have a look around and soak up the history of the grounds.

Pay a visit to Sky Tower

If you're a fan of dizzying heights and adrenaline, then you'll enjoy Sky Tower. The tallest man-man structure I'm the southern hemisphere, it offers incredible views over the city. If you're feeling brave, why not try the skywalk – walking 192 metres above ground without a handrail. Or there's the sky-jump, which is exactly what it sounds like: a 90-degree jump right over the edge of the top of the tower.

Go to Rotorua hotspot

There's a lot of geothermal activity happening across New Zealand, but the best place to witness it in person is Rotorua. The absolute hotspot of New Zealand, there are 17 lakes, geysers, thermal pools, and more, so whether you want to relax and soak up the incredible views or enjoy a number of water activities, you can do it in Rotorua.

Visit the City Gardens

South Island is known as a "giant national park" – and it's not hard to see why. All along the South Island, there is several beautiful gardens, including one in Christchurch. Although the city of Christchurch was destroyed in the intense 2010 earthquake, it the garden there has all but fully recovered now – bringing back the name "garden city". Take a wander through the sprawling Hagley Park, or visit the Christchurch Botanical Gardens to relax, and take a gondola ride through the Avon River.

See the world's steepest street

Nestled away in the small town of Dunedin is a world record. One of the weirdest world records, in fact: the world's steepest street. The fact that it's also home to one of the country's largest universities, making it rife with students who love a little bit of excitement – so it's no wonder that the steepest street in the world is here. Known locally as Baldwin Street, it's around 350 metres long and rises 70 meters in the air. If you want to have a bit of fun, try walking down it backwards – as long as you're not drunk.

Visit the site of Sauvignon Blanc

Have you ever heard of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Central Otago Pinot Noir? Probably, because they're two of the most famous wines in the world – and the grapes used for these are grown in the heart of New Zealand. There's even a trail that travellers can take to meet local winegrowers — cheers to that.