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A boardwalk crossing tussock grass towards Aoraki / Mount Cook

New Zealand · Southern Alps · Central Plateau

New Zealand

Aoraki / Mount Cook, the country's highest peak, stands above glacial lakes in the South Island, while the volcanic craters of Tongariro hold the North Island's most famous day walk.

Best months
Dec–Mar
Signature peak
Aoraki / Mount Cook, 3,724 m
Fly into
Auckland (AKL)
Destinations
12
Explore New Zealand Best time to visit

Destinations in New Zealand

Where to go in New Zealand

12 of 12 destinations · Main season Dec–Mar

A boardwalk crossing tussock grass towards Aoraki / Mount Cook Best Dec–Mar

Canterbury, Southern Alps

Aoraki / Mount Cook

New Zealand's highest mountain above glacial lakes, with an easy valley walk to icebergs at its foot.

3,724 m · Dec–Mar · Easy

Good for: Trekking · Lakes

Stays Flights Tours
The Emerald Lakes, filling explosion craters near the summit of Mount Tongariro Best Nov–Mar

Central North Island

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

A one-way volcanic day walk past steaming vents, the Red Crater and the bright Emerald Lakes.

1,886 m · Nov–Mar · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours
Mitre Peak and surrounding mountains reflected in Milford Sound Best Oct–Apr

Fiordland, Southland

Milford Sound

A steep-sided fiord in Fiordland, with Mitre Peak rising from the water and waterfalls pouring down sheer cliffs.

1,692 m · Oct–Apr · Easy

Good for: Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours
Queenstown beside Lake Wakatipu with The Remarkables beyond Best Dec–Mar

Otago

Queenstown and the Remarkables

A lakeside town beneath a wall of mountains, known for adventure sports, skiing and vineyards.

2,319 m · Dec–Mar · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Snow & ski · Lakes

Stays Flights Tours
Sunrise light on the ridge of Roys Peak above Lake Wānaka Best Nov–Apr

Otago

Wānaka and Roys Peak

A relaxed lake town at the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, known for the long climb to Roys Peak.

1,578 m · Nov–Apr · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Lakes · Trekking

Stays Flights Tours
Franz Josef Glacier flowing between forested slopes on the West Coast Best Oct–Apr

West Coast

Franz Josef Glacier

A steep glacier flowing from the Southern Alps almost to the temperate rainforest on New Zealand's wet west coast.

300 m · Oct–Apr · Easy

Good for: Scenic views · Trekking · Snow & ski

Stays Flights Tours
Jean Batten Peak and golden tussock seen from the Routeburn Track Best Nov–Apr

Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks

Routeburn Track

A 32 km Great Walk between Glenorchy and Fiordland, crossing a high saddle with alpine lakes and views.

1,255 m · Nov–Apr · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views · Lakes

Stays Flights Tours
Snow-capped Mount Taranaki behind the Cape Egmont lighthouse Best Nov–Apr

Taranaki, North Island

Mount Taranaki

A symmetrical, snow-capped volcano rising from the coastal farmland of the west of the North Island.

2,518 m · Nov–Apr · Challenging

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours
The Otira River tumbling over boulders in Arthur's Pass National Park Best Nov–Apr

Canterbury and West Coast

Arthur's Pass

A high mountain pass across the Southern Alps, with waterfalls, alpine walks and cheeky kea parrots.

737 m · Nov–Apr · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Trekking · Snow & ski

Stays Flights Tours
The Kepler Track ridge with mountains beyond in Fiordland Best Oct–Apr

Fiordland, Southland

Kepler Track and Te Anau

A 60 km Great Walk loop from Te Anau, climbing above the tree line to ridges and caves.

1,472 m · Oct–Apr · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours
Lupins beside the turquoise water of Lake Tekapo Best Nov–Apr

Canterbury

Lake Tekapo

A milky-turquoise lake in the Mackenzie Basin, with a stone church, lupins in early summer and one of the world's clearest night skies.

710 m · Nov–Apr · Easy

Good for: Lakes · Scenic views · Villages & culture

Stays Flights Tours
Lake Wakatipu and Pigeon Island looking towards Mount Earnslaw Best Nov–Apr

Otago

Glenorchy and Mount Aspiring

A small lakeside village at the head of Lake Wakatipu, beneath the peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park.

3,033 m · Nov–Apr · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Trekking · Lakes

Stays Flights Tours

About New Zealand

New Zealand at a glance

New Zealand's mountains run down the length of the South Island as the Southern Alps, with Aoraki / Mount Cook the highest. In the central North Island, the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park hold the country's most famous day walk.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages national parks, tracks and huts, and its website is the best source for current track conditions, alerts and hut bookings. Tracks are well signposted, but weather and avalanche risk can change fast.

The main walking season is summer, from December to March, when days are long and tracks are largely free of snow. Winter brings skiing, with ski fields open from about June to October. Book accommodation early for January and February.

Getting there

Auckland (AKL) is the main international gateway, with connections to Wellington (WLG), Christchurch (CHC) and Queenstown (ZQN). Aoraki / Mount Cook is a drive of several hours from Christchurch or Queenstown, and Tongariro is about four to five hours by road from Auckland or Wellington.

Getting around

Most visitors rent a car or campervan, and distances are longer than they look on a map. Buses and shuttles serve the main hubs and some trailheads, and a shuttle is essential for one-way tracks such as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Entry and safety

Most visitors need a visa or an NZeTA (electronic travel authority) before travelling, and an international visitor levy applies. Check the official Immigration New Zealand website for current rules.

Weather can change within minutes, and rivers are not always bridged. Check DOC alerts, leave your plans with someone and carry warm layers. In an emergency, call 111.

Official sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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