It’s official, the New Zealand borders are reopening… so here are 15 epic reasons why you should travel to New Zealand right now (we’re talking 2022). As long as you meet all the travel restrictions… which I’m hopeful will loosen as time goes on!
So… the last two years have been a nightmare. When I moved to New Zealand, I didn’t sign up to be stuck in New Zealand. I thought my biggest challenge to getting back home would be flight costs. Not a pandemic. I haven’t seen my family in over two years. I’ve had to deal with difficult adult things, like health issues and job uncertainty.
But on the bright side, I’m stranded in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. New Zealand is the destination of a lifetime. World-class, as they say. The untouched landscapes, kind people, and outdoor lifestyle have been a soothing balm to this aching soul.
New Zealand is truly a country of wonders. And now that borders are opening to international travel, I want everyone to visit. Not just to revive the struggling tourism sector, but to have unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And epic photos.
Below is an extensive list of reasons to travel to New Zealand right now… let’s hope 2022 brings about a renaissance of travel.
Related New Zealand posts
- The Ultimate Itinerary To Travel the North Island, New Zealand
- 8 Ways New Zealand is the best place on earth for slow travel
- The Ultimate Itinerary To Travel the South Island, New Zealand
- 10 Best Small Towns in New Zealand for Slow Travel
- Pros and Cons of Living in Wellington, New Zealand
15 epic reasons to travel to New Zealand right now – the borders are reopening in 2022!
1. New Zealand is a safe and easy country to live and travel in
A top reason that makes New Zealand a desirable destination is a no-fuss travel experience.
New Zealand is the second safest country in the world. It’s perfect for solo travellers, particularly women. When I arrived, I travelled solo for a few months and never felt unsafe walking around by myself. Even at night! Obviously, this depends on where you are and a level of caution should always be exercised.
Read also: the best islands for solo female travelers
Secondly, the tourism infrastructure in New Zealand is robust. Public transport is reliable, a collective of buses, trains, and domestic flights. New Zealand isn’t a large country so there’s potential to see a lot in a short amount of time. And there are options for every type of traveller, from campers to backpackers to luxury seekers.
Finally, if you’re coming from the UK, Australia, or the USA, the exchange rate is in your favour. You may have heard that New Zealand is an expensive country to travel in but that’s less of an issue when your dollar goes further.
2. New Zealand advocates for sustainable tourism
One of my favorite things about New Zealand is its conservation efforts. Although New Zealand doesn’t get it right every time (capitalism exists here too), there are various initiatives going toward land and wildlife preservation.
Sustainable tourism is a priority. Per the Māori way of life, the whenua (land) is sacred. It is a part of us as much as we are a part of it. These deep-rooted beliefs in New Zealand culture make us a nature-loving bunch who prefer wild beaches and untouched forests over beach clubs or high-rises.
Although the pandemic was a financial blow to tourism, many have said this is an opportunity to implement regenerative tourism. New Zealand specialises in eco-lodges and cultural experiences. And we tend to take action when locales begin to deteriorate from over-tourism.
Sustainable tourism is a value all travellers should hold as they circulate the world. And in New Zealand, it’s possible to make decisions based on this value.
3. Untouched nature and dramatic landscapes
This reason is what drew me to travel to New Zealand. It’s a country of untouched beauty, pristine nature, and dramatic landscapes. As mentioned New Zealand is a small country. There’s more nature than civilization, and it’s all incredibly diverse. Real Middle Earth offers beaches, volcanoes, geothermals, tropical rainforests, lakes and historic glaciers.
I love getting lost on the road. Any wrong turn leads me somewhere stunning. When I got lost in Rotorua, the land of geothermals, I found crystal-clear lakes perfect for swimming. When I got lost in Canterbury, I found the hot springs region of Hanmer Springs.
And if you’re on a Lord of the Rings tour, you’ll witness some truly spectacular corners of Middle Earth. Here is the list of all other Lord of the Rings locations (with coordinates!). And of course, there’s Hobbiton… but be sure to explore outside the tourist attraction in the farmlands surrounding (aka the Shire). I stayed on a farm and I enjoyed the mist rolling over the hills more than Hobbiton itself.
A few honourable mentions include:
- The pristine beaches of the Abel Tasman
- The ancient ranges of Fiordland National Park, including Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound
- The Giant Sand Dunes of Northland
- Glacier Country for the ancient Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and lakes
4. Māori Culture and the people
One of the important reasons to travel to New Zealand right now is to experience Māoritanga, the Māori way of life. We have a lot to learn from our Māori whānau. As indigenous people of the land, they seem to have their priorities in place: of family, connection, nature, food and hospitality.
As a Lebanese person, I quickly connected to Māori people. It’s a level of hospitality not often encountered in Western countries. The community-centred culture gave me the sense of home I needed.
Kiwis are kind and generous. They’re quite relaxed, making it easy to make friends. And I can’t get enough of that dry Kiwi humour. Lucky for me, I live with one.
It’s difficult to describe the awe and feeling of connection to the earth and to each other. When you visit New Zealand, I recommend attending a few cultural events. Visit the historically significant Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Attend cultural shows in Rotorua. Learn about the legend of Tāne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), New Zealand’s largest Kauri tree. And there is a lot to learn about Māori history and traditions at the coolest museum I’ve ever been to, Wellington’s Te Papa Tongarewa.
5. Incredibly diverse New Zealand native species (birds in particular)
New Zealand prides itself on being a predator-free country. The lack thereof allows for a thriving bird kingdom, fiercely protected by the New Zealand government.
Now you might be thinking birds are a tad boring. Not in New Zealand. Colourful parrots squeak from the trees. Penguins waddle the beaches. And so many different varieties fill the forests with the most beautiful song. I highly recommend Zealandia in Wellington to experience this.
And if you’re looking for a truly unique experience of New Zealand wildlife, take an adventure down to Stewart Island/Rakiura. New Zealand’s far-south island is ideal for spotting kiwi, the national emblem of New Zealand (unofficially). It’s hard not to love the birds when New Zealanders (kiwis) themselves love them so much.
The marine wildlife in New Zealand is also impressive. This is particularly true for Kaikōura whose waters are thriving with whale traffic. And New Zealand’s southern waters are full of diverse marine creatures living in Antarctic or sub-Antarctic waters.
6. Beaches and New Zealand summer
Beaches and New Zealand summer are more reasons to travel to New Zealand right now. Since New Zealand is made up of two islands, there are many (many many many) coastline kilometres. This offers beaches aplenty for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and every water activity you can think of.
Go sailing and kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, or hike the Abel Tasman Coast Track to access some of the most beautiful beaches in New Zealand. Beach hop around the Bay of Islands, a summer paradise for New Zealand locals teeming with farmers’ markets and lawn concerts. Go surfing in Raglan or explore the wild beaches in the Far North. Cycle the Queen Charlotte Track to explore the many bays of Marlborough Sounds.
And I absolutely recommend sand-surfing the Giant Sand Dunes. Don’t be afraid to go beyond the crowd. These dunes are endless and entirely open for exploration and otherworldly views of the great sea.
7. Epic hiking across New Zealand’s mountains
If you’re bored of beaches, New Zealand also has mountains. With epic walking/biking tracks. From tussock grass planes under volcanoes to soaring rainforests, New Zealand hosts some of the most scenic (and gruelling) tracks in the world.
If you’re in the North Island, you can’t miss Tongariro National Park. The alpine crossing offers views of “Mount Doom” and the gorgeous Emerald Lakes. Alternatively, tackle the conical volcano of Mount Taranaki. Be warned, this summit track isn’t for the soft-hearted.
In the South Island, find hundreds of walks across the Southern Alps. The Hooker Valley Track is a personal favourite to witness New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook. There are endless views on the Routeburn Track, which links Mount Aspiring to Fiordland National Park.
And Mount Aspiring National Park in Wānaka is another mountain playground featuring the Rob Roy Track taking you out to Rob Roy Glacier.
Did I mention New Zealand landscapes are incredibly diverse?
If hiking is your thing, I recommend you check out the Great Walks of New Zealand.
You can also filter walks based on difficulty level on the DOC website. And make sure you pack accordingly!
8. Low pollution yields incredible night skies
New Zealand’s night skies offer some of the best stargazing in the world. In a pollution-free dome, you can witness an incredible display of the Milky Way wheeling across the sky.
This is especially true in Stewart Island/Rakiura which has some of the clearest skies in the world to showcase not only stars but the Southern Lights. Another Dark Sky Sanctuary is Great Barrier Island where the health of the skies is well looked after.
Stargazing is a common activity in New Zealand no matter where you are. Kiwis love a good outdoor party, and as the night deepens, find us cuddled among blankets in the grass, ready for a cosmic show with beer in hand.
A few other places to catch some stars are:
- Wellington’s Carter Observatory
- Tekapo’s mountaintop Mount John Observatory
- Aoraki’s Big Sky Stargazing where light pollution is strictly controlled
9. Adrenaline activities and extreme sports
New Zealand is also considered a destination for adrenaline activities and extreme sports. I’m not an adrenaline junkie myself but I’ve been tempted by some of these activities based on their accolades.
Queenstown in particular has a reputation for adrenaline sports. Indeed the Otago region offers jet boating, bungee jumping, skydiving, heli-skiing, white water rafting, mountain biking, and many more.
Even just a scenic flight above dramatic landscapes is enough to get the heart pumping.
And it’s not limited to Queenstown. If you fancy an abseil down a waterfall, look no further than Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges. Or go caving and blackwater rafting in Waitomo. While you’re in the area, check out the Waitomo glow worm caves. The first time I saw glow worms in New Zealand, I cried. They’re that mesmerizing.
10. New Zealand climate
New Zealand is a nature wonderland partly due to its perfect climate. The country gets four distinct seasons and each has something magical to offer.
In the summer, come for beaches, Christmas barbecue, concerts and fish and chips.
In the autumn, tour the South Island where the Otago region comes to life for the harvest. Autumn festivals range across towns, wine is drunk in old heritage pubs, and the hills erupt in a haze of red, yellow and orange.
In winter, ski the mountains or hike the glaciers. Watch as lakeside towns transition from colonial autumn vibes to snow-blanketed ski villages.
In spring, come for flower picking or the incredible display of lupins across the South Island.
The sun is strong in New Zealand, making nature healthy and green. The weather suits your needs in different ways as the seasons cycle, making New Zealand an enchanting country to live in. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
11. New Zealand Local Cuisine and Fresh Seasonal Food
When I moved to New Zealand, it wasn’t for the food. You don’t hear much about “New Zealand cuisine” so I wasn’t sure what to expect other than fish and chips.
Turns out, New Zealand’s culinary scene is an eclectic mix of cultures that have one thing common: sourcing the freshest, highest-quality produce foraged right out of that rich New Zealand soil. In New Zealand, farm-to-table experiences are as authentic as it gets.
Outside of seasonal produce, New Zealand boasts a strong seafood culture. Many fishing charters bring the day’s catch into restaurants, serving fresh delectable eats. What stands out is Fleur’s Place in Moeraki. I’ll never forget the seafood pot where I tried tuatua for the first time, fresh out of the sea. And if you’re in the Bay of Islands, Snapper Shack is a must-do… the best fish and chips in New Zealand with giant portions for decent prices.
You’ll also find many locals gathering pāua on the beaches. Although this is a fascinating experience, there are guidelines to prevent over-gathering. Because again, New Zealand cares about preserving natural habitats.
Kiwis also pull off a mean barbecue. Feasting in the outdoors with drink in hand and good company is a New Zealand cultural experience.
No matter where you are, be sure to sample the local cuisine and learn all its culinary practices. Wander into cafes and sample New Zealand pies. And be sure to attend a hāngi: a Māori cultural experience where dinner is cooked below the ground, with lots of singing and dancing.
12. New Zealand’s a great place to get drunk: Wineries and Breweries
Due to New Zealand’s rich soil and happy climates, New Zealand grows many vineyards, orchards, and all other fermentable grains to make alcohol. So another great reason to travel to New Zealand right now is to get drunk. The activity suits the wildest two years our generation has seen.
For wine connoisseurs, winery tours are abundant in New Zealand. These lands produce some of the most delicious Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir I’ve ever tasted. The Central Otago region is particularly abundant in vineyards. Follow the scenic trail down from Wānaka to Cromwell and Alexandra and all the towns in between.
If you’re in the North Island, make your way down the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. This route links Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington, and Marlborough, making up 80% of New Zealand’s wine production. If it’s the right season, book tickets to Toast, the famous annual wine festival.
And New Zealand isn’t short of breweries. I’ve talked before about how moving to New Zealand made me like beer. Brewing beer is art here, and you’ll find the freshest and quirkiest hops in almost any pub. Wellington is perfect for bar-hopping.
13. Art and heritage towns
Outside all the epic attractions, one of the reasons to travel to New Zealand right now is its art scene and heritage towns. New Zealand is peppered with remnants of old mining towns and gold rush villages. Although it’s not a very old country, it boasts an air of colonialism. Even in the larger cities, there are carefully preserved landmarks, often quirky spots turned into pubs or libraries.
Some of the best heritage sites and landmarks include:
- Arrowtown, the charming gold rush village and one of my favourite spots in New Zealand
- Historic Cardrona, home to one of the quaintest buildings in New Zealand, the Cardrona Hotel
- Russell, New Zealand’s first seaport where pirates once scandalized the town
- Akaroa, a French settlement with adorable cottages and an oasis of shimmering bays
- The only castle in New Zealand in Dunedin, Larnach Castle
I absolutely adore the website Heritage New Zealand. Select your region and the site delivers heritage sites from cathedrals to lighthouses to mansions and luxury apartments.
Parallel to that is a thriving art community. Galleries are abundant in New Zealand, from cultural Māori art and carvings to handmade wares by local artists. And Christchurch deserves a mention as New Zealand’s home of street art.
14. New Zealand Festivals: music, dance, food, and epic parties
One of the reasons to travel to New Zealand right now is that Kiwis love to party. For that pure community feeling, New Zealand is an expert at throwing concerts, festivals, and local events.
As mentioned above, summer turns many villages into concert destinations, hosting many artists (predominately Kiwi) to a bopping beer-drinking audience. And New Zealand also throws world-class festivals.
Chinese New Year is celebrated with lantern festivals each year. Similarly, Diwali paints the cities in bright colours. Wellington hosts Homegrown, a giant 5-stage concert, and the World of Wearable Art, a stage show of some seriously wild fashion. The Art Deco Festival in Napier also gets a lot of press, as well as WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) in Taranaki.
The most epic of all is Rhythm & Vines, a three-day music festival leading up to New Year to witness the first sunrise in the world.
15. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Travelling to New Zealand is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s not exactly around the corner, especially if you’re from the US or UK. I’m so lucky to be living here because I understand for a lot of people, New Zealand is a bucket list destination.
It’s a different experience, living on this side of the equator. The seasons are flipped. Life is a bit simpler, a bit slower. You get to meander through an isolated utopia of unique flora and fauna dating back to prehistoric times.
Antarctic waters crash against the wild shores. Untouched beaches brush over powdery sand. On TV, the national rugby team performs a haka. At midnight, crowds gather to watch the stars.
It’s intoxicating. It’ll be a trip you’ll never forget.
That was 15 epic reasons to travel to New Zealand right now, a post inspired by the fact that the New Zealand borders are FINALLY reopening for international travel in 2022. I hope to see you soon.
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