Kia Ora!
Welcome to my page about New Zealand, or the land of the Long White Cloud. A trip to New Zealand is very special and for many of us a once in a lifetime experience. I have now visited New Zealand five times and spent more than a year there in total.
This page is the base for planning your New Zealand trip. You can check out my favorite places in the sections below, and browse through my blogs full with personal stories and travel tips. Got questions? Want me to plan your trip? Feel free to reach out! See you in New Zealand!
PS Are you Dutch? Then visit my Dutch page here!
New Zealand
October – April
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
GMT +12
Wellington
Antonette in New Zealand
Ever since 2002 I have been traveling to New Zealand and by now I have been here five times, totalling more than one year spent traveling round the country.
I enjoy hiking through the mountains of the South Island but also truly enjoy the green hills of the North Island. In 2022 I hiked a section of Te Araroa, the 3.000 kilometer long thru hike. I’m the author of various Dutch guidebooks for New Zealand and have appeared in Dutch media several times as a New Zealand expert.
New Zealand travel tips: 10 tips for first timers
Reishandboek Nieuw-Zeeland
Op zoek naar een goede reisgids om mee te nemen tijdens je reis? Koop dan mijn Reishandboek Nieuw-Zeeland, dat onlangs verscheen bij Uitgeverij Elmar.
Deze reisgids werd met veel plezier geschreven aan de hand van meer van de 5 reizen naar Nieuw-Zeeland die ik de afgelopen jaren maakte. Het is een complete gids met veel achtergrondinformatie, kaarten en plattegronden in kleur.
Bestel bij Bol.com / Bestel bij de lokale boekhandel
Favorite places in New Zealand
Lake Daniell
The walk to Lake Daniell is not difficult and absolutely worth your time. You walk through a tranquil forest from just outside Lewis Pass to a crystal clear mountain lake, where you can possibly spend the night in the hut.
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga is the northernmost accessible piece of land in New Zealand and very special. Here two oceans meet and for the Maori it is a sacred place where they begin their last journey towards their next life.
Tongariro National Park
The volcanic Tongariro National Park has one of the most spectacular views on the North Island. The famous Tongariro Crossing is one of the most beautiful day walks in the world and a definite must!
Fiordland
The mystical Fiordland National Park is located in the far south of the South Island and has spectacular fjords, glaciers, crystal clear lakes and countless hiking trails that are well worth setting out on.
Mount Cook
Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain. It’s a beautiful place to take a hike, but it’s even better to see it from the air. Definitely put Mount Cook National Park on your bucket list when planning our trip!
Pupu Springs
The Te Waikoropupu (Pupu) Springs are very beautiful, the water of the Pupu Springs is said to be the clearest water in the world. you reach the water source over a short walk in the Golden Bay region.
Accommodations in New Zealand
Good to know is that New Zealand is a very popular destination and that in high season (December – February) booking your accommodations ahead is an absolute must, to make sure you won’t end up without a place to stay.
Accommodations vary widely from simple hostels to beautifully located boutique hotels. Choose whatever fits your budget and interest and make sure you can travel through New Zealand worry free!
The most beautiful unknown places in New Zealand
Renting a car in New Zealand
I can definitely recommend hiring a vehicle in New Zealand. This way you won’t miss any highlights and you can make the most of your time. Driving is quite relaxed and easy once you have gotten used to driving on the left side of the road.
Make sure to book your rental car well ahead as since the pandemic tourism has risen and there is more demand than availability for rental cars.
Hiking the Routeburn Track in New Zealand
Book your trip!
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