• Most beautiful unknown places in New Zealand: Lake Hauroko
    New Zealand,  we12inspire

    The most beautiful unknown places in New Zealand

    Welcome to this post with the most beautiful unknown places in New Zealand. Let’s be honest, only few other places in the world can beat New Zealand for its natural beauty. Without having to drive for days, you will find yourself surrounded by glaciers one day, in the middle of Fiordland the next and on white sandy beaches the day after. This article first appeared in 2016 and was fully updated after my most recent visit in the winter of 2023. Most of the places mentioned have now also been discovered by tourism, but are still considerably less visited than New Zealand’s tourist hotspots. The most beautiful unknown places in…

  • things to do in taupo new zealand
    New Zealand

    The best Taupo activities and sigths

    Welcome to this post with the best Taupo activities. Located in the central North Island, you just cannot get around Taupo and Lake Taupo by including at least a short visit during your New Zealand road trip. After being here for the first time some 15 years ago, I decided that during my one of my recent New Zealand trips it was about time to head back to this amazing place. I ended up staying for almost a week, not just because I injured my ankle during a hike but also because there simply was a lot to see and do in and around Taupo. This article was first published…

  • the waitakere ranges
    New Zealand

    The Waitakere Ranges and Piha Beach: an amazing roadtrip from Auckland

    Do you already know the Waitakere Ranges in New Zealand? This special nature reserve just outside Auckland is a wonderful stop before you really start your road trip. I visited the Waitakere Ranges several times and in this article you will find my travel report from 2018, including tips for your visit to both the Waitakere Ranges and Piha Beach. At the bottom of the blog you will find some useful tips if you want to go on a road trip yourself. Enjoy reading! This blog first appeared in 2018 and was updated in 2023 after my recent visit to New Zealand Before I went to New Zealand I had…

  • New Zealand

    New Zealand travel tips: 10 tips for first timers

    If this is not your first time on We12travel, you may have noticed that I have a deep crush on New Zealand. I could easily live there, though we’ve decided not to (long story) but just go back every once in a while. After spending more than five months on the road there during three trips over the past ten years, I think I can give you quite a good idea of what to travel in New Zealand is like. Here are my 10 tips for your first time in New Zealand. Just some things to consider when considering or planning a trip down there. Note: this blog with my New…