New Zealand
New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world, and it lived up to the name. I went in 2009 while studying abroad in Australia, and unfortunately only had time for a road trip around the North Island. I still managed to bungee jump twice, including off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and go skydiving, and I ruptured an eardrum in the process.
What I did
Road tripped around the North Island.
Bungee jumped two times, including off the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Went skydiving.
Ruptured an eardrum along the way. Worth it.
My experience
New Zealand is where I learned how much I love adventure. Two bungee jumps, a skydive and a ruptured eardrum later, I was hooked. My only regret is that I never made it to the South Island, with Queenstown, Milford Sound and the Southern Alps. I need to go back to see the beauty of the South Island, and it is high on my list to do properly, ideally with a camper van and a drone.
Where to stay
Auckland, Ponsonby or the Viaduct: good food, harbor views and easy access to the ferries.
Rotorua: the base for geothermal parks, Maori culture and the Redwoods.
Taupō: on the lake, with bungee, skydiving and the Tongariro Crossing nearby.
Queenstown (South Island): the adventure hub, surrounded by mountains and lakes.
Getting there and around
Flights: Auckland is the main international gateway, with Christchurch and Queenstown for the South Island.
Road trip: renting a car or camper van is the best way to see the country. Driving is on the left, and roads are narrow and winding, so allow more time than the map says.
Between islands: take the Interislander or Bluebridge ferry from Wellington to Picton, or fly.
What to eat
Lamb, green lipped mussels and fresh fish and chips by the water.
A Maori hāngī, food slow cooked in an earth oven, in Rotorua.
Meat pies from a roadside bakery.
Hokey pokey ice cream and pavlova.
What to drink
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is world famous, and Central Otago makes great Pinot Noir. Waiheke Island near Auckland is an easy vineyard day trip by ferry.
Beer: a strong craft beer scene, with Wellington as its capital.
Coffee: flat whites are excellent everywhere.
Non-alcoholic: try L&P, the local lemon soft drink.
Don't miss
The Auckland Harbour Bridge bungy, right in the city with views of the harbor and skyline.
Bungee jumping and skydiving. Taupō and Queenstown are the classics.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the best day hikes in the world.
Hobbiton in Matamata.
The Waitomo glowworm caves.
Rotorua's geothermal parks and a Maori cultural evening.
On the South Island: Milford Sound, Queenstown and Aoraki Mount Cook.
Day trips and side trips
Waiheke Island wineries from Auckland.
The Coromandel Peninsula for Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach.
The Bay of Islands for sailing and dolphins.
Huka Falls from Taupō.
Festivals and events
Rhythm and Vines: Gisborne, December 29 to 31. A huge New Year's music festival and one of the first in the world to see the new year.
Waitangi Day: nationwide, February 6, with the main events in the Bay of Islands.
Matariki: nationwide, usually June or July. The Maori New Year.
Te Matatini: held every two years. The national kapa haka performing arts festival.
Queenstown Winter Festival: Queenstown, usually June.
Music and dance
Kapa haka and the haka: Maori performing arts, best seen at a cultural evening in Rotorua.
A great live music and festival scene, from indie rock to drum and bass and reggae.
Photography spots
Cathedral Cove: sunrise through the arch.
Tongariro: the Emerald Lakes on the Alpine Crossing.
Lake Taupō: sunset over the lake with the volcanoes behind.
Drones: not allowed in national parks without a permit. Check current rules.
Cost of living
Overall: Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown: $$$$, about 5% cheaper than New York. Queenstown is the priciest, especially for lodging in peak season.
Coffee: about $4
Local lunch: about $14
Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $110
Beer or cocktail: about $8 / $12
Ride across town: about $18
Mid-range hotel: about $150 a night
Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $1,800 a month in Auckland, $1,700 in Wellington
Daily budget: about $90 budget, $200 comfortable, $450+ luxury
New Zealand is pricey, and activities like bungee and skydiving are a big part of the budget. Fuel, groceries and eating out cost more than most visitors expect. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.
Working remotely
Wi-Fi: Good in cities, often 50 to 300 Mbps with fiber. Rural areas and campgrounds can be slow or have no signal.
Coworking and cafes: Best nomad cities are Auckland for the most coworking and flights, Wellington for its cafe culture and compact center, and Queenstown if you want mountains and can afford it.
Time zone: UTC+12 (UTC+13 in daylight saving), 16 to 18 hours ahead of US Eastern, so US meetings fall late in the evening.
Visa for longer stays: US citizens need an NZeTA and can stay up to 90 days. There is no dedicated nomad visa. Check current rules.
Nomad rating: 3 out of 5. Safe, scenic and easy in English, but expensive and a very long way from US time zones.
Good to know
Language: English and Te Reo Maori. Kia ora means hello.
Currency: New Zealand dollar. Cards work almost everywhere.
Plugs: Type I, 230V.
Entry for US citizens: you need an NZeTA before you fly. Check current rules.
Best time to visit: December to March for summer, June to August for skiing.
Tipping: not expected.
Water: tap water is safe to drink.
Nightlife
New Zealand keeps its nights fairly low-key. I did not get much nightlife on my North Island road trip, but the main scenes are in the cities and in Queenstown. Expect craft beer, good wine and relaxed bars rather than big clubs.
When people go out: Bars fill from about 8 pm, and clubs run until about 3 am on weekends. Friday and Saturday are the big nights, and many places close earlier midweek.
Where the action is: Auckland has Viaduct Harbour and Ponsonby for bars, with Karangahape Road as the edgier pick. Wellington's Cuba Street is the best nightlife strip in the country, and Queenstown has a lively bar scene as an adventure base.
The music: Indie, rock, electronic and pop, with a lot of live bands and DJs in Wellington.
Good to know: Drinks are fairly expensive, covers are uncommon, and dress is relaxed, though closed shoes help at clubs. If you have a rental car, plan a sober driver or use Uber or a taxi.
Meeting people
Social scene: New Zealanders are relaxed and welcoming. Hostels, campervan parks, hiking huts and adventure tours in Queenstown, Wanaka and Auckland are the easiest places to meet other travelers.
Apps: Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are widely used. Meetup, Facebook groups and hostel social events are the best way to find companions for hikes and road trips.
Etiquette: A handshake and a friendly hello are enough. Casual dress is fine nearly everywhere. Be on time, and splitting the bill is standard.
Stay smart: Meet in public, tell someone your plans when heading into remote areas, and check weather conditions before any hike.
Staying safe
Weather in the mountains changes fast. Check the forecast and pack layers.
Driving is the biggest risk: stay left, take breaks and do not underestimate travel times.
Book adventure activities with established operators.