We’ve Been Waiting Years for This Epic Adventurous Country to Reopen

Get ready to gaze heroically into the horizon from a cliff top.

After real year of induce to put plan on the backburner , we can all get back to plotting our escape to a rural area that ’s doubtlessly one of the most beautiful in the world . pile your hiking boot and LOTR quote , because the otherworldly landscapes of New Zealand are finally reopening .

On these islands , you wo n’t be able to stop expect yourself how one small country with about the same surface area as Colorado can be so jaw - droppingly beautiful in so many different ways . change of location from gilded beach along aquamarine water system to tranquil valleys bordered by towering , snow - capped mountains to majestic fjords where kingdom and sea meet in the most dramatic of manner .

Such a modest parcel of state is surprisingly hard to get over in a shortsighted period of time , though . The most popular holidaymaker destinations are cleave between the rural area ’s two largest island — the North Island and the South Island — which you ’ll have to either fly or takethe rough 3.5 - 60 minutes - long ferrybetween . That being said , we ’ll give you a proper starting point . Here ’s what you need to be intimate about visiting the newly reopen New Zealand and some of the best places to go .

People in the beach at the Milford Sound, New Zealand.

Get ready to gaze heroically into the horizon from a cliff top.|primeimages/E+/Getty Images

What you need to know about entering New Zealand now

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The route covers more than 8,000 miles.

To infix the land asa non - New Zealand citizen , you ’ll need proof of vaccination unless you converge one ofthe other exempting standard . That means substantiation of a full course ( could be one dose or two depending on the vaccinum ) of a COVID-19 vaccine that ’s on the tilt of35 approved vaccine . You ’ll also call for a minus COVID-19 mental test prior to departure , so either a PCR tryout taken within 48 hours of boarding your flight or a rapid antigen test or LAMP test taken within 24 hours of embarkment . Lastly , you ’ll need to completea New Zealand Traveller Declarationbefore check - in .

Once you get to New Zealand , there ’s no essential to self - isolate , but youarerequired to take two rapid antigen trial run : one on the day you arrive and one five mean solar day after . You ’ll get the large number with these exam at the airdrome along with educational activity on how to describe your results by electronic mail or phone . It ’s definitely on the extra - safe side — and all worth it look at what marvel look .

Places to Visit in the North Island

Culture-hop then island-hop in Auckland

Anyone fly into New Zealand will most potential first tactile sensation down in Auckland , the land ’s largest urban center . Here you’re able to stray first - rate museums like the impressiveAuckland War Memorial Museum , take in the views from the top of the 328 - meter - highSky Tower , and enjoy sizable shopping and dining in cool neck of the woods like Ponsonby and Britomart . If you ’re ready to mollycoddle yourself , stay at theSofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbourhotel , which serve up luxury and signature city views . For something more low-priced , you ’ll find no shortage of hostels catering to backpacker , among whichHaka Lodgeis a favorite .

But while in Auckland , you should n’t limit your sentence to the city center . There aresome gorgeous islandsin the Hauraki Gulf staring for day trips just a ferry - drive away . Check outWaiheke Island , which is called “ the island of wine ” due to its dozens of vinery and wineries , andRangitoto Island , where you may walk to the summit of a dormant volcano .

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Drink some wine, see some penguins, then hang out in an active volcanic crater.

Hang low on beaches or high on peaks at Coromandel Peninsula

Just east of Auckland is the Coromandel Peninsula , and there you could really kick your out-of-door exploration into gear among arresting , sandy beaches and dumbly forest mountains . For the former , make your mode to Cathedral Cove to see the shot that ’s all over Instagram : a panorama from inside an arched cavern looking out to clean sand and a unconscionable rock ‘n’ roll constitution jutting up from the blue-blooded moving ridge . Nearby is Hot Water Beach , where you’re able to dig a cakehole into the sand until naturally heat mineral piddle flows up , create your own personal hot kitty .

After hanging down by the water , move up to the deal on thePinnacles Walk or Kauaeranga Kauri Trail , which is considered one of the country ’s most democratic overnight walks . Technically , you could do the 12 - kilometer trail all in one twenty-four hours , but a solid ground to unfold the hike over two is so you’re able to get the sunrise from the jaggy peak .

Places to Visit in the South Island

Get your adrenaline pumping in Queenstown

greedy thrill - searcher must make a pilgrim’s journey to Queenstown , which boasts the championship of “ risky venture chapiter of the universe . ” This bustling hub next to Lake Wakatipu is full of tourists , and for good reason . From here you could go bungee jumping , skydiving , paragliding , whitewater rafting , river surfing ( yes , surfing ! on river rapids ! ) , super acid boat , canyoning , and more . Of of course , hike selection burst , and if you only have time for one trail , make it theQueenstown Hill Loop , which brings you to a gorgeous view over the mess , lake , and river .

After all of that elbow grease and turmoil , there ’s no good path to relax than a visit to theOnsen Hot Pools , where you’re able to drench in a secret , cedar red-hot tub looking out to the canon . For fueling , many people will taper you toFerburger , a burger joint that seems to always have a line stretching out its room access . Other pleasant-tasting choice includeBotswana Butchery(hello , duck fat potatoes ) andPedro ’s House of Lamb(come hungry to eat up every last collation of the tender , slow - ridicule lamb shoulder ) .

New Zealand’s South Island The World’s Reigning Adrenaline Capital

Dazzle yourself with watery cliffs in Fiordland

You want dramatic landscapes ? You ’ll get dramatic landscapes in the Fiordland , a glacial - carved area located in the southwest . Here , unnumbered falls pour down exorbitant , unripe drop that dramatically shoot up from serene , brooding water . It ’s a landscape painting that seems too beautiful to be literal , peculiarly when the local bottlenose dolphins make their appearing .

Explore the Fiordland by ft along one of New Zealand ’s most famous , multi - day hikes : theMilford Track(often name as one of the good hikes in the world ) , theKepler Track , or theRouteburn Track . Another mode to immerse yourself in the rude lulu of this area is to take a cruise in Milford Sound , which Rudyard Kipling called the eighth admiration of the worldly concern , or Doubtful Sound , which is the deepest of the country ’s fiords .

Look down on mountains and lakes near Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

With the Southern Alps stretching the length ofthe South Island , there are lots of destination for peck lovers to explore , but one that ca n’t be miss is Aoraki / Mount Cook — New Zealand ’s tallest , uprise to over 12,000 feet . Only experient climbers should attempt to breast its peak , but do n’t worry because there are many other trail in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park for , you know , the rest of us . TheHooker Valley Trackis one the most traversed , balancing a comparatively easy lead that crosses some swing bridge with unbelievable views of a glacier lake backdropped by mountains .

Close to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park , you ’ll find two other must - see lakes : Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki . At the former , you’re able to appreciate the shockingly bright turquoise color of the water during the twenty-four hours , and at night , you’re able to let yourself be dazzled by the ocean of stars above you fromMount John Observatory(the expanse is part of an International Dark Sky Reserve ) . Pro - baksheesh for enjoying Lake Pukaki : Pick up some invigorated salmon sashimi atMount Cook Alpine Salmon , post up on a picnic table alfresco , and soak up that unbelievable survey of yet another fear - inspiring eyeshot .

View from above the Marlborough Sounds.