Tailor-made trips to New Zealand
You will receive your perfect tailor-made trip from us!
Whether you plan to self-drive or go on a guided private or small group tour – we plan your unforgettable trip of a lifetme to Australia individually according to your wishes. Pack your bags, we’ll take care of the rest!
Our Expert Tips – Travel Knowledge New Zealand
More than just the Shire and sheep
Our love for New Zealand is love for its people, the Kiwis, as New Zealanders call themselves after the chubby flightless national bird, and for their unique country. Appreciation for it is deeply rooted in the culture of the New Zealanders and the Maoris, the indigenous people. It is characterized by gratitude for an existence in harmony with nature. New Zealanders live moments in togetherness as family and friends and welcome visitors with their warm hospitality that comes from theirs hearts.
Approximately five million people live on the two main islands, which are characterized by smoking volcanoes, icy glaciers, lush rainforests and an idyllic landscape of lakes and rivers. Three quarters of the inhabitants live on the North Island. The island state in the Pacific Ocean impresses with its exotic flora and fauna, which are protected by numerous national parks. There is no place in New Zealand that is more than 128 km from the sea. So if you want, you can ski in the morning and enjoy the sun on the beach in the afternoon. Let yourself be carried away into a different, peaceful and at the same time deeply impressive and exciting world!
The unique regions of New Zealand
North Island
South Island
North Island
Nature and mankind in harmony
Auckland, with its 1.6 million inhabitants New Zealand’s by far most populous city, is located on North Island. Two cargo and cruise ports dominate the cityscape and are seamed with restaurants, cafes and bars. The picturesque ocean bays attract numerous sailors, earning the city the nickname “City of Sails”. The now fourth victory of Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup 2021, the world’s most prestigious and oldest sailing competition, sent the entire country into a frenzy of joy. The sailing “All Blacks” enjoy cult status, as do the actual “All Blacks”, the rugby national team, who have already won the world championship title several times. They perform the infamous Haka before every game to invoke the power of the gods.
Auckland is a multicultural metropolis, where art and great architecture await you just as much as a vibrant nightlife, a lively city center and culinary delights from around the world. Discover this fascinating city from a bird’s eye view by climbing the 328 meters of Sky Tower or enjoy the fabulous view over the skyline from the volcano Mount Eden, which can be reached within a few minutes from the City Center.
Those who find the hustle and bustle of the city too hectic, should escape to the quiet surroundings of Auckland. Only a stone’s throw away and easy to reach by ferry is Rangitoto Island, an offshore volcanic island of lava rock. Take a hike and listen to the bird songs of the trusting animals. Waiheke Island is also worth a day trip as the island is home to over 40 small wineries.
In Auckland as well as in the Northland region, the Bay of Islands and on the Coromandel Peninsula, you can expect a mild and pleasant climate all year round, perfectly suited for water sports activities such as kayaking and of course sailing. The seemingly endless beaches invite you to swim and relax.
Northland and Bay of Islands
In Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, the first treaty between the indigenous population of New Zealand – the Maori – and the European settlers was signed on February 6, 1840. Therefore, this day is celebrated as a national holiday to this day. The Bay of Islands is characterized by numerous islands and bays that lure with turquoise blue sea and fine sandy beaches. In the Northland you will also come across the largest kauri tree in the country – Tane Mahuta. It is a unique and incredibly impressive experience to linger in front of this giant of the forest. You can literally feel the magical power emanating from this tree.
Picturesque Coromandel Peninsula
You can unwind on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula. Enjoy a dinner in one of the local restaurants or beach bars and relax during the day on one of the many long sandy beaches. It is not uncommon to see dolphins passing close to the shore. You can drive around the peninsula almost completely by car on partly adventurous serpentine roads, only the northern tip is car-free and offers unforgettable hikes through landscapes like in Middle Earth.
Rotorua and the Volcanic Region
Rotorua is the geothermal center of New Zealand. Here you can find hot springs, “steaming” forests and waters and the typical smell of sulfur is everywhere in the air. If you are interested in Maori culture, this is the place to be. Visit a Maori village and take a trip back in time. You should not miss the traditional Hangi dinner, a typical feast from the earth oven. Listen to the mythical tales and stories of the Maori and let yourself be carried away into their world with dance and song.
Further south, past the crater Lake Taupo, the largest inland body of water in New Zealand, is the Tongariro National Park with its three imposing volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. The park has been awarded double UNESCO World Heritage status. The landscape is incredibly diverse with its rugged cliffs and dark lava rock, clear mountain lakes, snow-capped peaks and bizarre alpine gardens. As part of a guided tour, you can cross the volcanoes and enjoy spectacular views.
Napier and Hawke’s Bay
Another highlight of the North Island is the picturesque town of Napier at the southernmost end of the Hawke’s Bay wine region. Cycle through wine-growing areas and stroll through the Art Deco town, which was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1931. The architectural style of the time has been revisited, making Napier a town worth seeing.
The vibrant capial Wellington
Also the southernmost capital of the world, Wellington, is located on the North Island. It is also called “the coolest capital in the world” due to the numerous hip bars, cafes and restaurants – and rightly so. The lifestyle that makes up this city is a very special one that really captivates visitors.
South Island
Breathtaking mountain landscapes
The South Island is wild and largely untouched. Characterized by spectacular landscapes with mountains, rivers and lakes, it is the perfect setting for adventurers, nature lovers but also connoisseurs from all over the world.
The marvellous Marlborough Sounds
After an approx. three-hour ferry crossing from Wellington through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds, you will arrive in Picton. During the crossing you will very likely see dolphins, whales, seals and penguins. The lively harbor town of Picton is the starting point for excursions to the many small offshore islands, peninsulas and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. A paradise for sailors!
From here it is not far to Nelson, the city with the most hours of sunshine (2,300 hours per year), which is the New Zealand center for arts and crafts. Visit colorful markets and galleries, and indulge in culinary delights as well. The region produces excellent wines that are worth tasting.
Abel TasmanNational Park
The northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island is characterized by the famous Abel Tasman National Park. A nature reserve located between “Golden Bay” and “Tasman Bay”, where it is possible to take beautiful walks along the beaches and over the mountains. It takes its name from Abel Tasman, a Dutch navigator who was the first European to discover New Zealand. With great probability you will meet seals and porpoises, which call this picturesque area their home.
Majestic Alps and glaciers
Mount Cook, with its 3,724 meters New Zealand’s highest elevation, and the associated mountains of the New Zealand Alps and glaciers served Sir Edmund Hillary to prepare for his expedition and the first ascent of Mount Everest. Follow in his footsteps and explore the Franz-Josef and Fox glaciers with their massive ice fields.
Fiordland
In Fiordland, a unique natural landscape where the steep slopes and cliffs of the mountains touch the water and nature is virtually untouched by man, absolute silence and tranquillity await you. Fiordland National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. It presents a dramatic, breathtaking landscape. Visit the spectacular fjords of Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound or Dusky Sound on an overnight boat trip. There’s hardly a better place to get close to nature than here.
Adventurous Queenstown
As a contrast to the tranquillity of Fiordland, the adrenaline capital of New Zealand, Queenstown, offers plenty of hustle and bustle and adventure. The small town on Lake Wakatipu offers a huge range of leisure activities from bungee jumping to skiing and golf. Everything is possible here! The excellent location invites to many different walks through wine-growing areas, along the lake and over the mountains. Queenstown, beautifully embedded in the mountain landscape, provides visual highlights and should not be missed on any New Zealand trip. Not far away is the charming little town of Wanaka on the lake of the same name, also a starting point for excursions into nature.
Christchurch and East Coast
In the centre of the South Island lies Christchurch, which was extensively destroyed by a strong earthquake in 2011 and is still being rebuilt today. The lively city is making a comeback with new attractions. After the catastrophe, the shops and boutiques were provisionally housed in shipping containers with a lot of improvisation and creativity in order to maintain everyday life. To this day, the former shopping street consists mainly of containers and makes shopping a unique experience.
North of Christchurch lies Kaikoura. The coastal town is the ideal starting point for whale and dolphin watching. The deep sea trench is particularly rich in nutrients, making it the perfect home for numerous marine creatures. Even swimming with the local hector dolphins is possible and a particularly impressive experience that will be remembered for a long time.
South of Christchurch is the student city of Dunedin, known for its Victorian architecture. Who would have expected to find the steepest residential street in the world here? On the Otago Peninsula, which belongs to Dunedin, you can expect not only picturesque natural landscapes but also impressive wildlife: the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatrosses can be marvelled at.
Our process for your successful vacation
1. Get familiar
To tailor an ideal itinerary to fit your unique needs, we would like to get to know you. Fill out our contact form and let us know how we may get in touch with you. If you only have time after hours, we will gladly also accommodate that!
2. Get planning
You will receive a first itinerary from us – no strings attached – that will be the baseline for our further planning together. And when everything fits, just lean back, we will take care of the booking.
3. Get packing
Rely on us. We will take care of all the necessary formalities and keep you posted on what you will still need to do. So the only thing you’ll have to worry about will be packing your suitcases!
Reviews from happy travellers
Martina and Stefan K.
Trip to New Zealand
Sarah and Tobias S.
Trip to New Zealand
Hardy
Trip to Australia
Stefan M. and Julia H.
Trip to New Zealand
Daniela and Kai
Trip to Australia
Carmen made this trip perfect for our needs and made this adventure possible.
A. Rues
Trip to New Zealand
E. and K.
Trip to New Zealand
Franka and Danny
Trip to Australia & New Zealand
Carmen, thank you very much for the planning of our dream trip and the valuable tips. We will definitely recommend you to others.