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Search every Velvet Fox guide, upcoming event and official useful link. Type a place, a trip or a visa term, or browse the lists below if JavaScript is off.
103 guidesAll guides
- Abel Tasman National Park: water taxis, kayaking and the coast track
- Auckland to Wellington drive: the best stops and overnight options
- Bay of Islands guide: cruises, Russell, Waitangi and where to base yourself
- The best campervan hire companies in NZ compared (budget to luxury)
- The best campsites in the South Island for campervans and tents
- The best day hikes in NZ (that are not the Tongariro Crossing)
- The best day trips from Auckland: Hobbiton, Waitomo, the Coromandel and closer escapes
- The best eSIM for New Zealand: coverage, prices and when a local SIM is better
- The best hostels in NZ for people who are not 19 anymore
- NZ biosecurity explained: what to declare and how to avoid the $400 fine
- Bungy jumping in NZ: every site compared
- How much does campervan hire in NZ cost? Daily rates, fuel, campsites and the hidden extras
- Campervan relocation deals in NZ: $1 a day hire and how to get them
- Campervan vs car and motels in NZ: the real maths
- Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach: getting there and tours
- Renting a car in NZ: insurance, one-way fees, ferries and how not to get stung
- The Catlins: waterfalls, wildlife and a slow coastal drive
- Christchurch to Dunedin drive: 艑amaru, Moeraki Boulders and the coast road
- Christchurch to Queenstown: the best route, stops and how long it takes
- Coromandel guide: Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach and the best road trip stops
- Doubtful Sound vs Milford Sound: which fiord should you see?
- Dunedin to Queenstown drive: Central Otago stops, wineries and drive times
- Fox Glacier vs Franz Josef: which glacier town to stay in
- Franz Josef Glacier: heli-hikes, valley walks and whether it is worth the detour
- Freedom camping in NZ: the 2026 rules, the $400 fines and where you can actually park
- The NZ Great Walks: which one to do, booking dates and costs
- Hawke's Bay guide: Art Deco Napier, wineries and bike trails
- Hobbiton Movie Set tour: tickets, which tour to book and how to get there
- Hooker Valley Track: the easiest big-mountain walk in NZ
- The best hot pools in NZ, from free natural springs to day spas
- Interislander vs Bluebridge: which Cook Strait ferry should you book?
- Jucy campervan review: what you get, what it costs and who it suits
- Kayaking in NZ: Abel Tasman, Milford, Doubtful and beyond
- Lake Tekapo guide: stargazing tours, hot pools and the lupin question
- Marlborough Sounds: Queen Charlotte Track, cruises and Picton
- Matariki for visitors: what it is and events to look out for
- Milford Sound cruises compared: which one to book, when to go and how to get there
- Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown: coach, self-drive or fly?
- Milford Track: how to get a booking and what the four days are like
- Aoraki/Mount Cook village guide: walks, flights and where to stay
- New Year's Eve in NZ: festivals, fireworks and where to be
- The 10-day North Island road trip: Auckland to Wellington the fun way
- North Island vs South Island: which is better for your trip?
- Three weeks in New Zealand: the both-islands itinerary
- Auckland Airport to the city: buses, trains, taxis and rideshare compared
- Backpacking NZ on a budget: hostels, buses, work and free fun
- NZ campsites explained: DOC sites, holiday parks and how to book
- How much does a trip to New Zealand cost? Real daily budgets for 2026
- NZ Great Rides: the best cycle trails and how to plan them
- Driving in NZ as a visitor: licence rules, road rules and the stuff that catches tourists out
- NZ events by month: festivals, races and food fests worth planning a trip around
- Ferries in NZ beyond Cook Strait: Waiheke, Stewart Island and more
- New Zealand in autumn: weather, colours, events and shoulder-season prices
- New Zealand in December: weather, crowds, events and what to book early
- New Zealand in February: weather, events and the summer sweet spot
- New Zealand in January: weather, events and peak-season survival
- New Zealand in March: weather, Easter, events and late-summer value
- New Zealand in spring: weather, lupins, track closures and shoulder-season prices
- New Zealand in summer: where to go and how to dodge the crowds
- New Zealand in winter beyond skiing: hot pools, stargazing and cosy towns
- NZ ski season guide: ski fields, passes and where to stay
- Getting around NZ by bus: InterCity, passes and backpacker buses
- Sandflies, sunburn and other NZ travel hazards nobody warns you about
- Scenic flights in NZ: where they are worth it and what they cost
- Scenic trains in NZ: TranzAlpine, Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific
- Money in NZ: tipping, cards, cash and GST
- Travel insurance for New Zealand: what ACC covers, what it doesn't and what to buy
- NZ wine regions for people who just want a nice day out
- NZeTA explained: who needs one, the real cost and how to apply without stuffing it up
- Otago Central Rail Trail: how to ride it, bike hire and costs
- Queenstown Airport: getting into town, car hire and flying tips
- Queenstown on a budget: cheap eats, free walks and the activities worth splurging on
- Queenstown to Franz Josef via Haast Pass: stops and drive times
- Te Anau or Queenstown: the best base for Milford Sound and Fiordland
- Queenstown vs W膩naka: where should you base yourself?
- Rotorua vs Taup艒: which one to pick if you only have time for one
- Routeburn Track: bookings, transport and day hike options
- Roys Peak track: timing, parking, closures and alternatives
- Skydiving in NZ: where to jump, heights, prices and what to expect
- The 14-day South Island road trip: day-by-day route, drive times and what to book
- Stewart Island guide: kiwi spotting, ferries and Ulva Island
- Thermal Explorer road trip: Auckland to Rotorua and Taup艒
- Things to do in Auckland: islands, volcanoes and beaches near the city
- Things to do in Christchurch: the rebuilt city, Banks Peninsula and day trips
- Things to do in Dunedin: wildlife, street art and Otago Peninsula
- Things to do in Kaik艒ura: whales, seals and crayfish
- Things to do in Nelson: sunshine, wineries and the gateway to three national parks
- Things to do in Queenstown: the big-ticket thrills, the free stuff and how to fit it in
- Things to do in Rotorua: geothermal parks, mountain biking and M膩ori cultural experiences
- Things to do in Taup艒: Huka Falls, lake cruises and hot springs
- Things to do in W膩naka: lakes, hikes and a slower alternative to Queenstown
- Things to do in Wellington: museums, coffee, walks and the windy bits
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing: shuttles, parking rules, timing and what it is really like
- Twin Coast Discovery road trip: a Northland loop in 5 days
- Unique stays in NZ: glamping, tiny homes and dome tents
- Waiheke Island day trip: ferries, wineries and beaches
- Waitomo glowworm caves: which cave tour to book (and the free alternatives)
- West Coast road trip: Picton to Haast in 5 days
- Whale watching in NZ: Kaik艒ura and beyond
- Where to stay in Auckland: the best areas for first-timers
- Where to stay in Queenstown: best areas and stays for every budget
- Where to stay in Rotorua: lakefront, spa hotels and budget stays
- Where to stay in W膩naka: lakefront, budget and holiday parks
73 upcomingEvents
- Canterbury A&P Show
- Queenstown Marathon
- Toast Martinborough
- BLACKCAPS v India, 1st Test
- BLACKCAPS v India, 2nd Test
- Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, Christchurch
- Lake Taup艒 Cycle Challenge
- Farmers Santa Parade
- MOTAT Christmas Lights
- Christmas Show Parade, Christchurch
- Kepler Challenge
- A Christmas Cracker
- Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park, Auckland
- TSB Festival of Lights
- Rhythm and Vines
- Northern Bass
- Rhythm and Alps
- Waipu Highland Games
- ASB Classic tennis
- World Buskers Festival
- Soundsplash
- Whanganui Vintage Weekend
- First Light Marathon
- Kiwiburn
- Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta
- BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka, 1st Test
- Waitangi Day at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Burt Munro Challenge
- BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test
- Kathmandu Coast to Coast
- NZ Fringe Festival
- Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB
- Round the Bays Wellington
- Art Deco Festival Napier
- BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival
- Crankworx Christchurch
- New Zealand Open
- Challenge W膩naka
- Laneway Festival Auckland
- Round the Bays Christchurch
- Te Matatini o Ng膩 Taniwha 2027
- Supercheap Auto Americarna
- Electric Avenue
- Northland Circus Festival
- Auckland Arts Festival
- Dunedin Fringe Festival
- Golden Shears
- IRONMAN New Zealand
- Motatapu
- Round the Bays Auckland
- Crankworx Rotorua
- W膩naka A&P Show
- WOMAD New Zealand
- Balloons Over Waikato
- Hokitika Wildfoods Festival
- Kume奴 Show
- Pasifika Festival
- Repco Beach Hop
- Central Districts Field Days
- CubaDupa
- National Jazz Festival
- Easter Show
- Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow
- Whang膩rei Heads Arts Trail
- Mackenzie A&P Highland Show
- W膩naka Festival of Colour
- ASICS Christchurch Marathon
- Red Stag Rotorua Marathon
- Auckland Writers Festival
- MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards
- Fieldays
- World of WearableArt Show
- Barfoot & Thompson Runaway Auckland Marathon
150 official linksUseful links
Entry and visas
- NZeTA application (opens in a new tab)
- NZeTA: who needs one (opens in a new tab)
- International Visitor Levy (IVL) (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- New Zealand visas (opens in a new tab)
- NZ Customs Service (opens in a new tab)
- Travel to and from New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- NZ Traveller Declaration (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry for Primary Industries (opens in a new tab)
- Arriving in New Zealand (MPI) (opens in a new tab)
- What you cannot bring into NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Bringing or sending items to NZ (opens in a new tab)
Transport
- NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (opens in a new tab)
- NZTA Journey Planner (opens in a new tab)
- Traffic and travel information (opens in a new tab)
- Visiting drivers (opens in a new tab)
- Driving on an overseas licence (opens in a new tab)
- AA maps and road conditions (opens in a new tab)
- Interislander (opens in a new tab)
- Bluebridge (opens in a new tab)
- InterCity (opens in a new tab)
- Great Journeys New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- Scenic train timetables (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Explorer (opens in a new tab)
- Coastal Pacific (opens in a new tab)
- TranzAlpine (opens in a new tab)
- Air New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- Auckland Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Wellington Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Christchurch Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Queenstown Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Dunedin Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Nelson Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Rotorua Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Hamilton Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Hawke's Bay Airport (opens in a new tab)
- New Plymouth Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Palmerston North Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Invercargill Airport (opens in a new tab)
- Auckland Transport (opens in a new tab)
- AT buses, trains and ferries (opens in a new tab)
- Metlink (Wellington) (opens in a new tab)
- Metro (Christchurch) (opens in a new tab)
- BUSIT (Waikato) (opens in a new tab)
- Baybus (Bay of Plenty) (opens in a new tab)
- Orbus (Otago) (opens in a new tab)
- Orbus Dunedin timetables (opens in a new tab)
- Fullers 360 (opens in a new tab)
- SeaLink (opens in a new tab)
- East by West Ferries (opens in a new tab)
- Sounds Air (opens in a new tab)
- Originair (opens in a new tab)
- Barrier Air (opens in a new tab)
Parks and outdoors
- Department of Conservation (opens in a new tab)
- Great Walks (opens in a new tab)
- DOC booking system (opens in a new tab)
- Online bookings explained (opens in a new tab)
- DOC campsites (opens in a new tab)
- Booking and paying for a campsite (opens in a new tab)
- Campsite fees and facilities (opens in a new tab)
- Stay in a DOC hut (opens in a new tab)
- Freedom camping on DOC land (opens in a new tab)
- Track alerts and closures (opens in a new tab)
- Know before you go (DOC) (opens in a new tab)
- National parks (opens in a new tab)
- Walking and tramping (opens in a new tab)
- Te Araroa (opens in a new tab)
- Herenga 膩 Nuku / Walking Access (opens in a new tab)
- NZ Topo Map (opens in a new tab)
Weather and safety
- MetService (opens in a new tab)
- MetService warnings (opens in a new tab)
- Mountain weather (opens in a new tab)
- Marine weather (opens in a new tab)
- NIWA climate and weather (opens in a new tab)
- Mountain Safety Council (opens in a new tab)
- Plan My Walk (opens in a new tab)
- Outdoor intentions form (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- New Zealand Police (opens in a new tab)
- Healthline (opens in a new tab)
- Get Ready (Civil Defence) (opens in a new tab)
- Civil Defence (opens in a new tab)
- New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (opens in a new tab)
- Surf Life Saving New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- Water Safety New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- Safe Swim (Auckland) (opens in a new tab)
- ACC (opens in a new tab)
- ACC cover for visitors (opens in a new tab)
- Fire and Emergency NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Check It's Alright (opens in a new tab)
- St John (opens in a new tab)
- Healthpoint (opens in a new tab)
- Sunsmart (opens in a new tab)
- GeoNet (opens in a new tab)
- Coastguard New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
- Maritime NZ (opens in a new tab)
Money and connectivity
- Spark (opens in a new tab)
- One NZ (opens in a new tab)
- One NZ coverage map (opens in a new tab)
- 2degrees (opens in a new tab)
- 2degrees coverage (opens in a new tab)
- Consumer Protection (opens in a new tab)
- Consumer NZ (opens in a new tab)
- NZ Post (opens in a new tab)
- Inland Revenue (opens in a new tab)
- Reserve Bank of New Zealand (opens in a new tab)
Regional tourism
- NorthlandNZ (opens in a new tab)
- AucklandNZ (opens in a new tab)
- The Coromandel (opens in a new tab)
- Waikato NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Bay of Plenty NZ (opens in a new tab)
- RotoruaNZ (opens in a new tab)
- Love Taup艒 (opens in a new tab)
- Visit Ruapehu (opens in a new tab)
- Hawke's Bay NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Taranaki (opens in a new tab)
- Manawat奴 NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Wairarapa NZ (opens in a new tab)
- WellingtonNZ (opens in a new tab)
- Tair膩whiti Gisborne (opens in a new tab)
- Nelson Tasman (opens in a new tab)
- Marlborough NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Kaik艒ura (opens in a new tab)
- ChristchurchNZ (opens in a new tab)
- Mid Canterbury (opens in a new tab)
- Mackenzie NZ (opens in a new tab)
- West Coast (opens in a new tab)
- W膩naka (opens in a new tab)
- Queenstown NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Central Otago (opens in a new tab)
- Dunedin NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Fiordland (opens in a new tab)
- Southland NZ (opens in a new tab)
- Stewart Island (opens in a new tab)
- Waitaki (opens in a new tab)