My Favourite Photos of New Zealand to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on

New Zealand feels like it was made for adventure. It’s a country where nature always takes the spotlight, showing off with jaw-dropping landscapes from the towering peaks of the Southern Alps to the deep green fjords of Fiordland.

Here, every journey feels epic and the spirit of adventure runs deep. It seems like there’s something new to take your breath away around every corner.

One of my standout memories from New Zealand is hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It’s often hailed as one of the best one-day hikes in the world, and I can definitely see why.

Trekking across the otherworldly landscape, between steep-sided volcanoes, dramatic lava fields, and surreal emerald lakes, I remember being totally blown away by the raw power of the landscape.

But it’s not just the well-known spots that make New Zealand so special. It’s also in the quieter, unexpected moments.

Like kayaking with dolphins through the glassy waters of the Marlborough Sounds. Enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir at a vineyard in Central Otago. Or standing on a deserted beach (there are hundreds!) watching the sun sink below the horizon in a blaze of colour.

New Zealand is a place that dares you to dream bigger, to explore further, and to get wonderfully lost in its natural beauty.

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A rugged mountain landscape under a clear blue sky, featuring a volcanic peak with red and brown hues, surrounded by rocky terrain with sparse vegetation.

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A scenic coastline with a pebble beach, bordered by green hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A steamy geothermal area with barren, leafless trees silhouetted against a smoky backdrop, under a cloudy sky.
A geothermal hot spring surrounded by barren land, with mineral deposits and steam rising from the surface, and a wooden boardwalk in the background.
A volcanic mountain peak under a bright blue sky, with a trail winding up towards the summit and a group of hikers in the distance.
A powerful waterfall cascading down a steep cliff, surrounded by lush green vegetation, with mist rising from the pool of water at the base.
A seagull perched on a wooden post above a lake, with mist-covered hills and a mountain in the background.
A view of emerald-green lakes nestled among barren volcanic terrain, with rugged mountains in the background.
A close-up of a clear turquoise lake with visible stones beneath the water, set between rocky shores under a bright blue sky.
The tail of a whale breaking the surface of the ocean, with waves surrounding it under a gray sky.
A camping tent pitched on grassy land near a pale blue lake, with distant mountains under a clear, sunny sky.
A vast landscape view of a lake surrounded by golden grasslands and distant mountain ranges under a clear blue sky.
A calm lake reflecting the soft hues of a mountain range in the early morning light, under a pale blue sky.
A bronze statue of a dog stands on a rock overlooking a lake with mountainous terrain in the background under a cloudy sky.
A towering, mist-covered mountain with multiple waterfalls cascading down its steep, dark cliffs into a fjord below.
A lake with a small dock and wooden posts extending into the water, with a red-sailed boat in the distance against a backdrop of misty mountains.
A lush, green forested area by a large lake, with a backdrop of mist-covered mountains under a cloudy sky.
A clear blue lake with a pebble shoreline, surrounded by distant mountains under a bright blue sky.
A train moving along a narrow, winding track through rolling grassy hills under a vibrant blue sky with wispy clouds.
Two dolphins swimming close to the surface of the deep blue ocean, with water splashing around them.

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Essential Travel Resources


🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍 Book the best tours
Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️ Find cheap flights
I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights.

📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

• World Nomads – for adventurous travellers, covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as skydiving, heli-skiing, rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here).

💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.