The Rough Guide to New Zealand

This practical travel guide to New Zealand features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This New Zealand guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make New Zealand easier to navigate while you’re there. This guide book to New Zealand has been fully updated post-COVID-19.

The Rough Guide to New Zealand covers: Auckland and around, Northland, Waikato and the Coromandel, Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, Central North Island, Eastern North Island, Wellington and the south, Marlborough, Nelson and Kaikoura, The west coast, Christchurch and Canterbury, Otago, Fiordland and Southland.

Inside this New Zealand travel guide you’ll find:

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

Experiences selected for every kind of trip to New Zealand, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Poor Knights Islands, to family activities in child-friendly places like Farewell Spit, or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Auckland.

PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS

Essential pre-departure information including New Zealand entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more.

TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES

Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of New Zealand, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip.

DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE

Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this New Zealand travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options.

INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL

Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for wildlife spotting, hiking and diving.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS

Rough Guides' rundown of Hot Water Beach, Whatipu and Christchurch’s best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to New Zealand, even in a short time.

HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Written by Rough Guides’ expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this New Zealand guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to New Zealand features fascinating insights into New Zealand, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary.

FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Ninety Mile Beach and the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway.

COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Wellington, Milford Sounds, and many more locations in New Zealand reduce the need to go online.

USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT

With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.