4 March 2018

New Zealand had long been on our travel wishlist. It did not disappoint. We felt safe and welcomed where ever we travelled. North Island is where most New Zealanders live. South Island is where most visitors want to be. Four weeks was a perfect amount of time to visit both islands. We could have had better weather but our visit was long enough to afford a few rain days. Its location and different landscapes make it a popular destination for Aussies. Aspects of the country remind me of the United States, Canada, Ireland and United Kingdom so it is no surprise many tourists come from these countries. New Zealand is also particularly popular with Chinese and Japanese travellers.

For potential visitors from North America, if you loved the Canadian Rockies, Colorado Rockies, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone, then New Zealand is the place for you. If you haven’t been to all those places yet, I’d recommend you see them first. They’re every bit as spectacular and much closer. Having said that, there is something special about getting away from it all in the world down under.