Vacation rentals in New Zealand

From snow-capped mountain peaks and glacial fjords to subtropical forests and white sand beaches, New Zealand is a true feat of nature. Sitting across the Tasman Sea from Australia, here you’ll find some of the most varied and awe-inspiring scenery in the world. Less than five million people call this sprawling country home, meaning that much of it is truly untouched and uninhabited. And because of its huge national focus on conservation, the landscape here is pristine. You can watch constellations light up ink-black skies, spot the elusive neon waves of the Southern Lights, hike the peaks of volcanoes, and sail under rushing waterfalls.

Visitors come here to take a dip in emerald-green, mirror-still crater lakes and surf the crests of aquamarine waves that crash against golden sands. Foodies delight in award-winning Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and get buzzed by Auckland’s fourth wave café culture. Maori culture can be explored through its artistic traditions of carving, tattooing, weaving, and painting. New Zealand is bursting with progressive cities, extreme sports aplenty, some of the world’s best national parks, and a booming plant-based food scene.

If you’re looking for holiday houses in New Zealand to enjoy its beaches and water sports, plan a trip during the hot, usually dry summer months from December to March. If you prefer more space on the sand, aim for the end of the season when the days are still long, the sun is still warm, and the trees on South Island begin to change colour. March is generally quiet, and a great time to be here. In the winter, most of South Island and North Island’s mountains turn into renowned destinations for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. North Island is generally warmer than South Island during the winter, but migrating humpback whales pass through the waters off of Kaikoura, South Island.

Auckland

Auckland is a naturally stunning city, surrounded by volcanic cones, with the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meeting on the horizon, and rainforests, wineries, and islands in the distance. Urban life and the natural world coexist in the capital, with surfing off the city’s Pacific Coast beaches and sustainable farm-to-table cuisine. Grab coffee from one of Auckland’s fourth-wave cafes, learn about traditional Maori art at KIWA Art Gallery, and admire contemporary works at Wallace Arts Centre.

Waitomo Caves

The Waitomo Caves are an otherworldly phenomenon. Thousands of glowworms — a species unique to New Zealand — have been inhabiting these grottos for millennia, studding the cave walls with their star-like light. Boat tours are available with Maori guides to explain the caves’ history and natural significance.

Road trips

A road trip is one of the best ways to see the sights, whizzing up and down mountain roads, past glittering waters, and through tropical rainforests. From the remote and rugged Forgotten World Highway that zigzags through craggy mountains to the quiet beauty of the Great Coast Road flanked by the Tasman Sea on one side and the Southern Alps on the other, the journey around New Zealand is part of the experience.