New Zealand Travel Report — Queenstown, Mount Cook, Bungee Jumping & Road Trip Tips (2025)

New Zealand travelogue — Why this country left me speechless

New Zealand had been on my bucket list forever. But when I finally got there—in November 2025, right in the middle of the New Zealand spring—the country still completely surprised me. The sheer size, the diversity, the silence. On the South Island, you can drive for three hours and cross three completely different climate zones: rainforest, glacial valley, alpine desert. You won't find that anywhere else in the world.

In three weeks, I traveled from Auckland to Queenstown, stood at the foot of the Hooker Valley Track in front of Mount Cook, went bungee jumping in Queenstown, slept under the clearest starry sky I've ever seen, and rode a historic railbike into the sunset in front of Mount Taranaki. This travelogue summarizes everything: route, costs, highlights, and the best tips for your own New Zealand road trip.

My New Zealand route — 3 weeks South Island & North Island

I arrived via Auckland and spent the first few days on the North Island — Taranaki, Rotorua, Taupo. Then I flew to Queenstown, and from there I explored the South Island: Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki, Wanaka, and the West Coast.

Week 1 — North Island: Auckland → Taranaki (Forgotten World Highway, Rail Cart Experience) → Rotorua (geothermal area) → Taupo → Wellington

Week 2 — South Island South: Queenstown (bungee jumping, jet boat) → Milford Sound (day trip) → Te Anau → Wanaka

Week 3 — South Island Central & North: Mount Cook / Hooker Valley Track → Lake Pukaki → Lake Tekapo (Stargazing) → Christchurch → Kaikoura

A rental car is absolutely essential. Without one, you'll miss out on 901,130 of the highlights. I rented a compact SUV from Jucy Rentals for about NZD 65 per day — fair by New Zealand standards.

Mount Cook & Hooker Valley Track — The highlight of the South Island

The Hooker Valley Track is probably the most beautiful, easy hiking trail I've ever hiked. Ten kilometers round trip, flat, well-maintained—but the scenery is absolutely surreal. You walk through a wide glacial valley, cross three suspension bridges, and at the end, you're standing right in front of the glacier tongue of Mount Cook.

I started early in the morning, around 7 a.m., and had the track almost entirely to myself. It gets crowded from 10 a.m. onwards—especially when the tour buses arrive from Queenstown. My tip: Stay overnight in Mount Cook Village (at the White Horse Hill Campground for NZD 15 or at the Hermitage Hotel from NZD 250) and start early.

The Tasman Glacier Viewpoint is another must-see. It's only a 15-minute climb, but the view over New Zealand's largest glacier with its icebergs in the glacial lake is breathtaking. As a content creator with a drone license, I was also able to film here—however, you need a permit from the DOC (Department of Conservation) for Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Lake Pukaki, 30 minutes south of Mount Cook, has the most unreal turquoise color I've ever seen in a lake. The glacial flour in the water creates this color, which looks almost artificial in the sunlight. I sat on a rock there for an hour, just gazing at it—sometimes the quiet moments are the best.

Queenstown — Adrenaline Capital of the World

Queenstown lives up to its reputation. Within 24 hours, I went bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge (134 meters, the original bungee jump — where it all began), raced through narrow gorges on the Shotover Jet, and spent the evening in one of New Zealand's best burger bars (Fergburger — yes, the hype is justified).

The bungee jump was one of the most intense moments of my life. You're standing on a platform 134 meters above the Nevis River, the wind is whistling, and your whole body is screaming, "DON'T JUMP." But then you jump—and for three seconds, your mind is completely blank. No thinking, no planning, just free fall. As a content creator, moments like these are invaluable, not just for the camera, but for your own perspective.

Queenstown itself is a blend of adrenaline-pumping mecca and charming Alpine town. Its location on Lake Wakatipu, with the Remarkables mountains in the background, is picture-perfect—no wonder Lord of the Rings was filmed here. There are fantastic picnic spots by the lake, and the gondola up Bob's Peak offers the best panoramic views.

Cost of Queenstown activities:

• Nevis Bungee: 275 NZD (~155 €) incl. video/photos
• Kawarau Bridge Bungee: 230 NZD (~130 €)
• Shotover Jet: 159 NZD (~90 €)
• Milford Sound day trip: from NZD 199 (~€112)
• Skyline Gondola + Luge: 69 NZD (~39 €)

Mount Taranaki & the Forgotten World — New Zealand's hidden side

Most travelers to New Zealand skip the North Island entirely, south of Auckland, and fly straight to Queenstown. Big mistake. The region around Mount Taranaki is among the most beautiful places I've seen in New Zealand—and you'll have it all to yourself.

The highlight was the Forgotten World Adventures Rail Cart Experience. You travel on a historic railway line through tunnels, over bridges, and through farmland—on a motorized railcar. As we approached the perfectly symmetrical Mount Taranaki at sunset, the moment was so surreal that I almost forgot my camera.

Mount Taranaki itself is an active volcano that looks like a replica of Japan's Mount Fuji. On a clear day, it can be seen from 100 kilometers away. The Pouakai Crossing (a 19 km day hike) offers the iconic view of the volcano's reflection—one of New Zealand's most photographed sights.

Starry skies & Dark sky — New Zealand at night

New Zealand has some of the darkest skies in the world. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — the largest Dark Sky Reserve on Earth — is located in the region around Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, which I had already visited.

On a clear night at Lake Tekapo, I saw the Milky Way so clearly for the first time that I could discern its structure with the naked eye. Using my Sony A7 IV and a wide-angle lens at f/2.8, 15-second exposure, and ISO 3200, I captured images I will never forget. The southern hemisphere reveals constellations you can never see from Europe—the Southern Cross, the Magellanic Clouds.

Photo tips for the starry sky: Lake Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd is THE spot, but it's overcrowded at night. Drive 5 km further to the Cowan's Hill Observatory Viewpoint instead—same sky, no people. A tripod is essential; use a remote shutter release or a 2-second timer.

Practical tips — costs, travel & best time to travel to New Zealand

Best Travel Time

November to March (New Zealand spring/summer). I was there in November — perfect weather, moderate tourist numbers, flowers everywhere. December to February is peak season with higher prices and full campsites.

Arrival

There are no direct flights from Germany. The most common routes are via Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or Doha (Qatar Airways). Flight time: 24-28 hours with a stopover. I paid approximately €1,100 for a round trip — via Singapore Airlines with a stopover in Singapore.

visa

German citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but they do need an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) for NZD 23. Apply online; processing takes approximately 72 hours. An IVL (International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy) of NZD 35 is also payable.

Cost overview for 3 weeks in New Zealand

Position	Costs (approx.)
Flight (Frankfurt → Auckland return)	1.100 €
Rental car (21 days × 65 NZD)	770 €
petrol	250 €
Accommodation (mix camping + hostel + hotel)	900 €
Food & Drink	600 €
Activities (bungee jumping, Milford Sound, etc.)	500 €
NZeTA + IVL + Insurance	100 €
In total	~4.220 €

New Zealand isn't cheap — but it's worth every penny. For comparison: A similar 3-week trip to... Algarve or on the Canary Islands It costs half as much, but doesn't offer nearly the same variety.

SIM card & Internet

At Auckland Airport, Spark and Vodafone prepaid SIM cards are available from NZD 29 for 4 weeks with 10 GB of data. Spark has better coverage on the South Island—important if you plan to navigate in remote areas. However, there are still dead zones in the mountains and along the west coast.

Flying a drone in New Zealand

New Zealand is a drone paradise — but with strict rules. Drones over 250g require CAA registration. Flying drones is generally prohibited in national parks (DOC land) unless you have a special permit. I applied for an exemption for Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park — processing time was about two weeks, cost NZD 0. Outside of national parks, you can fly almost anywhere as long as you stay below 120m and 4km away from airports.

FAQ — The most important questions about New Zealand

How much does a 3-week road trip in New Zealand cost?

A three-week road trip through New Zealand costs approximately €4,000–€5,000 per person on a mid-range budget, including flights, rental car, accommodation, and activities. Budget travelers can manage with camping and self-catering from around €3,000.

When is the best time to travel to New Zealand?

The best time to visit New Zealand is from November to March (Southern Summer). November and March are the off-season with fewer tourists and lower prices. December to February is peak season — warm, but campsites are crowded and prices are higher.

Do I need an international driving permit?

Yes, you need an international driving permit in New Zealand along with your German driver's license. Without an international driving permit, you are not insured in the event of an accident. You can apply at the local registration office; it costs approximately €15 and is issued immediately.

How long does it take to get to the South Island?

At least 10-14 days for the highlights of the South Island (Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, West Coast). For a relaxed trip with hikes and spontaneous stops, I recommend 3 weeks for the entire South Island.

Is it possible to wild camp in New Zealand?

Freedom camping is restricted in New Zealand, but possible. You need a certified self-contained vehicle (with a toilet and wastewater tank). The CamperMate app shows you all legal freedom camping spots. DOC campsites cost NZD 0-15 per night and are located in the most beautiful spots.

My conclusion — New Zealand is the trip of a lifetime

After visiting over 82 countries and working as a professional travel creator for more than 10 years, I can say: New Zealand is among the top 3 travel destinations worldwide. The combination of epic landscapes, adventure activities, hospitable people, and well-developed infrastructure is unique.

Whether you're a backpacker on a budget of €50 a day or a luxury traveler flying over the Franz Josef Glacier in a helicopter—New Zealand delivers. And a tip for tourism boards and tour operators: New Zealand content performs exceptionally well on social media. The scenery is so photogenic that almost every picture is a scroll-stopper.

Are you planning your own trip to New Zealand? Write to me Instagram @maxhaase — I personally reply to every message and am happy to share my GPS coordinates for the best photo spots.

Read my other travel reports too: Australia East Coast, E5 Alpine Crossing and Philippines.

This travel report is based on my 3-week trip to New Zealand in November 2025. All recommendations, prices, and tips are from my own experience — no paid content, no affiliate links.