Ultimate Guide to Exploring New Zealand's North and South Islands + Insider Tips Revealed!

Pre-trip Essentials 📚 1. Visa Made Easy: Get Started Now 🛂 New Zealand eVisa is super easy! Prepare 1-2 months in advance and easily get a visa valid for 3-5 years. ‼️ Most importantly: You can stay up to 90 days per visit! 2. Pick the Perfect Time to Visit ☀️ Summer (Nov-Apr): 15-25°C, full of great vibes! Best time for outdoor hiking + sea fishing + camping ⛄ Winter (May-Oct): Best value for money! South Island ski resorts open: Queenstown + Wanaka await your adventure~ 3. Must-Bring Essentials 🧾 Four key documents: Passport / Driver’s license / NZTA translation / Printed visa 🧥 Clothing guide: Windbreaker + waterproof shoes + sun protection trio (don’t forget sunglasses and a hat) 💡 Tip: Bring a Type I adapter! Some small towns only accept cash~ II. Must-Visit Iconic Spots 🏆 North Island 🎯 📍 Auckland (Queen St) 📍 Hobbiton (501 Buckland Rd) ✨ A must-visit for "The Lord of the Rings" fans! Get the same photos in 2 hours~ 📍 Rotorua (Hells Gate) 🌋 Soak in mud baths while watching geysers erupt! 📍 Waitomo Glowworm Caves (39 Waitomo Village Road) 🌠 Take a boat ride to see the blue glow worm stars—remember to stay quiet~ South Island ⛰️ 📍 Queenstown (Lake Wakatipu) The big three extreme sports: bungee jumping + skydiving + jet boating for an adrenaline rush! 📍 Milford Sound (open 24h) 🌊 More spectacular in the rainy season! Key trail takes just 3 hours to reach this fairyland~ 📍 Wanaka (famous lonely tree photo spot) 🎿 Just 40 minutes to Cardrona Ski Field (ski lovers, go for it) 📍 Lake Tekapo (Church of the Good Shepherd) 🌌 Dark sky reserve! Stunning lupins bloom in summer~ 📍 Mount Cook (Hooker Valley Track) 🏔️ Cross 3 suspension bridges to reach the glacier! Absolutely breathtaking! III. Foodie Guide 🍴 + Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 🍽️ Top 3 Foods: ✅ Lobster (Auckland Fish Market) ✅ Roast lamb chops (freshly grilled on the farm) ✅ Pavlova cake 🏠 Recommended Stays: QT Auckland (33-35 Whitaker St) The Rees Queenstown (377 Frankton Road) Edgewater Wanaka (Sargood Drive) IV. Transportation Tips 🚗 🚢 Island-crossing magic: The "Bluebridge" ferry crosses between the North and South Islands in 3.5 hours! 🚘 For self-drivers: Drive on the left + come to a complete stop at STOP signs 🚌 Money-saving tip: Intercity buses often have special fares for 1 NZD V. Classic Itineraries to Copy ✍️ ✨ South Island 7-day Ultimate Route: D1 Christchurch → Akaroa D2 Mount Cook hiking D3 Lake Tekapo stargazing D4 Wanaka photo ops D5 Queenstown fun D6 Milford Sound D7 Arrowtown gold panning 💯 North & South Islands 10-day Deep Tour: 3 days North Island + 7 days South Island — perfect~ VI. Thoughtful Tips 💝 ⚠️ Go to supermarkets early! They close very punctually on Sundays 🌲 Remember to download offline maps (Maps.me) for hiking 🎫 Book popular attractions at least 1-2 weeks in advance 💰 Tips are optional; 10-15% is enough to be polite Save this guide now! Discover 100 ways to enjoy New Zealand~💖