Smart Travel
New Zealand has much to offer visitors looking for value-based smart travel options, whether that's about caring for the environment, getting more for your money, or making your holiday experiences count in some other way.
When it comes to packing a lot into a little, no other country has such a varied and rich natural environment - coast, mountains, lakes, rivers, virgin forests, fauna and flora - that's so easily accessible. About one third of New Zealand's landmass is in wilderness areas set aside as national parks, reserves and special heritage sites.
This award-winning eco destination surrounded by ocean offers many activities that come without a price tag: lying on a remote beach, walking tracks and trails through unspoilt wilderness, soaking up the sun, body surfing, swimming in a clean fresh lake, watching abundant wildlife, enjoying an outdoor concert or tumbling down a pristine sand dune.
Sustainable tourism development is actively encouraged through tourism industry green ratings (Qualmark Green) and more and more travel and accommodation businesses are adopting sustainable practices - minimising environmental impact, and maximising energy and water efficiency, waste treatment, and recycling.
In the current economic climate, a favourable exchange rate is also on New Zealand's side. On-the-ground costs can make or break holiday choices but New Zealand comes up trumps in a number of fields - finding your way around is easy, people are friendly and helpful, local produce is plentiful and reasonably priced and it’s possible to enjoy million dollar scenery for no cost at all.
New Zealand is a place to come, stay and do more.
View these and more images from the Tourism New Zealand Image Library. All images are available to download.
There are many beautiful beach campsites in the Abel Tasman National Park. The Department of Conservation issues camping passes that allow sea kayakers to choose any camp that catches their eye. Each camp site has basic facilities, which may include a water supply, fireplaces and toilets. Not all campsites have fireplaces, so campers are wise to bring a cooking stove.
Photo credit: Graham Charles
If you want to leave the world behind, the Ruahine Forest Park is the place to do it. Informal camping is permitted throughout this mountainous wilderness area, which is between Lake Taupo and Hawke’s Bay. Rising to 1686 metres, the park is known for sudden weather changes - hikers need to be prepared for anything.
Photo credit: Rob Suisted
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Fiordland National Park is known as the ’Walking Capital of the World’, because hiking boots are the best (and only) form of transport. The most famous on-foot adventure in the region is the Milford Track, a guided walk that takes 5 days. It begins at Lake Te Anau and finishes at Milford Sound.
Photo credit: Heidi Coppock-Beard
Waiheke Island, 'the gem of the Hauraki Gulf'. The island, with its award winning vineyards, olive groves, beautiful beaches and native forest reserves, is easily accessible by ferry 35 minutes from downtown Auckland.
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