Walking

There’s no better way to get to know a place than by experiencing it on foot. New Zealand offers lots of opportunities for walking, whether you’re exploring the native bush, rural or alpine environments, or getting around in our towns and cities.

See our tips for safe walking

Urban walking

Walking routes in and around New Zealand’s three main cities showcase the country’s scenery, culture and history. Check out what’s on offer in:

• Auckland

• Wellington

• Christchurch 

Discover more walking opportunities in the resources section of the Living Streets website, a site established to get more people walking and enjoying public spaces around New Zealand.

Rural walking

New Zealand has many walking tracks. Learn more about walks and national parks in New Zealand on the Department of Conservation website.

Cycling

You can cycle the length of New Zealand, but we recommend avoiding regional highways when you can. Instead, use quieter back roads as it’s safer and there are fewer vehicle emissions. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to get off the beaten track – there are many vehicle-free tracks and trails across New Zealand which provide a safer environment for cycling.

Tips for cycling on New Zealand roads

Many roads don’t have separate cycling facilities so you need to stay alert to the risks around you. See tips for staying safe while cycling. And remember, you must not cycle on motorways – it’s illegal.

Urban cycling

You can also cycle your way around New Zealand cities. There are many cycling routes in New Zealand cities and towns.

Discover more cycling opportunities at the Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) website, a site established to get more people walking, cycling and enjoying public spaces around New Zealand.

Travelling by bus, train, ferry and plane

You don’t need to drive to see New Zealand. Take the bus or train and you can enjoy the same scenery without the responsibility of driving in an unfamiliar environment. In some places, you can travel by ferry. Travelling by plane is quick and convenient. Combined, these services can get you to almost everywhere.

Travelling by bus

A number of companies provide bus transport that covers most of New Zealand.

Find out more on:

• long-distance and scenic bus journeys(external link)

• local bus timetables and ticketing.

Travelling by train

Train travel includes long-distance trips such as between Auckland and Wellington, scenic journeys such as the TranzAlpine service between Christchurch and Greymouth, and local commuter services in Auckland and Wellington.

Find out about:

• Scenic rail journeys in New Zealand

• Auckland commuter train services

• Wellington commuter train services 

​

Travelling by ferry

The only ways to travel between New Zealand’s North and South Islands are by air or sea. There is a choice of ferry services, both of which carry vehicles:

• the Interislander Cook Strait ferry

• the Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry.

Other ferry services link smaller islands to the mainland in places such as Hokianga, the Bay of Islands and the Hauraki Gulf Islands in Auckland. There are also commuter ferry services in Auckland and Wellington.

​

Travelling by air

All New Zealand cities have an airport running domestic flights across the country. Airports in key destinations also run international flights.

If you want to get between New Zealand’s North and South islands and prefer to travel by air rather than by sea, you could also try Sounds Air or Air2there.

If you are intending to arrive in New Zealand by corporate or private aircraft (non-scheduled flights) your best source of information is the New Zealand Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).  The GEN section of the AIP contains information relating to customs, immigration and quarantine requirements, and for obtaining approvals for non-scheduled flights, where this is required, as well as information relating to landings at non-customs airports.