Visa

No visa required for US citizens for up to 3 months. Valid passport and NZeTA online application are required.

COVID

Fully open. No testing, no quarantine, no vaccination, no NZTD declaration required.

Fall in love with New Zealand by visiting its highlights on a fast-paced trip.

New Zealand Highlights

Explore all must-sees and venture off the beaten path on a spectacular road trip.

New Zealand Adventure

New Zealand

Enjoy the waterfalls at their fullest, the flowers blooming (those lupin fields on Lake Tekapo), and fewer crowds are also tempting. The hiking season for most Great Walks starts mid-October.

Spring

Summer is the most popular season and for a good reason. You can enjoy the widest spectrum of activities with pleasant hikes and warm beaches.

Summer

Fall is our favorite season, especially on the South Island. It is slightly colder, but you can still hike the Great Walks with fewer crowds while enjoying spectacular fall foliage scenery with the snowy peaks.

Fall

Winter months bring more rain to most of the North Island and colder temperatures across the country. Snow-peaked mountains are beautiful, but we don't recommend exploring in winter.

Winter

Land of the Long White Cloud

New Zealand – Land of the Long White Cloud

Enjoy stunning views of the glacial lakes from the Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier lookouts, located a short hike from one another. They provide an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and Tasman Glacier – the largest glacier in New Zealand, covering an area of over 40 square miles.


The Blue Lakes are formed by the melting of the Tasman Glacier, and their vivid blue color is caused by the refraction of sunlight on the glacial silt in the water.

A short hike from the Blue Lakes lookout takes you to the Tasman Glacier lookout, where you can witness the glacier up close and marvel at its sheer size and beauty.

Official park info

Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier

New Zealand's highest peak dominates the skyline of a national park filled with glaciers, alpine lakes, and sky-scraping peaks, a dream for mountaineers and hikers alike.