Spent almost 3 full weeks in New Zealand, both North and South Islands, over the Christmas and New Year's holidays! Here's what I know and learned…
Sections
3
What I packed!
North Island
South Island
What I packed!
I'm a carry-on ONLY type of traveler, so I stick to a capsule wardrobe of neutrals (and only 2 pairs of shoes).
Stick to neutrals (black, gray, white, navy blue) and try everything on. Try the t-shirt on with jeans and the skirt, and then with the cardigan, etc. Take photos of yourself to keep track.
Carry-On Capsule Wardrobe
Packable Jacket (South Island, Milford Sound)
Aire Puffer Jacket | Athleta
Rainier Leggings (amazing leggings)
Rainier High Rise Legging | Athleta
Keen Sneakers (I only brought 2 pairs of shoes: Keens and Birkenstocks).
KEEN Womens Ks86 Comfortable Durable Retro Style
I walk around ALL DAY and NIGHT wearing these sandals and they NEVER hurt my feet. Ever.
Arizona Big Buckle Birko-Flor Nubuk
North Island
Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua
Wellington, NZ
WellingtonNZ: Visit Wellington
Auckland, NZ
Auckland, NZ
Waiheke Island. SO BEAUTIFUL! (I would move here forever)
Waiheke Island (ferry ride from Auckland)
Rotorua, NZ
Rotorua
Zealandia
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Walking/Hiking - Eastern Walkway
Eastern Walkway - Outdoors - Wellington ...
Walking/Hiking - Southern Walkway
Southern Walkway: Views minutes from the city - WellingtonNZ
Walking/Hiking - Coromandel
Coromandel Coastal Walkway
Walking/Hiking - Redwoods Treewalk
Redwoods Treewalk
South Island
Queenstown, Arrowtown, Te Anau, Milford Sound
Arrowtown (outside of Queenstown)
The Self-Sufficient Traveler | 📍Arrowtown. 🇳🇿 A historic gold mining town on New Zealand’s South Island, known for its preserved 19th-century buildings, charming shops,... | Instagram
If you love mountains and lakes, Queenstown is the absolute best of both. Truly one of the most scenic and beautiful places I've ever seen.
The Self-Sufficient Traveler | 📍Queenstown, NZ. 🇳🇿 December 2025 #selfsufficienttravel #wanderlust #southislandnz queenstown #newzealand | Instagram
Incredible winery outside of Queenstown.
Kinross - Destination Wine
Absolutely worth the trip up and down the mountain.
Skyline Queenstown | Experience The Iconic Gondola & Luge
