Solo Travel in New Zealand, A Girl’s Guide!

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Thinking of travelling New Zealand solo and wondering what to expect? This post has you covered!

From solo female travel safety, tried-and-tested tips and the best places to go alone in New Zealand, I’ll cover everything you need to know before your solo trip.

Cycling in New zealand solo — Cycling around wineries near Queenstown

Pros of solo travel in New Zealand

It’s super safe with a reliable healthcare system and emergency services should you get into trouble (just make sure you have good travel insurance; I use and recommend True Traveller for European/UK travellers and Hey Mundo for other nationalities)
It’s an English-speaking country so, if you’re reading this blog, that will probably make things a lot easier!
You can work there (depending on your nationality) – if you don’t have a bunch of savings, make money as you go with Working Holiday Visas for 18-30-year-olds (or 18-35s from countries including the UK)
New Zealand is BEAUTIFUL with some of the world’s most beautiful alpine, volcanic and coastal scenery.

Cons of solo travel in New Zealand

New Zealand is EXPENSIVE – from travel costs such as accommodation and tours to everyday expenses like groceries and gas. For this reason, it’s challenging to travel on a budget.
Some destinations are only accessible by car which can be challenging if you like to get off the beaten track and aren’t driving
Budget accommodation options aren’t always great despite being expensive compared to other countries.

Is New Zealand safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, New Zealand is very safe for solo female travellers. In fact, NZ is considered one of the safest countries in the world so it’s an ideal place for women to travel alone.

Hooker Valley hiking trail — Hooker Valley trail

The country is also relatively progressive so female travellers should feel safe here, alongside POC and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Read next: the ultimate guide to solo female travel safety

While you’re unlikely to experience theft or human threats in New Zealand, it’s worth understanding how to keep safe in the great outdoors.

For example, inexperienced hikers should take easy treks and let their accommodation know where they’re going. Consider hiring a guide or going with a group from your hostel for longer walks. Drivers should drive carefully and be aware of narrow, winding roads.

Also, don’t swim under waterfalls, coastlines or rivers unless you’ve checked it’s safe first. Drownings are unfortunately not uncommon, as the water can look safe but the undercurrents are strong.

Like every place in the world, NZ’s strong safety record doesn’t mean nothing bad ever happens here. So act how you normally would when deciding whether to hang out with strangers or go drinking. If something seems off, trust your gut.

To stay connected and safe during your trip, my top solo female travel tip is to download an e-SIM with Airalo. Browse their packages for New Zealand and connect as soon as you land!

Best time of year to solo travel in New Zealand

The shoulder seasons of autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November) are the best times to travel solo to New Zealand as you’ll avoid the steepest costs of the summer. Time your visit outside school and bank holidays as these also put prices up – not ideal when visiting an already expensive country alone.

Summer (December-February) is a great time to enjoy NZ’s beaches, watersports and hikes but it’s pricey with crowded tourist attractions, especially during school holidays. That said, if you’re hoping to make friends, the fact it’s busy might be a bonus!

Unless you’re planning a winter sports trip or staying in a single city (like Queenstown), I don’t think winter (June-August) is the best time to travel to New Zealand alone. During my winter road trip at the end of a year working in NZ, travel was delayed several times due to flooding and a landslide! I was with a friend for this leg of the trip so it was fine, but it wouldn’t have been fun alone.

Winter in new zealand solo female travel — Winter is beautiful but not convenient

How to get around New Zealand alone

Flights: most solo travellers begin their trip at Auckland, Queensland or Christchurch international airports. Domestic flights also run between most major cities. Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest deals.

Renting a car or campervan: it’s easy to rent a campervan or car in Auckland or Christchurch. Shop around beforehand as rates can differ, especially in peak seasons. Jucy is a popular option with budget travellers, or you can check a price aggregator like Rentalcars.com. However, a car is a big expense if you’re not sharing the costs, so budget wisely!

Coach: another popular option for solo travellers in New Zealand is coach travel. I recommend hop-on-hop-off coaches for flexibility. Stray are great as they show you a mix of popular and off-the-beaten-track places. I’ve also heard Intercity Buses are a comfortable option for one-off journeys.

Public transport: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all have good, easy-to-use public transport especially the trains in Auckland and trams in Christchurch.

Ferry: you can cross between the North and South Islands by plane or ferry. However, if you take the ferry across the Cook Straight – a necessity if you have a car – book in advance. Even when I visited in off-peak season, I had to change my travel dates because I forgot to book my ticket in advance. Oops! There are two companies: Direct Ferries and Interislander.

Tours: another good option for backpackers is to book a tour. Many tours require a single supplement, but G Adventures is a popular alternative for those travelling alone.

Woman traveller hiking around lake — Exploring on foot isn’t the fastest form of transport but it IS the most beautiful

Accommodation for solo female travellers in New Zealand

Hostels – the best option to meet people while travelling alone. You can also potentially share costs with the friends you make, too. I use Hostelworld to compare hostels based on quality and price.
Airbnb and hotels – when I need my own space, I use Booking.com to find hotels and self-catering apartments.
Petsitting – if you’re staying long-term on a WHV and don’t have a flatshare sorted, you could consider petsitting when you stay in someone’s house for free while they’re away in exchange for petsitting. Just know you can’t usually leave the pets at home all day. Read my Trusted Housesitters review and, if you sign up, get a discount with my code.
Freedom Camping – you’re welcome to camp in one of the 500 responsible freedom camping locations across New Zealand provided you follow the rules. Outside these assigned areas, it’s illegal to park on public land.
DOC campsites – for a budget-friendly, unpowered campsite, you can stay at one of the many DOC campsites. They usually have limited facilities such as toilets and drinking water.
Powered campsites and holiday parks – with power and better facilities, such as warm showers and kitchens. Many of these are holiday parks, offering living spaces and play areas.
Volunteer with Workaway or Worldpackers for free accommodation (and often food) in exchange for working an agreed amount of hours. See my Workaway review and, if you sign up, get a discount with my Workaway and Worldpackers codes.

To look up freedom campsites, DOCs campsites, and powered campsites by location, download the campermate app. It’s free and a godsend for roadtrippers!

Best places in New Zealand for solo travellers

When choosing your itinerary, bear in mind that prices add up VERY quickly. Choose activities and attractions carefully as you won’t be able to do EVERYTHING.

I made a list of all the things I would LOVE to do and narrowed it down to the five things I HAD to do.

For example, I knew I couldn’t miss Hobbiton and Milford Sound, even if that meant compromising elsewhere. Then, I plumped up my itinerary with free activities such as hiking and visiting national parks.

Queenstown

Regarded as one of the best places for solo travellers in New Zealand, Queenstown is a thriving tourist capital with tons to do and plenty of other travellers to meet.

Queenstown is a good option for shorter stays and those who’d prefer to stay in one city rather than travel around. There are tons of attractions on your doorstep and it’s easy to do day trips to key NZ locations such as Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Wanaka.

The city is also the adventure capital where you can try bungee jumping, the world’s biggest swing, jetboating and whitewater rafting.

Other lighter activities to enjoy the scenery include hiking, cycling around wineries (my kind of sport!), gliding across Lake Wakatipu on the historic TSS Earnslaw cruise, taking a relaxing dip in Queensland’s Onsen Hot Pools and riding the scenic gondola to Bob’s Peak and luging back down.

If you have a car, drive around the lake to Glenorchy and Paradise. The scenery is stunning.

Where to stay: I recommend Adventure Q2 for its great location and shining reviews, and Absoloot for its amazing kitchen and lake views. Both have beds with individual chargers and curtains.

Tongariro crossing where to go solo travel new zealand — Queenstown Lake

Taupo

Similar to Rotorua, Taupo is famous for its amazing geothermal landscapes. However, you should also visit the beautiful Huka Falls and kayak across Lake Taupo to see the Maori rock carvings.

The best thing to do is hike the incredible Tongariro Alpine Crossing! It’s considered one of the best day hikes in the world, and you won’t regret traversing through the steaming volcanic scenery, complete with dazzling blue crater lakes.

It’s a safe hike for solo female travel in New Zealand because it’s well-marked and busy with other travellers.

The best hostel in Taupo is easily Finlay Jacks!

Milford Sound

Visiting New Zealand’s majestic Fiordland National Park is a must-do during your solo trip to New Zealand, and Milford Sound is the most popular part of the region.

Getting to Milford Sound solo is easy even without a car; just take a Milford Sound day tour from Queensland. No matter how you get there, you must take a scenic cruise through the fiords with mountains on either side of you.

Aside from the stunning alpine scenery and waterfalls (during the rainy season there are hundreds of waterfalls in Milford Sound), you also have the chance to see incredible native wildlife including bottlenose dolphins, the alpine Kea parrot, fur seals and (if you’re lucky) the Fiordland penguin.

The Southern Alps (Mount Cook and Glaciers)

If when you hear ‘New Zealand,’ your imagination is lit up with images of sweeping mountains and towering peaks, you’re likely thinking of the Southern Alps. This mountainous region runs almost the entire length of the South Island.

Iconic parts of the Southern Alps include:

Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers – see a real-life glacier from the ground, go hiking or splash out on glacier-trekking via helicopter (I did this and don’t regret a second!).
Wanaka – this cute South Island town is best known for skiing, hiking and the Insta-famous Wanaka tree reflected in the lake
Mount Cook – the tallest peak in NZ is as magnificent as it sounds. Stop for a fantastic view while driving around Lake Pukaki or go for a hike. The Hooker Valley Track is a fairly easy flat path or you can take more challenging routes. Without a car, stay in Twizel town and take a shuttle bus or hitchhike to the starting point.
Arthur’s Pass – take a car or spectacular train ride across this breathtaking mountain pass as it rises to 900 metres. No wonder it’s considered one of the most beautiful roads in the country.

Abel Tasman National Park

Locals say that New Zealand’s beaches are the country’s best-kept secret, and no NZ coastline is more stunning than around Abel Tasman National Park. With fantastic forests, beautiful beaches and endless views, it’s also one of the best spots for hiking.

You can reach Abel Tasman by bus from Nelson on the South Island. There’s budget accommodation in the park (like Adventure Inn and The Barn) where you can begin your hikes via water taxis. If you don’t like the idea of hiking alone, it may not be the optimum place for solo travel in New Zealand, however it’s very safe and beautiful. Perfect for some me-time!

Wellington

Wellington is the coffee capital of New Zealand (and the actual capital, too) with some of the country’s best foodie offerings. I loved chilling here for a few days and taking a break from my busy NZ itinerary.

While in Wellington, soak up stunning views from the top of Victoria Park, learn about Maori culture at Te Papa Museum and see how movie props are made, including on Lord of the Rings, at Weta Workshops.

The best hostel in Wellington is the Marion because it’s modern, stylish and spotlessly clean with a roof terrace.

Auckland (for long-term stays)

Auckland solo travel new zealand destination

The city itself is a standard working city, but there are museums and cultural attractions to enjoy. What makes Auckland truly special is the amount of epic beaches just a stone’s throw away. Most notable is Piha Beach and the Waitakere Ranges, an epic rugged coastline reminiscent of Hawaii.

You can also easily take tours and overnight trips to top North Island attractions such as Hobbiton, Coromandel and Rotorua.

Another highlight is Waiheke Island wine tasting. For a day trip, ride the ferry and board a local bus between wineries for tours and tastings. For an easier and more social option for solo travellers in NZ, join a small group tour from Auckland.

Where to stay in Auckland: the top hostel is easily Lylo but prices reflect this (beds start from $75 NZD a night) so try the Attic, also a comfy base.

Rotorua

Rotorua is one of the most unique towns in New Zealand due to its geothermal activity. Taking a dip in the hot springs is an absolute MUST: Hell’s Gate, Polynesian Spa and Secret Spot Rotorua are all great. For a budget-friendly option, head to Kerosene Creek – it’s free!

Some Rotorua springs are too hot to touch, but you can see these multicoloured marvels from above at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland or Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

Rotorua is also famous for Maori culture which you can experience at Tamaki Maori Village or Whakarewarere Living Maori Village. While here, don’t miss a side quest to Hobbiton! Take a tour to Hobbiton from Rotorua or make your way by car.

Where to stay: I stayed at Rock Solid and heard good things about Downtown Backpackers, too. Both are affordable, comfy bases with good reviews.

What to pack for solo travelling New Zealand

Comfy sneakers and hiking boots
A raincoat (all year around) and a warm coat for the colder seasons. For winter, you’ll need thermal layers and ski gloves
A reusable water bottle
Lightweight, practical, casual clothing
Sunscreen and shades
Documents: the correct visa (if needed), travel insurance and an international driving license if you plan to explore by car.

Summary: Is New Zealand good for solo travel?

Yes, New Zealand is an ideal country for solo female travellers. It’s safe, friendly and has some of the most exceptional natural attractions in the world. Whether you’re a first-timer solo traveller or a seasoned explorer, you’ll find endless activities to enjoy in New Zealand.

So to make the most of it, start saving for the trip of a lifetime because the only downside is the costs… and perhaps how it caters better to those with cars. However, these are small downsides to what’s sure to be the trip of a lifetime!

Thanks for reading!

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Read more solo travel guides:

Solo travel in the Americas:

Guides to solo female travel in Asia:

Guides to solo travel in Europe:

TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR NEW ZEALAND

Getting around by air – to arrive and part the country and connect between the two islands. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates.

Getting around by bus (environmental option) – take Stray Coaches and Intercity Buses.

Car hires – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals (and all around the world)

For hotels, use Booking.com – they also have self-catering apartments. You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.

Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide. I always check Viator in case they have a better price.

To stay connected, download an e-SIM with Airalo and connect immediately. Browse their packages for New Zealand.

Need travel insurance? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote.

For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.

Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Oceania, Solo travel