Best New Zealand Travel Guides of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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New Zealand Travel Guides are essential companions for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful country. These guides provide detailed information about the top tourist destinations, activities, and accommodations available in New Zealand. They offer insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and shop, as well as practical advice on transportation, climate, and culture. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or a bit of both, New Zealand Travel Guides have got you covered. With stunning photography and engaging narratives, these guides will inspire and inform you throughout your journey.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Fodor's Essential New Zealand (Full-color Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 1
Fodor's Essential New Zealand (Full-color Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.9
New Zealand Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3500) Cover #TOP 2
New Zealand Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3500)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Lonely Planet New Zealand 20 (Travel Guide) Cover #TOP 3
Lonely Planet New Zealand 20 (Travel Guide)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 New Zealand Travel Guides

Fodor's Essential New Zealand (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor’s Travel Guides
Jan 18, 2022
Fodor's Essential New Zealand (Full-color Travel Guide) Cover
Fodor's Essential New Zealand (Full-color Travel Guide)

Fodor's Essential New Zealand is a comprehensive travel guide that covers everything from Auckland to Middle-earth. The guidebook features multiple itineraries, detailed maps, and insider recommendations on where to eat, sleep, and explore. With stunning color photos and historical and cultural insights, Fodor's Essential New Zealand is the perfect companion for anyone planning a trip to this beautiful country. The "Best of" features on national parks, wineries, and beaches are particularly noteworthy. Overall, this guidebook is an excellent resource for travelers seeking to make the most of their time in New Zealand.

New Zealand Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3500)

National Geographic Maps - Adventure
Natl Geographic Society Maps
Jan 1, 2022
New Zealand Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3500) Cover
New Zealand Map (National Geographic Adventure Map, 3500)

The National Geographic Adventure Map of New Zealand is a highly detailed, waterproof and tear-resistant travel map that is perfect for adventure travelers. It has accurate and comprehensive information about the area, including hundreds of unique recreational, ecological, cultural, and historic destinations. The map also features an index with the locations of cities and towns, a clearly marked road network, and distances and designations for roads and highways. This map is an excellent companion to any guidebook and is printed on durable synthetic paper, making it capable of withstanding the rigors of international travel. Overall, this map is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to New Zealand.

Lonely Planet New Zealand 20 (Travel Guide)

Atkinson, Brett
Bain, Andrew
Dragicevich, Peter
Perrin, Monique
Rawlings-Way, Charles
Waby, Tasmin
Lonely Planet
Apr 20, 2021
Lonely Planet New Zealand 20 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet New Zealand 20 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet New Zealand 20 is the ultimate guide for travelers to explore the hidden gems of New Zealand. The book provides up-to-date information on what to see, where to stay, and how to save money while traveling. The guide features insider tips, cultural insights, and essential information at your fingertips.

DK Eyewitness New Zealand (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness
Dec 14, 2021
DK Eyewitness New Zealand (Travel Guide) Cover
DK Eyewitness New Zealand (Travel Guide)

DK Eyewitness New Zealand is a comprehensive travel guide that offers expert-led insights, trusted travel advice, and detailed breakdowns of all the must-see sights. The book features practical tips on the best places to eat, drink, shop, and stay, as well as accessible itineraries to make the most out of each and every day. The guidebook is fully illustrated, with photographs on practically every page, and hand-drawn illustrations that place you inside the country's iconic buildings and neighborhoods.

#TOP 5

New Zealand 2023: Kiwi - Wilderness - Ecotourism

Hall, Peter
Wallace, Suzan
Mar 9, 2023
New Zealand 2023: Kiwi - Wilderness - Ecotourism Cover
New Zealand 2023: Kiwi - Wilderness - Ecotourism

New Zealand 2023: Kiwi - Wilderness - Ecotourism is a fully illustrated travel guide book that takes readers on a journey through New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes, delicious cuisine, and eco-friendly hotspots. The guide is expertly curated and offers local advice on the best sustainable travel experiences and eco-friendly accommodations to be found off the beaten track in New Zealand. The book also includes in-depth information on the country's natural wonders, local insider tips on reducing environmental footprints, and supporting local communities. Overall, this guide is an excellent resource for travelers looking to make a positive impact while enjoying the beauty of New Zealand.

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

Foer, Joshua
Thuras, Dylan
Morton, Ella
Workman Publishing Company
Sep 20, 2016
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders Cover
Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders is a stunning collection of over 700 of the strangest and most curious places in the world. From natural wonders to architectural marvels and mind-boggling events, this book is a wanderlust-whetting cabinet of curiosities. The book is not only richly illustrated but also packed with compelling descriptions, surprising charts, and maps for every region of the world. It is a book to enter anywhere and will be as appealing to the armchair traveler as the die-hard adventurer. Overall, Atlas Obscura is an addictive and delightful book that expands our sense of how strange and marvelous the world really is.

#TOP 7

Lonely Planet New Zealand's South Island 7 (Travel Guide)

Atkinson, Brett
Dragicevich, Peter
Perrin, Monique
Waby, Tasmin
Lonely Planet
Mar 16, 2021
Lonely Planet New Zealand's South Island 7 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet New Zealand's South Island 7 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet's New Zealand's South Island 7 (Travel Guide) is a comprehensive guide to exploring the top sights and hidden gems of New Zealand's South Island. The guide provides up-to-date information on what to see and skip, insider tips to save time and money, and essential details such as hours of operation and contact information. The book also includes cultural insights that give travelers a richer travel experience. With color maps and images throughout, Lonely Planet's New Zealand's South Island is the perfect companion for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers.

#TOP 8

Lonely Planet New Zealand Planning Map 1

Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet
Jun 20, 2017
Lonely Planet New Zealand Planning Map 1 Cover
Lonely Planet New Zealand Planning Map 1

Lonely Planet New Zealand Planning Map 1 is a durable and waterproof map that comes in a convenient size with a slipcase. It includes images and information about top country attractions, itinerary suggestions, planning information, transport guide, themed lists, and practical travel tips. The map covers major cities and regions, including Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown. It also includes must-see spots and authentic off-beat experiences. The map is easy to use and full of beautiful imagery. Overall, this map is a great tool for travelers who want to get the most out of their New Zealand trip.

#TOP 9

Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the World 1

Planet, Lonely
Lonely Planet
Aug 21, 2018
Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the World 1 Cover
Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the World 1

Lonely Planet's Epic Hikes of the World 1 is an exceptional book for hiking enthusiasts seeking adventure on foot. The book features 50 incredible hiking routes in 30 countries, including urban trails, cultural rambles, and mountain expeditions. The book is organised by continent, with each hike brought to life by a first-person account, beautiful photographs, and charming illustrated maps. Additionally, each hike includes trip planning advice, recommendations for similar hikes in other regions of the world, and suggestions on where to stay, what to pack, and where to eat. This book is a must-have for anyone seeking to explore the world's most epic hiking routes.

#TOP 10

Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6 (Travel Guide)

Atkinson, Brett
Bain, Andrew
Rawlings-Way, Charles
Waby, Tasmin
Lonely Planet
Mar 16, 2021
Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6 (Travel Guide) Cover
Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet New Zealand's North Island 6 (Travel Guide) is a must-have for anyone planning a trip to the North Island of New Zealand. This comprehensive guide provides up-to-date information on what to see and skip, insider tips to save time and money, and essential information at your fingertips. The book covers Auckland, Bay of Islands & Northland, Coromandel Peninsula & the Waikato, Taranaki & Whanganui, Taupo & the Ruapehu Region, Rotorua & the Bay of Plenty, the East Coast, and Wellington. The inclusion of a pull-out passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM, and transport info is a bonus. Overall, this guide is an excellent resource for both exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled.

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Editor's Notes

During our new zealand travel guide research, we found 1,200+ new zealand travel guide products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 19,944 customer reviews through our big data system to write the new zealand travel guides list. We found that most customers choose new zealand travel guides with an average price of $16.77.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.