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Welcome to My Queenstown Diary!

Bailey walks through the grass at Lake Pukaki Viewpoint (Mount Cook Road) — Kia Ora!

Hey, and welcome to My Queenstown Diary. My name is Bailey, and I’m the writer, storyteller, and adventurer behind this blog. I’ve been traveling around the world for the last 7 years, and in 2018, I decided to base myself in Queenstown, New Zealand.

With so many stories to tell I decided to start this blog so I can help others plan their trip to New Zealand. Here, you’ll find informative guides along with photos that will not only give you all the info you need but also inspire your trip. I have travel blogs from all over New Zealand with a focus on Queenstown and the South Island, after all, it’s my home…

Travel is about adventure, food, and culture, and on My Queenstown Diary, you’ll find it all! So, don’t be shy to reach out and say hi, my passion is helping others explore New Zealand, and because of my readers, I have what I consider to be the best job in the world!

Enjoy!

Start Here!

Bailey at the river below Earnslaw Burn glacier near Glenorchy

South Island

Sunrise at the Pouaki tarn with reflections of Mt Taranaki, New Zealand

North Island

Views from the saddle of Lake Wakatipu along the Ben Lomond Track

Hikes

Scenic road leads to Mount Cook, New Zealand

Road Trips

Bailey smiles while ziplining in Rotorua

Activities

Ramada Queenstown Central views from balcony

Where to stay

South Island’s Most Popular Destinations

Queenstown

Milford Sound

Wanaka

Te Anau

Franz Josef

Christchurch

Mount Cook

Kaikoura

Marlborough Sounds

North Island’s Most Popular Destinations

Auckland

Rotorua

Wellington

Bailey enjoys a glass of wine at a winery in Napier, New Zealand

Hawkes Bay

Bailey takes a selfie at the top of Bream Head Scenic Reserve near Whangarei, New Zealand

Northland

Taupo

General New Zealand Guides

Bailey checks the mail at Bilbo Baggins house at Hobbiton, New Zealand

Things to do in New Zealand

Best Hikes in New Zealand

A lady sits at Koropuku Falls in the Catlins region

Best Waterfalls in New Zealand

A man surfing at Uretiti Beach, New Zealand

Best Places to go surfing in New Zealand

flightless endemic Kiwi bird of New Zealand

Must see wildlife in New Zealand

Bailey relaxes in the secret hot tubs in Rotorua

Best hot Pools and Hot Springs in New Zealand

A person snowboards at The Remarkables Ski Field near Queenstown, New Zealand

Things to do in New Zealand in winter

Bailey at the Mount Cook road viewpoint with the stunning highway in the background on a road trip in New Zealand

Guide to the 13 National Parks in New Zealand

Bailey from My Queenstown Diary sits on a rock at Lake Tekapo during Lupin season

Best Places to Visit in New Zealand

Jucy chaser campervan by the ocean in New Zealand

5 Most Trusted New Zealand Campervan Rental Companies

View of the Mueller Hut with mountain peaks in the background

North Island vs South Island

Bailey in her car while driving between Taupo and Napier

Guide to Renting a Car in NZ

A motorhome drives along a road in New Zealand

Guide to Renting a Motorhome in NZ

Lake Wakatipu with views of the Remarkables as seen from St Omar Park Queenstown

Best Time to Visit New Zealand

Should You Get Travel Insurance for New Zealand?

South Island Guides

Bailey enjoys the views on the Spirit of Queenstown scenic cruise in Queenstown

Best Things to do on the South Island

Bailey smiles at the camera on the Avalanche Peak Trail

Best Hikes on the South Island

Cars an the back of a ferry from Wellington to Picton

Guide to Catching the Ferry to the South Island

Places to Visit on the South Island

Windy road with mountain and lake views on the way to Glenorchy from Queenstown

10 Best South Island Road Trip Itineraries

Bailey poses for a photo at Lake Pukaki with Mount Cook in the background while traveling the South Island in a rental cr

BEST Time to Visit the South Island of New Zealand

North Island Guides

Places to Visit on the North Island

A ferry passes through Queen Charlotte Sound in the Marlborough Sounds during high winds

Catching the ferry between the North and South Island

Bailey stops for a break on a steep path on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand

Best Hikes on the North Island

Two people walking into the water with surfboards at Piha Beach, NZ

Cool Things to do on the North Island

A lady relaxes at Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel, New Zealand

Best Time to Visit the North Island

My Favorite National Parks in New Zealand

A suspension bridge over the Blue Pools on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island

Mt Aspiring National Park

Steep cliffs in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

Fiordland National Park

Bailey on a beach along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track in her hiking gear and large backpack with tent

Abel Tasman National Park

Egmont National Park

Bailey smiles at the camera on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand

Tongariro National Park

Mount Cook National Park

The Most Popular Road Trips in New Zealand

Queenstown to Wanaka

Queenstown to Milford Sound

Queenstown to Christchurch

Wananka to Christchurch road trip map new zealand

Wanaka to Christchurch

Auckland to Rotorua

Napier to Wellington

Christchurch to Milford Sound

Christchurch to Kaikoura

Christchurch to Mount Cook

Support My Blog

Thanks so much for reading my blog! If you’ve found the information provided here useful or just want to support my blog, you can do so by booking through any of my affiliate links.

Affiliate links link give me a small commission for recommending products through Viator, Discover Cars, Jucy Rentals, RV Star, and Booking.com.

The links below are my affiliate links, but you can also find them on my blog.

Booking.com

Viator

Discover Cars

Jucy rentals

Star RV

Motorhome Republic

Of course, my content is free for you to enjoy and browse as you wish. My main mission has always been to provide amazing tips and suggestions on New Zealand. Thanks!