is new zealand safe for solo female travellers? our honest guide
glowworm caves that look like a disney film, sunset kayaks on crystal-clear lakes, hobbit holes, snowy mountains and fjords so dramatic they don't look real… okayyy new zealand is the ultimate bucket-list trip and we are SO obsessed 🏔️🥝✨ it's one of our favourite places we run our gals who travel group trips!!
it's also a long way from home, so it's totally normal to wonder if it's the right place to go solo. so let's get into it!!
so, is new zealand safe for solo female travellers?
yes!! new zealand is one of the most relaxed, welcoming places in the world for a solo female trip. crime levels are generally low, kiwis are famously friendly, and english is spoken everywhere. it's a brilliant choice if it's your first big solo adventure.the honest tea? the thing you really need to plan for in nz isn't people, it's nature 🌦️ the weather can change fast, the distances are big, and the hikes are epic. get those sorted and you're set for the trip of your life!!
why new zealand is perfect for a solo gals trip 💚
- it's easy. english-speaking, well organised, and set up for travellers everywhere you go.
- it's so social. hostels, hikes, lake days and bars are full of solo travellers and backpackers from all over the world.
- the scenery is unreal. mountains, lakes, geothermal parks, fjords… every single day looks like a phone wallpaper.
- there's so much culture. learning about māori culture is one of the most special parts of any nz trip.
- it's adventure central. queenstown is literally the adventure capital of the world, so if you've ever wanted to do something wild, this is the place!!
our gal-to-gal tips for a smooth trip
sort your paperwork before you fly ✈️ - this is the one that catches people out!! uk passport holders can visit nz without a visa for up to 6 months, but you still need an NZeTA (new zealand electronic travel authority) before you travel.
apply for your NZeTA online and pay the international visitor conservation and tourism levy at the same time. allow up to 72 hours for it to come through - make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months after you leave nz
have proof of a return or onward ticket and enough money for your stay, as border control can ask - fill in the free new zealand traveller declaration (online or on the app). you can submit it from 24 hours before your trip
don't bring snacks!! 🍎 - new zealand is super strict about biosecurity to protect its amazing nature. it's illegal to bring in most food, and hiking boots or tents can carry pests too. declare anything you're unsure about, or pop it in the bins at the airport. fines can be seriously big, so honestly, just eat your plane snacks before you land!!
look after your stuff 👜
crime is low, but theft does happen in cities and tourist hotspots, especially from parked cars and campervans. don't leave anything in a parked vehicle, even out of sight. make sure to use lockers in hostels and don't leave valuables lying around. keep your passport and cards in separate places!!
bring your passport on nights out 🍻
here's a fun nz quirk: lots of bars ask for your passport as id, and a uk driving licence often won't be accepted. keep it somewhere safe on you, or ask your guide what works. as always, keep an eye on your drink and head home with your gals.
the weather is the real challenge at times 🌦️
nz weather can go from sunshine to sideways rain in an hour, especially in the mountains and on the coast. pack layers, a proper waterproof and comfy walking shoes, even in summer check the forecast before any hike or boat trip the sun is STRONG. wear spf and a hat, even on cloudy days!! (our gals always say the nz sun catches them out) insect repellent is a must for sandflies around milford sound and the lakes
hiking the smart way 🥾
nz has some of the best hikes on the planet, so make them count: check the department of conservation (doc) website for track conditions before you go tell someone your plan and when you'll be back, especially if you head out on your own stick to marked tracks, take water and snacks, and turn back if the weather changes
adventure activities 🪂
bungy, skydiving, jet boats, canyon swings… queenstown has it all! just book with well-established companies, and check your travel insurance covers adventure sports, as lots of basic policies don't.
getting around without a car 🚐
nz is bigger than it looks!! most solo travellers either hire a car or campervan (driving on the left, on narrow, winding roads) or piece together buses and flights. there's a lot of planning involved. on our trip, it's all sorted: a private minivan, local buses and an internal flight from auckland to christchurch, so you just sit back and enjoy the views.
quick one on earthquakes 🌋
new zealand is in an earthquake zone, and there are active volcanoes on the north island. it sounds dramatic, but nz is super well prepared. just remember "drop, cover, hold" if you ever feel a shake, and follow local advice. that's it!!
what's each stop like? our place-by-place guide
auckland 🏙️
nz's biggest city and where your adventure starts! it's lively, easy to get around, and full of cute cafés and harbour views. use normal big-city smarts at night, like you would at home.
rotorua & waitomo 🌋
bubbling mud pools, steaming geothermal parks, the redwood forest and the glowworm caves. rotorua is also the heart of māori culture. our māori cultural evening at mitai village, with a haka and a traditional hāngī feast, is one of the gals' favourite nights of the whole trip!!
lake taupō 💧
nz's biggest lake, plus huka falls and natural hot streams. super chilled and so pretty. sunset kayaking here is pure magic.
christchurch 🌸
the "garden city", with botanical gardens, street art and great food. relaxed, friendly and easy to explore on foot.
lake tekapo & aoraki/mt cook ✨
one of the clearest night skies in the world and the famous church of the good shepherd. the hooker valley track is mostly flat, so you don't need to be a hardcore hiker to see mt cook up close!!
wānaka 🌳
our kind of lake town: beaches, bike rides, and the famous wānaka tree. it's calm, beautiful and a total reset.
queenstown 🥳
adventure capital by day and the best nightlife in nz by night. it's busy, social and feels really safe, but stick with your group after a few drinks and look after each other. and yes, the fergburger queue is worth it!!
when's the best time to go?
december to february is nz summer: long days, warm lakes and peak hiking season (it's busy, so book early!). spring (sep–nov) and autumn (mar–apr) bring fewer crowds, gorgeous colours and still-great hiking weather. just pack an extra layer.
our nz trips run from october to april, so you can catch spring, summer or autumn. check the latest dates on the trip page!
your new zealand checklist ✅
- apply for your NZeTA (allow up to 72 hours)
- complete the free traveller declaration from 24 hours before your trip
- check your passport has 3+ months left after you leave
- save the emergency number: 111
- no food in your bag when you land!!
- bring your passport for nights out
- pack layers, a waterproof, spf and insect repellent
- check your insurance covers adventure activities
- tell someone your plans before a hike
- check the uk government (FCDO) travel advice before you fly
solo or with the gals?
lots of women travel nz solo and have the best time. but the tricky bits of doing it alone are the long drives, piecing together transport, planning hikes and paying for everything yourself. those are exactly what a group trip takes off your plate.
on our gals who travel new zealand trip, you get:
- a local tour leader for all 13 days
- all transport, including the internal flight
- female-only dorms, exclusive to gals who travel, so you're only ever sharing with the gals on your trip
- all the bucket-list moments sorted: waitomo glowworm caves, hobbiton, a māori cultural evening, kayaking on lake taupō, the hooker valley track, wānaka and a milford sound cruise!!
- nearly 90% of our gals join solo, and you'll be in the group chat before you even land in auckland
okay gals, this is your sign!! new zealand is wild, beautiful, friendly and full of once-in-a-lifetime moments. pack your layers, sort your NZeTA and get ready for the adventure of your life. and if you want the transport, the plans AND the friends sorted… we'll see you in auckland 💚🥝
