Vacation rentals in New Zealand

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Top-rated vacation rentals in New Zealand

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Top guest favorite
An outdoor soaking bath is positioned on a terrace, offering unobstructed views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. A small table beside the bath holds two glasses and a bottle of sparkling wine, set against a backdrop of a serene evening sky.
Apartment in Queenstown
5 out of 5 average rating, 142 reviews

No.8 Queenstown - Soak, Sip, and Stay

No.8Queenstown included in New Zealand Guide 12 of the Best Unique Stays in the South Island. Set above the glistening expanse of Lake Wakatipu, this refined private residence offers an elegant escape designed exclusively for couples seeking tranquility and beauty. Thoughtfully appointed and architecturally attuned to its remarkable surroundings, this retreat pairs minimalist luxury with panoramic drama. Expansive windows invite sweeping lake and mountain views into every corner of the space.

Top guest favorite
A uniquely structured treehouse presents natural wooden elements and a playful slide. Surrounded by lush trees, soft evening light highlights the slanted roof and deck area. An accolade badge indicating 'Small Home of the Year 2022' adds a distinctive touch to the image.
Treehouse in Korito
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 456 reviews

The Treehouse: Off-grid Retreat

Shaded in a canopy of macrocarpa trees at the base of Mt Taranaki national park, The Treehouse is a grown-up childhood sanctuary. Built from recycled materials, a repurposed spiral staircase takes you up the multiple levels of The Treehouse to a secluded living space nestled between the trees. Kick back in the canopy, swoop on the swings or shoot down the slide. This self-contained treehouse is powered by renewable energy and is only a short drive to New Plymouth, local beaches and the mountain.

Top guest favorite
A panoramic view captures the rolling green hills meeting the serene coastline at dusk. The soft colors of sunset illuminate the landscape, with ocean waves gently lapping at the shore and a secluded dwelling nestled among the native bushland.
Guesthouse in Little Akaloa
5 out of 5 average rating, 139 reviews

Secluded modern rural retreat with coastal views

'Big Hill Luxury Retreat' - a bespoke luxury rural escape nestled amongst native New Zealand bushland, stunning Banks Peninsula farmland and dramatic coastline. With views across the Pacific Ocean and a private walking track to your own secluded beach. The elevation and isolation of Big Hill provides a unique contrast of total solitude and unparallel panoramic views - rural New Zealand at its best. 90 mins to Christchurch and 35 mins to Akaroa, close enough to explore - a world away to escape.

Top guest favorite
A handcrafted cabin is immersed in lush native bush, framed by dense greenery and ferns. Scenic views of the surroundings are visible from the spacious deck, providing a serene spot to unwind and reconnect with nature.
Cabin in Raglan
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 310 reviews

Akatea Hill - Peaceful, secluded, rural hideaway

AirBNB Host Awards Winner 2024 - Best Nature Stay. Escape to your handcrafted cabin in the heart of a preserved remnant of native bush, with views of the rolling farmland and a peep of Mt. Karioi. You can sit in complete privacy, reconnect with nature, and enjoy a hot chocolate or a glass of wine as the Tui, Piwakawaka, and Kereru duck and dive around the trees. This is a unique style of accommodation - coming to stay here is a perfect getaway for those seeking relaxation and tranquility.

Top guest favorite
A modern dwelling is framed by lush gardens and a rocky path, with the scenic hills rising in the background. Soft lighting captures the building's sleek exterior, highlighting its vibrant entrances and large windows, while the surrounding flora adds natural texture.
Home in Kaikōura
5 out of 5 average rating, 229 reviews

Black Mountain Rukuruku

Black Mountain is nestled in the foothills of the Kaikōura Seaward Ranges, 6 km north of Kaikōura township. Designed for short and longer stays, the home is private, peaceful, and set in a beautiful rural landscape. The bedroom, living and dining spaces, bathroom, and deck enjoy mountain and garden views, with glimpses of the ocean from the grounds. On arrival, you’ll find a small selection of freshly prepared provisions — enough for a simple breakfast or two, with our compliments.

Top guest favorite
A modern cabin is depicted with an open, spacious deck surrounded by soft grasses and wildflowers. The inviting outdoor area includes comfortable seating and glimpses of the mountains in the background, creating a serene environment for relaxation.
Cabin in Glenorchy
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 177 reviews

Glenorchy Couples Retreat

Welcome to the Glenorchy Mountain Retreat (GMR), a boutique cabin nestled amidst the breathtaking peaks of Glenorchy. Escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, unwind in style with a soak in the outdoor bath and immerse yourself in the serenity of your own private mountain haven. Situated at the headwaters of the stunning Lake Wakatipu and only a 40min scenic drive from Queenstown, Glenorchy offers world-class scenery and an array of memorable experiences for all.

Top guest favorite
The cabin features large glass windows, illuminating the interior with a warm glow as evening descends. The surrounding landscape showcases a rugged terrain with sparse vegetation and distant snow-capped mountains, providing a stark contrast to the cozy atmosphere within.
Cabin in Hopkins Valley
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 268 reviews

The Temple Cabin (Steeple Peak) Wilderness Comfort

Outdoor Adventure Awaits! Now offering Horse Treks! The Temple Cabins Steeple Peak is located at The Temple, at the head of Lake Ohau right at the beginning of the Hopkins Valley. A remote area well known in the outdoors community. Situated on a classic New Zealand high country station, the cabin gives it's guests access to one of the truly remote areas of the Southern Alps. Enjoy horse riding from our farm, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and much much more.

Top guest favorite
A spacious open-plan living area features a modern suspended fireplace, providing warmth and a focal point. Natural wood accents cover the walls, and a large rug complements the wooden flooring. Soft seating areas and a dining table are visible, accompanied by gentle lighting that creates a cozy ambiance.
Guesthouse in Raglan
5 out of 5 average rating, 161 reviews

Nikau studio Whale bay Raglan - Forest Retreat

Relax at a unique and tranquil getaway, cosy, romantic and immersed in nature. An open plan studio nestled next to a gentle stream on the native forested foothills of Whale bay, Raglan. An easy 6 min walk to the surf at Whale bay, Indicators or Outside Indicators a few mins drive to Manu bay or Ngarunui beach. Warm and cosy with a beautiful open fire, modern insulation & large double glazed sliding doors. The heat pump heats the studio within 15mins.

Top guest favorite
Two wooden chairs are positioned on a wooden deck, facing a stunning coastal sunset. The horizon displays vibrant colors as the sun descends, with gentle waves visible in the distance. A lantern sits on a barrel between the chairs, providing a cozy ambiance.
Home in Purakauiti
5 out of 5 average rating, 317 reviews

Tahakopa Bay Retreat, Catlins, South Otago

Takahopa Bay Retreat is in the heart of the Catlins and offers sweeping panoramic coastal and established native Forest views. The Retreat was established by the Clark family who live on, and farm the surrounding land. The Clark's have been farming the 685 hectare coastal property in the Catlins for the last 25 years. Cameron and Michelle would love to share their secluded retreat with you to enjoy the privacy and peacefulness it provides.

Top guest favorite
Cabin in Franz Josef / Waiau
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 312 reviews

Luxury Wilderness Cabin on Private Lake

Luxury off-grid cabin in absolute wilderness nestled on the edge of a small lake fed by a pristine mountain stream a 3-minute drive from Franz Josef Glacier village. Sensational views of snow-capped mountains, the lake, glacier, Fritz Falls & rainforest. Super King bed, sunsets, outdoor stone bath, cedar barrel sauna with panoramic window & nature's swimming pool on your doorstep. Experience luxury amidst nature.

Guest favorite
Cabin in Ben Ohau
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 703 reviews

Alpine Cubes NZ - Luxury Private Cabin

Dwarfed by the majesty of the landscape, Alpine cubes NZ is a remote, modern oasis. A rugged rural escape and tranquil cabin hideaway all in one – the perfect place to unplug. Set against a unique backdrop of the Ben Ohau range this 49sqm architecturally designed cabin aims to inspire and unwind, with both contemporary and down-to-earth feels.

Top guest favorite
A dining table is positioned by large windows, offering a view of the crashing waves outside. The table is set with a placemat, a small vase with foliage, and a selection of fresh fruit, capturing the natural ambiance of the coastal environment.
Cottage in Punakaiki
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 725 reviews

Woodpecker Bay Bach ~ Life on the edge.

Woodpecker Bay Bach is a rustic, cosy, New Zealand bach. If you want to escape the rat race... this is the place for you! Woodpecker Bay Bach is often fully booked - if your dates are not available - be sure to see my other oceanfront properties... Waihaha Bach, Te Tutu Bach, Little Blue, Bach 51 and Waituhi at Whitehorse Bay.

Popular amenities for New Zealand vacation rentals

All about New Zealand

For a small country in the South Pacific, New Zealand — Aotearoa, or the land of the long white cloud, in te reo Māori — packs a punch with the sheer diversity of its landscapes and the distinctiveness of its natural treasures. In the stories of the tangata whenua (the people of the land), the South Island was the boat of Maui, who caught the great fish of the North Island using his magical fish hook. His brothers were jealous of his achievement and hacked at the fish, creating the mountains, rivers, and coastline.

The landscape here is hugely diverse, from the soaring, glaciated mountains of the Southern Alps and the central North Island volcanoes to the golden sands of Abel Tasman National Park and the Coromandel Peninsula. The same can be said for the flora: Subtropical ferns and palms pepper the North Island, while you can walk in the shadow of ancient beech forests on the South Island.

New Zealand’s major cities are just as appealing as its scenery. The water is never far from sight in Auckland, which stretches across an isthmus peppered with volcanoes. You can spend a day ducking in and out of hip boutiques along Ponsonby Road, followed by cocktails and dinner amid the reclaimed warehouses of Britomart, and then take the ferry into Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana the next morning to wander among the vineyards on Waiheke Island. On the south end of the North Island, Wellington isn’t just the nation’s capital but its cultural capital as well, home to myriad art galleries, museums, and the national symphony and ballet, not to mention its proximity to the island’s wine country. On the South Island, Christchurch charms with its English architecture and carefully tended gardens and parks, while mountainous Queenstown is the jumping-off point for outdoor activities.

What are the top things to do in New Zealand?

Queenstown

Tāhuna (Queenstown), nestled in the mountains of the South Island, is often dubbed New Zealand’s adventure capital for the plethora of outdoor activities on offer: from jet boating on Lake Wakatipu to horseback riding in Glenorchy and winter skiing in the Remarkables (Kawarau) Range. You can catch the Skyline gondola up to the famous viewpoint and grab a bite to eat, then loop back to town or hike along the Moonlight Track up past Ben Lomond and all the way around to the Shotover River. For a more sedate day, take a paddle steamer across the lake or go wine tasting in the Gibbston Valley.

Rotorua

As well as geothermal wonders, world-class mountain biking, and stunning lakeside scenery, Rotorua is one of the best places in New Zealand for visitors to encounter Māori arts and culture. Since the 19th century, members of the Te Arawa tribe have set up Māori villages where you can help paddle an ornately carved waka across the lake, watch performances of traditional dance and song, and enjoy the tender food from a hāngī, or pit oven.

Fiordland

The breathtaking beauty of Fiordland National Park prompted UNESCO to make the remote southwest corner of New Zealand — Te Wahipounamu — a World Heritage site. Head to the tiny lakeside town of Te Anau to access boats and shuttles into the park. If you’re driving, the road to Milford Sound is amazing — make sure to stop every time there’s a sign to make the most of each viewpoint or take a scenic mini-walk. The Milford Track is a four-day hike that many New Zealanders aspire to experience at least once in their lives. You can also take a boat cruise from Milford Sound to see the stunning reflected beauty of Rahotu (Mitre Peak) and hear the roar of Bowen Falls (Hineteawa).

Destinations to explore