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Vacation rentals in New Zealand

Find and book unique accommodations on Airbnb

Top-rated vacation rentals in New Zealand

Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.

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Top guest favorite
The safari tent is positioned on a hillside, surrounded by lush greenery and open fields. An outdoor area features seating and a bathing space, with views of the ocean and distant hills illuminated by the golden light of sunset.
Tent in Manaia
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 114 reviews

Te Kouma Heights Glamping

Set on Farm land with endless ocean views is our safari tent Best Airbnb nature stay finalist in 2024! Experience off grid living fully equip with solar power,Luxury King size bed,Wood burner heating,Full kitchen set for all your self catering needs. Soak in our two claw foot baths while taking in the views of the Coromandel Harbour,or enjoy a shower with equally amazing views Outside you will find a brazier perfect for smores. Inside the tent you will find games,books,robes & hot water bottles.

Top guest favorite
Two freestanding twin bathtubs are placed side by side on a covered deck, offering views of the grassy hillside and the ocean beyond. Natural light fills the space through large windows, with a wine glass and a small wooden tray of snacks resting on the tubs.
Cottage in Āwhitu
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 175 reviews

Soak watching the sun set at Coastal Acres Escape.

Feel your worries slip away as you journey through rolling green pastures to Coastal Acres Escape. Just 1.5 hours from the CBD and you’ve arrived. Pause for a moment. Take in a deep breath of sea air. You are standing on the deck. The Tasman sea stretches out below you between towering dune cliffs. The sun is getting low, casting a warm glow over the surrounding pastures. There is no one around. Just you and the horizon. Take a sip. Fire up the bbq. Enjoy dinner with the best view in the world.

Guest favorite
A spacious dining area features a large wooden table surrounded by modern black chairs. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer unobstructed views of the ocean and shoreline, flooding the room with natural light. The serene seascape creates a calming backdrop for meals.
Home in Pukehina
4.95 out of 5 average rating, 152 reviews

Pukehina Penthouse: Exclusive luxurious beachfront

You just feel rejuvenated here. Stunning at Pukehina Beach, this property offers sunshine, sand and swimming on your doorstep with views to take your breath away. Luxurious entertaining spaces plus spa pool on the deck overlooking the beach to welcome spectacular sunrises, or a rural outlook to take in the sunsets. 3 min drive to the local Surf Club with a safe swimming beach, patrolled during summer so great for families. Laid out for indoor outdoor living, making the most of the all day sun.

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, 284 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 tiny home is showcased with a striking mountain backdrop of Taranaki, whose peak is capped with snow. The building features a dark roof and large windows that reflect warm interior lighting, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.
Cabin in Korito
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 668 reviews

ecoescape: self-contained off-grid tiny-home

Hi I am Edward! check out our insta @ecoescape for more photos + info! This escape is a 2 part tiny home nestled at the base of Taranaki with unmatched mountain views. 15 mins from town and the beach, a stone throw to the mountain and bike tracks this self-contained tiny home is a perfect spot for those wishing to visit Taranaki for an adventure or to unwind. Powered from both solar panels and hydro turbines, this place is as "off-the-grid" as it gets. We look forward to having you stay!

Top guest favorite
A fire pit is set beside a tranquil pond, with flames flickering and casting a warm glow. Lush greenery surrounds the water, reflecting the calm surface, while stones outline the fire area, creating a cozy outdoor setting for relaxation.
Guesthouse in Kokatahi
4.98 out of 5 average rating, 760 reviews

The Nest at Hurunui Jacks (outdoor bath & firepit)

So much more than a place to sleep - toast marshmallows around a private fire, take a bike on the West Coast Wilderness trail, kayak on our little lake! The Nest is a stand alone self contained unit with outdoor bath/shower, close to but separate from the main house. Set on 15 acres of private land, Hurunui Jacks has the Nest and a glamping tent nestled in beautiful West Coast native bush. A small private lake, historic water race & the Kaniere River are on your doorstep.

Top guest favorite
A modern cottage is showcased with a covered patio, surrounded by lush greenery. Large windows allow natural light to flow into the space, while a gravel path leads to the entrance. The peaceful setting invites relaxation with views of the expansive outdoor landscape.
Guesthouse in Coromandel
4.97 out of 5 average rating, 118 reviews

Luxury Cabin in Coromandel. Stunning sea views.

Private peaceful cottage with amazing views over Manaia harbor and islands. Fully self-contained w/own laundry. 20 mins to Coromandel Township. Great base for the many Coromandel adventures. Plenty of land to roam around on. Organic gardens, Fruit trees. 40 acres. Luxury off-the-grid living. Luxury bed linens. Next door to Mana Retreat Centre (15 min walk). 2 hrs drive from Auckland. Kick back and relax in this calm, stylish, Coromandel cabin. Perfect getaway.

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, 138 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, 302 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
The open-plan living area features large glass doors providing unobstructed views of the sunset over the hills and Lake Taupo. A spacious seating area includes a low wooden coffee table and various cushions arranged on a long sofa. Natural light enriches the interior atmosphere.
Home in Kinloch
4.92 out of 5 average rating, 134 reviews

Dreamy sunsets over Lake Taupo & Ruapehu

Our modern home is 15 minutes from Taupō yet feels like a private hideaway. Quiet and secluded, it looks out to Lake Taupō and Mount Ruapehu, with stunning sunsets. Ideal year-round, it has outdoor areas with BBQ, large windows and a double-sided fireplace. Whakaipo Bay is 5 minutes away for swimming or walking, with plenty of bush tracks nearby. Not suitable for children. Washing machine, hairdryer, toiletries and iron not provided.

Guest favorite
The exterior view of the Tui Suite is highlighted by a softly illuminated patio with two woven chairs. Large glass doors provide a glimpse into the serene interior, with views of distant mountains and a tranquil evening sky in shades of blue.
Guesthouse in Western Lake
4.99 out of 5 average rating, 191 reviews

Tui Suite at Wairarapa's Lakeview Lodge

Welcome to our luxury peaceful escape location. Just 60 minutes from Wellington, your private suite overlooks Lake Wairarapa and is surrounded by farmland, bush and lake views and includes your own private spa and gardens - a perfect place to escape, gaze at the night sky, and relax. Single nights available Sunday-Thursday, no cleaning fees, a light breakfast is included, and a kitchen and BBQ are available for self-catering.

Guest favorite
Cabin in Franz Josef / Waiau
4.96 out of 5 average rating, 271 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.

Popular amenities for New Zealand vacation rentals

Your guide to New Zealand

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.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in New Zealand

Covering approximately a thousand miles from north to south, New Zealand experiences weather ranging from subtropical patterns in the far north to drier conditions in the southern Otago region. It can rain at any time of the year all over the country, but the summer months of November to March are generally drier and warmer, while it is colder and wetter in the winter months of June, July, and August. If you’re looking for a New Zealand rental, bear in mind that school summer holidays take place in January.

New Zealand’s national day is Waitangi Day on February 6. Thousands gather at the tiny settlement of Waitangi, north of Auckland, to commemorate Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), the nation’s founding document. As well as the formal ceremonies at Te Whare Rūnanga (the Carved Meeting House), you can watch as a fleet of ornately carved waka (canoes) paddles across Te Ti Bay. The Pasifika Festival celebrates multicultural New Zealand in the Auckland region each March at Western Springs Park. Events throughout the park showcase traditional dances, songs, and culture from across the Pacific region.


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