{"id":565975,"date":"2026-08-11T18:46:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T18:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/565975\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T18:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T18:46:15","slug":"nz-herald-travel-readers-choice-awards-2026-top-five-in-11-categories-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/565975\/","title":{"rendered":"NZ Herald Travel Readers\u2019 Choice Awards 2026: Top five in 11 categories revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

NZ Herald Travel Readers\u2019 Choice Awards 2026: The winners can now be revealed. <\/p>\n

\n You went, you saw, you commented. And now we\u2019ve collected and collated thousands of responses and can name your favourite destinations, drives and experiences in the NZ Herald Travel Readers\u2019 Choice Awards 2026, presented by Southern
\n Cross Travel Insurance.\n <\/p>\n

Today we\u2019re announcing the top five vote-getters in all categories, including the Best International Destination, presented by Wendy Wu Tours. <\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be profiling many of these in more detail over the next week. <\/p>\n

As we said when announcing our poll: \u201cKiwis are renowned for their love of travel, whether it\u2019s the quintessential OE to Europe, the South Pacific family holiday, backpacking through Asia, the road trip through Australia or the US, or the long-awaited expedition cruise in retirement. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn between, our summers and long weekends are spent exploring all corners of Aotearoa, from beach getaways to road trips to city breaks.\u201d <\/p>\n

We said we wanted to know your favourite places, experiences and top tips for destinations near and far. <\/p>\n

Well, you weren\u2019t backward in coming forward: not only do our readers know where and what they like in a holiday or a weekend break, they\u2019re pretty forthright in their opinions \u2013 for or against. <\/p>\n

So, in preparation for departure, please ensure that your seatbelt is securely fastened, your seat back is up and your tray table is stowed… <\/p>\n

Best NZ destination<\/p>\n

\"QueenstownQueenstown was voted the No 1 travel destination in New Zealand. Photo \/ Destination QueenstownQueenstown Christchurch W\u0101naka Taup\u014d Rotorua <\/p>\n

Well, that was an easy one \u2013 Queenstown was so far in front of the pack that you could have got off the luge at the bottom of the hill, dusted yourself off and walked back to the top of Bob\u2019s Peak before Christchurch appeared on the horizon. Wrote one more than satisfied customer: \u201cIts spectacular combination of mountains, lake and crisp alpine scenery makes every view feel like a postcard. There is something for everyone, from relaxing lakeside walks and excellent restaurants to thrilling activities and scenic day trips. What impressed me most was the lively atmosphere, friendly hospitality and the way Queenstown offers both adventure and relaxation in one unforgettable destination. It is a place that always feels special and leaves you wanting to return.\u201d <\/p>\n

Best international destination<\/p>\n

Presented by Wendy Wu Tours <\/p>\n

\"ShibuyaShibuya Crossing’s neon glow captures Tokyo’s electric night energy. Photo \/ Old Mate MediaJapan Fiji Rarotonga Bali Vietnam <\/p>\n

One of the more surprising results \u2013 not because Japan came out on top, but rather that traditional destinations such as Britain, France or the US didn\u2019t rate a mention in the top 15. Japan has become international travel\u2019s darling, pretty much since we started getting back on planes after that unforeseen interruption a few years ago. Kiwis have been enthusiastic adoptees and our airline has upped direct flights and capacity to meet demand. Our readers\u2019 advice: do your research before you go; respect their customs and lifestyle; get out of the cities; and \u201cEnjoy the food!\u201d <\/p>\n

Best international city <\/p>\n

\"MelbourneMelbourne is culturally rich and easy to navigate. Photo \/ Visit MelbourneMelbourne Sydney Singapore Gold Coast New York <\/p>\n

Why do we love Melbourne? Possibly because you can take a three-and-a-half-hour flight and feel like you\u2019ve landed in a different country. Strewth, they even speak a different language. Seriously, we love Melbourne for the shops, the sports, the shows, the galleries, the restaurants and cafes \u2013 it\u2019s possibly the only place where you can get coffee that\u2019s almost as good as Aotearoa, an urban escape that feels both culturally rich and easy to navigate. We could say much the same about the second placegetter. <\/p>\n

Best NZ road trip <\/p>\n

\"StateState Highway 80 leading into Aoraki\/Mt Cook National Park. Photo \/ Getty ImagesChristchurch to Queenstown West Coast, South Island Milford Road (SH94, Te Anau to Milford Sound) Auckland to Cape Reinga Auckland to Wellington <\/p>\n

Ask Google Maps and it\u2019ll tell you it\u2019s 480km and takes six hours. Ask anyone who\u2019s done it and they\u2019ll tell you it should take anywhere from two to four days \u2013 if you\u2019re in a hurry. Every inch, every bend of the route from Christchurch to Queenstown is magnificent: the Lindis Pass, high mountain vistas and sweeping valley panoramas; the shockingly turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo during the day and pitch-black stargazing at night; the massive snowclad peaks of Aoraki \/ Mt Cook National Park (pause for a bush walk); W\u0101naka, for another overnighter. One word of warning: this is not the best time of year to hit this road. Save it for a little later on. <\/p>\n

Best foodie destination<\/p>\n

\"VietnamVietnam was voted the top foodie destination in the NZ Herald Travel Readers’ Choice Awards. Photo \/ Getty ImagesVietnam Italy Japan Thailand Auckland <\/p>\n

\u201cGo with the flow. Taste, try new things and enjoy,\u201d advised one of our readers, and that sums up how we\u2019ve fallen for so many Asian cuisines in recent years. Local versions are pretty good, but any traveller will attest you have to visit Vietnam to get the real hit of those sweet, salty, sour and spicy dishes. If pho, banh mi and spring rolls aren\u2019t your thing, we can recommend the readers\u2019 second choice \u2013 they\u2019ve got quite a reputation in the food and wine stakes too. This was the tightest 1-2-3 decision in the entire poll. <\/p>\n

Best NZ short break <\/p>\n

\"WellingtonWellington has been voted NZ’s best destination for a short break. Photo \/ Wellington NZWellington Queenstown Christchurch Taup\u014d Rotorua <\/p>\n

It was \u201cthe Coolest Little Capital in the World\u201d but folks have had a bit of a downer on Wellington in recent years. Maybe there\u2019s something in the water. Anyhow, it\u2019s nice to see the place getting a break from our readers, even if it is a short one. Things you love: the vibe, the cafes and restaurants, the hills and walking trails, Cuba St, Te Papa and Zealandia (I don\u2019t think you should be eligible to vote unless you\u2019ve been to Zealandia, but that\u2019s just me). <\/p>\n

Best NZ small town<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Duke of Marlborough, Russell. Photo \/ Michael CunninghamRussell\/Koror\u0101reka Raglan Arrowtown Taup\u014d W\u0101naka <\/p>\n

Hands up everyone who picked this winner? Congratulations Russell\/Koror\u0101reka, because that\u2019s quite some competition you beat. Here\u2019s why the readers plumped for the nation\u2019s first capital: \u201cUse Russell as the base for excellent walks, boat ride to Paihia, Treaty Grounds, waterfalls, boardwalks, excellent restaurant\u201d and \u201cJust enjoy a classic Kiwi beach holiday \u2013 take it slow, walk around, hang at the beach, watch the fishers on the wharf and eat ice cream!\u201d <\/p>\n

Raglan earned similar praise: \u201cUse it as a cool place to relax and escape the city \u2013 go to the beach and walk around the town with insanely good coffee shops and boutique stores.\u201d Several people mentioned surfing, which is apparently quite popular. <\/p>\n

Best wine region<\/p>\n

\"CyclingCycling through the vineyards in Gibbston Valley. Photo \/ Destination Queenstown Central Otago Hawke\u2019s Bay Waiheke Island Marlborough Wairarapa-Martinborough <\/p>\n

You\u2019d be hard-pressed to get the skin of a grape between the top two. Central Otago pipped Hawke\u2019s Bay for its setting, activities and attractions \u2013 \u201cAllow plenty of time, do some of the walks and enjoy world-class cuisine. Stay in boutique accommodation out of the major city\/town areas,\u201d as one reader put it, and the mountain scenery, bike trails, gold-mining past and historic villages featured frequently. As well as the wineries, Hawke\u2019s Bay supporters quoted the food at restaurants such as Craggy Range, artisan stores and farmers\u2019 markets, the coastline and bike trails. <\/p>\n

Best bucket list destination<\/p>\n

\"SonevaSoneva Jani in the Maldives.Maldives African safari Japan Antarctica Sri Lanka <\/p>\n

Could you find it on a map? Go to India or Sri Lanka and it\u2019s at 8 o\u2019clock, 750km southwest from there. The smallest country in Asia, 26 wide-flung atolls of white-sand beaches, warm turquoise waters and ultimate privacy, security and luxury in iconic overwater bungalows. Also, excellent swimming, diving, water sports and marine life, including turtles and sharks.<\/p>\n

Best sports destination <\/p>\n

\"EdenEden Park is one of the reasons Auckland was voted by Herald readers as the best destination for a sports-related holiday. Photo \/ Alyse WrightAuckland Melbourne Christchurch Wellington Sydney <\/p>\n

Gotta be honest: the TMO or VAR or the Bunker should be asked to take a second look at this one! But the readers have voted and they\u2019ve shown soft spots for Eden Park, the All Blacks Experience (fair call), the Wahs at Mt Smart (one of the great sporting days out) and for me, Auckland FC at the same venue. If I\u2019d been allowed, I\u2019d have voted for Melbourne \u2013 hard to beat those marvellous stadiums in walking distance of the CBD, the tennis, Formula One, test cricket and that weird game they stole from us Irish. <\/p>\n

Best family holiday <\/p>\n

\"QueenstownQueenstown was voted the No 1 destination for a family holiday by readers. Photo \/ SkylineQueenstown Rarotonga Fiji Bay of Islands Taup\u014d <\/p>\n

We started with a Queenstown win and we\u2019re going to wind up with another one, and it\u2019s impossible to argue. Some might look at Snow City, and a couple of others here, and wonder if families can afford to holiday there in our present fiscal climate. But this is where our readers really went in to bat, and in our deeper dive next week, they will post a bunch of practical tips for seeing and enjoying these great destinations \u2013 if not on the cheap, then certainly on a budget. <\/p>\n

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