Educated at University College School in Hampstead (London), Julius Vogel later studied chemistry and metallurgy at the Royal School of Mines (later part of Imperial College London). He emigrated to Australia in 1852, and after settling in Victoria became the editor of several newspapers on the goldfields, including the Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser and the Inglewood Advertiser (1859-1861), which he also owned.

Vogel moved to New Zealand in 1861 to take up a position as journalist for the Otago Witness. Later that same year he founded the Otago Daily Times and became its first editor. He became involved in politics in 1862, winning election to the provincial council of Otago, and the following year was elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives. After retiring from provincial government in 1869 he joined the Fox ministry as colonial treasurer, afterward becoming successively postmaster-general, commissioner of customs, and telegraph commissioner. In 1873 he was elected Premier, holding the position until 1875 and then again in 1876. He was knighted in 1875. After leaving the Premier's office Vogel acted as agent-general for New Zealand in London (1876-1881). He returned briefly to take up a position with the colonial government in 1884, and after retiring three years later returned to live in England.

During his political career, Vogel worked for reconciliation with Māori, an effort generally regarded to be successful. In 1887, he introduced the first Women's Suffrage Bill to Parliament, although suffrage was not granted until 1893.The author of several political works, including Great Britain and Her Colonies (1865), he is also regarded as the first New Zealander to published a work of science fiction - Anno Domini 2000. Its significance, and particularly Vogel's uncanny accuracy in foretelling the rise of women in New Zealand's political and administrative positions - led to his name being used for the country's annual science fiction awards.