New Zealand is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most popular destinations thanks to its diverse geography, welcoming culture, and plentiful outdoor activities throughout the year.
The North and South Islands offer unique experiences, from the beautiful beaches and fascinating glow-worm caves of the North Island to the stunning mountains of the South Island.
Let’s explore the best places to visit in New Zealand based on your specific interests, whether you’re interested in walking tours through untouched wilderness or jet boating in turquoise seas.
North Island: Geothermal Wonders and Cultural Experiences
The North Island is home to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, a bustling metropolis filled with cultural delights.
Here, you can visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and learn more about the country’s history, such as the devastating earthquake that destroyed early Wellington. You can also go behind the scenes of prop design at the Weta Workshop.
While Wellington is worth spending a few nights in, the capital city is just the start of your grand tour through this gorgeous country. Cape Kidnappers on the island’s east coast is home to a famous golf resort and stunning white cliffs, but there’s even more to enjoy. Read on to start building your perfect tour itinerary on the North Island.
Rotorua
Rotorua is a hotbed in multiple ways. It’s an epicenter of native Māori culture and geothermal activity thanks to its location, the Pacific Rim of Fire.
First, visit Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village, in the heart of the steaming geothermal ground. This charming village is dedicated to protecting New Zealand’s native culture. You’ll see twice-daily cultural performances and learn how the Māori leverage geothermal activity for their daily needs.
While in Whakarewarewa, don’t miss out on a hangi or traditional feast cooked in the bubbling pools for a flavor unlike any other.
Nearby Te Puia is home to the Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere that erupts up to 20 times daily. A guided tour will safely walk you through the springs and explain the history of the Māori people. You can get up close and personal with New Zealand’s most charismatic fauna, the flightless kiwi bird.
While here, visiting some of the many hot springs to soak up the healing water is a no-brainer. Pamper yourself at Polynesian Spa, an internationally acclaimed therapeutic spa facility, or enjoy the benefits of Hell’s Gate mud pools, filled with sulfurous mineral water thought to heal the skin.
When relaxed, wander around the native bush to admire this strange landscape, or try mountain biking and whitewater rafting.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is in the far north of the North Island and has historic significance and stunning natural beauty. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds, located on the north side of the Waitangi River, is where the Māori people accepted Crown rule, but there’s even more history there.
Captain Cook landed in New Zealand at the Bay of Islands, and the first permanent European settlement was established at Kororāreka, now called Russell. Since author Zane Grey popularized its big-game fishing, the area has become an incredibly popular sailing area in the summer months, where you can see dolphins and whales frolicking in the blue water.
There are an incredible 144 islands in the Bay of Islands, the most well-known being Urupukapuka Island. You can enjoy rustic camping, snorkeling, sailing, and birdwatching. Catching ferries between the islands is a popular recreational activity.
Auckland
Auckland is one of the largest cities on the North Island of New Zealand. It is a cosmopolitan city jam-packed with culture and stunning views of Viaduct Harbor. Head up to the Sky Tower to soak up the city’s sights before visiting its world-class museums and art galleries.
The Auckland Museum is renowned for its carefully curated selection of Pacific and Māori history artifacts. At the same time, the Auckland Art Gallery houses over 150,000 pieces of artwork, including classical and contemporary pieces.
Auckland’s diverse neighborhoods range from the hip Ponsonby, known for its excellent dining, to upscale Parnell, with the popular saltwater pools at Parnell Baths. Mission Bay’s golden beaches are excellent for quiet relaxation, and you can also visit the nearby islands for even more stunning beaches in a more isolated location.
South Island: Adventures in Nature’s Playground
A short flight or boat ride away from North Island, you arrive at the rustic glory of New Zealand’s South Island, known for its sweeping scenery. You can access famed sights like Mount Cook via imposing hiking trails or scenic flights. Alternatively, you can conquer the wild coast and its dizzying array of biomes, including rainforests and glaciers.
An amazing encounter awaits you anywhere you look on the South Island. These are some of the most exciting attractions you shouldn’t miss on your trip.
Queenstown
Queenstown is an unmissable part of any New Zealand itinerary. This city is an adventure capital with access to nearly all of the island’s best activities. Consider bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boarding, or visit The Remarkable Mountains for skiing, snowboarding, and hiking.
Nearby Lake Wakatipu is the country’s longest lake, and scenic tours offer an excellent view of the surrounding mountains in the Otago region. While here, don’t miss a trip on the Skyline gondola or a bite to eat at the world-famous Fergburger, known for its inventive twists on the traditional hamburger.
Queenstown is also a famed wine region. Numerous wine tours thread their way through the surrounding areas. A hop-on, hop-off wine tour lets you stop and relax at all the best spots in the Central Otago Valley, renowned for its excellent Sauvignon Blanc.
If you want to reflect on celestial beauty in the great outdoors, consider visiting the remote Lake Takapō, located around three hours away from Queenstown in the Mackenzie Basin. This international dark sky reserve is free from most light pollution, meaning you can see the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights.
Though less famous than the Northern Lights, this natural color show is breathtaking in the darkest skies, especially from May to August.
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park is best known for its extreme landscapes, which reveal sheer power. You can see 14 splendid fiords, including Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Dusky Sound.
Milford Sound, described as “the eighth wonder of the world” by Rudyard Kipling, is best seen from a scenic cruise, sea kayak, or scenic airplane flight, where you’ll see the dashing waterfalls and admire the unique wildlife. Doubtful Sound is the deepest of New Zealand’s fiords and harbors an incredible array of wildlife, which includes bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, penguins, and more.
Three of New Zealand’s Great Walks are in Fiordland, including Milford Track, Kepler Track, and Routeburn, which range in length from three to five days. However, there are over 500 kilometers of tracks to explore throughout this pristine wilderness, bringing you through a wonderland of alpine passes, mountain lakes, and mossy valleys.
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is a coastal paradise filled with beautiful marble formations, regenerating native forests, golden sand, and crisp, clear water. Unlike some places on the island, it is easily accessible, including by water taxi, helicopter, or catamaran.
If you’re lucky, you may see the park’s most famous residents: adorable fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, and penguins who frolic in the sparkling waves. Cormorants, gannets, and many other seabirds use Abel Tasman as a convenient hunting ground.
The beaches make perfect launching spots for kayaking along the rugged granite cliffs, while you can also visit the well-maintained launches to take your sailboat for a spin.
Those serious about hiking will love the Abel Tasman Coast Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. This takes travelers along the golden sands and turquoise waters of South Island’s northern tip, letting you appreciate why the Māori people used this as a defensive location for centuries. If you look carefully, you can still see the remnants of their careful terracing and food pits.
Hidden Gems and Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations
Your tour of New Zealand doesn’t stop there, though: there’s still so much to explore on this island paradise. Consider adding these special locations to your trip list to see a side of Aotearoa that few visitors ever glimpse.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura, located on the South Island, was built upon the whaling industry. The Fyffe House, a local icon, was built out of whalebones. Now that whaling is outlawed in most of the world, these gentle giants have returned to the location and become one of the biggest tourist attractions.
This is one of the few places in the world where you can see whales almost year-round, including sperm whales, humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, and southern right whales. You may also be lucky enough to see seals and dolphins.
Visit the shore during low tide to explore the wonderful smaller creatures, including numerous hermit crab species.
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Rakiura is the country’s third-largest island, a cornucopia of untouched wilderness that teems with numerous bird species. Dense native forests hide the Stewart Island kiwi, a subspecies of the famous flightless bird. The island is also home to a large colony of the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, which is endemic to the country and lives nowhere else in the world.
On clear nights, you might also see the dazzling light display of the Aurora Australis. Do you want to know a fun fact? Rakiura means “the land of glowing skies” in the Māori language.
Castle Hill
The unearthly limestone rock formations of Castle Hill were the setting for the dramatic battles in Chronicles of Narnia, and it’s not hard to see why. The naturally occurring tumbled limestones look like a castle ruin, which earned it the name. These rocks also built the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral, making them a significant part of New Zealand’s history.
Castle Hill has both archaeological and ecological significance. Archaeologists found a 500-year-old backpack and ancient charcoal drawings in this location. The Castle Hill buttercup only grows in this isolated area, and only 67 examples of the species remain. Respectful hikers will wonder at the strange beauty of this place, while intrepid climbers will appreciate the free-climbing opportunities along the tumbling rocks.
Coromandel Peninsula
Sheltering the Hauraki Gulf, the Coromandel Peninsula has a little of everything. Hot Water Beach lets you tiptoe along the warm water, burbling through the golden sand, while Cathedral Cove leaves any kayaker in awe as they pass under this tremendous arch.
Those who would like to relax comfortably will appreciate the Lost Spring Geothermal Spa in Whitianga. The day spa packages will pamper you, and the tropical foliage will form a beautiful backdrop.
If you want a more heart-pounding experience, tackle the famed Pinnacles that form the ridge of the Coromandel Peninsula. Slow down as you snorkel in the numerous coves and sea caves that dot the landscape. Cyclists will rejoice at the Hauraki Rail Trail, encompassing surging waterfalls and old gold mining sites.
Activities and Experiences for Every Traveler
New Zealand is a place for every traveler! Most major cities are just a day trip away from quiet wilderness, giving you the best of both worlds. No matter what you’re into, you will find the perfect spot for your favorite activities.
Adventure Activities
Kiwis are known for being hardy, adventurous people, thanks to the wild landscape of their homeland. Therefore, if you visit New Zealand, you can access some of the most exciting activities on the planet.
Popular options include bungee jumping in wild mountain passes, skydiving through marvelous blue skies, and whitewater rafting along the raging rivers that thread the islands. You can also try skiing during winter in the Southern Alps or feel the burn as you bike uphill through the foothills of the mountains.
Hiking and Trekking
Thanks to its carefully protected national parks and natural beauty, New Zealand is beloved by hikers and trekkers worldwide.
Whether traversing the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps or investigating the unique volcanic landscape at Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the entire country is crisscrossed by beautiful hiking trails ranging from day trips to multi-day treks.
The most famous trail is Milford Track in Fiordland National Park on the South Island. This 53-kilometer (33-mile) journey from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound takes you through pristine rainforests, stunning wetlands, and lovely alpine valleys.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing, located in Tongariro National Park on the North Island, has the unique distinction of dual status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural and cultural significance. You’ll see bubbling mud pools, scalding hot springs, and absolutely stunning views of a strange volcanic landscape.
Wildlife Encounters
Tourists love New Zealand because of its careful land stewardship, which offers close encounters with diverse animals. You can take boat trips to see whales and dolphins along the coast while the forests harbor the quirky little kiwi, beloved thanks to its unusual physiology. Other famous animals you may be lucky to see are kakapos, skinks, geckos, and the adorable Little Penguin.
Another mysterious wildlife encounter you can enjoy is the native glow worms that lurk in caves on both islands. The most famous of these colonies is at Waitomo, but they are also present in places like Te Anau and Paparoa National Park.
Māori Culture
Māori culture runs deep. The islands of Aotearoa, now known as New Zealand, have been inhabited by the Māori people for at least 800 years. However, archaeologists continue to discover more about the precise arrival date.
One of the best ways to experience Māori traditions is by visiting a marae, a ceremonial complex sacred to a specific tribe, group, or family. Central to this complex is the wharenui, or meeting grounds, where celebrations and rituals may be held. Some marae are open to the public, and the Māori people will explain the procedures you must follow while visiting.
Traditional performances, such as Māori dances and concerts, occur throughout the country, either daily or for special events. The most famous is the imposing haka, a war dance meant to scare away other tribes. However, Māori people also perform the poi dance, originally designed to improve wrist dexterity for fighting or weaving.
Another unmissable experience is a hangi feast, where food is cooked in an underground oven. In some areas, they use the natural geothermal springs that thrum under the islands, or they may use heated stones instead. Tantalizing hangi dishes include sweet potato, pork, lamb, pumpkin, and cabbage.
Food and Wine
Thanks to its temperate climate and great soil, the country has become famed for its wineries, which mostly grow Sauvignon Blanc. However, you can also get many craft beers throughout the islands, which are mostly lagers with some ales.
As one would expect from an island nation, much of the local cuisine features seafood. Bluff oysters are a beloved dish served fried or raw, but you can also appreciate crayfish, Chinook salmon, sea urchins, mussels, and abalone. If you’re not a big mollusk fan, don’t worry! There’s also swordfish, yellowfin, tuna, and mahi-mahi to enjoy.
New Zealand has 7.5 sheep per person, so lamb is a diet staple here. One of the best dishes is the herb-crusted leg of lamb, or you can even try lamb sausage for a unique twist on an old favorite!
Relaxation and Wellness
Once you’ve worn yourself out with skydiving, mountain climbing, and wine tastings, you can step into an oasis of calm at any of the many hot springs that dot the country.
Visit a luxury spa for a pampering experience, or wallow in a mud bath, where the mineral-rich soil will help clear up your skin. Of course, yoga is also a popular activity, as it’s almost impossible to feel anything but relaxed when you look out at the stunning mountain landscapes that make New Zealand so special.
Explore the Wonders of New Zealand
A few days in New Zealand will make you realize why this is most tourists’ favorite country in the Southern Hemisphere. The incredible natural and cultural beauty will appeal to families and every solo traveler.
Whether you want to visit a small town like Lake Takapō to see the celestial dance of geomagnetic storms, or you’re interested in the bustling culture of Auckland’s many galleries, there’s no wrong way to appreciate this eco-friendly, adventurous country.
As a close ally of the United States, New Zealand allows you to visit for up to three months by applying for an electronic visa (NZeTA) ahead of time. This is a quick and easy process that can be done online. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your intended date of departure, and if you have a biometric passport, you can utilize the New Zealand Customs eGate service to ease your entry to the country.
New Zealand is a popular tourist destination, meaning you must book your accommodations and tickets well in advance. The quietest and cheapest times to visit are autumn and spring, known as the shoulder seasons. However, any time is a good time to cross this natural paradise off your bucket list.