The Best Places to Visit in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the world’s most naturally beautiful countries - filled with stunning landscapes, endless greenery and of course lovely people. It’s made up of two MAIN islands: The North Island, and the South Island. Despite New Zealand being bigger in size than the UK, only around 5.3 million live here. It’s tucked away at the bottom corner of the map, in the southwestern pacific. It’s a bicultural nation, with the NZ Europeans living alongside the indigenous Māori people. Travelers from all around the world cross oceans just to see the stunning scenery inside New Zealand, and whilst they visit they get to experience the laid-back Kiwi spirit. It’s ideal to explore New Zealand with your own car, making an epic road trip - however this guide will showcase the options you have without your own personal vehicle. Nobody ever regrets a visit to New Zealand!
Capital: Wellington
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Language: English, Maori
When to visit: November to March
1) Queenstown
Outside of all the nature, Queenstown is New Zealand’s top town to visit by far. Located in the South Island, this small yet beautiful lakeside town is home to less than 30,000 people, yet has booming tourist numbers every year. Officially, it’s the adventure capital of the world. People come here to bungee jump, skydive, hike, ski, and so much more. It’s a perfect tourist destination and definitely showcases New Zealand’s charm.
Things to do:
Starting with sightseeing, Queenstown is built alongside Lake Wakatipu, offering beautiful views and swimming spots nearby. The best views of the city come after taking the cable car up to Bob’s Peak, where you can also take the luge down if you please. One of the most popular things to do is Bungee Jump at Kawarau Bridge, which is 43 meters high. If you love being around the water, you can take a cruise or Jet-Ski through the lake, too. Wander through the center of the town and check out some of the legendary food spots and lively streets, as well as Queenstown Gardens.
How to get there:
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is the main gateway. Domestic flights are available from all around NZ, as well as some flights from Australia.
You can take Intercity Buses from around the South Island too.
2) Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park
Mt. Cook (Aoraki in Māori) is New Zealand’s highest and most beautiful mountain, located in the wider region of Mt. Cook National Park, right in the heart of the South Island’s Canterbury region. The mountain is surrounded by 22 other peaks over 3,000 meters, massive glaciers, and beautiful, clear lakes. You can climb the mountains peak, but it’s dangerous so most enjoy stunning views from below. There’s so much beauty in Mt. Cook National Park, and so much opportunity for trails and hikes.
Things to do:
There are endless options for hikes and trails in the national park. The first one I’ll mention is the Hooker Valley track, a 10 km return with iconic glacial river views. Second, is the Sealy Tarns Track, giving you incredible views of the mountain and the lake. And third, I would have to say is the Mueller Hut Hike, commonly done over two days offering one of a kind views. Literally any hike you do here will be incredible. Many tourists also drive to the Tasman Lake, where they get views of Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier. I would say that is a must see for sure. There are so many more tracks and things to do (like Stargazing) in the national park, and it shows you why New Zealand is so iconic,
How to get there:
Excluding driving, you can take an Intercity Bus from Queenstown to Mt. Cook, a route that runs daily.
3) Wanaka & Roy’s Peak
The town of Wanaka is a tiny town with only around 8,000 residents, known for it’s epic hiking options and photo spots. It sits right on the southern shore of Lake Wanaka, one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the country, with the sharp peaks of the Southern Alps rising straight out of the water on three sides. It’s the base to start the incredible Roy’s Peak Hike, one of the world’s best hikes.
Things to do:
Lake Wanaka itself is a beautiful spot for paddleboarding, swimming and kayaking. Inside Lake Wanaka is the iconic Wanaka Tree, the classic photo spot where the lone willow tree sits in the water. The best thing, however is the Roy’s Peak Hike. It’s a 16km hike (up and down), but it delivers one of the best views in the country. The elevation gain is about 1,260 meters, and the starting point is around 6km (5 min drive) from Wanaka town. You’ll find yourself high above the clouds from the top, with views of Lake Wanaka and it’s surrounding mountains.
How to get there:
To get to Wanaka without a car, you can fly into Wanaka Airport (WKA) from Queenstown.
Otherwise, you can take an Intercity bus from Queenstown to Wanaka, which runs daily.
4) Tongariro National Park
Hike Name/Length: Tongariro Crossing (~19.5km)
Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest national park, and is the first entry on this blog in the North Island of New Zealand. The park covers 795 km² and protects three massive active volcanoes (Mount Tongariro, Mount Ruapehu and Mount Ngauruhoe). The name of the hike taking you across the park is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, an incredible yet challenging day hike.
What you’ll see:
During your completion of the Tongariro Crossing, you walk past emerald lakes, through the eerie Red Crater, over lava fields, and along the edge of Mount Ngauruhoe. You see all the craters, sulfur vents and the volcanic rock you ascend through. There are some challenging and steep areas of the hike, but it’s worth it.
How to get there:
The trail starts in Waimarino, and Intercity Bus has 1 service there per day from Auckland and Wellington.
After that, you need shuttles to get around for the crossing.
5) Milford Sound
Milford Sound is probably New Zealand’s most famous fiord. It sits deep in Fiordland National Park on the southwestern coast of the South Island, carved out by ancient glaciers over millions of years. The fiord is a narrow, 15 km-long inlet of the Tasman Sea, flanked by sheer rock walls that rise up to 1,200 meters straight out of the water. It’s best experienced on a boat via a classic Milford Sound Cruise.
What you’ll see:
When on a Milford Sound Cruise, it takes you past massive waterfalls (Bowen Falls, Stirling Falls), epic Seal colonies, big valleys and mountains, the most famous of which being Mitre Peak. It is a beautifully immersive experience taking around 3 hours, often going all the way out to the Tasman Sea.
How to get there:
With no car, you can take an Intercity Bus from Queenstown to Milford Sound. This bus is special, offering scenic stops along Milford Sound Road. They go from Queenstown, down to Te Anau then up up to Milford Sound.
6) Auckland
Auckland is the country's largest city, biggest port, and the place most people first touch down when they arrive. With around 1.7 million people in the metro area (about a third of the whole country's population), it's easily NZ's biggest urban zone, but it never feels like a mega-city despite all the high rise buildings. The city has two sides: the shiny CBD with skyscrapers and the waterfront, plus the quieter suburbs which sit in and around the beautiful nature and beaches of Auckland.
Things to do:
Inside Auckland CBD, you’ll see the iconic Sky Tower (you can go up it), as well as all the shops and food spots scattered around. Check out the busy areas by the water, like Viaduct Harbour, Mission Bay and Devonport. 40 minutes on a ferry also takes you to Waiheke Island, a relaxed island with great beaches and nature. Walk up to the top of Maungawhau (Mount Eden), one of Auckland’s 50+ volcanic cones with great views at sunset. My last reccomendation is to take the ferry to Rangitoto Island and hike the Rangitoto Summit Track, which has excellent views of Auckland and the water. There is always more cool stuff in the city to check out if you need more to do.
How to get there:
Auckland Airport (AKL) is a major international airport connecting New Zealand to the rest of the world. Many flights come in every day.
If in New Zealand already, you can take an InterCity Bus from other cities in the North Island.
7) Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is a glacial lake sitting high up on the South Island’s Mackenzie Basin, famous for its unreal turquoise color, snow-dusted mountains, and some of the clearest night skies in the world. The main settlement is Lake Tekapo township, a quiet little village with accommodation and food options for travelers. It’s not far southeast of Mt. Cook, and you can see views of it visible in the distance.
Things to do:
Lake Tekapo is one of the best places in the world for stargazing, because light pollution here is almost nonexistent. You can join a guided stargazing tour at Mt John Observatory, or just lie on the grass by the lake with a blanket. But you must head over to Church of the Good Shepherd, a picturesque stone church overlooking the lake. It’s a great photo spot, with the Sheepdog Statue next to it. Also check out Tekapo Springs, a thermal pools complex if you want to get submerged into the water. Lastly, walk to Pines Beach or the Lupin Fields, where the lake edges explode with purple lupins, creating a beautiful sight.
How to get there:
Without a car, Intercity Bus has routes from Queenstown or Christchurch daily.
8) Kaikōura
Kaikoura is a little coastal town in the northeast of the South Island, known for 2 things: It’s beautiful views of snow capped mountains in the backdrop, and the immense amount of amazing sea creatures you can see from the shores. the continental shelf drops off sharply just a few hundred meters from shore, creating a deep underwater canyon that brings cold, nutrient-rich water up, the reason why you see so much wildlife.
Things to do:
When trying to spot sea creatures here in Kaikoura, look out for sperm whales, dusky dolphins, humpbacks (seasonal), orcas, seals, and seabirds like albatrosses. Now for the nature - you should definitely do the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, it’s about an 11km, easy loop with incredible views. Other then that, just walk around the town and the beaches (nowhere specific) and enjoy the beauty.
How to get there:
Intercity Bus has services starting in Christchurch and Picton (the town the ferry from the North Island arrives into).
There is also a scenic KiwiRail train starting in Picton going to Queenstown, with Kaikoura as a stop.
9) Rotorua
Back up in the North Island is Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland where the earth steams and bubbles (and also reeks of sulfur). The culturally Maori large town is positioned on the south of Lake Rotorua, surrounded by volcanic hills, forests, and more hot springs than you can count. There are so many striking places of interest in and around the Taupō Volcanic Zone for tourists.
Things to do:
Beginning with all the incredible geothermal spots, the best ones are: Te Puia (the main one), Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (the colorful one), Waimangu Volcanic Valley (the dramatic one), and Hell’s Gate & Mud Spa (where to soak yourself up). Tick of those 4 and you have seen the best parts of Rotorua. Otherwise, you should do the Redwoods Treewalk, go Zorbing and kayak around Lake Rotorua.
How to get there:
Rotorua Airport (ROT) has domestic flights from major NZ cities.
And without a car, Intercity Bus has routes from the main cities in the North Island.
10) Wellington
Despite being confused for Auckland all the time, New Zealand’s capital city is actually Wellington. Over 220,000 people live in the main city, and it’s a hilly region with a lovely blue harbor to top it off. Wellington has developed the nickname of ‘Windy Welly’ across New Zealand, because it literally is windy as hell every day. It’s a great all round city with an artsy, progressive vibe.
Things to do:
You can walk down and see The Beehive, the New Zealand parliament’s governmental building, however it is just a building. You should definitely check out Te Papa, it is by far the best museum in New Zealand filled with historic art and information on the country. Walk around the waterfront for a bit whilst you’re down there. Then head to Cuba Street, which most would say is the heart of Wellington vibes as it’s filled with cafes, vintage shops and street art. Then, ride the iconic Wellington Cable Car up from Lambton Quay to Kelburn, where you’ll be greeted with the Botanic Garden, Carter Observatory, and some cafes. There is so much more in the Wellington region, like various hikes and beaches which are pretty accessible. The list could go on forever.
How to get there:
Wellington International Airport (WLG) has flights from heaps of cities in New Zealand, and sometimes Australia too.
Intercity Bus has routes from major cities in the North Island too, often starting up in Auckland.
Ferry’s also come in from Picton, in the South Island.
11) Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui is one of those classic New Zealand beach towns with an immaculate vibe. It’s very lively during summertime in the town, and overall it’s a beautiful area. It sits right next to Tauranga, New Zealand’s fifth biggest city. The mountain itself is the towns icon, it’s 232 meters high and really completes the look. If you want to go somewhere to really experience the Kiwi vibe, then this may be the place.
Things to do:
Walk down Marine Parade (the main street) and you’ll see all the cool surf shops, cafés, ice-cream spots, and more. Next to the main street is Maunganui Beach, which goes on for miles. There is an easy main track taking you up Mount Maunganui, taking about 30-45 minutes. From the top you get awesome views of the North Island coastline. Other then that, just enjoy the beach life, go surfing, swimming, whatever.
How to get there:
Tauranga Airport (TRG) has flights come in, but mainly just from Auckland.
InterCity Buses have services to both Mount Maunganui and Tauranga, from all around the North Island.
12) Hobbiton
Hobbiton is probably the most visited destination in the whole North Island. It is the actual movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, tucked away in the rolling green hills on New Zealand’s North Island. While it isn’t an actual town or a place you can stay, it’s near the town of Matamata and the city of Hamilton. The farm was chosen by Peter Jackson’s team in 1998 because it matched Tolkien’s description of the Shire perfectly, thanks to the locations lush greenery. After filming, the owners kept it open as a tourist destination.
What you’ll see
To experience Hobbiton, you must go through a the guided tour. It’ll take you past 44 hobbit holes, each with their own little details. They tell you all about the filming and history, and you can actually step inside a couple hobbit holes. You’ll see more filming locations like Bag End, and the Party Tree & Pond. The tour ends at The Green Dragon Inn, the famous pub from the films. My best tip is to take the earliest tour so no crowds are in front of you.
How to get there:
Without a car, it’s pretty hard to reach. The closest is an Intercity Bus taking you to Matamata, where you’ll then need transport of some sort.
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