TOP THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN NEW ZEALAND
From local secrets to tourist hotspots, find the best places and things to do on your New Zealand holiday.
There are so many places to visit, it’s hard to know where to start. These ‘best ofs’ and highlights lists can help you plan your trip around the most popular things to do in New Zealand.
Must dos
See New Zealand’s greatest attractions, from the tip of Cape Reinga to the starry skies of Stewart Island/Rakiura.
From glaciers to beaches, whale-watching to wine-tasting, New Zealand has so much to offer. Not sure where to begin? Get started with these places.
1 – Try wine-tasting on Waiheke
Home to a magical blend of vineyards, olive groves, beaches, art studios and funky cafes, Waiheke Island is an enchanting oasis. Sip New Zealand’s finest wines at one of the many vineyards while enjoying sea views.
2 – Explore adventure in Queenstown
Queenstown is the perfect place for an adventure. Experience jet boat rides, skiing, river rafting, hiking and biking, or go bungy jumping where it all began. Not for you? Try wine-tasting, spa treatments or alfresco dining for a relaxing alternative.
3 – Say ‘kia ora’ to culture
Soak up Māori culture and hospitality in Rotorua, the cultural heart of New Zealand. Visit an authentic pre-European Māori village for a cultural show. After a delicious ‘hāngī’ feast, the thermal hot pools will be calling.
4 – Bask in Milford Sound’s scale
Depart from Queenstown or Te Anau and enjoy an afternoon cruise around Milford Sound’s dramatic fiords, spectacular waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. You can also see the “Eighth Wonder of the World” by flightseeing, kayaking or taking an overnight boat ride.
5 – Explore geothermal phenomena
Geysers, boiling mud pools & huge volcanic craters are in Rotorua, where nature’s forces escape by bubbling, steaming & hissing from the inner earth. Discover the sights and wonders of this city sitting squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
6 – Make furry-footed friends
Ever since the first The Lord of the Rings movie was released in 2001, New Zealand has been known as the home of Middle‑earth™. Take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, land of The Shire’s lush pastures.
7 – Heli-hike a glacier
Wild rivers, rainforests, glaciers and rugged beaches invite exploration on the stunning, unspoiled region of the West Coast. Take a helicopter to the top of a glacier for a guided walk onto the Franz Josef or Fox Glacier.
8 – Cruise with whales in Kaikoura
Just two hours north of Christchurch, picturesque Kaikoura is all about sea adventures. Have an up-close encounter with the Giant Sperm Whales and pods of Dusky dolphins on a cruise or go snorkeling with friendly New Zealand fur seals.
9 – Go Kayaking in Bay of Islands
Just 3.5 hours from Auckland is Paihia, a great base to explore this aquatic playground of 144 beautiful islands. Get out on the water and explore by paddling around in a kayak, or take a cruise to spot dolphins, relax on golden beaches and visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
10 – Sip wine among the vines
New Zealand is world-famous for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Central Otago Pinot Noir. But what’s even better is that New Zealand’s main wine-growing areas are also some of the most spectacularly beautiful parts of the country. Take a road trip and meet local winegrowers along the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail.
