Popular Places of New Zealand

With awe-inspiring landscapes, fun activities and friendly locals, it’s little wonder everyone loves these New Zealand spots. From mountains to glaciers, starry skies to glowing caves, these are the best places to experience the wonders that make New Zealand so popular.

FOX GLACIER & FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
Witness the puzzle of huge valleys of ice that extend well below the snowline, almost to the sea. Here the ice age is still underway.

LAKE TEKAPO
Picturesque by day and dazzling by night, Lake Tekapo is part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing.

Lake Tekapo is about three hours drive south-west of Christchurch in the Mackenzie Basin. The township faces north across the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to the mountainous drama of the Southern Alps. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water.

Church of the Good Shepherd
On the shores on the lake you’ll see the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps beyond the lake. The church was built in 1935 for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie district and is still used as a place of worship. The church is a popular photo spot for visitors – please note that when you visit the church, weddings and services may be taking place, respect is needed from visitors.

Close by is the “sheepdog monument” – a bronze statue sculpted to recognise the district’s debt to the sheepdog “without the help of which the grazing of the mountainous country would be impossible”.

There are walking tracks following the lake shore. For huge views of the Mackenzie Basin you can hike up to Mount John Observatory (1031 metres) or Cowans Hill.

The Southern Lights
The southern hemisphere’s equivalent of the Northern Lights, Lake Tekapo is one of the best places in New Zealand to see this symphony of colour come to life. Best seen between April and September, Lake Tekapo is known for it’s clear nights and lack of light pollution, making it a great viewing destination. Head to Mount John Observatory – perched high in the mountains and south-facing – for your best chance of experiencing this spectacular natural light show.

Mackenzie Basin History
The first people to live in the Mackenzie Basin were Māori. They quarried stone for tools, fished for eel, hunted birds and established summer camps along the rivers and lakes. European settlers didn’t really know about the area until the mid 1800s, when a Scottish shepherd named Jock Mackenzie was arrested for sheep stealing. He ventured into this high country to hide his stolen flock from the eyes of the law.

KAIKŌURA
The picturesque coastal town of Kaikoura is the perfect place for marine life encounters, coastal walks, and tucking into a plate of crayfish.

Kaikōura is a base for wildlife experiences of all kinds – it’s also a great place to eat crayfish (in the Māori language ‘kai’ means food, ‘kōura’ means crayfish). An easy two-hour drive north of Christchurch, Kaikōura makes for a great day trip or a fun stop on your way to Marlborough.

Kaikōura’s environment is truly spectacular – the village is caught between the rugged Seaward Kaikōura Range and the Pacific Ocean. In winter the mountains are covered with snow, adding to the drama of the landscape.

Kaikōura’s special talent is marine mammal encounters – whales, fur seals and dolphins live permanently in the coastal waters. Whale watching trips leave the town several times a day and the local seal colony is always entertaining. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and shops to explore.

Must-do activities in Kaikōura:
– Go whale-watching by boat or air at any time of the year.
– Swim with or simply watch beautiful dusky dolphins on a dolphin encounter.
– Experience seal swimming with the playful New Zealand fur seals in the shallow waters of the beautiful Kaikōura Peninsula.
– Take a bird watching tour to view seabirds, albatross, molly-mawks, petrels and many more.
– Meet the local indigenous people and experience Māori culture with Māori Tours Kaikōura.

MATAMATA
Matamata is a must see if you’re a Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fan. Take a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set™ and enjoy the town’s fabulous cafes.

Two hours south of Auckland lies the lush farmland of Hobbiton Movie Set(opens in new window); it has more than 44 unique hobbit holes, including Bag End (Bilbo’s house). As you wander through the heart of the Shire, you’ll get to hear the fascinating commentary about how it was all created.

Along your journey you’ll see the mill, the double arched bridge and the famous Party Tree before stopping for a drink at the Green Dragon™ Inn. Evening tours are also available, and they include a feast fit for a hobbit!

A number of great farmstays are also on offer in Matamata. Just east of town you can discover the North Island’s highest waterfalls, Wairere Falls, which are a spectacular sight plunging 153m. The Wairere Falls walking track showcases a diverse range of natural scenery and from the lookout you can enjoy magnificent views over the valley and the Waikato Plains.

Matamata is situated 2 hours’ drive from Auckland, 45 minutes from Hamilton and 1 hour from Rotorua.

MILFORD SOUND
Situated on the west coast of the South Island, Milford Sound is a fusion of spectacular natural features with amazing visual cues around every corner.

Described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Breathtaking in any weather, the fiord’s cliffs rise vertically from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards from as high as 1000 metres. When it rains in Milford Sound, and it often does, those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect.

Boat cruises – during the day or overnight – are an excellent way to experience the Sound. Adventurous types might also like to head out sea kayaking, diving or flightseeing. To learn more about the local marine life, visit the underwater observatory at Harrison Cove and marvel at the black coral, 11-legged sea stars and delicate anemones.

If you enjoy hiking or trekking, the Milford Track is for you. The track begins at the northern end of Lake Te Anau and winds its way through some of the world’s most vivid wilderness. Your journey ends with a boat trip from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound wharf.

Many people visit the Sound on a day trip from Te Anau or Queenstown. The small village of Milford Sound also has limited places to stay so pre-booking is advised or choose from the many options in Te Anau or Manapouri. If you’re hungry there’s a café in the village, or you can enjoy food and drink onboard your boat cruise.

WAITOMO CAVES
Under the green hills of Waitomo lies a labyrinth of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers. The area’s name comes from the Maori words wai (water) and tomo (hole).

The easiest way to see the Waitomo Caves is with a walking or boat tour. If you’re into adventure, try the unique experience of Black Water Rafting – you’ll crawl, swim and float through the caves on a rubber tube. Or you could abseil or zip-line through the darkness. However you choose to explore Waitomo Caves, you’re bound to agree they’re a wonder of nature.

There is as much to see and experience above ground as there is below.

Enjoy good cafes and walks as well as natural wonders inclduing the beautiful Marokopa Falls and limestone Mangapohue bridge. A walkway beginning near the Waitomo Museum of Caves leads through farmland where you’ll see fascinating rock forms.

For a quirky insight into rural New Zealand life, take in one of the local farm shows, or go exploring on a guided horse trek. If you’d like to visit some New Zealand’s rarest birds, including our national icon, the kiwi, head to Otorohanga Kiwi House in Otorohanga.

Nearby, the Pureora forest provides some great short and long hikes suitable for all levels. Hunting and fishing tours are also on offer in the area.

AORAKI / MOUNT COOK
Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain, with a height of 3,754 metres.

At the foot of the mountain sits the village of Mount Cook – a comfortable haven in one of the most unforgiving parts of New Zealand. On every side, the Southern Alps scrape the sky. Even in summer, the weather can change in the blink of an eye. The region is only 44 kilometres from the coast, so storms can arrive suddenly from the Tasman Sea to create dangerous conditions for climbers.

Despite the sometimes difficult conditions, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is an exceptionally beautiful place to visit. You don’t have to be a mountaineer to interact with the stunning scenery; there are various alpine walks beginning near the village, all about three hours return. Flightseeing, tours to the Tasman Glacier and stargazing are other ways to optimise your time here.

NAPIER
Beautifully preserved 1930s architecture is Napier’s special point of difference.

Street after street of stunning and beautifully-restored Art Deco buildings have made Napier famous as one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. In 1931 a massive earthquake rocked Hawke’s Bay for more than three minutes, killing nearly 260 and destroying the commercial centre of Napier.

Rebuilding began almost immediately, and new buildings reflected the architectural styles of the times – Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and Art Deco. Napier is often referred to as a 1930s film set, and one of the best ways to enjoy the streetscape is on a self-guided walk – ask for a map at the information centre or at the Art Deco Trust. Guided walks around the city are also available every day rain or shine (except Christmas Day!). Every February, Napier celebrates its heritage with the Art Deco Festival – a stylish celebration of all things 1930s, including vintage cars, fashion and music.

Napier is home to many fine wineries, fabulous restaurants, bars and cafes. The boutique shops are a must-visit, as is the Sea Walls collection of magnificent murals painted on more than 50 walls around the city. Grab a map and walk or ride around the city to see them up close.

The beautifully restored Marine Parade serves as a scenic and popular bridge between the city and the Pacific Ocean, with a wealth of family-friendly activities sure to keep the kids entertained for hours. Napier’s iconic Norfolk Pines, Deco Soundshell, Tom Parker Fountain and ‘Pania of the Reef’ statue are a visual reminder of the city’s past. Drive just outside the city centre to the historic fishing village of Ahuriri to check out the growing list of cafes, bars, restaurants, galleries and boutique stores.

For the perfect photo opportunity, visit the Viewing Platform located on the Marine Parade foreshore, just down from the Pania statue. Napier is also the perfect base from which to explore the wider Hawke’s Bay region.