Top Things To Do In New Zealand – New Zealand is one of those places that excites the imagination. A mystical land, Moorish folklore and magical landscapes. You can ski and surf in the same day, hike a glacier before taking a dip in a natural thermal pool in the evening, or cruise through a glow-worm cave in the afternoon before entering the mysterious land of Hobbiton.
As a New Zealander, I often forget how incredible my country really is. So to remind myself and encourage others to visit this remote island nation, I’ve put together a list of 36 top things to do in New Zealand – guaranteed to make your visit unforgettable!
Top Things To Do In New Zealand
New Zealand is a bigger country than most people realize. But despite that, it’s relatively easy to get around. Most of New Zealand’s top attractions are accessible by car, and nowhere is a few hours’ drive away.
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I’ve put together a simple map of everything there is to see in New Zealand below so you can create your own itinerary! Click on the symbols to see the corresponding number/attractiveness.
Although you can see many of New Zealand’s attractions on an organized tour, if you want the most authentic experience, I generally recommend driving. This allows you to set your own schedule and go at your own pace.
While renting a car is a great option, I would go one step further and hire a camper during your stay. Campervanning is a popular way to travel around New Zealand because it saves you money on accommodation, saves you the hassle of changing accommodation every few days, and gives you more flexibility in your schedule.
I’ve tried to structure this list to fit how you move from one natural attraction to another across the country. They are more or less in geographic order across the country, so you can easily plan your route based on what experiences you want to explore around New Zealand.
Top Things To Do In South Island Of New Zealand
For each activity and attraction in New Zealand, I’ve included links to more information or recommended tours to help you further plan your trip.
For New Zealand’s North Island destinations, we start at the top of the island with the country’s most famous beaches. Most of the things to do in the North Island are concentrated in the first half of the diamond-shaped island. With this in mind, you may want to skip the Kiwi sightings at Kapiti Island and take a detour instead.
For the young and young at heart, Ninety Mile Beach is just waiting for adventure. Milles (there are only 55 of them) pure white sands in the north of New Zealand’s North Island.
Popular activities include skiing left-hand cracks or climbing giant sand dunes. Both will make your heart skip a beat and make your soul sing!
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Just a word of warning – you have to watch out for unexpected traffic on the sand…this beach is actually an official highway!
Although you may wish to travel the scenic route on your own, it is best to leave the driving to experienced guides. Most car rental companies won’t cover you if the worst happens.
One of the great things about New Zealand is its accessibility. The best views are not reserved for the rich and wealthy, anyone can enjoy the magnificent nature of this wild land.
These rings are not unlike the lush surroundings of the Bay of Islands. Perfect beaches, secluded islands and what feels like a rich haven of secluded inlets are accessible to all. This region of New Zealand’s North Island hides some of the country’s most interesting and important historical sites.
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Hire a boat or kayak to fully immerse yourself in this paradise. Dive into the ‘hole in the rock’ at Piercy Island or search for New Zealand’s marine life. Dolphins, whales, fur seals and penguins all love this area of New Zealand as much as we do!
Rangitoto Island is New Zealand’s youngest volcano, having erupted from the sea more than 600 years ago. A scenic area, the island is uninhabited for the native birds that inhabit the island.
A daily ferry service takes you to the island, where you can spend the day exploring a variety of hikes, including the most popular hiking trail. This short, steep drive rewards you with stunning 360 views of Auckland and its islands.
One of the most unique ways to experience Rangitoto Island is to take a guided night kayak. You can watch the sun set from the summit before crossing the Waitemata Harbor under the stars.
Best Things To Do In The North Island, New Zealand
Waiheke Island is an easy day trip from Auckland by ferry.
While the island’s beaches stand out, it’s undoubtedly the award-winning wines grown here that keep visitors coming back again and again.
With nearly 30 vineyards vying for space on the 92 square kilometer island, it’s not hard to see why it’s earned a reputation as a wine lover’s playground. A popular pastime is to take a wine tour to some of the famous vineyards or spend a few days at a luxury vacation home sampling the wines.
Did you know that New Zealand has the only giant squid in the world? Wellington’s Te Papa Museum holds a 470kg specimen caught in Antarctic waters in 2007.
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It’s a New Zealand icon, and now another icon of the country – Giapo has turned this pasta into an edible work of art! Giapo has long been known for making some of the most incredible ice cream in the world, and their latest creation, The Big Team, is no exception.
A visit to Giapo’s Auckland store is always an experience in itself, so head downtown to sample the amazing range of flavors (including many vegan varieties!) and New Zealand must cross it off the menu!
A stunning short drive takes you to the top of Mt Eden, Auckland’s highest mountain peak. Breathe in (it’s a fairly steep walk) as you take in the views of Auckland City and its bustling harbour.
The 50-meter-deep pit is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. It’s a sacred place, so make sure to admire it from above rather than walk through it.
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See the ruins of the ancient village of Mori, and on the way back check out the tranquil Eden Gardens in the bustling city.
Also known as T Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, Cathedral Cove is hailed as one of the best places in New Zealand. Located on the North Island, its isolated location on the Coromandel Peninsula adds to its irresistible appeal.
You can’t drive into the cave alone, you’re only allowed to walk or go out into the sea.
Boat tours allow you to explore the caves and cliffs while learning about the history of the area, while also giving you a more intimate experience with the opportunity to “park” and enjoy the beach when the urge strikes.
Top 20 Best Things To Do In South Island Of New Zealand
Grabbing a paddle and burying your own hot tub in the sand is somewhat part of the Kiwi institution.
Located in the Coromandel not far from Cathedral Cove, the warm water beach has become one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions. For locals and visitors alike!
This beach is a wonderful place to visit at any time, but after 2 hours before and after high tide you will find families, couples and friends brandishing their gardening tools as you walk towards the beach.
Hamilton isn’t usually at the top of a visitor’s wish list when planning a trip to New Zealand, but there’s a very good reason why you should add this low-lying island city to your itinerary.
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Hamilton Gardens is an award-winning attraction that is world-renowned by garden enthusiasts but little known to others. What really sets them apart is the subtle theme they’re designed around. Walking through the gardens is like traveling around the world – and there’s so much more!
Immerse yourself in the Zen-like atmosphere of a Japanese garden, smell the fragrance of a gardener at Chinoiserie Park, be transported to Renaissance Italy, and learn about Mori food production techniques at Tepapara Park. There is so much to see and do in the park that you could easily spend most of a day there.
Best of all, the gardens are free to enter! If you’re visiting New Zealand with kids, they’ll love the complementary activity schedule and destination playground, and the on-site cafes serve up all their favorite treats.
One of the North Island’s most popular attractions, Hobbiton is also one of New Zealand’s most unique attractions! Wherever you go, you can enter your movie collection and make it an instant reality
Top Things To Do In New Zealand
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