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New Zealand - Places to visit
56
items This list is a source of inspiration for a visit to New Zealand. I hope you enjoy these tips as much as I enjoyed collecting them. This list will be further expanded.
Map
Sections
5
Places of interest North Island
Places of interest South Island
Accommodation (North Island)
Accommodation (South Island)
Books and maps
Places of interest North Island
What to visit when in New Zealand (North Island)
Auckland offers specific landmarks and attractions that promise unique experiences. From the iconic Sky Tower to Waiheke Island's wineries and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, there are countless opportunities for unforgettable moments.
Auckland
In this half day tour you will see the highlights of Auckland. This tour is a great way of getting to know Auckland.
Half-day Discover Auckland City Sightseeing Tour
You can learn about the history and significance of the mighty kauri tree in this museum.
The Kauri Museum - Matakohe
The gallery celebrates artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s vision of architectural creativity in harmony with nature.
Hundertwasser Art Centre
The centre takes in all injured birds, both native and non-native, and where possible nurses the birds back to health for release into the wild. More than 60% of the birds that are brought into the centre are successfully released again.
Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre
The ancient limestone caves are home to millions of twinkling glowworms including the famous Milky Way cavern.
Kawiti Glowworm Caves
Often called the 'Birthplace of the Nation', Waitangi weaves together the strands and stories of many people, events and places to reveal the rich cultural history of Aotearoa New Zealand, offering an inspiring and meaningful experience for every vis...
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Russell is New Zealand’s oldest European settlement, and has a sleepy tranquillity that belies its tumultuous past. A picture-perfect seaside town, Russell is situated on a peninsula across the harbour from Paihia.
Russell
Footprints of Kupe offers you a unique cultural encounter, journeying into Te Ao Māori, the Māori world.
Manea Footprints of Kupe | Cultural Encounter | New Zealand
Of all New Zealand’s kauri forests, none is more famous than Waipoua Forest in the Hokianga. Celebrated as a ‘life changing eco experience’ by Lonely Planet, this is the home of Tāne Mahuta, the country's largest kauri tree. Nearly 2,000 years old, 5...
Waipoua Forest | 100% Pure New Zealand
Walking the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway is an excellent activity. The track mirrors the bends of the Ohinemuri River with lots of signs of the old railway times.
Karangahake Gorge
Te Puke is the kiwifruit capital of the world.
Te Puke
Being accessible only by boat or by air is what keeps this haven so unspoiled and pristine. There are eight mineral hot pools to soak in and the clear blue lake waters to cool down in.
Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools | Manupirua Spring Hot Pools New Zealand
Rotorua is known for its geothermal activity and Māori cultural tourism, and features geysers – the Pōhutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools.
Rotorua
Fly across ziplines and reach speeds of up to 80 km/h. You’ll soar from one treetop platform to the next up to 18 metres high, with swing bridges and hanging walkways carrying you even deeper into the canopy. This is ziplining at its highest level – ...
Rotorua Canopy Tours | Zipline Rotorua
Ōhinemutu Village was settled by the Ngāti Whakaue iwi (tribe), a sub-tribe of the Te Arawa waka (canoe) journeyed from the Pacific homeland of Hawaiiki to New Zealand around 1350 AD. The explorers chose this location for their home due to its settin...
Ōhinemutu Māori Village
The lake is one of the largest in New Zealand and features natural geothermal springs and lakeside hot pools, walking trails and a host of holiday home accommodation options.
Lake Tarawera
Experience a night that will enlighten you - see, hear and experience Māori culture with a cultural performance and hāngī buffet dinner.
Te Pō (Hāngī Dinner Buffet + Haka) - Rotorua
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is a spectacular showcase of New Zealand’s most colourful and unique geothermal elements sculpted by thousands of years of geothermal activity.
Wai-O-Tapu
Home to three active volcanic mountains, and iconic and majestic landscapes, Tongariro National Park is a land of legend. New Zealand’s oldest national park, Tongariro National Park is a dual World Heritage area. This status recognises both the park’...
Tongariro National Park Visitor Information
At the centre of New Zealand you’ll find Wellington, a region with so much to offer. Nestled between green hills and a sparkling harbour, the city is full of things just waiting to be discovered.
Visit Wellington – WellingtonNZ
There’s so much to see and do in the capital. To get you started, here are the top 10 things to do when you visit.
Top 10 things to do in Wellington – WellingtonNZ
An eBike tour is the best way to see Wellington and its surrounding bays. You get to experience Wellington from a local’s view point.
Bike Tours - Switched on Bikes
Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest places in the world, the Zealandia urban ecosanctuary is a must-visit. It has reintroduced 23 native species into the region, some of which were absent from mainland New Zealand for more than 100 year...
Day Tours at Zealandia | Discover Wildlife in the Sanctuary
This is the perfect tour if you want to discover not only great food, but local architecture, character and culture too.
Capital Bites – The Big Foody
There is simply no better way to experience the hidden charm that Wellington has to offer than to take this 5-minute ride from the heart of the city centre, up through the hillside terraced houses of Kelburn, to the lookout perched high above the cit...
Wellington Cable Car
With 1500km of New Zealand's coastline, Marlborough Sounds is a collection of ancient sunken river valleys filled with the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Forested hills rise steeply from the sea around an intricate coastline of sheltered inlets and san...
Marlborough Sounds
Interislander has been connecting New Zealand across Cook Strait for over 60 years.
Interislander
Places of interest South Island
What to visit when in New Zealand (South Island)
This is a really beautiful day tour from Christchurch. Not te be misses when you have some days in Christchurch.
Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch
FROMM Winery has built an international reputation by producing an array of outstanding wines that reflect both European style and Kiwi ingenuity.
FROMM Winery
The Abel Tasman National Park is famous for it’s stunning coastal scenery, crystal clear waters, golden sand beaches and lush native bush .
Abel Tasman National Park
Whether you're short on time or just want the ultimate whale watching experience, this tour is the perfect way to see it all—from above!
Kaikōura Whale Watching Tours | Wings Over Whales
Guaranteed viewing of fur seals with surreal visuals of the seaward Kaikōura Mountains as the light changes towards the end of the day.
Kaikoura Kayaks Guided Sunset Evening Tour
Explore Aotearoa's landscapes from above on our a flight over Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park and its vast glaciers and snowfields. This flight includes a landing in the mountains.
Aoraki / Mount Cook & The Glaciers » The Helicopter Line
Queenstown sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges. It’s rumoured that gold prospectors - captivated by the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers - gave this now cosmopolitan town its name.
Queenstown New Zealand | Official Tourism Website
Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand's treasured natural icons and is internationally recognised as part of the wider UNESCO World Heritage site, Te Wāhipounamu (Place of the Greenstone). It is home to glaciers, alpine ranges, and unique flo...
Fiordland National Park
Located within 1.2 million hectares of UNESCO World Heritage-listed national park and at the end of the spectacular Milford Road, Milford Sound Piopiotahi is Fiordland's jewel in the crown.
Milford Sound
Cruise Milford has been rated the #1 cruise operator at Milford on TripAdvisor for 6 years running.
Cruises from Queenstown & Te Anau, NZ
Explore Queenstown’s top spots and iconic locations with a wine tasting and boat cruise included.
Queenstown Scenic Tour. Discover the very Best of Queenstown
Accommodation (North Island)
Where te stay when in New Zealand (North Island)
Located in the heart of Auckland, this hotel has an excellent location.
Nesuto Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
Great location and excellent breakfast choices.
M Social Auckland, New Zealand
The location is stunning and the breakfast is good.
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay Of Islands, Paihia, New Zealand
Very comfortable place to stay with an excellent breakfast.
Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands, Paihia, New Zealand
Centrally located on the shores of Lake Rotorua, Novotel Rotorua Lakeside features a restaurant, a fitness centre, a geothermal spa and hot pools.
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside, Rotorua, New Zealand
The Powderhorn Chateau is located in Ohakune, at the entrance to Tongariro National Park. Just 984 feet from Ohakune Station, the property offers a heated indoor swimming pool, a restaurant and free on-site parking. Free WiFi is available at the hote...
The Powderhorn Chateau, Ohakune
Bolton Hotel is an elegant, boutique, 5-star hotel offering free WiFi on multiple devices and in-room iPad minis. Secure valet parking is available. Located in the Wellington central business district, the hotel is only minutes from Lambton Quay and ...
Bolton Hotel, Wellington
Accommodation (South Island)
Where te stay when in New Zealand (South Island)
Tides Hotel is located on the banks of Maitai River, in the center of Nelson. It features a restaurant, a heated outdoor pool and free WiFi access. On-site parking is available.
Tides Hotel, Nelson
Set on the esplanade in iconic Kaikoura, White Morph Heritage offers a range of accommodations options with a balcony or patio and lovely ocean, mountain or garden views. Free WiFi is available in all rooms and the lobby.
The White Morph - Heritage Collection
Set in Mount Cook National Park, The Hermitage Hotel features a range of rooms and suites all offering majestic mountain views, and most with views of Mount Cook.
The Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook
Scenic Suites Queenstown is located in the resort of Queenstown. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from the center, and offers lake and mountain views.
Scenic Suites Queenstown
Books and maps
Interesting reading material
This guide comes with an ebook and provides interesting facts about New Zealand’s people, history and culture and detailed coverage of the best places to see. This New Zealand travel book has the style of an illustrated magazine to inspire you and gi...
Insight Guides New Zealand Travel Guide with Ebook | Insight Guides
This classic guidebook provides you with the most comprehensive level of information for planning multi-week trips to New Zealand.
Lonely Planet New Zealand
National Geographic’s New Zealand Adventure Map offers a meticulously researched guide for thrill-seekers and explorers. Packed with precise details, it highlights hundreds of recreational, cultural, ecological, and historic spots—many of them hidden...
New Zealand Map
Complete Guide with Detailed Maps to Scenic Routes, Campgrounds, National Parks & Hidden Gems - Perfect for RVers, Vanlifers, Road Trippers & Adventure Seekers.
New Zealand Road Atlas 2025–2026
Includes pictures, online resources and a bibliography for further reading.
The Maori: The History and Legacy of New Zealand’s Indigenous People
Kiwis, Kilts, and an Adventure Down Under
Clanlands in New Zealand