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Travel Guide

12 Popular Places to Visit in New Zealand

A location guide, photographs and pinned map

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Discover how to get the best out of your holiday in New Zealand with your map guide of the most popular places to visit. Tantalise the senses exploring wine trails in Nelson and Auckland. Find an awesome adventure in Queenstown with a magnificent mountain range and deep blue lake as a backdrop. Travelling with family and friends with plenty to keep visitors entertained in Christchurch. Outdoors enthusiasts are spoiled for choice with scenic national parks.

Immersive Maori cultural encounters in Rotorua wrapped around the heady experience of hot springs. Marvel at boiling mud pools and fountaining geysers of superheated steam as you explore NZ, part of the Pacific Rim of Fire.

What Do Overseas Visitors Come to See in New Zealand?

Scenery is the drawcard to New Zealand for many overseas visitors. Gold sandy beaches with native pohutukawa trees are idyllic. Active visitors enjoy cycle trails over suspension bridges, rolling farmland and through lush temperate forests. Explore wine trails and discover your adventurous spirit. Choose from bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving or zip lining.

 

1. CAPE REINGA – NORTHLAND – SCENERY

Folded massive sand dunes, stunning scenery with an evocative lighthouse signalling the top of New Zealand. Listen to traditional Maori stories where the spirits fly and absorb the Pacific Ocean as waves curl around the tip of Aotearoa NZ.

More about Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga, New Zealand Cape Reinga

2. BAY OF ISLANDS (WAITANGI) – MAORI CULTURE, SCENERY, BIG GAME FISHING

Explore Bay of Islands

Waitangi Treaty Grounds, New Zealand Waitangi Treaty Grounds

3. AUCKLAND – WAIHEKE ISLAND WINE TRAILS, PARKS, BEACHES, WALKS, URBAN VIBE

Auckland is New Zealand on a plate. Discover Auckland, a must-do destination with three wine districts, parks, beaches and rivers, urban sophistication and a Pasifika vibe. Attractions range from outstanding public galleries, urban main street shopping to solitude and peace on the wild west coast.

Activities and adventures galore from kayaking in the city to boat cruises on the Hauraki Gulf waterways. Jump off a massive harbour bridge in the morning and explore heritage Devenport in the afternoon. Places to visit embrace gardens and parks for an impromptu picnic to walks in scenic regional parks…

More about Auckland

Auckland city skyline at night, New Zealand Auckland city skyline at night

4. TAUPO SCENERY WITH HUKA FALLS A MASSIVE DRAWCARD

Scenery plus with adventure sports wrapped around a stunning lake. Bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving or kayaking on the lake are but some of the adventures awaiting visitors. Hop on a bike and cycle around Lake Taupo. Cruise the lake on a yacht, board a catamaran or picnic on the  Western Bays of Lake Taupo.

Taupo – Things to Do & Attractions

Lake Taupo Shore Sunrise, NZ Lake Taupo

5. TONGARIRO ALPINE CROSSING – ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST DAY HIKES

A #NZmustdo for active walking buffs with the option of short walks for those visitors challenged by the rigors of an alpine day hike. Within driving distance of Taupo.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guide

Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park

6. ROTORUA – UNIQUE SQUIZZLING MAORI CULTURE

Maori cultural heartland with the promise of an authentic hangi (oven cooked meal). Walk among the towering giant redwoods or discover NZ’s own Pompeill, the buried village of the Mount Tawerau 19th century volcanic eruption. Boiling mud pools, geysers and the mustdo a therapeutic massage in the world renown Polynesian spa.

Rotorua Travel Guide

Rotorua thermal pools, New Zealand Rotorua thermal pools

7. WELLINGTON – CULTURAL HUB, CAPITAL CITY  

A funky gaily coloured capital city with picturesque wooden homes lining the harbour hills. The National Museum Te Papa is a #nzmustdo for heritage fans and the harbourside boardwalk a stroll past markets, cafes and galleries a sure pleaser. Wellington’s Weta Workshop is where fantasy, movie magic and the talent of Sir Peter Jackson is on full display.

Wellington Travel Guide

Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings located at the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington, New Zealand Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings located at the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington

8. NELSON – GLORIOUS, INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL SCENIC NATIONAL PARK

Nelson encapsulates the best of New Zealand with the pocket sized Abel Tasman National Park a highlight. Glorious gold tinted sandy beaches, waterfalls and walks through lush temperate forest. Taste Nelson visiting artisan food producers on a wine trail.

Nelson Travel Guide

Historic Nelson viewed from Cathedral steps, New Zealand Historic Nelson viewed from Cathedral steps

9. CHRISTCHURCH – SOUTH ISLAND INTERNATIONAL VISITOR HUB WITH A GARDEN CITY INVITING VISITORS TO LINGER

Vintage tram ride past the Avon River, Botanic Gardens, cafes and weekend markets. Hills to explore scenic vistas, an Antarctic centre with penguins and authentic blizzards, beaches and salt water pools. Kids will love the open range wildlife sanctuary. Nearby wine trails, the joy of Hanmer Springs hot springs and small market towns to explore.

Christchurch Travel Guide

blank Christchurch

10. AORAKI MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK – SOUTHERN ALPINE BEAUTY

Southern Alps playground Twizel and surrounding villages invite visitors year round to relish the outdoors on the Hooker Valley trail. Wonder at the night skies in the Dark Sky Sanctuary and it’s bliss after a day exploring soaking in the local hot spring pools.

Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park (Trip Guide)

Sunset Mueller glacier Aoraki mt Cook, New Zealand Sunset Mueller glacier Aoraki mt Cook

11. QUEENSTOWN – ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF NEW ZEALAND

Extreme sports, give it a go in the adventure capital. Hop onboard a trip finding out about the rugged interior where 19th century gold miners gave their lives. Markets, gardens and the temptation of Arrowtown’s heritage main street and Wanaka’s lake are but a few of the myriad attractions.

Queenstown Travel Guide

Autumn in Queenstown, New Zealand Autumn in Queenstown

12. MILFORD SOUND – FIORDS, AWESOME SCENERY

Deep inky blue fiords, sheer lush covered cliffs plunging into the sea. The sheer scale of the waterfalls, the playful dolphins and sense of timelessness makes Milford Sound one of the most popular places in New Zealand to visit. There are numerous day trips from Queenstown and Wanaka.

Stirling Falls cascading into Milford Sound on the South Island of New Zealand Stirling Falls cascading into Milford Sound
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TIP

Popped a place on your bucket list check out the local travel guide for insider tips about hidden corners to explore.

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Best Bits travel guide is published by nzjane.com. Owned and managed by PacificJane Ltd.

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