Planning an escape to the exotic land of New Zealand?Perhaps you’re a long-time fan of The Lord of the Rings, or maybe you’re just looking for adventure. new zealand That’s all there is to it! We’ve put together a list of the 20 best places to visit in New Zealand. These are our picks that you don’t want to miss.
1. Roy’s Peak, Wanaka
Roy’s Peak is one of the most iconic photographic locations in all of New Zealand. Just by looking at this photo, you can see why tourists flock there. It’s a 5-8 hour hike to the top, but if you’re well-equipped and reasonably fit, it should take around 6 hours. Add an extra hour to stay at the top, take photos, and eat lunch, and it’s probably a 7-hour round trip hike.
Read more: Where to hike in New Zealand’s South Island in winter
2. Dunedin
Dunedin isn’t the kind of destination that’s on many New Zealand ‘must-see’ places, and to be honest, we’re still not sure why. It’s a beautiful city on the south-east coast of the South Island with a really great atmosphere. This city is known for its large student population, so it has a really great cafe scene, and you can find cheap eats on every street corner. A little further south you’ll find one of the most scenic drives.
Read more: How to travel in New Zealand by van
3. Hobbiton
After visiting New Zealand three times, I was finally able to visit Hobbiton. This movie set can be visited as a paying guest and is not far from Auckland. Even if you don’t have your own transportation, you can easily join the tour. It takes just over two hours to drive to Hobbiton. We recommend an early morning or late afternoon tour to avoid crowds. Here it is Everything you need to know to visit Hobbiton.
4. queenstown
Queenstown is one of those cities that lives up to its hype. It’s generally considered New Zealand’s tourist capital, and with so much going on, it’s easy to see why. The town itself is full of great cafes, vegan restaurants, and small local boutiques. But the beauty of Queenstown is that it sits in the midst of gorgeous scenery, ski slopes, and endless day hikes. This photo was taken from my suite Matakauri Lodgeundoubtedly the most beautiful lodge in the area.
5. Mt Maunganui
Mt Maunganui One of New Zealand’s North Island’s most underrated gems. Locals know about its existence and flock here in the summer, but there are not many tourists from abroad. It’s a beach town with just the right amount of sleep and plenty of activities to keep you occupied.
6. Paradise, Glenorchy
New Zealand is truly a paradise. Hard to believe, right? At first glance at this photo, I don’t think so. Paradise is not far from Glenorchy, which in turn is not far from Queenstown. You’ll soon find out that the South Island is full of postcard-perfect locations. This is one of them. Checked in for the ultimate escape aloha yoga retreat A whole week. It was an intensive yoga course that included vegan meals, hiking in the local area, and daily yoga practice.
7. Marlboro
There are few places more dedicated to food and wine consumption. marlborough, new zealand. This region is world-renowned as one of the best places to grow and produce Sauvignon Blanc. In fact, I even stayed at the vineyard when I visited. But beyond wine, like all of New Zealand, there’s some really great produce here. I especially liked the goat cheese, honey, and pine nuts that are grown or produced in the area.
8. Doubt
Not many people have Twizel on their roadmap when traveling to New Zealand. It’s a small town in the middle of nowhere, but it’s also the gateway to New Zealand’s highest peak, Mount Cook (Aoraki). During my time in Twizel, I stayed at the following locations: highland cabin We booked through AirBnB. We recommend staying here for a few nights to take your time and soak up the mountain atmosphere.
9. Aoraki / Mt Cook
New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook, is a sight to behold. The peak height is a whopping 3,724 meters. A great way to experience the mountains (especially in the colder months) is to take a small tourist plane or helicopter to the Tasman Glacier. I waited three full days for bad weather to be able to fly, so be sure to allow a few extra days between plans.
10. Kawarau Valley
There are many beautiful places in and around Queenstown, but Kawarau Gorge is one of my favorites. Just a short drive from the town center, it’s a great stop on your way to nearby Arrowtown. There are lots of great shops and beautiful eateries here to explore.
11. Lindis Pass
As you travel through New Zealand, you’ll quickly become accustomed to the beautiful scenery. There’s no denying it! But there are some roads that are better than others, and Lindis Pass is one of them. This pass is located between Queenstown and Wanaka, so you can’t drive around the South Island without passing through it. The scenery that changes every day is dramatic, so if you want to take photos, be sure to stop by the rest area.
12. Rotorua Hot Springs
New Zealand’s North Island is more about hidden gems than dramatic scenery. The North Island offers a wide range of activities and endless coastal beach towns, while the South Island offers adventure, mountains and ski slopes. One of my favorite day trips was from Mt Maunganui where I was staying to nearby Rotorua Hot Springs. The hot springs are perfect for a day trip and also have healing effects.
13. Nugget Point Lighthouse
Back in the South Island, remember when I talked about Dunedin? Not many tourists visit this coastal city, and even fewer visit the south-east coast. But if you do, you’ll find the beautiful, tranquil Nugget Point Lighthouse. We visited for sunrise and it was one of the most memorable mornings in the South Island.
14. Auckland
Of course, no visit to New Zealand is complete without visiting Auckland, the cultural capital (but not the capital itself). The city is filled with pop-up coffee shops, local designers, and trendy eateries on every corner. This city is perfect for a day trip or two-night stay. You can also choose Hobbiton or visit a beautiful beach town just an hour’s drive away.
15. South Island Road Trip
Sometimes the journey itself is the destination. My favorite memory from my trip to New Zealand was traveling around the South Island in a rented van. This was a great way to get from point to point without worrying too much about whether you’ll reach your destination. All we had to do was pull up to the campsite, park for the night, and then head out again. Certainly the South Island lends itself to this style of adventure, and the scenery is unforgettable.
read more: How to travel in New Zealand by van
16. cardrona ski area
If you’re visiting New Zealand in winter, you won’t want to miss the chance to hit the slopes. Queenstown is the most popular ski area for tourists, while nearby Cardrona is perfect for Kiwis. Due to its proximity to Wanaka, accommodation rates are also low. There are ski chalets for hire on the slopes themselves, but these must be booked at least a year in advance.
17. Cape Kidnappers
Cape Kidnappers is one of the lesser-known places on this list, but it’s still one of my favorites. I stayed at this hotel as part of a visit to other Robertson Lodges (Matakauri in Queenstown and Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands). If your budget allows, this is one of the most beautiful lodges in the country.
Read more: Check in to Cape Kidnappers
18. Milky Way
The best of New Zealand can be all around you. The Milky Way is very easy to see with clear skies, especially when viewed in nature, away from light pollution. We caught a glimpse of it one night in Twizel. There was nothing around but a clearing and a few sheep living in a high country cabin.
Jeff Finley (via Unsplash)
19. Milford Sound
We all know that of all the best places in New Zealand, this list would be incomplete without Milford Sound. The South Island’s famous Fiordland has long been one of the most popular spots for tourists visiting New Zealand. They are impressive, but be sure to be prepared to share their beauty with more visitors. This is one of the most popular places in the country!
Peter Hammer (via Unsplash)
20. Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is one of the best places for photographers in New Zealand, but only during the small window when the lupines are in bloom. The beautiful flowers are at their best in late November and are a popular spot for photographers and Instagrammers.