25 Best Tourist Attractions to Visit in New Zealand

1. West Coast Glaciers

The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, situated on the West shore of the South Island, are two big glaciers that still flow just to sea level, even in this time where most of the world’s glaciers are diminishing. Their lower height comparative to most glaciers and the healthy climate of the area means that these two glaciers are very simple to visit, and visitors will receive a kick out of ascending among the old ice, portion of which have open tunnels like caverns that tourists can explore. To see the glaciers, visitors must hire a helicopter or ski plane to the beginning point and hire a tour guide to lead the tour onto the ice.

2. Wellington

Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, is situated at the southern tip of the North Island. There’s an immense art scene in this town, which is famous for its originative spirit. Tourists to Wellington will explore its plenty of art museums and galleries, trips of movie sets and locations, and all the shopping and cuisine that the city has to provide with. A rapid ride on the famed Wellington Cable Car will provide tourists with a marvelous view of the city and neighboring areas, and a brief drive out of the city will see visitors in some really wonderful natural areas.

3. Waitomo Caves

Waitomo city is green and hilly, but beneath the sunny, glassy region located something much darker and more wonderful: A system of caverns and subterranean flows. Tourists to the Waitomo Caves can find the colossal stalactites and stalagmites all lit up by the Commonwealth of phosphorescent glow worms that reside in the caverns and enlighten the space with a strange light. Those with a more daring heart can also like to explore the caves via a zip line or by blackwater rafting, which comprises grasping tight to a rubber tube as they row the wriggle and turns of the subterranean river.

4. Waitaki

The Waitaki Region extends through the middle of the South Island, meaning that it holds wonderful shorelines as well the authoritative mountains and green plains of the island’s inland areas. In the maritime city of Moeraki there are boulders scattered upon the beach that are more than 65 million years old, and in the waters off the land’s verge, there are dolphins that jump into the air as they play. Further inland, the city of Oamaru and its white stone edifices are a beautiful and pleasant stop on the way to the well-known Aoraki / Mount Cook, the loftiest mountain in New Zealand.

5. Tongariro National Park

In Tongariro National Park, which is a World Heritage site, there are three operative volcanoes, including Ngauruhoe, which acted as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings series. On the shield of one volcano, skiers ski down the sides, and on another, there are boiling ponds of mud and emerald lakes filled with volcanic gas. Hiking trails guide to the Red Crater, an operative crater on the peak of Mount Tongariro. At the foot of the volcanoes, Tourists can paddleboard, kayak, and explore the big lakes that lie calmly at the bottom.

6. Taupo

Lake Taupo, on the North Island, is a big and charming lake that was created in the crater of a volcano of the namesake. It is the biggest lake in New Zealand based on surface area, and the lake, in its volcanic basin, is a wonderful place to visit. Tourists to the area can immerse in the hot, geothermal pools at Wairakei Terraces, catching trout in the lake’s waters, or cycle along the passage that follows the banks of the lake. There are also chances for adrenaline sports, such as bungee jumping and skydiving, and a powerful presence of the Maori people. Some of the most wonderful Maori artwork can be seen on Lake Taupo at the Mine Bay Maori Rock Carvings, and with the Kai Waho local experiences, Tourists can enjoy traditional Maori food and music.

7. Rotorua

Rotorua is fortunate to be in possession of an authentic natural wonderland, with recreative opportunities for families, friends, adventurers, and holidaymakers. Its lakes are ideal for fishing, boating, and resting on the water. Maori culture is powerful in this area, and tourists can watch a performance of a traditional Maori song and dance in the Maori Village or at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. In Whakarewarewa Valley, tourists can see the Pohutu Geyser, a 30-foot geyser that explodes several times a day, and see the bubbling ponds of mud created by the geothermal activity of this place.

8. Northland

Northland is, as the name indicates, the northernmost area of New Zealand. Its weather is subtropical, with plenty of sunshine, hot temperatures, and charming days, and the area surrounds not only the main island but also the Bay of Islands as well as dense forests of kauri trees and plenty of marine life. Snorkeling aside the Poor Knights Islands, searching for dolphins from a boat trip, surfing down the Te Paki sand dunes, or relishing a drink at the Duke of Marlborough – house of the most aged liquor license in New Zealand – are some of the breathtaking adventures that await.

9. Nelson Tasman

Nelson Tasman is the sunniest area in whole New Zealand, and it offers plenty of golden beaches, deep green forests, lofty mountains, and freshwater fountains. On a sea kayak trip, tourists can locate penguins, seals, and probably even some dolphins, while on the mainland they can go to  Abel Tasman National Park. Nelson is a city well known for its Nelson Bay scallops, and restaurants along the shore will serve them with an excellent glass of native wine. It is also a city that has long drawn innovative people into its arms, and the art galleries, craft fairs, and studios in the region offer tourists a chance for a one-of-a-type souvenir.

10. Napier

In 1931, an earthquake destroyed the city of Napier, slaying over 250 people and wrecking many of the town’s central structures. Zestful and resolved, the survivors of the earthquake began to reconstruct instantly, and they did so in the style of the time. As a consequence, the town of Napier serves today as a wonderful instance of art deco architecture, with clearly New Zealand touches such as Maori patterns and artistic details. Beautiful vineyards that yield Pinot Gris and Syrah, farmers’ markets, and yearly anniversary to celebrate the town’s tradition are just a few of the other niceties that make Napier look like a step back to a simpler period.

11. Milford Sound

Milford Sound, a wonderful sight was constructed thousands of years before by glaciers. Its waterfalls and streaming waters are framed by lofty mountains, which go up with their stony fingers into the air. Boat rowing of the sound, which is provided both during the day and overnight, is a stunning method to interact with this part of nature. There is also ample chance at Milford Sound to find the fiord from a sea kayak, from the air, or from underneath on a scuba dive. Along the verge of the fiord, hikers can reach the Milford Track, which winds its track through the intense wilderness and takes nearly 4 days to finish.

12. Matamata

Matamata is a must-see spot for any Lord of the Rings fans traveling New Zealand. This little town on the North Island has a few delicate cafes, and its position, established into the shadow of the Kaimai Mountain Range, is really wonderful. But what attracts people to Matamata is what lies just southeast of the city, for instance, the filming set and location for Hobbiton, the abode of Frodo Baggins and his hobbit mates in The Lord of the Rings series. There are 44 hobbit dens set into the hills of this location, with Bag End.

13. Marlborough

Marlborough, an area situated at the northernmost top of the South Island, is a name that should sound homely to anyone who admires a good wine. This area is renowned worldwide for its sauvignon blanc, which is yielded and produced at vineyards throughout the region. Other causes to travel Marlborough include its wonderful fresh seafood from the shore waters and, like most of New Zealand, its beautiful landscapes. Along the shore of this area are a mass of little offshore islands and waterways, with scenically shaped slices of green land coming up out of the blue water, which is very famous for boating.

14. Lake Wanaka

Lake Wanaka, the fourth-biggest lake in New Zealand, is situated inland on the South Island in the Otago area. The transparent waters of this wonderful lake make for some charming pictures, and the pleasant inland weather makes for even more wonderful days spent out on the water. During the summer, Lake Wanaka is ideal for sailing, fishing, and kayaking, and the neighboring mountains offer a grand setting for hiking, climbing, and even skydiving. During the winter months, the peaks encompassing Lake Wanaka are engaged with skiers skiing down the slopes.

15. Lake Tekapo

This city in the geographical middle of the South Island is mentioned for the lake of the same name, which is located just north of the town. Lake Tekapo is charming and colored an unparalleled cloudy blue for the glacier-ground rock powder in its waters, and the city, with mountain panorama rising from the lake’s turquoise verges, is both historical and amicable. Lake Tekapo might be fantastic during the day time, but once the sun sets, this area is really enchanting. It’s a portion of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, meaning that once night falls, the skies of Lake Tekapo are illuminated by a mind-boggling number of stars.

16. Kaikoura

Straightly mentioned for its food, Kaikoura means crayfish food in the Maori language.  Maximum restaurants in Kaikoura serve this local dish, caught just off the coast. Kaikoura is indeed very famous for other sea life as well; there is plenty of population of seals, dolphins, and whales that reside constantly in the ocean close to the town. A whale locating tour taken from Kaikoura is nearly always successful, with much wildlife to watch, including a native population of fur seals that are stunningly entertaining. Situated only a few hours from Christchurch, Kaikoura is a great location for a day tour.

17. Fiordland

Fiordland is mentioned for the coves of Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, which were engraved by glaciers millions of years before and located within Fiordland National Park. The transparent blue waters, from which mountains raised up on all sides, are the portion of some of the most scenic landscapes in all of New Zealand. The mountain to sea panorama, with their jungles and splashes of hue, are picturesque, as are plenty of aspects of this wonderful place. For a total immersive knowledge, tourists to Fiordland can enjoy hiking, climbing, fishing, camping, or kayaking.

18. Dunedin

Dunedin, a town on the South Island, was established by Scottish immigrants. It’s a university city that isn’t as frequently traveled by visitors as other cities in New Zealand, so it has a well-kept secret look to it. The wonderful Edwardian and Victorian architecture, passages for hikers and cyclist, and amazing city life full of food, nightlife, art, and shopping all unite to form Dunedin a beautiful heaven city. There are stunning beaches, delicious food, and even entrance to the Otago Peninsula, where eager tourists might locate an albatross or a yellow-eyed penguin.

19. Christchurch Canterbury

Christchurch is a town on the South Island of New Zealand on the East shore of the island and in the area of Canterbury. It’s the second-biggest city in New Zealand and is familiar as the Garden City for its fantastic gardens and parks. The conventional English feel of Christchurch is restored by the usual New Zealand feeling of never being too away from nature, and it’s real: There are oceans, beaches, and mountains at the city’s gateway. The region of Canterbury is famous for its diversified landscape, with snow-covered mountains, wonderful blue lakes, and grassy plains.

20. Chatham Islands

The Chatham Islands are an archipelago of ten islands situated nearly 500 miles east of New Zealand’s South Island. The Chatham Islands, with their candid rocky shorelines and uneven green wilderness, were the patrimonial abode of the Moriori people, a Polynesian race like the Maori of New Zealand’s major islands. There are daily flights of air Chathams to visit the Chatham Islands which departs from Auckland and Whanganui. The islands are well known for delicate, fresh seafood, which can be tasted at any of the restaurants on the Chatham Islands. There are also many chances to watch wildlife, from plenty of birds and animals to the blossoming plants in the archipelago.

21. Central Otago

Central Otago refers to the main area of the South Island, in the Otago Region. In pleasant Central Otago, tourist will see arid, hilly landscapes and some wonderful traditional towns. Otago was the epicenter of the gold rush in New Zealand, and some of the little towns there, like Bannockburn, Naseby, and Ophir, still mirror this history with their old-school grace. The area is also ideal for wine producing and is home to a number of fantastic vineyards, which are specifically well known for pinot noir. A visit to the native fare in Central Otago is a must to include some excellent wines alongside native cheeses, meats, and crops grown in this area.

22. Auckland

Auckland is one of the largest towns in New Zealand’s North Island and is one of the main cities in the whole country. It’s a world-class town with several incredible natures just at its gateway, and it makes a great home for a living in New Zealand. From here, it’s simple to reach some of the fantastic nearby nature and the venture that it fetches – kayaking to a volcano or wandering along the black sand beaches, for instance – all while being able to come back to a place with innumerable restaurants, stores, nightlife, and hotels when you’re done.

23. Aoraki- Mount Cook

The village of Mount Cook lies at the foot of this colossal mountain, which at 12,218 feet at its apex is the loftiest mountain in New Zealand. The mountain stands within the territory of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, which is a particularly wonderful place, full of rocky snow-topped pinnacles, transparent glacial lakes, and some fantastic hiking trails. All the trails in the area offer some amazing mountain sights, and most take nearly 3 hours to finish, but ascending Aoraki / Mount Cook itself is not an achievement that is advocated for amateurs.

24. Abel Tasman National Park

Situated on the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park is famous for its fantastic sandy beaches and the granite cliffs that raise up above them. The ideal spot for a day tour to the beach, where tourists can kayak, canoe, and sunbathe on a separated extension of sand, Abel Tasman National Park is also renowned for its hiking trails. The most well known of these, the Abel Tasman Coast Track, is about 40 miles long and takes an average of 3 to 5 days to finish, but there are many other shorter trails for not expert hikers or those seeking for an easy day trip.

25. Queenstown

Queenstown, on the South Island, is one of the most beloved targets in New Zealand for visitors. There are plenty of outdoor activities to be performed in Queenstown that it’s pretty much a necessity on any tourist’s bucket list. Tourists can skydive or bungee jump, with stunning sights of lakes, canyons, and mountains on the way down, or enjoy whitewater rafting on the Shotover River. There are also chances to find some of the famous and noticeable filming locations from the Lord of the Rings series on a guided trip of neighboring Glenorchy.