New Zealand Attractions

When planning your trip to New Zealand, you'll first be overwhelmed by the multitude of attractions and must-dos. I won't list all the sights, as there are plenty of excellent travel guides I recommend below. Instead, I'll provide you with my personal highlights, sorted from north to south. Additionally, I'll link to my relevant travel reports so you can be thoroughly inspired.

New Zealand's northernmost tip is Northland. In what's called the Far North District, you'll find many highlights, including the famous Cape Reinga with its snow-white lighthouse.

According to Maori legend, the souls of the deceased leave the land at Cape Reinga to return to Polynesia, from where the Maori originally arrived by boat. The Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean also meet here.

My tip for your visit to Cape Reinga: the best spot for a campervan is the Tapotupotu Campsite, which is the last campsite before reaching Cape Reinga. From here, you can hike to Cape Reinga. To arrive before the tourist crowds, we did the hike very early in the morning and were rewarded with a solitary lighthouse at 8:30 AM. The only drawback: the hike is quite challenging, taking almost two hours of ascent and descent.

My highlights:

• The gigantic Kauri trees on the lonely West Coast
• Dolphin tour in the Bay of Islands with its stunning beaches
• Chocolate factory Makana Confections in Kerikeri
• Walking on Ninety Mile Beach
• Bodyboarding in the massive sand dunes of Ninety Mile Beach
• The impressive Whangarei Falls near the district's capital
• The cool Hundertwasser toilets
• Book activities in Northland on Get Your Guide

Duration: For an extensive visit to Northland, you should plan for 5 to 7 days. The drive from Auckland to Cape Reinga is at least 6 hours for a distance of 420 kilometers.

The most enchanting coastal sections of New Zealand can be found on the Coromandel Peninsula. Endless sandy beaches alternate with lush green rainforests and hip New Zealanders. The peninsula is somewhat considered a hippie paradise.

If you follow the route along Highway SH25 or the Coromandel Coast Way, you won't miss any typical highlights.

• Walk to the Pinnacles in Kauaeranga Valley
• Rock formations at Cathedral Cove
• Hot Water Beach

My personal highlight was New Chums Beach, which was recommended to us by our campsite owner. From Whangapoua, you can reach this remote, beautiful beach by walking along the beach and over a rocky hike.

My tourist highlight was Cathedral Cove. I had wanted to visit this place for a long time. Here, the famous limestone rock that has been featured in many Hollywood films rises from the sea in a stunning bay. Important: This location, like all coastal highlights, can only be accessed at low tide.

Duration: 3-5 days; if you want to relax, feel free to stay longer.

White Island is New Zealand's only active volcanic island and is located about 48 kilometers north of the city of Whakatane on the eastern North Island, thus slightly off the regular tourist paths.

The Maoris call the volcanic island White Island 'Whakaakari,' which means 'dramatic volcano.' Located in the Bay of Plenty, the nearly circular island has a diameter of two kilometers. Captain James Cook was the first to discover the island in 1769. Due to the white steam cloud surrounding the island, he named it, not realizing that he was sailing past a volcano.

Since the last eruption in 2019, it is no longer possible to visit the island by boat, but scenic flights over the impressive island are offered. In the crystal-colored sea lies the barren moon and Mars landscape.

Book a scenic flight over the volcanic island on Get Your Guide.

An absolute must-do and the highlight on the North Island is Tongariro National Park on the central plateau of the North Island. Amongst the barren, bizarre landscape reside the volcanoes Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngauruhoe. One of the most beautiful day hikes in the world, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, takes you over lava fields, emerald crater lakes, and through active geothermal zones up to the summit of Mount Ngauruhoe.

Read my best tips and highlights in Tongariro National Park here.

You can book a guided Tongariro Crossing on Get Your Guide.

Duration: Just for the Tongariro Crossing, you already need a full day. Therefore, you should plan at least two overnight stays in Taupo or in the national park.

One of the most extraordinary Great Walks in New Zealand isn't a real hike at all. If you choose the Whanganui River Journey, you'll spend three to five days in a canoe instead of hiking. This is an impressive experience that you must include in your trip to New Zealand.

For the 'hike,' you should plan for 3 to 5 days, including overnight stays in huts or tents. Paddling season is from October to April, and you need a Great Walk ticket.

You can determine the duration and length of the tour yourself:

• 5-day tour: 145 kilometers from Taumarunui to Pipiriki
• 3-day tour: 87 kilometers from Whakahoro to Pipriki

Recommendation for a tour provider: Book with the family business Taumarunui Canoe Hire in Taumarunui. They rent canoes, organize shuttles, and are available at all times.

The north of the South Island impresses, just like Northland, with many sunny hours and fantastic weather. You absolutely cannot miss a kayaking trip in Abel Tasman National Park! Afterwards, head to Golden Bay to grab a coffee in the hippie town of Collingwood. You should also plan a hike on the narrow strip of land, Farewell Spit.

My highlights:

• Great Walk (multi-day hike) in Abel Tasman National Park
• Walk to Farewell Spit
• Kayaking or book a boat tour in Abel Tasman National Park
• Saturday morning at the artisan market in Nelson

Duration: Depending on how long you wish to hike, your stay in the national park will vary. A day trip from Nelson is also possible. If you want to travel further north to Golden Bay and Farewell Spit, plan for at least 2 to 3 days.

Kayaking, sailing, hiking or mountain biking on the Queen Charlotte Track, and even swimming with dolphins - in the Marlborough Sounds, outdoor enthusiasts, sunbathers, and foodies find plenty to enjoy. A web of countless islands, peninsulas, bays, and golden beaches outlines the turquoise water amidst this beautiful fjord landscape.

My highlights:

• Day hikes or mountain biking on the Queen Charlotte Track
• Visit the chocolate factory Makana Confections in Blenheim
• Relax at Whites Bay
• Book a boat tour in the Sounds
• Wine tour through the vineyards around Blenheim with Get Your Guide
• Take the mail boat cruise through the Sounds

Duration: Most people skip Marlborough Sounds and head straight to the ferry. My tip: Stay here for 2-5 days to relax!

The road south winds along an impressive coastal highway. Through numerous curves, it runs directly along the coast, while the mountains rise to your right. In our case, the peaks were still covered in snow. Another highlight is the numerous seal colonies that bask in the sun here. Where else can you get so close to seals in the wild? Right here!

In Kaikoura, you have a colorful selection of activities: from whale watching, whale flights, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and seals... We consciously chose to skip whale watching and opted for a walk on the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, a multi-hour hike.

My highlights:

• Enjoy the drive on Highway 1 to Picton
• Spot seals on the rocks
• Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
• Kayaking in Kaikoura
• Book activities in Kaikoura through Get Your Guide

Duration: 1 day.

The lonely West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is one of the world's most beautiful scenic drives: wild and lonely at the same time. The tourist highlights include the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers in the south and the Pancake Rocks in the north. If you ask me, however, these three places are completely overrated. Since I was there for the first time in 2006, I was mainly shocked by the immense retreat of the glaciers.

Much more impressive is the drive itself: Just always along the coastline, with a break at the wild beach of the old gold mining town, there's much to discover. For example, the many local artisan shops. Maybe you'll find an authentic souvenir made of Pounamu (the famous greenstone).

If you're staying in Hokitika, you can also hike to the glowworm cave on State Highway 6 after dark. This is free and much less crowded than the Waitomo Caves on the North Island.

My highlights:

• Beach of Hokitika
• Glowworm cave near Hokitika
• Hokitika Gorge Walk leads to the impressive Hokitika Gorge
• The unpredictable coastal weather

Duration: 2 days.

One of my absolute favorite towns in New Zealand is definitely Wanaka. Although it's very touristy - picturesque on Lake Wanaka and surrounded by the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park - it is much quieter here than the bustling Queenstown. Climbing Mount Roy and visiting Puzzling World are must-dos for your first visit here.

My highlights:

• Pizza at Francesca's Italian Kitchen Wanaka (be careful, you must reserve days to weeks in advance)
• Strolling along the lake
• Climbing Roy's Peak (full-day hike, and very crowded)
• Visit to Puzzling World
• Book activities in and around Wanaka on Get Your Guide

Duration: 2 days.

For those seeking the ultimate thrill, you'll find it in Queenstown. Not only adventurers love the area around Lake Wakatipu, but hikers and winter sports enthusiasts also find the surrounding Remarkables a dream. If you prefer a bit of tranquility, head further to Glenorchy for some hiking adventures.

My highlights:

• Take the Queenstown Gondola and hike down from Bob's Peak
• Hiking in Glenorchy and feel like you're at the end of the world
• Participate in the 10k run
• Book experiences and activities in Queenstown through Get Your Guide

Duration: 2 days.

The Catlins (also the Catlins Coast) are located in the southeast of New Zealand's South Island. The area is sparsely populated, the climate is rough, and the landscape is breathtaking. On the southern part of the Southern Scenic Route, you'll meet seals, penguins, and surfers.

My highlights in the Catlins:

• Yellow-eyed penguins at Purpoise Bay
• Lighthouse at Nugget Point
• Camping in Purakaunui Bay
• My comprehensive travel report with highlights and tips for The Catlins

Duration: 2 to 3 days.

If it were up to New Zealanders, Milford Sound would become the new 'eighth wonder of the world.' The Fjordland National Park in the southwest of the South Island is one of the most spectacular areas of the entire country. Whether you hike one of the Great Walks here, kayak through the Sound, or take a boat tour that leads you through this fascinating scenery, it's all a must.

My personal highlight was getting a ticket for one of New Zealand's Great Walks: the Kepler Track, which leads for several days through Fjordland National Park. Here, early booking is essential, and you hope for good weather.

My highlights:

• 4-day hike on the Kepler Track
• Book a boat tour on Milford Sound
• Drive through the Homer Tunnel

Duration: Day tours with boat rides and buses from Te Anau, but of course, you can spend even more time on the Milford Road.

The small town of Oamaru on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island surprised me: Victorian downtown, the Steampunk headquarters, and penguins mating!

No joke! If you're here in late November/early December, it might get a little noisy at night when the local penguins celebrate their mating dance.

Otherwise, the town impresses with its uniqueness, great antique shops, and cafes.

My highlights:

• Steampunk Museum and the retro-futuristically designed steam engine in front
• Yellow-eyed penguins during mating season at the end of November
• Numerous vintage cafes and design shops
• Visit to the botanical garden

Duration: 1 day and 1 night if you're there at the end of November.

I have marked all the attractions in New Zealand on this map. Simply save it offline in the Google app on your smartphone. This way, you'll have the essential places right on your phone and can easily navigate.

Looking for a travel guide to New Zealand? The A and O when planning your New Zealand trip is choosing the right travel guide. To make your decision easier and to help you best plan your New Zealand trip, I introduce you to my travel guides that accompanied me on my journey with a rental car and numerous hikes. Additionally, I have a few book recommendations that will inspire you about the land and its people.

The Stefan Loose travel guide is my favorite for many trips because you find all the highlights arranged by region at a glance. The book is extensively researched and besides the typical attractions, it offers numerous little insider tips off the tourist paths. If you want to hike in New Zealand, you'll find information boxes that usually provide several route suggestions for hikers of all levels. The colored maps and city plans are also very practical, so you can find your way around in each new city immediately.

A drawback with the Stefan Loose travel guide: While it has a handy size, the 960 pages are quite heavy. Nevertheless, I prefer my orange all-rounder over any other travel guide!

Buy now on Amazon.

Are you planning to travel with a rental car or camper and want to discover attractions off the beaten path? Then you should definitely take a look at Iwanowski's travel guide! With its route suggestions, alternative routes, and many detours, the book is the perfect guide for individual travelers. You can easily follow the routes, and the travel guide lists all the attractions along the way. It also includes practical travel information in the so-called 'Yellow Pages.'

Like the Stefan Loose guide, the Iwanowski guide is also not exactly light, and if you drive a route in reverse as suggested, it can be quite exhausting to filter out the desired information. Nonetheless, this travel guide is a great choice for a road trip.

Buy now on Amazon.

New Zealand is one of the most extraordinary hiking destinations in the world. I discovered my passion for hiking here in 2006, and so we wanted to experience as much as possible on foot this time again. To get a condensed overview of the most beautiful hikes in New Zealand, we additionally carried the Rother hiking guide. Organized by regions, you'll find a wide selection of varied hikes. From the Great Walks to easy day hikes, all hikes are described in detail and have a difficulty indication to help you assess if the hike is feasible for you.

Of course, you'll also find all the useful information online and locally at the i-Sites for planning a hike in New Zealand, but especially to get an impression in advance and determine which hikes we want to do, the Rother hiking guide was very helpful. Additionally, it is very small and lightweight.

Buy now on Amazon.

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