Best places to visit in New Zealand

With so many incredible places to visit, how do you narrow down your options? Most people only have a few weeks to explore, so it’s important to know the best places to visit in New Zealand and how to include them in your travel plans.

North vs South

New Zealand is made up of two islands, North and South. The North Island is lush and green with rolling hills, sandy beaches and a bubbling geothermal heart. Home to the majority of New Zealand’s 4.8 million population, the North Island is also where our largest city, Auckland, and the nation’s capital, Wellington, are located.

The South Island is rugged, sparsely populated and devastatingly beautiful. With increasingly impressive vistas around each corner, the wild coastlines, thick forests, deep fiords and towering peaks vie for attention and keep your camera clicking.

It’s not all wilderness though – the colourful town of Nelson illuminates the upper South Island with its arty eccentricity, while the historic city of Christchurch and surrounding Canterbury plains act as a bedrock for most of the South Island’s population.

If you are limited on time and trying to decide which island to visit, find out the best places to travel in New Zealand with our North vs South Island debate.

New Zealand’s cities

Our main centres are gateways to the rest of New Zealand with international airports and transport links to the surrounding countryside. They’re also cultural centres with art galleries, museums, markets and monuments illustrating New Zealand’s history and culture, both past and present.

Auckland City from Mt Eden

This is New Zealand's largest city, but don't be fooled - there are incredible green spaces just about everywhere!

Of course, most visitors come to New Zealand to experience our stunning landscapes, not our city life, but we think there’s merit in both, so we like to include a blend in our Trails trips.

New Zealand’s best landscapes

Outside of the main centres, the top places to visit in New Zealand include our outstanding National Parks which make up some of our most spectacular wilderness areas. Home to many world-class hiking tracks and trails, New Zealand’s National Parks are a national treasure. Visit six of the best New Zealand National Parks on a New Zealand Trails trip.

Punakaiki, Pancake Rocks blowholes

The walk through Punakaiki is a West Coast dreamscape, and one of the top places to visit in New Zealand.

Explore the wild west coast of the South Island, hike Jurassic-like surroundings in Punakaiki and Paparoa and pick your jaw up off the floor as you gaze in wonder up at our highest peak, the majestic Aoraki/ Mount Cook.

Aoraki Mt Cook sunset

As gorgeous as this photo is, it pales in comparison to standing before the mighty Aoraki in the flesh. Another one of the top places to visit in New Zealand.

Get off the beaten track in the relaxed coastal retreat of Okarito, explore the hidden reaches of wild Fiordland National Park and discover a uniquely New Zealand nature sanctuary of Mou Waho Island.

Weka bird, Mou Waho Island, Otago

Get up close and personal with New Zealand's special wildlife.

And to complete your trip, let us show you the best places to stay in dreamy accommodation. These are the places that other guests want to visit and stay in, but don’t know how to find!

This section of the blog will help you tick off the best places to visit in New Zealand and show you the best way to go about it. You can always get in touch if you have more questions or want to chat about your travel plans!

 

ORDER A FREE BROCHURE
Women Travelling Together New Zealand2

Our Latest Article

Women Travelling Together - New Zealand Group Tours For Women

Most of us have a bucket list of places we want to travel, experiences we want to have and iconic locations we want to see. We’ve all got dream destin...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Bridge to Nowhere10

A Journey Through Time: The Whanganui River Journey

Nestled within the heart of New Zealand's North Island lies a hidden gem and magnificent natural wonder - the Whanganui River. Renowned for its pristi...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Best West Coast

The Best Places to Visit on New Zealand's West Coast

The West Coast of New Zealand is a remote and beautiful stretch of our South Island that we love to visit on our New Zealand hiking tours. Its unique ...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Stewart Island Rakiura Views2

Travel like it used to be | 24 hours on Stewart Island

As you enter Invercargill airport and check-in for your flight across to Rakiura/Stewart Island it’s hard not to think this is more similar to what th...

READ THIS ARTICLE
New Zealand Adventure Header

Top 10 New Zealand Adventures

New Zealand is a wilderness playground with opportunities for incredible adventures in every corner of the country. With such a stunning and diverse n...

READ THIS ARTICLE
3. Happy guest couple Lake Whakatipu copy

Top Tips for your Free Day

Our guests love free day! If you’re on a 13-14 day trip, it’s a day midway through where you can either take it easy or add in an extra adventure.Our ...

READ THIS ARTICLE
TSS Earnslaw Queenstown

The Most Beautiful Lakes In The South Island

New Zealand's South Island is a land of immense natural beauty. From the towering snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps to the golden sand beaches of...

READ THIS ARTICLE
1. Lake Manapouri Header

Hiking the Kepler Track in January

January is heralded as a time for new beginnings, new goals and new experiences. Whether you’ve done a Great Walk of New Zealand before, or you’re con...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Arrowtown street autumn bike

Arrowtown - A Few Hours To Explore

Arrowtown, New ZealandArrowtown is a quaint historic town, first established during the gold rush period of the 1800s. With its old architecture, mini...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Things to do in Queenstown

Top 15 things to do in Queenstown

What to Do in QueenstownQueenstown is well-known as the adventure capital of the world. But it is not all adrenaline and thrills. There are plenty of ...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Stewart Island Rakiura

Top 5 things to do on Stewart Island

The third and smallest of New Zealand’s three main islands, Stewart Island is a hidden gem that even many Kiwis have not yet had the chance to visit. ...

READ THIS ARTICLE
best new zealand beaches

The Best Beaches in New Zealand

Are you looking for the best and most beautiful New Zealand beaches? The hidden coastal secrets that will take your breath away? The whitest sands and...

READ THIS ARTICLE
NZ Backroads Experiences

10 of New Zealand's Best Backroad Experiences

Do you want to discover the best of New Zealand when you visit? While the main tourist trail is always popular, we recommend delving a little deeper f...

READ THIS ARTICLE
godley heads hike header

New Zealand Bucket List... with a Twist

Are you looking for the best things to do in New Zealand? But perhaps you’ve read a few too many generic bucket lists written by travelling bloggers? ...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Lord of the Rings tours New Zealand

New Zealand Tours | Lord of the Rings

One of the conditions of Peter Jackson directing the Lord of the Rings films was that the trilogy be filmed in his home country of New Zealand. Thanks...

READ THIS ARTICLE
New Zealand National Parks

New Zealand National Parks | A Complete Guide

How many national parks are there in New Zealand?There are 13 national parks in New Zealand; three in the North Island and 10 in the South. These vast...

READ THIS ARTICLE
New Zealand Mountains Header

New Zealand Mountains

Stomping ground of legendary explorers and source of inspiration for countless artists, poets and storytellers, New Zealand’s vast peaks and snow-capp...

READ THIS ARTICLE
North vs South

North vs South Island | Which To Visit?

Why choose one or the other? If you have the time, explore both islands. If that’s not an option for you and you have to choose between visiting eithe...

READ THIS ARTICLE
Kayaking Abel Tasman National Park

Hike and Kayak Abel Tasman National Park

Small but perfectly formed, Abel Tasman National Park is the ideal place to relax, adventure and explore. Renowned for its natural beauty and idyllic ...

READ THIS ARTICLE