New Zealand, an island nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean, boasts great diversity with its perfect blend of beautiful cities, wine regions, scenic drives, mountains and plains, stunning beaches and thrilling adventures. The North Island is home to Auckland, its largest city, black and white sand beaches, bay of islands, Rotorua and geothermal areas, and Wellington, its capital. The South Island features the spectacular Southern Alps, Queenstown, the Milford Sound, the Southern Scenic Route, wine regions, Abel Tasman National Park, and trekking routes. From inspirational Maori culture and stunning landscapes to national parks and endless adventures, explore the many things to do in New Zealand for an unforgettable experience.
Best time to visit New Zealand
The best time to visit New Zealand is from December to March (summer), with the off-season from June to August (winter). March to May (autumn) and September to November (spring) are also suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities. For skiing enthusiasts, winter is a good time.
Explore our guide to the best time to visit New Zealand.
Best things to do in New Zealand
- Experience Maori culture.
- Hike along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track.
- Explore the architectural delights of Hawkes Bay and the Art Deco buildings of Napier.
- Sign up for adventure activities in Queenstown.
- Cruise through the pristine fjords of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
- Go whale-watching at Kaikoura.
- Go subterranean at Waitomo caves to see glow worms.
- Get a taste of Wellington’s cafe culture.
- Punt on the Avon in Christchurch.
- Eat fish and chips on an Auckland Beach.
- Try the wine trail on Waiheke Island near Auckland.
- Go on the Franz Josef Glacier walk.
Book your stay at Avani Metropolis Auckland Residences via Booking.com
Book your stay at Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences via Agoda.com
Exploring New Zealand with family and kids
- Travellers of all ages enjoy the bubbling mud, steaming hot springs and geysers of New Zealand’s hot springs. Ideal geothermal parks for families include Waimangu Volcanic Valley in Rotorua.
- Go on a whale-watching cruise in Kaikoura to see these magnificent creatures.
- Take a scenic train ride on the TranzAlpine Express from Christchurch, covering a distance of 223 km.
- Dig a family pool on the hot water beach in the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island.
- Take an exhilarating jet boat ride in Queenstown.
- Take a Lord of the Rings tour at Hobbiton in North Island.
- Visit the Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony to see these birds.
- Zipline through the forests in Rotorua.
- See the fluffy ball kiwi bird at a wildlife park.
Also read | Coming to You Live From New Zealand With a Whale of a Tale
Exploring New Zealand at night
New Zealand has some of the clearest dark skies for watching the Southern Hemisphere stars. Find the best stargazing sites in the Mt Mackenzie region (a dark reserve), Queenstown and Mt Cook. Spot glow worms in places like Lake Karapiro on the North Island or inside Waitomo Caves. Go wildlife spotting for nocturnal birds like kiwis in Zeelandia. You can spot the Southern Lights if you go in the right season.
Book your stay at Chateau On The Park - Christchurch via Booking.com
Book your stay at Chateau on the Park - Christchurch via Agoda.com
Free things to do in New Zealand
- Enjoy the black sand and white sand beaches.
- Stargaze in Canterbury.
- Visit the Auckland City Gallery.
- Enjoy Cathedral Cove and its beach.
- Do a self-guided Art Deco tour in Hawkes Bay.
- Visit the Tauranga Bay fur seal colony.
- Stroll through the Whakarewarewa Forest in the Bay of Plenty area on walkways through massive Californian Coast Redwoods.
- Relax at the hot water beach with thermal springs in the Coromandel Peninsula.
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New Zealand for couples
Soak in a thermal hot pool together in places like Rotorua’s Polynesian spa. Head over to the West Coast to the tranquil Rainforest Retreat near the Franz Josef Glacier. Take a short ferry ride from Auckland to Waiheke Islan, for food and wine at the many cellar doors. Go glamping and watch the stars at night.
Also read | After This Masterclass in Maori Astronomy, Stargazing Will Never Be the Same
Exploring on a budget
New Zealand has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and they are free to explore. Hiking the scenic Tongariro crossing is another free experience. Walking on Fox Glacier is cheaper than Franz Josef. A short walk in Auckland up Mt Eden gives you great views of the volcanic crater and the city. Gardens like the Christchurch Botanic Gardens are free and great for picnics. Many churches, art galleries and museums also promise free entry in New Zealand.
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Where to shop in New Zealand
Otago Farmers Market, the Harbourside Market in Wellington and Hawkes Bay Markets are great for local produce like honey and coffee. Shop for paua shell jewellery, and Maori art and artefacts at museum shops and galleries. Malls like the Palms in Christchurch offer retail stores and restaurants all under one roof.
shop the best travel experiences here
Things to do at New Zealand Airport
At Auckland airport, you can relax in the lounge, pick up souvenirs at Kiwi Discovery, browse for jewellery at Mountain Jade, or relish some sushi or Mediterranean options.
Book your stay at Kamana Lakehouse via Booking.com
Book your stay at Kamana Lakehouse via Agoda.com
(Feature image credit: Peter Hammer/Unsplash)
Related | These New Train Tours Might Be The Most Stunning Way To See New Zealand
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
A 10-day trip to New Zealand, including airfare, typically requires minimum USD 2,381.51 (HKD 18,580).
Rotorua with its Maori villages, Auckland with its museums, historical Maori Pa sites across the country, and the Te Papa Museum in Wellington are some of the best cultural places to visit in New Zealand.
New Zealand has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches: Piha black sand beach in Auckland, Ninety Mile Beach, Scott’s Beach and Wharariki Beach. The Coromandel Peninsula has many pristine stretches.
Casual, comfortable clothes are the typical attire in New Zealand. Sunscreen and a hat are essentials.
You need at least 10 days to explore New Zealand.
Paua shell jewellery and artefacts, Manuka honey, local wine, merino wool sweaters and stoles, Icebreaker socks and Maori handicrafts are the best things to buy in New Zealand.
New Zealand boasts a vibrant music scene with festivals like Earth Beat, Cuba Dupa, and Rhythm and Vines. Auckland's Pasifika Festival showcases the rich cultures of the Pacific Islands through music, dance, food, and art. Chinese New Year is celebrated in cities like Auckland and Wellington. The Wearable Art Awards, held annually in Wellington, showcase innovative and avant-garde fashion designs.
Tandem skydiving, bungy jumping, kayaking, abseiling, hiking, and glacier walking are some of the best adventures to do in New Zealand.
The best time to visit New Zealand is from December to March (summer).
The Avani Auckland Metropolis residences, The Chateau on the Park in Christchurch, and Kamana Lakehouse are some of the best hotels in New Zealand.
Written By
Kalpana Sunder
Kalpana Sunder is a freelance journalist based in Chennai. In another lifetime she has dabbled in company ..Read More
