When people think New Zealand, they typically envision stunning mountains, rolling green landscapes, and thrilling sky diving adventures from seemingly every inch of the skies. However, there are countless more unique things to see and do in New Zealand, and it’s essential you discover all the different wonders this extraordinary destination offers. This beautiful island nation is divided into two distinct islands, almost as different as night and day in character and attractions. Head to the North Island for pristine beaches, world-class wine regions, and rich Maori culture. Venture to the South Island for dramatic scenery, towering mountains, and extreme adventures that will get your adrenaline pumping. To help inspire your journey, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best things to do in New Zealand, thoughtfully divided between the North and South Islands.
Understanding New Zealand’s Geography
New Zealand is a relatively small nation, with roughly the same surface area as Colorado. However, looking at New Zealand on a map can be deceiving because it stretches significantly from north to south. The country’s compact size makes it perfect for exploring multiple regions during a single trip, though each area offers distinctly different experiences worth savoring.
North Island Adventures
1. Visit Hobbiton Movie Set
Location: Matamata
Where to stay: Auckland or Rotorua
You don’t have to be a Lord of the Rings fan to feel the magic of Hobbiton. The green rolling hills, bursts of colorful gardens, and picturesque hobbit holes will transport you straight into the Shire of the beloved films.
Tours of the Hobbiton movie set are led by passionate guides offering insightful tidbits and knowledge even diehard Tolkien fans might not know. Stay at the head of the group for the best opportunities to capture that winning shot in front of a hobbit hole with no bystanders in the frame.
For an unforgettable experience, book an evening tour with an included banquet. Seeing the Shire by twilight is only surpassed by the indulgent feast you’ll share with other enraptured fans. This magical experience ranks among the top tourist attractions in the country.
2. Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Location: Waitomo
Where to stay: Auckland or Rotorua
There’s something about twinkling lights that our eyes simply can’t resist. That’s what makes the Waitomo Caves so enchanting. Adorned with thousands of tiny glowworms, the pitch-black caverns are illuminated by their unearthly blue glow. It seriously looks like something out of a fairy tale.
The most popular way to see the glowworm caves is on guided tours through the caverns, ending with a boat tour on the subterranean lake drifting through the illuminated chambers.
One of the most thrilling ways to explore the caves is on a black water rafting adventure. Thrill seekers glide through the cave system and underground waterfalls, ultimately floating serenely through the Glowworm Grotto. No matter how you choose to experience the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, it’s undoubtedly one of the best things to do in New Zealand.
3. Indulge in Waiheke Island
Location: Waiheke Island
Where to stay: Auckland
New Zealand is dotted with wine regions across the country, but nothing beats what’s known as New Zealand’s “Island of Wine.” Waiheke Island, less than an hour ferry ride from Auckland, is an indulgent retreat for food and wine lovers.
Complete with gorgeous bays, scenic walks, and countless vineyards, this sublime island feels like something from a Mediterranean dream. Go on an endless wine-hopping adventure and delight your taste buds with gourmet dishes at the island’s renowned restaurants.
Everything from delectable oysters, Greek meze platters, woodfired pizzas, and even gelato is on offer, paired with glasses of Waiheke’s finest wines. This decadent island is one of the best things to do in New Zealand for foodies and wine enthusiasts. If you’re visiting Auckland, Waiheke Island absolutely needs to be at the top of your list.
4. Check Out Cathedral Cove
Location: Coromandel Peninsula
Where to stay: Pauanui or Auckland
The Coromandel Peninsula is one of the North Island’s idyllic stretches of green pastures, misty rainforests, and golden beaches. Its crown jewel is Cathedral Cove, a turquoise bay ringed by soft sands and gigantic arched caverns.
The secluded cove is perfect for a relaxing beach day, complete with several scenic walks and excellent snorkeling at the Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve. An array of sea sponges, delicate corals, and colorful fish can be observed in the reserve’s pristine waters.
The remoteness of the beach and its stunning natural beauty create an almost tangible sense of serenity. As this is one of the best things to do in New Zealand, we recommend visiting early in the morning not only to beat the crowds but to witness the sunrise cast a breathtaking glow upon the beach. Cathedral Cove by dawn is truly like a slice of paradise that time forgot.
5. Learn About Maori Culture in Rotorua
Location: Throughout the North Island
Where to stay: Rotorua
New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture is rich in history, unique traditions, and inspiring stories. One of the best places to immerse yourself in Maori culture is at Te Puia in Rotorua. This center is where Maori heritage is passed on through the arts institute, where Maori students hone their skills in traditional Maori woodwork and crafts.
Here you can also experience an authentic Maori hangi feast, where food is traditionally prepared underground by the heat of the earth—a cooking method that dates back centuries.
Visit a recreated indigenous village at Tamaki Maori Village for a glimpse of how the Maori lived before European settlement days. Witness the powerful haka war dance, the graceful poi performance, and other incredible Maori rituals that continue to be practiced today.
6. Explore the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Location: Rotorua
Where to stay: Rotorua
The North Island is famous for its turquoise bays and black sand beaches, but its most surreal landscapes are found in the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. As one of the best things to do in New Zealand, some of the country’s most spectacular volcanic features are found here.
Bubbling mud pools, unusually colored lakes, and spouting geysers highlight the trails laid out through the steaming valley. Catch the spectacular colors of Wai-o-tapu (Champagne Pool), a hot spring of emerald water ringed by bright orange mineral deposits.
See the neon green sulfur lake, Devil’s Bath, and catch the Lady Knox geyser in action. This geothermal wonderland showcases the raw power of New Zealand’s volcanic landscape.
7. Visit the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Location: Wellington
Where to stay: Wellington
New Zealand’s most captivating museum resides in its capital, Wellington. Te Papa Tongarewa, located on Wellington’s waterfront, is a dedication to New Zealand’s art, history, and culture.
This enormous museum contains six levels, each with a central theme displayed through an array of exhibits. Discover the stories of New Zealanders during World War I in the Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War exhibit. Explore the cultures of Maori and other Pacific peoples through artifacts, architecture, and artworks.
You could easily spend days in this museum. Though you may enjoy wandering independently, we highly recommend a guided tour for expert insight and information. There’s no better way to explore a museum than with someone who knows it intimately.
South Island Adventures
8. Glacier Hiking
Location: Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, West Coast
Where to stay: Fox or Franz Josef Villages, or Queenstown
You’ve probably never thought about climbing a glacier—it’s hardly a thought that enters most minds. But once it does, don’t you want to try it?
Thrill-seekers who aren’t afraid of a little ice can hike on New Zealand’s glaciers. The country’s most famous glaciers are Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, both located along the west coast of the South Island.
What makes these glaciers so breathtaking is the sprawl of tropical rainforest hugging their base. One minute you’re in lush rainforest, the next you’ve stepped back in time into the ice age.
Both glaciers provide an array of adventures for all fitness levels, from guided walks to climbs complete with ice picks and crampons. For a truly spectacular experience, opt for a heli-hike, beginning with a scenic helicopter ride to the glacier’s top and hiking your way down.
9. Dolphin and Whale Watching in Kaikoura
Location: Kaikoura
Where to stay: Kaikoura or Christchurch
Kaikoura is New Zealand’s unofficial capital of marine wildlife. In fact, Kaikoura is considered one of the world’s best whale watching destinations.
Visit between June and August to experience a whale watching cruise with up-close encounters with migrating humpback whales. These gentle giants aren’t the only creatures you’ll see in Kaikoura’s waters.
Dolphin swims are very popular, with local dusky dolphins frolicking in the waters beside you. Seal swims are also available, offering a truly unique opportunity to interact with New Zealand Fur Seals.
10. Cruise the Fiords
Location: Fiordland National Park
Where to stay: Manapouri, Te Anau, or Queenstown
New Zealand’s famous scenery includes dramatic, green-clad peaks jutting out of dark, tranquil waters. No place better captures this landscape than Fiordland in the South Island.
Home to the stunning fiords Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, the natural features found in Fiordland encapsulate untouched wilderness at its most pristine.
Coach and cruises are the most popular ways to see the sounds, departing from Queenstown, Manapouri, and Te Anau. As you glide on the glassy waters with a pod of dolphins swimming before your vessel and crystal-clear waterfalls cascading down the forested cliffs around you, you’ll know you’ll never see a place like this anywhere else on Earth.
Milford Sound is the more popular fiord, but we recommend a cruise on Doubtful Sound. Bigger and arguably more majestic, the fewer crowds make cruising this fiord one of the best things to do in New Zealand.
11. See Aoraki/Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki
Location: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Where to stay: Queenstown or Christchurch
The milky turquoise color of Lake Pukaki, framed by purple lupin flowers and the Southern Alps in the distance, creates a scene straight from a storybook. Rivaling the beauty of the Swiss Alps, this snowy mountain range is home to Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.
The glaciers atop the mountain peaks feed into the remarkable Lake Pukaki, giving it its unique turquoise color—a result of glacial flour suspended in the water.
Scenic helicopter rides and guided tours from Queenstown to Mount Cook Village are the best ways to add Aoraki/Mount Cook into your New Zealand itinerary. More adventurous travelers can hike on tracks beginning near the village or climb the peaks for the ultimate challenge.
12. Go on a Bike Tour
Location: Various locations throughout New Zealand
Where to stay: Depends on chosen route
New Zealand is an incredible place to explore by bike. This is simply one of those destinations that makes you want to stay outside as much as possible, breathing fresh air and immersing yourself in nature.
The best part about cycling in New Zealand is that there are dozens of trails, ranging from super easy to hardcore mountain biking, set in some of the most gorgeous landscapes in the world.
One of our favorite bike trails is in Nelson, known as the Tasman Great Taste Trail. This leisurely trail loops through charming countryside and coastline, with stops at art galleries, boutiques, craft breweries, and wineries.
Bike tours are also popular ways to explore New Zealand’s cities. There’s nothing like getting fresh air in your lungs and color on your cheeks with an invigorating bike ride through urban and rural landscapes alike.
Planning Your New Zealand Adventure
New Zealand offers such diverse experiences that planning can feel overwhelming. The key is deciding which experiences matter most to you—whether that’s outdoor adventures, cultural immersion, culinary experiences, or a combination of everything.
Most travelers spend 10-14 days exploring New Zealand, though three weeks allows for a more leisurely pace. Consider focusing on one island if time is limited, or plan a comprehensive journey that covers highlights of both the North and South Islands.
The best time to visit depends on your priorities. Summer (December-February) offers the warmest weather and longest days, perfect for hiking and beach activities. Winter (June-August) is ideal for skiing and experiencing dramatic landscapes dusted with snow. Shoulder seasons provide excellent value and pleasant weather.
Discover more destination guides, travel planning inspiration, and adventure recommendations at The Inspiring Insight—where we help you uncover the extraordinary experiences that make every journey to remarkable places like New Zealand truly unforgettable.
