New Zealand is a country full of some of the most beautiful natural wonders you will ever see in your life, spread across its two main islands: the North and the South.
Due to its remote location in the far-flung tip of the southern hemisphere and with a population of only around 5 million, the natural wonders of the country are still pretty much intact and waiting for you to explore.
With a array of beautiful places to see in New Zealand, it can get quite overwhelming for first-timers to pick which places to visit during their first trip, so I decided to compile a list of all the best places to visit in New Zealand to help you plan your New Zealand Trip.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the 12 best places to visit in New Zealand on a map, and let's explore why these places earned that title.
- Best Places to Visit in New Zealand Map
- 1. Rotorua, North Island
- 2. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, North Island
- 3. Nelson, South Island
- 4. The Abel Tasman Track, South Island
- 5. Franz Josef Glacier, South Island
- 6. Wanaka, South Island
- 7. Roys Peak, South Island
- 8. Queenstown, South Island
- 9. The Milford Sound, South Island
- 10. The Routeburn Track, South Island
- 11. Lake Tekapo, South Island
- 12. The Hooker Valley Track at Mt Cook, South Island
- New Zealand Travel Video
- Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand
Best Places to Visit in New Zealand Map
1. Rotorua, North Island
First on the list, and probably one of the first places you can visit if you fly into Auckland, is Rotorua, a small city located 200 km south of Auckland and a natural place to stop for those who are traveling from the North Island to the South Island by land.
Rotorua is home to one of the most active geothermal areas in New Zealand and is a great place for you to dive deep into the Maori culture and explore their traditions, as well as keeping an eye out for explosive geysers and beautiful champagne lakes.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is where you can experience just how active and magical this area of New Zealand is, and you can visit all the cool spots, including the Lady Knox Geyser, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, and the famous champagne lake, with an organized tour that runs every day straight from Rotorua city.
Rotorua is also home to the beautiful Redwoods Forest Park, where you will be able to witness these stunning beasts of trees up close, admire their beauty, and spend hours hiking and getting lost within this magical forest.
There is a lot of nature to be had in Rotorua, and you can expect to spend at least 2-3 nights in the city to see them all. There are also museums that you can visit to learn more about the Maori culture, as well as day trips you can make to visit the famous Hobbiton Village of Lord of the Rings fame and the Waitomo Cave glow worm cave.
2. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, North Island
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the best hikes you can do in New Zealand. The trail will take you to some of the most diverse landscapes you will see on the North Island of New Zealand.
From the volcanic landscape of Mt. Ngauruhoe, or Mt. Doom for those Lord of the Ring fans out there, to the beautiful glistening Emerald Lakes, all compressed into an 8-hour day hike that you can easily do.
The hike will take you on a 20-km long adventurous trail through some of the most stunning landscapes you will ever see in the North Island. It will also give you a chance to do side trips and hike up to the summit of either Mt. Ngauruhoe or Mt. Tongariro, where you can get a stunning view of the landscape surrounding the Tongariro National Park.
All in all, on a good clear day, you might even see the North Island from coast to coast and all the cone-shaped stratovolcanoes surrounding the area. Since the hike is long and you will be exposed to the elements at all times, the hike requires a certain level of fitness and a bit of hiking experience, so be sure you have come prepared.
If you only have limited time in New Zealand and are looking to do some hiking in the North Island, make it this one. You will not regret it. The hike can be done as a day trip straight from Lake Taupo with a roundtrip shuttle bus. Expect to spend at least 2 nights at Lake Taupo if you wish to do the hike.
3. Nelson, South Island
Nelson, a coastal city on the northeastern tip of the South Island, is famous for its laid-back vibe, beautiful sunshine, and long golden beaches. It is one of the best towns to visit in New Zealand if you are looking for a nice, relaxing time away from all the other tourist hotspots.
Despite its laid-back nature, Nelson has quite a lot to offer in terms of interesting activities and things to do. The city itself is located along the beautiful Maitai River, where you will find lines and lines of trees on both sides of the riverbank, creating this beautiful green space that you can stroll around in.
You can also spend some time and swim in one of the many watering holes along the Maitai river or at the white sand beach of Tahunanui. And if you are looking for a little bit of action in this quiet city, go and hike to the Center of New Zealand Monument for a stunning panoramic coastal view from the viewpoint.
Nelson is also known for its amazing café culture, so you will find plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to indulge yourself in during the evening. Nelson is truly one of the best places to take it slow and enjoy the abundant sun that is quite hard to come by in New Zealand.
4. The Abel Tasman Track, South Island
Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park in New Zealand, but don't let its size fool you. This tiny national park is home to one of the 10 Great Walks of New Zealand, the Abel Tasman Track, which goes along the coastline of the northern tip of the South Island.
The Abel Tasman Track will take you on a 60-km long trail along the beautiful coast of the northern part of the South Island, and you will be able to discover some of the most stunning remote beaches, forests, and wildlife that you won't easily see elsewhere.
And since the Abel Tasman Track is located right by the coast, there is a boat service, such as AquaTaxi, that you can take from point A to point B. This allows you to do parts of the Abel Tasman Track as a day trip, which is great for those who want to experience the Great Walk of New Zealand but do not have the time or the required gear to tackle the full length.
Depending on the time you have, you can spend from 1 day to 5 days hiking the Abel Tasman Track, and a great place to launch yourself into the national park is in Motueka. So, you can expect to spend around 2 to 6 nights there if you wish to do the Abel Tasman Track.
5. Franz Josef Glacier, South Island
Franz Josef Glacier is one of the most beautiful natural wonders on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. With its 12 km length, descending from the Southern Alps to less than 300 m above sea level, Franz Josef Glacier is one of the most easily accessible glaciers in the country for travelers to see and interact with.
With such close proximity to the glacier, Franz Josef town offers us a slew of opportunities to go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that you won't find anywhere else, from going on a heli hike trip on the glacier to taking the scenic helicopter tour around the Glacier Country.
I personally went on a heli-hike tour, and they took us up to the glacier with a helicopter, dropped us off there, and we hiked on the Franz Josef Glacier for around 3 hours.
The hike will take you through some of the most stunning features and beautiful spots on the glacier that you wouldn't have been able to see from the ground, while you will also be able to see just how beautiful the valley below is from above.
If you are looking to do something adventurous, and hiking on a glacier is one of them, I highly recommend you do it at Franz Josef. If you plan to do the heli-hike, spare a few days in case the tour gets canceled due to poor weather. The weather changes fast around the glacier country, so be sure to leave some buffer days on your trip.
6. Wanaka, South Island
Wanaka is one of those places in New Zealand where you don't expect much from it, and then it turns out to be one of the prettiest places you have ever visited.
Located on the bank of the pristine Lake Wanaka, Wanaka City offers many great opportunities for us to enjoy the outdoors around this beautiful blue-colored lake. You can spend hours just strolling and checking out all the beautiful attractions around the lake, such as this Lone Tree of Wanaka.
You could also rent a kayak and go off and explore Ruby Island in the middle of Lake Wanaka and just relax by the remote beach there. Alternatively, for a nice viewpoint of Lake Wanaka and the city, hike up to Mount Iron and watch the sunset from there.
With so many outdoor activities you can do in Wanaka, you can expect to spend around 2-3 nights in the city. During your stay, you can spend a day exploring Lake Wanaka and another day doing the famous Roys Peak hike, which is next on our list of best places to visit in New Zealand.
7. Roys Peak, South Island
One of the best viewpoints in New Zealand, often featured in magazines and postcards about New Zealand, is at the top of Roys Peak, where you will be able to see an incredible panoramic view of Lake Wanaka and the rolling snowy mountains behind it.
The hike to Roys Peak takes around 2 hours to reach the top. Once you arrive at the top, you will likely see a line of people waiting to capture that epic Instagram shot of themselves with the lake and the snowy mountains.
It is truly one of the most popular photo spots in New Zealand and definitely well worth the hike. If you plan to do Roys Peak, keep in mind that the trail is closed for lambing from 1st October to 10th November every year, so avoid visiting Wanaka during that time.
8. Queenstown, South Island
Queenstown is the adventure capital city of the world, and whatever sports and activities the human body can endure, they have probably come up with them here.
Located on the shore of pristine Lake Wakatipu and sandwiched between mountains on three sides, there is no way you will be able to leave Queenstown without throwing yourself out of something (safely and securely, of course).
And by that, I mean skydiving off an airplane from 12,000 ft and bungee jumping off the ledge over Queenstown while the stunning Mt. Aspiring looms behind.
There are also many hikes you can do around Queenstown, such as the Ben Lomond Trail, that will take you up to see Queenstown from a breathtaking vantage viewpoint and summit the Ben Lomond mountain, all for free.
In my opinion, Queenstown truly captures why New Zealand is the most charming and beautiful country in the world, and it genuinely showcases the purity of New Zealand's nature. It would be a shame if you came all the way to New Zealand and did not experience the adventure capital of the world for yourself.
9. The Milford Sound, South Island
Milford Sound is one of those places where, if 10 years have passed and you are trying to recall your New Zealand trip that you took 10 years ago, the mental image of your experience with Milford Sound would be the first to come rushing back.
Cruising along the calm water of the Milford Sound, as you look up and see waterfalls and wildlife surrounding you, is probably going to be one of the most memorable experiences you can have in New Zealand, and it would be a crime not to mention this wonderful place on this list.
In order to visit Milford Sound, it is best that you book an organized tour that will take care of the logistics of visiting this remote fjord, from the transfer to the cruise itself.
The tour will take you on a full-day journey to the Milford Sound, including several photo stops along the Milford Road like the Mirror Lakes and the 1855 Viewpoint, which is something you shouldn't miss, as the Milford Road is considered to be one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand.
The tour will then take you on a cruise around the Milford Sound, checking out the animal colonies and waterfalls around the fjord. Nothing makes you more humble than being floating along in a tiny ferry in comparison to these giant mountains surrounding you.
If you are second-guessing whether you want to visit the Milford Sound or not because you have heard that it is extremely touristy, well, don't. I guarantee you, the Milford Sound really does live up to the hype, and trust me, you will regret it for the rest of your life if you came all the way to New Zealand and did not visit the Milford Sound.
10. The Routeburn Track, South Island
The Routeburn Track is a 3-day scenic hiking trail that will take you through one of the most stunning landscapes you will ever see in your life. It is one of the 10 Great Walks in New Zealand, and if you have the time to do only one great walk in New Zealand, make it this one.
This 33 km long hiking trail will take you around the Fiordland National Park on foot, passing through beautiful mountains and pristine lakes on a once-in-a-lifetime 3-day adventure that will show you why it is called one of the best Great Walks of New Zealand.
On the Routeburn Track, you will be spending two nights in mountain huts at Lake MacKenzie and Routeburn Falls, both of which are some of the prettiest places you can spend a night in New Zealand.
Along the way, you will be able to see the Key Summit, Harris Saddle, and many other sights that only those who are brave enough to tackle one of the Great Walks of New Zealand would see.
The experience you have with nature along the Routeburn Track, the people you encounter at mountain huts, and the sheer experience of trekking for 3 days in New Zealand will stay with you for the rest of your life. Hiking the Great Walk is truly the best way to experience New Zealand, and I highly recommend you plan your trip around it.
11. Lake Tekapo, South Island
When you think of New Zealand, the image of a pastel blue-colored lake and colorful fields of purple lupins probably come to mind. That is Lake Tekapo, a small lakeside town by the lake with the same name, and it is one of the best places to visit on the South Island of New Zealand.
Lake Tekapo is probably one of the most colorful lakes in New Zealand, with its pastel blue-colored water, the purple lupin fields against the stunning snowy mountain backdrop, and the blue sky. It just doesn't get any better than this.
You can spend the entire day just admiring the beauty of Lake Tekapo and going for a stroll along the Lake Tekapo Walkway, which will take you along the lake, allowing you to really see the scale of Lake Tekapo and the mountains surrounding it.
Due to how clear the sky gets here during the summer (so much so that they built an observatory here), at night, you can also visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and go stargazing there and snap some nice photos of the Milky Way.
There isn't a whole lot to do in Lake Tekapo, so spending at least one night here is enough before we can then move on to the next best place to visit on the list: Mt. Cook.
12. The Hooker Valley Track at Mt Cook, South Island
Last but not least, one of the best hikes you should consider that offers an unmatched view of Mt. Cook is the Hooker Valley Track, a 10 km return track that goes through the grassland in Mt. Cook National Park, passing alpine streams and glaciers while Mt. Cook towers over you.
The Hooker Valley Track is very easy to hike, with few ups and downs, and it takes about 3 hours to complete the roundtrip from Mt. Cook Village to the end of the trail. This makes it one of the most accessible yet rewarding hikes to do in New Zealand.
The trail will take you across several suspension bridges and to Hooker Lake where you will be able to see Mt. Cook in its full glory. This is by far one of the best views you can get of Mt. Cook and requires minimum effort. The trail is so easy, I did it twice in less than 24 hours, and anyone with any level of fitness can complete it in 3 hours.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand
I've spent 5 weeks backpacking in New Zealand, and I have written a ton more about my journey traveling throughout New Zealand from the North Island to the South Island that might help you in your trip planning.
Here's a selection of articles about New Zealand:
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for New Zealand? Check out One Month Itinerary for New Zealand.
- New Zealand has a special place in my heart. It is one of the most memorable trips I have ever done, and here are 10 things I love about New Zealand.
- If you are planning to travel from North to South in New Zealand, Rotorua is a great place to start your journey from Auckland. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.
- Did you know that you can climb Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings in real life? Check out: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Tongariro Crossing.
- Planning to travel across Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island? Here's How to Get From Wellington to Picton.
- Nelson is one of the most laid-back and sunny cities in New Zealand, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the abundant sunshine. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Nelson.
- Did you know that you can do parts of New Zealand's Great Walks in one day? The Abel Tasman Track offers a wide range of hiking trails to choose from. Here’s The Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to the Abel Tasman Track.
- Want to do a road trip along the Great Coast Road in New Zealand? Better start in Westport. Here are the 5 Best Things to Do in Westport, New Zealand.
- Want to go hiking on a glacier in the Glacier Country of New Zealand? Here is the Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Franz Josef.
- Wanaka is a must-visit lakeside town, full of incredible nature and wonderful mountains waiting for you to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Wanaka.
- Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and whatever extreme activities human bodies can endure, they probably have them in Queenstown. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.
- Queenstown is also one of the best places in the world to go skydiving. Here's my experience skydiving with NZONE in Queenstown.
- The Milford Sound is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand, and it would be a shame to miss it when you are in New Zealand. If you want to visit the Milford Sound, check out: A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound.
- One of the best Great Walks in New Zealand is the Routeburn Track, and if you have to pick one Great Walk to do, make it this one. Here's The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track.
- Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook are some of the most photogenic places to visit in New Zealand, and it is best to do so together. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
- Dunedin has so much to offer for nature lovers, from the sight of the world's largest birds to the beautiful cliffs of Tunnel Beach. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dunedin.
- Not convinced by my words about New Zealand? Come follow me, and I'll show you New Zealand in 70 photos.
- You can see all my New Zealand travel guides and related articles on my New Zealand Travel Guide page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
2 Comments
Enjoy reading your travel blog. My husband and I are planning a trip to New Zealand next year. We are Lord of the Rings fans. We are wondering whether Tongariro Alpine Crossing will be too strenuous for us? We are in our 70s but in good health. We had hiked in Norway and hiked to the base camp of Mt Everest. Can you Mt Doom without climbing the volcano?
Tongariro Alpine Crossing itself is pretty straightforward but quite long with a few steep sections but with your experience, you should be able to do it just fine. The Mt. Doom section is not recommended though so you can skip it. You will be able to see it throughout your hike anyway and most people also skip that part as well so all good.
Enjoy the hike and safe travels!