20 Best Places in New Zealand you must visit

Planning an escape to the whimsical land of New Zealand? Maybe you’ve been a longtime fan of Lord of the Rings or maybe you’re simply looking for journey. New Zealand has simply that after which some! We’ve compiled a listing of the 20 finest locations in New Zealand you must visit. They’re our high picks for what to not miss!

1. Roy’s Peak, Wanaka

Roy’s Peak is among the most iconic photographic places in all of New Zealand. Only one have a look at this photograph and it isn’t arduous to see why vacationers flock there! It’s a 5-Eight hour hike to the highest, but when you’re well-equipped and fairly match, it ought to take you about six hours. Add one other hour to remain on the summit, take pictures and snack on some lunch and you in all probability have a seven-hour hike, round-trip.

Learn extra: The place to hike in New Zealand’s South Island throughout Winter

2. Dunedin

Dunedin is just not a vacation spot you will learn on many “must see” locations in New Zealand and to be trustworthy, I nonetheless don’t know why. It’s a stunning metropolis on the southeast coast on the South Island with a very nice environment. This metropolis is thought for its large scholar inhabitants, so there’s a very nice cafe scene and low cost eats will be discovered on each nook. From there, one of the crucial stunning scenic drives is just a little additional south.

Learn extra: Methods to journey round New Zealand in a van

3. Hobbiton

It took me three visits to New Zealand to lastly visit Hobbiton. The movie set will be visited as a paying visitor and isn’t too removed from Auckland. You’ll be able to very simply be part of a tour if you don’t have your personal transport, or you can attain Hobbiton by automotive in just a little over two hours. I’d advocate an early morning or late afternoon tour so you can skip the crowds. Right here’s all the pieces you have to know to visit Hobbiton.

4. Queenstown

Queenstown is a kind of cities that lives as much as the hype. It’s generally considered the epicentre of tourism in New Zealand, however with a lot going for it, we are able to see why! The city itself has lots of nice cafes, vegan eateries and small native boutiques. However the fantastic thing about Queenstown is its place in the midst of attractive surroundings, ski slopes and limitless day hikes. This photograph was taken from my suite at Matakauri Lodge, simply probably the most stunning lodge in the realm.

5. Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui is among the most underrated gems in New Zealand’s North Island. Locals know of its existence and flock right here for the summer season, however worldwide guests not a lot. It’s the type of seaside city that has simply the correct quantity of sleepiness, with simply sufficient actions to maintain you busy.

6. Paradise, Glenorchy

There really is a spot in New Zealand known as paradise. Arduous to imagine, no? I suppose not when you take one have a look at this photograph. Paradise is just not too removed from Glenorchy, which isn’t too removed from Queenstown. You’ll quickly uncover that the South Island is filled with stunning places as fairly as a postcard and that is certainly one of them. For the final word escape, I checked in to Aro Ha yoga retreat for a full week. It was an intensive yoga course full with vegan meals, climbing in the native space, and day by day yoga observe.

7. Marlborough

There are few locations which might be as made for meals and wine consumption as Marlborough, New Zealand. This space has turn into well-known the world over for being among the finest places to develop and make sauvignon blanc. Certainly, I even stayed at a winery once I was visiting! However other than the wine, there’s additionally actually nice produce right here as there’s throughout New Zealand. I used to be particularly keen on the goat’s cheese, honey and pine nuts which might be grown or manufactured in the realm.

8. Twizel

Not many individuals who journey to New Zealand have Twizel on their roadmap. It’s a small city in the center of nowhere, however it’s also the gateway to Mount Prepare dinner (Aoraki), New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Throughout my time in Twizel, I stayed at Excessive Nation Cabin which I booked by means of AirBnB. I’d advocate staying right here a couple of nights to decelerate and absorb the environment of the mountains.

9. Aoraki / Mount Prepare dinner

Because the tallest mountain in New Zealand, Aoraki / Mount Prepare dinner is a sight for the eyes. The summit stands at a powerful 3,724 metres tall. A good way to expertise the mountain (particularly in the colder months) is to take a small sightseeing airplane or helicopter to the Tasman glacier. Make sure to enable for a couple of days in between your plans, as I waited Three full days of dangerous climate earlier than having the ability to fly.

10. Kawarau Gorge

There are lots of stunning places in and round Queenstown, however Kawarau Gorge is certainly one of my favourites. It’s a brief drive from the centre of city and an amazing pit cease in your solution to close by Arrowtown. Right here you will discover a number of nice shops to meander by means of, in addition to some stunning eateries.

11. Lindis Move

As you make your means round New Zealand you will rapidly turn into accustomed to stunning surroundings. There’s no denying it! However there are some roads which might be extra spectacular than others, and Lindis Move is certainly one of them. The go lies between Queenstown and Wanaka, so if you are driving across the South Island it is going to be unimaginable to not drive by means of it. The surroundings is dramatic and modifications day by day, so make sure you cease at one of many relaxation stops if you want to take footage.

12. Rotorua Sizzling Springs

If you end up in the North Island of New Zealand, it’s much less about dramatic sceneries and extra about hidden gems. The North island is filled with completely different actions and limitless coastal seaside cities, whereas the South Island is the place you will discover journey, mountains and ski slopes. Considered one of my favorite day journeys was from Mount Maunganui the place we have been staying, to close by Rotorua Sizzling Springs. The springs are an amazing day tour and have therapeutic cures.

13. Nugget level lighthouse

Again in the South Island, bear in mind once I instructed you about Dunedin? Not many travellers visit this coastal metropolis, and even fewer journey additional down the southeast coast. But when you do, you will discover the attractive nugget level lighthouse which sits quietly in its personal presence. I visited for dawn and it was one of the crucial memorable mornings in the South Island.

14. Auckland

After all no visit to New Zealand can be full with out visiting the cultural capital (however not the capital per se), Auckland. This metropolis is brimming with pop up espresso outlets, native designers and stylish eateries on each nook. This metropolis is nice to spend two nights exploring, alongside a day journey for good measure. You would possibly select Hobbiton or a visit to one of many stunning seaside cities solely a brief hour’s drive away.

15. South Island Street Journey

Generally the journey is the vacation spot itself! My favorite reminiscence of all my journeys to New Zealand has been travelling across the South Island in a rental van. This was a good way to get from level to level, with out ever worrying an excessive amount of about making it to locations. We might simply pull up at a tenting floor, park for the night time, and be on our means once more. The South Island is definitely higher suited to this fashion of journey and the surroundings is unforgettable.

Learn extra: Methods to journey by means of New Zealand in a van

16. Cardrona Ski Slopes

If you are visiting New Zealand in winter, then you gained’t wish to miss a possibility to hit the slopes! Whereas Queenstown is the preferred ski location for guests, close by Cardrona is the selection for kiwis. It’s nearer in distance to Wanaka, which can be a less expensive possibility for lodging. There are ski chalets for lease on the slopes themselves, nonetheless these e-book out no less than a 12 months in advance.

17. Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers is among the lesser-known places on this listing, however it’s nonetheless certainly one of my favourites. I stayed at this resort as a part of visiting different Robertson Lodges (Matakauri in Queenstown and Kauri Cliffs in the Bay of Islands). In case your funds permits, it is among the most stunning lodges in your complete nation.

Learn extra: Checking in to Cape Kidnappers

18. The Milky Means

Generally the very best locations in New Zealand are throughout you! The Milky Means is extraordinarily straightforward to see in clear skies, particularly if you are out in nature away from gentle air pollution. We caught a glimpse of it one night time in Twizel, surrounded by nothing however open area and a handful of sheep who stay at Excessive Nation Cabin.

Jeff Finley through Unsplash

19. Milford Sound

Of all the very best locations in New Zealand, everyone knows this listing can be incomplete with out Milford Sound! The well-known fjordlands of the South Island have lengthy been one of the crucial in style spots for vacationers visiting New Zealand. As spectacular as they’re, make certain you’re ready to share the wonder with loads extra guests. This is among the most wanted places in your complete nation!

Peter Hammer through Unsplash

20. Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is among the finest locations in New Zealand for photographers, however solely throughout a small window when the lupins are in bloom. The attractive flowers are finest in late November and have turn into a well-liked spot for photographers and the Instagram crowd.