It has been nearly seven years since I stepped off the plane in Auckland for what turned out to be one of the best years of my life. I can’t believe it’s been that long since I lived in Middle Earth. Despite all the travelling I’ve done in the years since, New Zealand remains in my all-time top 3 countries. From allowing me to live my Lord of the Rings dreams to smacking me across the face with incredible scenery around every turn, these 20 New Zealand destinations are the most amazing places I visited in this country. Put them together over the course of a month or two, and you’d have one hell of a roadtrip itinerary.
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North Island
1. Auckland
New Zealand’s biggest city isn’t actually its capital. Like most large cities, Auckland has great food and nightlife scenes, museums for rainy days, the iconic Sky Tower and a smattering of street art thrown in for good measure. Like the rest of New Zealand, it also has nature galore right on its doorstep.
Just forty minutes from Auckland is Piha Beach, which is another place not to be missed when visiting the city. On the western coast, this beach is absolutely stunning. The most distinctive part of Piha is Lion Rock, a large natural structure dividing the beach in half, which looks like a resting lion (some people see it, some don’t). Climbing to the top gives you amazing views in both directions, but there’s nothing like walking barefoot through the shallows on a warm, sunny day.
Highest-rated hostel: Haka Lodge Auckland
2. Rangitoto Island
Just off the coast of Auckland, a visit to Rangitoto Island is one of the must-do New Zealand destinations on the North Island. On the ferry ride across to the island, you can see the conical shape of Rangitoto rising high above the water. The entire island is one large volcano, and hiking right up to the rim of the volcano’s crater is quite the experience. It’s the youngest and largest of Auckland’s 48 volcanic cones, only 600 years old, which is pretty damn young for a volcano!
Hiking up to the crater rim takes you through the world’s largest pohutukawa forest (also known as the New Zealand Christmas tree because of the red flowers that bloom in December) and past lava caves and tunnels. Make sure to bring a torch so you can explore them. The views from the top are gorgeous in all directions, and you can walk the entire circumference of the crater rim.
No one lives on Rangitoto, but there are fishing huts around its shorelines. There’s no accommodation or shops on the island, so make sure not to miss your boat back to Auckland (see the ferry timetables here) and bring plenty of snacks, water and suncream.
3. Bay of Islands
One of the most amazing things about New Zealand is how different it can be from one end to the other. Compared to the snowy mountains of the south, the Bay of Islands at the northern end of the country feels like a world away. Like a tropical island. Both the main town of Paihia and adorable Russell across the water are New Zealand destinations not to be missed.
Though the beaches are beautiful (you definitely need to walk down a few of them), the best way to see the Bay of Islands is out on the water. Taking a boat cruise around the bay gives you a chance to see New Zealand fur seals and dolphins up close, explore some of the islands and even drive through a lonely sea arch, which is really cool.
On land, there are several places in the area worth checking out. The Haruru Falls make for a really nice day hike through mangrove forest, the popping sounds of the snapping shrimps hiding in the mud echoing through the trees. Nearby, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are New Zealand’s most important historical site, where the country’s founding document was signed in 1840.
Highest-rated hostel: Haka Lodge – Bay of Island
Read More: The Beautiful Bay Of Islands
4. Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Definitely one of the most memorable experiences I had in New Zealand, the Waitomo glowworm caves will stay with you long after your visit. Glowworms by themselves aren’t the most interesting animals in the world, but put them in an otherworldly cave, and they suddenly become something else entirely. Inside the Waitomo Caves I found myself walking past dripping stalagmites, the calcium carbonate water sparkling in the soft light from the torches.
I spotted the first glowworms high above me in one of the caverns, a few tiny little stars of cerulean blue, their glow visible despite the lights in the cave. At an overhanging rock, our guide showed us the strings of sticky droplets hanging from each of the clustered glowworms. The threads hanging down from these nests are silk, covered in a sticky substance designed to trap prey.
Bioluminescence – light produced by a living organism – is found all over the world, and is produced for many different reasons. With the glowworms, the greenish blue light is to attract prey to those sticky threads, like a neon pub sign calling its drunken patrons for one more drink.
Like any great experience, the best was saved for last. My group was ushered into yet another cavern, darker and narrower than the others. Here, a river flowed through the long cave, and there were no lights at all. I carefully stepped into one of several wooden boats, our guide pushing us out into the middle of the underground river, pulling us along by a long rope that disappeared into the black water. For a few moments we were in total darkness, the only sounds the quiet lapping of the water against the boat.
Then we turned a corner, and it was as if we had suddenly been transported into the depths of the Milky Way. In the other caverns the glowworms had been individual blue dots above us, but here there were so many I couldn’t even begin to count them. There must have been thousands, hundreds of thousands even, above our heads. The darkness removed all sense of space, so these stars seemed both within reach if only we raised our hands and as far away as the furthest planet. It was hypnotic and disorientating and utterly mesmerising.
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are definitely one of the most unique New Zealand destinations and are unforgettable.
5. Rotorua
Maori culture is often overlooked by visitors to New Zealand, as can be typical in former colonies, but it’s hard to overlook in Rotorua, where Maori carvings dot the parks and large signs proudly explain the region’s history.
But the most noticeable thing about Rotorua is not the abundance of Maori culture, it’s the smell. A pungent smell that never goes away. Usually a smell like this would be a reason to avoid a town, but in Rotorua it’s why the tourists come in the first place. The sulphurous smell comes from the volcanic activity underneath the town, which rises to the surface at geysers and bubbling mud pools. On the edges of the town there are several walkways past these mud pools and gurgling holes in the ground, and it was a strange sensation to watch the bubbles slowly forming, then popping as a hiss of escaping gas. Steam even rose from cracks in the pavements as I wandered the streets of Rotorua. Definitely one of the more unique New Zealand destinations.
Around the town, the lake offers many opportunities for activities, and walking through the Redwoods, a forest of giants brought to New Zealand from their native home in California, is a lovely excursion. Nothing had prepared me for just how tall they are, how thick their trunks are. My neck hurt from staring up at the leafy roof high above me.
Highest-rated hostel: Rock Solid Backpackers
6. Hobbiton
As an avid Lord of the Rings lover a visit to the Hobbiton film set was way up there on my New Zealand bucket list. The tour picks you up in Rotorua, trundling along in a large coach bus into the green hills outside the city. The filming location was just a farmer’s field with a small pond next to it before Peter Jackson came along. The set was originally dismantled when the films were complete, but when the set was faithfully remade for the more recent Hobbit film trilogy, it was decided to leave it in place for visitors to enjoy.
Most film buffs will recognise the famous narrow gap between two hills (I’m going on an adventure!) that begins the tour. The Party Tree, the circular green door of Bag End, it’s all there. I marvelled at the level of detail the set creators had put into it all, from the clothes hanging on the washing lines to the garden tools left idly by a front door. I couldn’t tell what plants and trees were real and which were not. The tour ends with a drink at the Green Dragon, the interior of which was not used for filming, but was created as a place for visitors to relax in and admire. The attention to detail in here was just as gobsmacking as that outside: market notices and maps hung on the walls, every beam in the ceiling was polished dark and carved with swirling patterns. Even the mugs of cider and ale look straight out of the films.
7. Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui, or ‘The Mount’ as it’s locally known, is a tropical paradise. From the top of the Mount itself, located at the end of a long, thin peninsula, you can look down across two parallel beaches, one of which – Main Beach – is known as one of the best beaches in the world. Known for its great surfing and sunbathing, it’s the perfect New Zealand destination for pure relaxation.
There’s also dolphin tours, fishing, seafood and seaside bars to kill time in while people watching. As clichéd as it sounds, there’s plenty to do in the Bay of Plenty.
Highest-rated hostel: Pacific Coast Backpackers Lodge
8. Taupo
Lake Taupo was created by a supervolcanic eruption about twenty-seven thousand years ago, which was so large it caused hundreds of square kilometres of land to collapse into a large caldera basin which filled with water. Like Rotorua to the north, there is a lot of geothermal activity under the town, creating hot pools and springs that many visitors and locals enjoy.
One of the main attractions in Taupo are the Huka Falls. A series of very loud and angry-sounding rapids ending with an eleven-metre drop, the falls are certainly impressive. You can hear them from quite a distance away. Cycling or walking from the town to the falls makes for a perfect half-day trip. The path back to Taupo along the river is incredibly pretty and along the way I passed several steaming pools full of bathers. I dipped my hand into one of them: the water was as hot as a jacuzzi, and all natural.
Back in Taupo, the best way to end your day is to sit by the lake for a while, just taking in the view. Eat dinner in one of the lakeside restaurants and watch as the sun goes down, changing the sky above from blue to orange to gold, each colour reflecting in the darkening water of the lake.
Highest-rated hostel: YHA Taupo – Finlay Jacks Backpackers
9. Tongariro National Park
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often considered one of the best day hikes in New Zealand, and it’s easy to see why. The area was used as a filming location for Mordor in the Lord of the Rings films, so of course I couldn’t miss this place. I spent hours hiking through barren rocks, climbing long sets of stairs cut into stone cliffs and staring up at the perfect conical silhouette of Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom to us film nerds). At 20km it’s still one of the longest hikes I’ve ever done.
Between the Red Crater, the Emerald Lakes, the Blue Lake, the hike is surprisingly colourful. On the other side, the long downhill path meanders back and forth across the mountain, past smoking holes in the ground, white billowing out from underneath the heather. I passed a sign telling me in no uncertain terms to run should the smoke turn grey (i.e. an eruption was about to happen), and a camping hut with massive holes in the roof from the last eruption just two years previously.
Within the nearby area, there are several waterfalls and shorter hikes that are worth exploring.
Highest-rated hostel: YHA National Park Backpackers
Read more: Tongariro Alpine Crossing – Mordor and Back Again
10. Wellington
New Zealand’s capital is a small city, but packed full of cool cafes, cool streets and cool people. It’s also home to one of the best museums I’ve ever been to – Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa for short) – which, incredibly, is free in. You could spend days inside this huge place. Perfect for rainy days, which are fairly common here.
The other big attraction in Wellington (for me, anyway) is the Weta Cave. Located in the Wellington suburbs, surrounded by very normal, nondescript houses, is the home of the Weta Workshop, where a large team of artists have made props and costumes for hundreds of films, including the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. It was a dream come true for me to see the actual props from films that were such an important part of my childhood.
Highest-rated hostel: The Marion
Read more: How To Spend 3 Days in Windy Wellington
South Island
11. Picton
The Marlborough Sounds at the northern edge of the South Island are famous for their beauty. I couldn’t wait to see them as the ferry from Wellington across the Cook Strait meandered through the twists and turns of the sea-drowned valleys on its way to Picton. But unluckily for me, the ferry was delayed leaving Wellington by several hours, so by the time it passed into the Marlborough Sounds, night had fallen. I saw nothing of the valleys that day.
However, Picton is the perfect place from which to explore the sounds. Even if you only have a few days, there is plenty to do, including a floating maritime museum, marinas, picturesque walks through the surrounding hills, beaches and water activities. If you have more time, the Queen Charlotte Track, one of the New Zealand’s great multi-day hikes, can be accessed from Picton.
Highest-rated hostel: Tombstone Motel, Lodge & Backpackers
12. Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand’s smallest national park is a coastal paradise. Just an hour and a half from the city of Nelson, on the northern coast of the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park has beautiful golden beaches, forest walks and plenty of opportunities to get out on the water, be it by boat or kayak. Wildlife abounds here, from birds (wekas, penguins, cormorants, among others) to seals and dolphins.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is another famous multi-day trek through beautiful scenery, with waterside campgrounds scattered along the way. The park is also worth seeing as a day trip too. Take one of the many ferries to a point along the Track and hike back to the park entrance.
Highest-rated hostel: Adventure Inn Marahau
13. Franz Josef
One of the coolest things about the South Island is the sheer number of glaciers found in the Southern Alps. Franz Josef is both a village and a glacier. Together with the Fox Glacier, it is one of two easily accessible glaciers in New Zealand.
Walking along the road to the foot of the glacier, I passed by the bluest river I’ve ever seen – glacial meltwater is such a stunning, unique colour due to the tiny stone particles floating in the water. The name of the river was ‘Smoky River’ because the warmer air hitting the ice cold water causes a thin white mist to develop, curling upwards with the smallest breeze. To get to the Franz Josef Glacier, you first pass through a rainforest. Yes, New Zealand is the type of country where you walk through a rainforest to get to a glacier.
My first view of the glacier stopped me in my tracks (it’s amazing how many clichés I fulfilled during my time in New Zealand). The valley itself is full of waterfalls, trickling down from snow-capped mountains high above. It shocked me to look at the old photos of the glacier and see the huge difference in size today. The glaciers of New Zealand have been rapidly changing for decades now due to climate change, and it’s a stark reminder of just how much of an effect we humans are having on the planet. Once a glacier is gone, it won’t come back. The Franz Josef Glacier has long periods of growth and decline, but it’s still much smaller than it was a hundred years ago.
This is one New Zealand destination that you need to visit before it’s too late.
Highest-rated hostel: Glow Worm Accommodation
14. Aoraki/Mount Cook
New Zealand’s highest mountain has long been popular with mountaineers, including Sir Edmund Hillary, who used Aoraki as a stepping stone on his journey to being part of the first team to summit Everest. Though named after Captain Cook, like many places in New Zealand, the traditional Maori name for the mountain and the village has been readopted.
I may have only spent less than 24 hours in the area around Aoraki/Mount Cook, but it was worth it. Between the stunning blue glacial Lake Pukaki on the drive there, to the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers, this is definitely one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand. I only had enough time for a quick hike to a glacial lake at the foot of the mountain, but to see icebergs floating on the blue waters, and the colour of the snow on the mountain changing with the setting sun, it was the best afternoon.
Read more: 18 Hours With Aoraki – New Zealand’s Highest Mountain
15. Wanaka
Often bypassed for the more popular Queenstown to the south, Wanaka is where many Kiwis go to get away from the crowds. It’s just as pretty, with its lake and mountains, with hiking and water activities allowing easy access to the nature surrounding the town. The famous Wanaka Tree provides an Insta-worthy backdrop.
Within the town, there’s a really cool cinema – Cinema Paradiso – with couches, old cars and comfy armchairs, as well as in-theatre food service. Oh, and did I mention the homemade icecream and the freshly-baked cookies? It was such a unique movie experience, and one of my favourite things about this New Zealand destination.
Highest-rated hostel: Wanaka Bakpaka
16. Queenstown
Queenstown is probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived. I wasn’t even planning to live there, but within a few days I knew I couldn’t leave. It’s a bit of a party town, more backpackers than locals, more pubs than pebbles on the beach, which shouldn’t have suited me at all, but from never-ending Lake Wakatipu to the snow-capped Remarkables mountain range, I couldn’t get enough.
Queenstown is the perfect New Zealand destination in any season. Hiking in summer, multi-coloured scenery in autumn, snowsports in winter. And of course, as the adrenaline capital of probably the world, there’s always something to do.
Highest-rated hostel: Haka Lodge
17. Milford Sound
At the end of a long, winding road, through a long tunnel burrowing under the mountains, there’s a misty land of fjords and waterfalls. Milford Sound is the most accessible and therefore most popular, with cruises and kayak trips available. For three glorious hours a boat brought me through the narrow sunken valleys, past literally hundreds of waterfalls (now I was glad for the rain of the previous two days, as most of the waterfalls there are not permanent ones), and hundreds of fur seals basking on the rocks. The cruise went the entire length of the sound, reaching the Tasman Sea before turning back.
Away from the large cruise boats, out on kayaks, Milford Sound feels incredibly peaceful. Dipping in and out of deserted coves, trailing my hand in the freezing waters, I caught brief glimpses of sharp Mitre Peak behind the misty clouds. It was utter heaven.
18. Dunedin
The Edinburgh of the south, Dunedin’s Scottish heritage is obvious from the get-go. From Larnach Castle (the only castle in all of New Zealand), a grand 19th century manor house built in the style of its owner’s Scottish home, to the beautiful Dunedin Railway Station, this city has its fair share of architecturally-significant buildings.
But Dunedin has nature galore, too. The nearby Otago Peninsula has a sea lion colony, an albatross colony and a penguin colony. You need to be there at just the right time (dawn and dusk) to catch sight of the little penguins waddling up the beach, but the sea lions can usually be found lounging around on the sandy beach. Definitely one of my favourite New Zealand destinations.
Highest-rated hostel: Chalet Backpacker
19. Christchurch
When I visited Christchurch, it had been three years since the massive 2011 earthquake that devastated the city. Though years had gone by, much of the city was still in ruins. But everywhere you could see the city and its people rebuilding, with colourful street art adorning newly-exposed walls and empty street corners and innovative ways of replacing ruined businesses.
It was also a haunting place, empty at times, leaving me feeling like I was walking through a ghost town. But I’m glad I went, because natural disasters just aren’t something I’m used to, so it was definitely an eye-opening experience.
Highest-rated hostel: The Old Countryhouse
Read more: Christchurch – a City of Cranes, A City in Recovery
20. Kaikoura
Picture a small, idyllic coastal village and you’re bound to imagine something close to Kaikoura. Nestled along a pretty beach, this little town doesn’t see as many visitors as other places in New Zealand, but it’s well-worth a stop. As New Zealand destinations go, this one is up there. Aside from the beautiful mountains reaching down to the ocean, the big draw to Kaikoura is the marine life.
Whale and dolphin watching are the most popular activities here, with regular boat trips out into the waters looking for sperm and humpback whales, dusky dolphins, orcas and other marine creatures. It’s also possible to see wildlife from dry land. Walking the 11km route around the Kaikoura Peninsula gives you plenty of opportunity to see the fur seal colony up close (but not too close!).
Highest-rated hostel: Dusky Lodge & Backpackers
Have you ever been to the Land of the Long White Cloud? Of all these New Zealand destinations, which would you most like to visit?
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