Top Places in New Zealand to See as an Outdoor Enthusiast
New Zealand is home to some of the most remarkably beautiful landscapes you will ever witness. A single day’s adventure may take you from golden beaches to volcanic hot pools, from stunning fjords to glaciated peaks, and from charming lakeside towns to epic backcountry bluffs. I have been lucky enough to visit New Zealand three times now - once as a student, once on a working holiday visa, and once on vacation – and from those three experiences and more than a year in Aotearoa, I have come to adore some specific places. There are already plenty of trip-planning tools out there, so I’m not going to tell you exactly what itinerary you should take. However, I do encourage you to make the adventure your own. If I can leave you with any tips, they would be these:
Two weeks is the bare minimum you should spend in New Zealand due to the length of the country and the fact that you’ll lose two days traveling from much of the world. For context, the North Island and South Island each take about 13 hours to drive from tip-to-tip without stopping (plus a 3.5-hour ferry ride in between).
If you enjoy hiking, spend at least two-thirds of your trip in the South Island and consider flying into Queenstown or Nelson depending on which hikes you pick out. If you plan ahead, you can find extremely low fares through Jetstar or Grabaseat which will take you to these towns.
Don’t try to see it all. New Zealand is the most enjoyable when you get off the roads and explore the landscapes, or when you cozy into a café for a mochaccino. I’ve done the whole drive everywhere and see everything in three weeks thing in New Zealand and despite all of its spectacle, we regretted not spending all of that time in nature.
Now, without further ado, here are my top 20 places to see in New Zealand:
20. Waitakere Ranges
Location: North Island
A small mountain range to the west of Auckland, the Waitakere Ranges are the perfect first or last-day adventure in New Zealand. Only 45 to 60 minutes from Auckland CBD, the ranges are home to numerous waterfalls, dense bush, and stunning rugged beaches. Explore Piha Beach, Te Henga (Bethell’s Beach), or Whatipu Beach and enjoy world-class surfing or a hike across black sand. Just watch out for some of the worst riptides in the country.
19. Lake Tekapo
Location: South Island
Though they are an invasive species, the lupines around Lake Tekapo are a sight to behold during the mid-spring to early-summer months, offering unreal contrast with the lake’s glacier-fed waters. Take a visit to The Church of the Good Shepherd or spend the night stargazing in Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. We freedom camped nearby in our campervan and experienced a magical night of meteors and Milky Way. The only reason I don’t rank it higher is because nearby Lake Pukaki is just that much more amazing.
18. Hawke’s Bay
Location: North Island
Much like the South Island’s Marlborough Region, Hawke’s Bay is home to heaps of New Zealand’s best wineries - our favorite being Brookfields Vineyards which is owned by some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. If wine isn’t your thing, there is plenty of spectacular coastline to check out. If you’re a fan of art and architecture, Napier is quite known for its Art Deco scene.
17. Coromandel
Location: North Island
If you’re planning a couple of weeks in the North Island, Coromandel is worth adding to your list. The peninsula sits a few hours’ drive east of Auckland. Highlights include a ton of waterfalls, the famous Cathedral Cove (pictured above), the Pinnacles hike, and Hot Water Beach. If you’re unfamiliar, Hot Water Beach is a beach that is geothermally heated beneath the sand. You can dig yourself a trench in the sand and let it fill up with piping-hot water while ocean waves break at your feet. Pro tip: if you’re going to Hot Water Beach, arrive a couple of hours BEFORE low tide to maximize your time as waves eventually overtake the beach. You can rent a shovel from nearby stores and you’ll know where to dig in the sand when you feel heat below your feet.
16. Kaikōura
Location: South Island
If heading north from Christchurch towards the Marlborough Region, you absolutely must stop in Kaikōura. The town itself is pretty chill, but the coast is where the magic happens. You’ll find some of the prettiest water colors in the country on sunny days. Furthermore, the coast is stocked with marine life. There’s a great chance you’ll spot seals, dolphins, and whales if you glance for even a second into the water. Plenty of tours operate if you want to swim with dolphins or spot a whale at sea.
15. Raglan
Location: North Island
Raglan is an awesome, laid-back surf town. If you want a couple of days to just hang out by the coast, this is the place to do it. It’s also one of the best places in New Zealand to learn how to surf. There isn’t a whole lot to do in the region aside from the town and beach, so bypass the area if surfing and downtime aren’t on your itinerary.
14. Hobbiton
Location: North Island
An obvious must-see for any Lord of the Rings fans, Hobbiton in Matamata offers guided tours of the shire. Rebuilt years after the original trilogy’s conclusion, the now permanent set truly makes you feel part of Middle Earth. Pay a visit to Bag End and then grab a pint at The Green Dragon, all while learning secrets about the films. The tours are admittedly pretty pricey, but that didn’t stop me from visiting twice.
13. Wellington
Location: North island
New Zealand’s capital city is also my favorite city in the country. The city offers a lively atmosphere for those seeking a little night on the town. Similar in a lot of ways to the charming portions of San Francisco, Wellington is full of intimate cafes, great shopping centers, and lots and lots of hills. The gem of the city is Te Papa, the museum of New Zealand which just so happens to be free to the public. Some surrounding highlights include Mount Victoria Lookout (pictured above with hundreds of tour bus passengers cropped out), Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary, Wētā Workshop, and Beehive (New Zealand Parliament building). A night or two in Wellington is definitely a great way to break up your trip, particularly since ferries to the South Island leave from the harbor.
12. Brewster Hut
Location: South Island
Brewster Hut is a 12-bunk alpine hut in Mount Aspiring National Park that offers breathtaking views of surrounding valleys, peaks, and glaciers. The hike is a doozy though, especially since you’ll need to bring your overnight gear. The track climbs nearly 1000 meters (over 3,000 feet) up roots and bluffs in only 2.6km (1.6 miles) before reaching the hut. To add to things, there is a glacier-fed river crossing just after the car park, and cheeky Kea (alpine parrots) awaiting at the top. The view though is well worth the climb, particularly if you are staying the night. Keep in mind that the hut does require reservations during peak season, so book well in advance or stay mid-week.
11. Mount Taranaki
Location: North Island
Mount Taranaki tends to be overlooked by travelers because of how far it is from other top attractions, but we really enjoyed our visit to it in 2019 during our Working Holiday Visa. Mount Taranaki is situated in the middle of Egmont National Park. The stratovolcano offers some of the coolest variety of views of a singular mountain that I can think of, with my favorite being from the Pouakai Tarns just outside of New Plymouth (which I thought was a pretty cute town too!). The hike, which is most spectacular at golden hour, shows as a tad under 12.5 km (7.7 miles) return and 777 meters (2,550 feet) of elevation gain. If you don’t want to hike, you can also drive up the side of the mountain quite a ways and maybe spot a kiwi bird at night.
10. Waiheke Island
Location: North Island
Waiheke Island is another wine-tasting paradise offered by New Zealand. The island lies approximately 40 minutes by ferry from either Auckland CBD or Half Moon Bay. It’s fairly large, so you may decide you want to bring a car. If so, you must embark from Half Moon Bay terminal. However, I would suggest you rent an e-bike or hop on a bus instead. We rented from ERIDE Waiheke and had such a fun time that we went back a second time. Some areas of roadway can be a bit sketchy on a heavily trafficked day, but all five of us managed just fine. You can pull up to any of the dozens of vineyards around the island for a tasting or some food. Be sure to check and see if Dragonfired Pizza is open that day. It’s absurdly good and you can take it away and eat at the beach beside it.
9. Queenstown
Location: South Island
The “adventure capital of the world,” Queenstown is the favorite destination of many travelers. The town sits on Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by jagged mountains that seemingly grow out of the water. Visitors flock to the area for high-adventure thrills like skydiving, paragliding, bungee jumping, and jet boating. However, it’s the easy access to some world-class hiking that has always drawn me back.
For those less thrilled for high adventure, there are can’t-miss eats like the best soft pretzels I’ve ever had at Smiths Craft Beer House, indescribable deliciousness at “Polynasia”-themed Blue Kanu, and the beloved Fergburger. You may also choose to take the gondola up above the town for a panoramic view of it all. While up there, I’d highly suggest the luge for great family fun.
The biggest knock I have on Queenstown (and why I don’t rank it top three) is that it has become absurdly expensive and far too congested. The market has priced out the average traveler (and resident), making Queenstown the priciest stay in New Zealand for any visitor. The district has banned freedom camping, so even campers will have to pay up for accommodation. Despite the price, you’ll want to stay within walking distance from the city center due to the town having about seven parking. Oh and during the summer, the lakefront can get packed with rowdy visitors.
If you’re lucky enough to visit in a ‘shoulder season,’ Queenstown is one of the best.
8. Glenorchy & Paradise
Location: South Island
This is when it gets exceptionally hard to rank my favorite places. Basically, numbers one through eight are interchangeable depending on the conditions.
The Glenorchy-Queenstown Road (and eventual road to paradise) leaves from Queenstown and follows Lake Wakatipu to the road end in Paradise — and every turn you take opens to more beautiful vistas. The end of the road leads to some of the best backpacking tracks in the country — like Earnslaw Burn, the Routeburn Track, or the Rees-Dart Track. If you aren’t up for backcountry adventures, then just a drive along the road is well worth the trip.
7. Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Location: North Island
Located south of Lake Taupo and right next to The Lord of the Rings’ Mount Doom, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is unlike anything else you’ll experience in New Zealand. An active volcano, Tongariro’s environment changes to a harsh and desolate volcanic world as you trek nearly 20km (12 miles) to complete one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. The highlight of the hike is the Emerald Lakes which sit just beneath the crater of Tongariro. Note: You’ll need to be prepared with water as there are no water sources along the route to re-fill. You’ll also need to park at one end and reserve a shuttle to the other, as it’s a thru-hike and one side has time limits on parking.
6. Earnslaw Burn Glacier
Location: South Island
Earnslaw Burn can be accessed by foot or by helicopter tour. In both instances when my partner and I visited this majestic place, we did so via an overnight backpacking trip. I would highly suggest the backpacking route because there may not be a better place on the planet to wake up to. In the warmer months, the glacier erupts with cascading waterfalls which fill the valley floor with soothing rumbles.
The hike itself is a bit technical and fairly long at nearly 25km (15.2 miles) out and back. The trailhead sign only marks the distance to the edge of the treeline which is quite far from the actual end. There are also numerous washouts along the path that take some finagling to pass through. When you get to the clearing, the view opens up to the surrounding mountains, and a “trail” follows the river through a valley of massive, pointy Spaniard plants. When you finally round the bend and get a sight of the glacier, I promise your jaw will drop.
5. Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park
Location: South Island
As stated before, it’s nearly impossible to choose which of the top eight places on the list is my favorite. Fiordland National Park will simply leave you in awe and I could easily call it the best bang for your buck. Accessible by road or air, a visit to this pristine paradise is a must, with options ranging from scenic drives to awe-inspiring helicopter tours. By car, massive cliffs border the roadway as you wind through mountain valleys down towards sea level. Spectacular hikes start are accessible from the park, including the Fiordland side of the Routeburn Track, Lake Marian, and Gertrude Saddle. The Milford Track Great Walk is also in the park but is accessed from Lake Te Anau and is ridiculously expensive and competitive for reservations.
The end of the Milford Road will blow you away. As you reach the valley floor, the landscape opens up to a giant fjord — Milford Sound — with Mitre Peak standing prominently in its center. From here, you can rent kayaks, take a scenic flight, or cruise the sound by boat. On the water, you’re likely to see seals, dolphins, and other marine life. Oh — and sandflies too…
The best thing about Fiordland National Park is that it’s just as marvelous in rainy conditions, as rain brings hundreds of waterfalls to life.
4. Routeburn Track
Location: South Island
So far we’ve danced around the Routeburn Track, with callouts to Fiordland National Park and Paradise. Now it’s time to recognize one of the top Great Walks in New Zealand. The Routeburn Track connects Paradise and Fiordland National Park (ending on the Milford Road). The 33km (20.5 miles) one-way Routeburn Track delivers stunning vistas and serene alpine lakes over 2-4 days. The trail caters to both seasoned hikers and nature enthusiasts, offering a groomed path adorned with native flora and fauna. It does book up fast though, so reserve a permit as soon as you possibly can.
We started hiking the Routeburn the day after New Zealand’s initial COVID-19 lockdown ended and were the only hikers staying the night in the picturesque Routeburn Falls hut, and one of a handful of guests in Lake Mackenzie Hut. While you certainly won’t have the trail all to yourself, you will not be disappointed by the landscapes that treat you virtually the entire route. If you hike one way, you will need to organize a ride or shuttle back to the carpark (which is unfortunately a 4-hour drive away). Since part of the track was closed already due to landslides in 2020, we chose to hike from Routeburn Shelter to Lake Mackenzie Hut and then return to Routeburn Shelter. That route wasn’t overly taxing but did take an extra night, so consider that as an option.
3. Abel Tasman National Park
Location: South Island
Tucked away in the northern tip of the South Island, Abel Tasman National Park is a must-visit if you can manage three-to-four nights of camping during your trip. The sun-filled park balances golden beaches with lush forest — and throws in some tidal crossings for added fun. I highly suggest multiple days of kayaking, if you’re up for it. I’ve completed the whole track a few times, but the kayaking days were the most fun by far. During our most recent visit, we kayaked from Marahau to Anchorage Bay, then from Anchorage Bay to Onetahuti (the furthest you’re allowed to kayak). You can either continue by foot from there or get a water taxi back. Regardless of what you do, you’ll likely need to book a water taxi for at least one leg of your journey. I’ll selfishly choose to keep the location a secret to protect the animals, but when kayaking we encountered a magical spot with dozens of playful seal pups that hopped on our kayak and flipped around the water. Don’t be shocked if you see a dolphin or two too.
We chose to backpack and reserve campsites on some of our favorite beaches, however, there are hut options if that’s your style. No matter where you stay, watch out for the sneaky wekas who will steal your food…. or wine pouches.
2. Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park & Lake Pukaki
Location: South Island
New Zealand’s tallest mountain also so happens to be the site of my favorite national park. Mount Cook National Park will blow you away with its epic beauty. To enter the park, you first drive 45 minutes along the turquoise-colored Lake Pukaki as the surrounding mountains grow ever larger. Once inside the park (it’s free like all of the other national parks), you have the option of continuing towards Hooker Lake or veering off towards Tasman Lake. Do both. I would suggest multiple days in the park and three hikes in particular — Hooker Valley Track (2.5 hrs.), Tasman Glacier Viewpoint (30 mins.), and Sealy Tarns Track (3 hrs.). If you’re up for an overnight trip, Mueller Hut (5.5 hrs.) is a fan favorite too. This is one of those places that I don’t want to spoil with pictures, as you just have to experience it. However, if you absolutely must spoil it, I have several photos in my New Zealand Collection.
1. Wanaka
Location: South Island
Wanaka is near and dear to my heart. It was where my partner and I worked during our Working Holiday Visa, and it was where we remained when COVID-19 shuttered the whole country. We stayed in a flat a 5-minutes walk from Lake Wanaka, and every day we walked to the shore where we felt the closest thing to pure happiness a person can feel during a global pandemic. The town is the perfect combination of outdoor adventure, leisure, and great food. Nearby hikes like Roy’s Peak and Isthmus Peak showcase the extreme beauty that the region has to offer. There are bike trails, a skate park, a giant open space, kayak rentals, disc golf — you name it. If you’re more laid back, the waterfront provides tons of space for relaxation. And if you’re a foodie, you MUST check out Burrito Craft, Amigos (for happy hour), Red Star Burger, and Patagonia Chocolates for gelato. Wanaka is the perfect New Zealand mountain town and a must-visit for at least two full days, especially if you plan to visit the West Coast of the South Island.
Honorable Mentions
I didn’t include these places because I wouldn’t necessarily dedicate a day to them on a return visit, but I realize that for some people the experience could be more unique and exciting.
Rotorua - a geothermal hotspot on the North Island for those seeking hot pools, geysers, etc.
Dunedin - a fairly quiet coastal city in the South Island that is home to penguins!
Stewart Island - I have never made it down there, but it’s the best place to spot kiwi birds.
Cape Reinga - the northernmost point of New Zealand with a sweet as lighthouse. Quite a drive though if you are on limited time.
Nelson - the sunniest city in New Zealand and a really chill atmosphere.
Nelson Lakes - Some top-notch backpacking adventures.
New Zealand has so much to offer for everyone, but I hope you find some joy in my favorites. The country is simply one of the best there is, so you can’t go wrong wherever you end up.