New Zealand’s South Island feels like a completely different world. From crystal-clear lakes and snowy mountain peaks to coastal drives and peaceful small towns, every destination offers a unique experience....
New Zealand is a country where spectacular landscapes are never far away. From Auckland’s busy waterfront and Wellington’s cultural attractions to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, the beaches of Northland, the mountains of Queenstown, the glaciers of the West Coast and the peaceful lakes of the South Island, there is an enormous variety of places to explore.
Whether you are planning a short holiday, a family trip, a honeymoon, a road trip, a hiking adventure or a longer journey around Aotearoa New Zealand, choosing where to go can be difficult.
This New Zealand travel guide brings together major tourist destinations, cities, towns, national parks, islands, beaches, lakes, mountains and scenic regions across the country.
Some destinations are world-famous, while others are smaller places that are worth adding when you have extra time.
Some of the most popular places to visit in New Zealand include:
But New Zealand has much more to offer beyond these famous destinations.
Tourism New Zealand divides the country into diverse regions across both islands, making it possible to create anything from a weekend city break to a multi-week road trip.
The North Island combines cities, beaches, volcanic landscapes, geothermal areas, Māori culture, forests, wine regions and beautiful coastal towns.
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and one of the main gateways for international travellers.
The city combines an urban environment with beaches, volcanic cones, islands and harbour views.
Auckland is also an excellent base for exploring nearby islands and coastal destinations.
Waiheke Island is easily reached from Auckland and is known for beaches, vineyards, walking trails and coastal scenery.
Popular places and experiences include:
Waiheke is particularly appealing for travellers who want to combine beaches and food experiences without travelling far from Auckland.
Rangitoto is one of Auckland’s most recognisable volcanic landmarks.
Visitors can take a ferry from Auckland and explore walking tracks leading towards the summit, where there are panoramic views across the Hauraki Gulf and Auckland.
Northland is one of the best areas in New Zealand for beaches, coastal scenery, marine experiences and history.
The Bay of Islands contains numerous islands and coastal communities.
Popular places include:
Paihia is a popular base for exploring the wider region.
Russell is a historic coastal town with heritage buildings, beaches and waterfront views.
Waitangi is an important place in New Zealand’s history and Māori heritage.
Kerikeri is known for its gardens, heritage attractions, cafés, orchards and nearby natural areas.
Travelling further north brings you towards some of the country’s most distinctive coastal landscapes.
Places to consider include:
Cape Reinga is particularly popular for visitors travelling to the northern tip of New Zealand.
The Coromandel Peninsula is famous for beaches, forests and coastal scenery.
Popular destinations include:
The region is a popular choice for travellers looking for a combination of beaches and outdoor activities.
Waikato offers a mixture of countryside, caves, rivers, gardens and cultural attractions.
Hamilton is the largest city in the Waikato region.
Places to visit include:
Waitomo is one of New Zealand’s best-known cave destinations.
The wider area includes:
Near Matamata, Hobbiton is a major attraction for visitors interested in New Zealand’s film locations and the landscapes used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.
Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive tourist destinations.
The region is known for geothermal activity, forests, Māori culture, lakes and outdoor experiences. Tourism New Zealand specifically highlights Rotorua for its geothermal landscapes and Māori culture.
Rotorua is a particularly good destination for travellers interested in geothermal scenery, forests, Māori culture and outdoor activities.
The Bay of Plenty combines beaches, coastal towns and volcanic landscapes.
Tauranga is one of the region’s major cities.
Nearby attractions include:
Mount Maunganui is one of New Zealand’s most popular beach destinations.
Visitors can enjoy the beach, waterfront, local cafés and the walking track around Mauao.
Whakatāne is another coastal destination with access to beaches, rivers and surrounding natural landscapes.
Other places include:
Taupō sits beside the enormous Lake Taupō and is surrounded by volcanic landscapes.
Places to visit around Taupō
Taupō is also an excellent base for exploring the central North Island.
Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand’s most famous alpine areas.
The region is known for volcanic landscapes, mountains, hiking tracks and dramatic scenery.
Important destinations include:
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is particularly well known among hikers.
Gisborne offers beaches, coastal scenery, Māori culture, vineyards and a relaxed atmosphere.
Places to explore include:
The East Cape is ideal for travellers who want to explore a less urbanised part of New Zealand.
Hawke’s Bay is well known for food, wine, architecture and coastal scenery.
Napier is famous for its Art Deco architecture.
Hastings provides access to vineyards, orchards, food experiences and surrounding countryside.
Other places
Taranaki is dominated by Mount Taranaki and offers a mixture of mountain landscapes, beaches and cultural attractions.
New Plymouth is the region’s main city.
Places to explore include:
Other destinations include:
Whanganui sits beside the Whanganui River and has a strong heritage character.
Places to explore include:
The Manawatū region provides access to countryside, parks and outdoor attractions.
Places include:
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital and one of the country’s most culturally interesting cities.
Places to visit in Wellington
Wellington is also the main gateway between the North and South Islands for many travellers using the ferry.
Wairarapa is known for vineyards, countryside and small towns.
Popular destinations include:
Martinborough is particularly popular for wine tourism.
Tourism New Zealand divides the South Island into upper, central and lower areas, covering regions such as Nelson Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, Kaikōura, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Queenstown, Wānaka, Fiordland, Dunedin and Southland.
Christchurch is one of the main gateways to the South Island.
Places to visit include:
Banks Peninsula offers volcanic landscapes, coastal roads and small settlements.
Akaroa is particularly well known for its harbour, historic character and marine experiences.
Other places include:
Kaikōura is one of New Zealand’s most popular wildlife destinations.
Visitors can explore:
The combination of mountains and ocean makes Kaikōura particularly scenic.
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain and one of the country’s most recognisable natural landmarks.
The surrounding national park offers:
The Southern Alps form the backbone of much of the South Island, with Aoraki/Mount Cook reaching 3,724 metres.
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo is famous for its turquoise water, mountain scenery and night skies.
Places to explore include:
The region is particularly popular with stargazers.
Canterbury and Arthur’s Pass
Canterbury offers everything from city attractions to wide plains and alpine landscapes.
Places to explore include:
Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs is known for its thermal pools and alpine surroundings.
It is a popular stop for travellers heading between Christchurch and the northern or western parts of the South Island.
Marlborough
Marlborough is located at the top of the South Island and is particularly known for wine, waterways and coastal scenery.
Blenheim
Blenheim is the main centre of the Marlborough wine region.
Picton
Picton is an important gateway to the Marlborough Sounds and the Cook Strait ferry.
Other places include:
Nelson
Nelson is one of the sunniest areas of the South Island and provides access to beaches, national parks and creative communities.
Places include:
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman is one of the South Island’s most popular coastal destinations.
Expect:
Popular access points include Marahau and Kaiteriteri.
Golden Bay
Golden Bay sits at the north-western end of the South Island.
Places include:
This is an excellent area for travellers searching for quieter coastal landscapes.
West Coast
The West Coast is known for rugged coastline, rainforest, mountains, rivers and glaciers.
Punakaiki
Punakaiki is famous for the Pancake Rocks and coastal blowholes.
Greymouth
Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast and an important transport hub.
Hokitika
Hokitika is known for its artistic community, coastline and pounamu-related craftsmanship.
Franz Josef
Franz Josef is one of the best-known glacier destinations in New Zealand.
Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier provides another opportunity to experience the dramatic landscapes of the West Coast.
Haast
Haast marks the southern end of the West Coast and provides access towards Wānaka and Mount Aspiring National Park.
Other West Coast destinations include:
The official South Island tourism guide highlights the West Coast’s glaciers, forests and rugged natural scenery as major attractions.
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most famous tourist destinations.
The town sits beside Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by mountains.
Popular places and experiences include:
Queenstown is also a major base for exploring the lower South Island.
Wānaka
Wānaka offers a quieter alternative to Queenstown while still providing dramatic mountain scenery.
Places include:
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in New Zealand.
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
Milford Sound is the most famous fiord in the region.
Visitors can explore the fiord by:
Doubtful Sound / Patea
Doubtful Sound offers another spectacular fiord experience and is generally quieter and more remote in character.
Other Fiordland destinations include:
Tourism New Zealand identifies Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound among Fiordland’s major attractions.
Central Otago
Central Otago has a drier landscape and is known for vineyards, gold-mining history, mountains and cycling routes.
Places include:
The Otago Rail Trail is also a major attraction for cycling and outdoor tourism.
Dunedin
Dunedin is known for Scottish heritage, historic architecture, wildlife and the Otago Peninsula.
Places to visit include:
Otago Peninsula
The Otago Peninsula is particularly interesting for wildlife lovers.
Depending on the location and season, visitors can encounter marine mammals and seabirds.
Oamaru
Oamaru is known for Victorian architecture and its famous little blue penguin colony.
Other attractions include:
Waitaki
The Waitaki region sits between Canterbury and Otago.
Places include:
Moeraki Boulders
The Moeraki Boulders are large spherical stones scattered along Koekohe Beach and are one of the South Island’s most recognisable coastal attractions.
Southland
Southland is the gateway to some of New Zealand’s southernmost landscapes.
Places include:
The Catlins
The Catlins is a beautiful coastal region known for forests, waterfalls, cliffs and wildlife.
Places to explore include:
Stewart Island / Rakiura
Stewart Island is one of New Zealand’s most remote inhabited destinations and is ideal for travellers interested in wilderness and wildlife.
Places include:
New Zealand’s National Parks
New Zealand’s national parks are among the country’s biggest tourist attractions.
Some of the most important parks to include in a travel guide are:
New Zealand has 14 national parks, alongside many other protected natural areas and scenic destinations.
Best New Zealand Beaches
New Zealand is not only about mountains and hiking. The country has hundreds of beaches and coastal destinations.
Some well-known places include:
Best Lakes to Visit in New Zealand
New Zealand is home to some spectacular lakes.
Popular lakes include:
Best Waterfalls in New Zealand
Waterfalls can be found throughout both islands.
Some popular waterfall destinations include:
Milford Sound and Fiordland are particularly impressive after rainfall, when numerous temporary waterfalls can appear along the cliffs.
Best Mountains and Alpine Destinations
For travellers interested in mountains and alpine landscapes, some of the most important destinations include:
Best Places for Wildlife in New Zealand
Popular wildlife destinations include:
Wildlife experiences can include seeing seals, dolphins, whales, penguins and native birds.
Best Islands to Visit in New Zealand
New Zealand’s tourism experience extends beyond the two main islands.
Places to consider include:
Small Towns Worth Visiting
One of the best ways to experience New Zealand is to go beyond the major cities.
Small towns and communities worth considering include:
North Island
South Island
These smaller destinations can make a road trip feel more personal and often provide a different experience from New Zealand’s major tourist centres.
Best New Zealand Road Trips
If you want to see several destinations in one journey, a road trip is one of the best ways to experience the country.
North Island Road Trip
A popular route could include:
Auckland → Waitomo → Rotorua → Taupō → Napier → Wellington
Another option is:
Auckland → Bay of Islands → Coromandel → Rotorua → Taupō
South Island Road Trip
One classic route is:
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Aoraki / Mount Cook → Wānaka → Queenstown → Milford Sound
Another option is:
Christchurch → Kaikōura → Nelson → Abel Tasman → West Coast → Franz Josef → Wānaka → Queenstown
For a longer journey, travellers can create a loop covering much of both islands.
Tourism New Zealand provides itinerary planning tools for trips ranging from short journeys to trips of 15 days or more and allows travellers to filter by interests such as nature, hiking, Māori culture, food and wine, skiing and water activities.
New Zealand Travel by Interest
Not every traveller wants the same holiday. The best destination depends on what you enjoy.
For adventure
For beaches
For mountains
For wildlife
For families
For photography
For hiking
Hidden Gems and Less-Visited Places
If you want to move beyond the standard tourist itinerary, consider exploring:
These destinations can provide a slower and more peaceful experience than New Zealand’s most famous tourist centres.
How to Plan a New Zealand Holiday
The biggest mistake many visitors make is trying to see the entire country too quickly.
New Zealand may look small on a map, but travelling between destinations can take considerable time.
Instead, choose destinations based on the type of holiday you want.
Focus on one region.
For a one-week holiday
Choose several destinations that are relatively close together.
For two weeks
You can explore a larger section of one island.
For three weeks or more
You can consider a more ambitious North Island and South Island itinerary.
The official New Zealand tourism map provides regional information and touring routes to help visitors plan journeys around the country.
Final Thoughts: Explore More Than the Famous Places
New Zealand’s biggest tourist destinations deserve their popularity. Queenstown, Rotorua, Auckland, Milford Sound, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, Taupō and Abel Tasman are famous for good reason.
But the country becomes even more interesting when you look beyond the obvious attractions.
A small coastal town, a quiet lake, a mountain viewpoint, a country road or a short walking track can become one of the most memorable parts of a New Zealand holiday.
That is the real beauty of travelling around Aotearoa.
You can build your trip around famous attractions, but leave enough room for the smaller places along the way.
Whether you are searching for places to visit in New Zealand, the best tourist places in New Zealand, New Zealand attractions, things to do in New Zealand, North Island destinations or South Island destinations, there is far more to explore than can fit into a single holiday.
New Zealand Travel at a Glance
North Island highlights: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupō, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Wellington.
South Island highlights: Christchurch, Kaikōura, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, Nelson, Abel Tasman, West Coast, Queenstown, Wānaka, Fiordland, Dunedin and Southland.
Best for mountains: Aoraki / Mount Cook, Queenstown, Wānaka, Tongariro and Fiordland.
Best for beaches: Northland, Bay of Islands, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Abel Tasman and Golden Bay.
Best for wildlife: Kaikōura, Otago Peninsula, Stewart Island, Abel Tasman and Fiordland.
Best for road trips: Northland, Central North Island, Wellington–Taupō, Christchurch–Queenstown, West Coast and the Southern Scenic Route.
Best for nature: Almost everywhere — which is precisely what makes New Zealand such a special travel destination.
