Top New Zealand Attractions & Museums

Step into Peter Jackson's Middle-earth with this guided group tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set from 'The Lord of the Rings' film trilogy. Learn more about the movies than you ever would by exploring by yourself with the help of your local guide. And with a shuttle service at your disposal, you enjoy a truly seamless Matamata experience.

Te Papa Museum of New Zealand is unique for its innovative, interactive exhibits that engage visitors through cutting-edge technology, its deep respect and authentic representation of Māori culture and heritage, its comprehensive displays of New Zealand's diverse natural history and cultural narratives, and its commitment to inclusivity and community engagement, making it a dynamic and inclusive cultural hub.

Auckland’s 1076-foot (328-meter) Sky Tower is one of the city’s most popular attractions, especially for first-time visitors. Save money and time by pre-booking your general Sky Tower admission ticket, which allows you to visit the observation decks. Get quickly orientated and spot key landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge, Mount Eden, and Waiheke Island. Souvenir photos are available to purchase.

Open 7 days a week from 9am - 5pm, self guide your way through a range of exhibits from Mountains to sea. You will see introduced species, native tuna (eels), our brown kiwi and tuatara of Aotearoa before finishing under the sea, our largest exhibit. Experience the wonders of the ocean as you witness the stingrays gliding through the water and the grace and beauty of the sea life. Feeding times 10am and 2pm daily.

Enjoy one of New Zealand’s original tourist attractions: a tour of the magnificent Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Your guide—who may be descended from the Māori chief who first discovered the caves—leads you underground and tells you about the cultural significance of this site. Hop into a boat and glide on an underground river, enjoying the light show put on by millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above.

One man’s passion started it all. Invercargill businessman Bill Richardson loved trucks: so much so, he made them both his life’s work and his hobby. Southern tourism hub Transport World began after Bill’s daughter, Joc O’Donnell, decided to open his private collection to the public in late 2015 as Bill Richardson Transport World. The largest private collection of its type in the world, Bill Richardson Transport World is home to more than 300 vehicles, a wearable arts collection, children’s play zones, The Grille cafe and themed bathrooms fast becoming as famous as our vehicles. There is something for everyone. Open 10am to 5pm daily (last entry 4pm, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Make the most of your time in Auckland with skip-the-line access to the Auckland War Memorial Museum (also known as the Aukland Museum). Housed in a beautiful heritage building, the museum's three floors showcase New Zealand's diverse culture, rich heritage, and its role as a place of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in war.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning more about beautiful alpacas at an alpaca farm. This ticket gives you admission to the farm, where you can meet the furry creatures, take some photos, and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of Akaroa. Find out about their care, their friendly nature, and how alpacas are different from llamas.

Head to the Milky Way Glowworm Cave to learn facts about the luminous worms’ lifecycle that most guidebooks miss on this guided tour. Descend into the dark depths of the cave with your handheld flashlight and see the cave’s craggy ceiling lit up as bright as the sky at night. A longer premium tour option offers more time and information for photography enthusiasts.

Book advance tickets to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for guaranteed kiwi sightings and up-close access to native New Zealand species. Booking Willowbank Wildlife Reserve tickets online combines the convenience of advance planning with the flexibility to arrive at any time of day, making it easy to fit this wildlife experience into a full day of travel or sightseeing.

The ultimate movie adventure Dive into our immersive world at Auckland’s SkyCity and get hands-on with movie magic like never before. This is your all-access pass to a world where creativity knows no limits. Come to our place, where imagination and creativity reign supreme. With our entertaining hosts at the helm, we’ll guide you on an adventure beyond our doors to break into our secret world of practical movie effects. Join us and journey through three jaw-dropping, highly imaginative films created by our visionary Wētā Workshop crew where everything is not as it seems. It's our time to share with you! We’ll reveal the workshop magic kept under wraps and how we bring the impossible to life. Unleashed isn’t just a tour, it’s a hands-on magical carpet ride through the practical effects making process. We believe there's a creator in everyone. Ready to fuel your curiosity and ignite your imagination? Your movie adventure begins now! Jump on board.

Gain entry to the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua with this guided tour and ticket combo. Learn about New Zealand's renowned conservation program as you take a tour of the hatchery which has successfully hatched over 2,500 kiwi chicks. After a guided experience, explore the interactive kiwi burrow where you can see the life cycle of a kiwi from egg to burrow. Children under 5 years old cannot participate in this experience.

Guarantee your entry to New Zealand’s only castle with admission to Larnach Castle and Gardens, where you find beautiful antiques, dramatic architecture, and gorgeous views across the Otago Peninsula. Learn the story of the castle’s founding family and pause to explore a collection of native New Zealand plants. Pre-booking your tickets ensures a smooth visit, with the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

We are proud to be the first in New Zealand to pioneer the integration of the latest audio-visual technologies with the world of art 7 Immersive Exhibition Rooms Each room at 3 Mirage is designed to evoke emotion, spark imagination, and transport you to another world. Tree of Life – The Source of Creation Vast Starry Sky – A Cosmic Journey Exotic Landscape – Worlds Unknown Ocean of Flowers and Waterfalls – Flow of Nature Forest Exploration – Secrets of the Wild Journey of Discovery – Path to Self Dreamlike Clouds – Floating Between Worlds Be among the first to experience the future of art and technology! 360-Degree Immersion – Surround yourself in a panoramic world of color, light, and sound. 4D Experience – Engage all your senses with dynamic visuals, spatial audio, and tactile elements. Interactive Technology – Step into the art and become part of the story. Multi-Sensory Impact – Experience art through sight, sound, and movement like never before.

Take an aerial journey on the Christchurch Gondola to the Port Hills crater rim and Mt. Cavendish summit. At the summit complex—revamped since the 2011 earthquake—you’re rewarded with views of the cityscape, the Canterbury Plains, and Lyttelton Harbour. Return tickets are included. Upgrade to include punting by flat-bottomed boat on the central-city Avon River.

Learn about Antarctic landscapes, wildlife, and explorers with convenient pre-purchased tickets to the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. Brave a harsh Antarctic storm, learn about life on remote Scott Base, and check out adorable little blue penguins. Enjoy Hägglund rides (height restrictions apply) and 4D shows, and enter the “cuddle zone,” where you can meet fluffy huskies that explorers historically used to pull their Antarctic dog sleds.

Slip into steaming water and cold pools at the Rotorua Deluxe Lake Spa, where pre-booked admission gets you access to premium changing rooms, an indoor lounge, mineral pools, and heated poolside recliners. The all-ages facility is a family-friendly alternative to Lake Rotorua’s adults-only options, and with four hours of spa time, you won't feel rushed as you relax, soak, and pamper sore traveling muscles.

If there's one thing people associate with New Zealand, it’s sheep, so make your trip to Rotorua complete with a visit to the Agrodome. Interact with the wooly animals during and educational and family-friendly farm tour experience that includes sheep-shearing, wool-spinning, and sheep dog demonstrations.

Observe more than 20 native bird species—including New Zealand’s famous kiwi—with admission to Kiwi Birdlife Park in central Queenstown. See wildlife shows, nature exhibits, and daily keeper presentations, and catch a rare sight of the flightless kiwi in a darkened enclosure that mimics a nocturnal environment. Your admission ticket is valid for the entire day so you can explore the park at your own pace.

Our most popular astronomy experience at the world-renowned astronomical research centre. Prepare for an awe-inspiring evening of discovery. Immerse yourself in the stunning surrounds, pristine night skies and sophisticated viewing technologies as our expert guides share the science and stories of our Southern Skies. High atop Mount John’s 1,029 metre peak, you'll be at the heart of the Southern Hemisphere's largest International Dark Sky Reserve. Every night sky reveals something new. The incredible Milky Way. Far-off planets. Star clusters, solar systems, constellations. You might even glimpse a distant galaxy. Don't miss New Zealand's premier stargazing experience. Exclusive to Dark Sky Project, the Summit Experience at Mt John Observatory is in partnership with the University of Canterbury.

Treat yourself to a relaxing spa experience at adults-only Lake Rotorua hot pools, where pre-booking admission gets you access to acidic and alkaline pools, a reflexology walk, and a hot pool with views across the lake. It’s a serene and soothing alternative to the all-ages Rotorua spas, and includes plenty of spa time to ensure you never feel rushed.

Challenge yourself with New Zealand's largest and most diverse range of mazes, mind-bending puzzles, and game attractions! Navigate Rotorua's famous 1.7km 3D Maze, explore our NEW glow in the dark Neon Cave experience, plus try New Zealand's tallest wall maze. Keep the family entertained for hours with the ultimate maze experience with so much to do - colour maze, puzzle path, arrow maze, Tui's Tangle maze, children's playground, tilt maze, giant games and rope maze. Wonderworld has been an icon in Rotorua’s family entertainment and tourism industry, bringing fun and happiness for over 40 years. We're conveniently located 12 minutes from Rotorua & 3 minutes from the Airport making it a perfect thing to do in Rotorua!

Learn more about Rotorua’s culture and natural history when you visit the Hell’s Gate geothermal park. Simplify your visit by pre-purchasing your entry ticket. Take advantage of the included guided tours, which includes a self-guided option if you’d prefer to go at your own pace. Try Maori carving in the carving house and soak in the geothermal waters, if you like.