On the scenic western shore of Lake Wakatipu, just across the water from Queenstown, Walter Peak High Country Farm serves up an authentic slice of rural life in New Zealand. Dating back to the 19th century, and still a family-run, working sheep and cow ranch, it’s now a popular attraction for travelers. Cruise across the lake to meet the farmyard animals, watch a sheepdog display, and sample farm-to-table cuisine.
When the seafaring Maori people arrived in New Zealand from other Pacific islands, they used the stars to navigate across the vast Pacific Ocean. Today, visit Auckland’s Stardome Observatory & Planetarium to study the same stars of the southern hemisphere, nearly 1,000 years after those first Polynesian explorers landed ashore.
You can traverse the entire city of Auckland—and the North Island itself—on this 10-mile (16-kilometer) walking route that winds between Waitemata Harbour and Onehunga Harbour. There’s plenty to see along the way. The walkway passes some major attractions, along with suburban neighborhoods, verdant parks, and even a dormant volcano.
Rugby fans–or anyone interested in learning about sports culture in New Zealand–won’t want to miss the All Blacks Experience. The interactive museum takes visitors behind the scenes of the All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team. Join a 45-minute tour, see the famous haka being performed, and try some hands-on activities.
Whether you see it, hear it, or smell it first, approaching the bustling Auckland Fish Market is always an exciting experience. Here along Auckland’s bustling waterfront, fishermen returning to the docks come to sell their fresh catches at auction, and diners come to feast on fish that was literally caught that morning.
A welcome contrast to the North Island’s steam plumes, sulfuric mud pools, and rugged geothermal craters, Waipahihi Botanical Gardens are a vibrant and fragrant refuge overlooking Lake Taupo. Wander the 86 acres (35 hectares) of native and foreign flowers and trees, or picnic while enjoying views of the lake and Tongariro National Park.
McLean Falls, on the Tautuku River in the Catlins Conservation Park spanning Otago and Southland, is a 72-foot (22-meter) waterfall surrounded by damp New Zealand bush. The path to the falls passes through an attractive podocarp forest with flowering fuchsia trees. While the short walk there is categorized as easy, some of it is uphill.
Head underground and back in time on the Queenstown’s Time Tripper Underwater Experience, a 15-minute animated show that takes you on a journey through Queenstown’s history. The animated cinematic show starts in the dinosaurs’ time, when Queenstown’s mountains, lakes, and glaciers were forming. After the show, continue to the underwater observatory to see Lake Wakatipu’s ducks, eels, and trout.
Thrill-seeking travelers are never short of attractions in New Zealand, and Queenstown’s Nevis Swing is certainly one of the most thrilling. The jumping-off platform is located 524 feet (160 meters) above a river. After a 229 foot (70 meter) free-fall, you’ll swing in a 984-foot (300-meter) arc. Jump solo or tandem, forwards, backwards, or upside down.
When it comes to the waters surrounding Auckland, Waitemata Harbour—lined with sailboats and yachts—tends to get all the attention. Forming the city’s southern boundary is Manukau Harbour, with places of scenic beauty even its flashy neighbor can’t match. One such site is Manukau Heads Lighthouse, with a lookout tower to amplify the views.
Located in Mt. Cook Aoraki National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hermitage Hotel is a well-loved landmark. In prime position with fabulous views of the mountain, the hotel dominates the northern edge of Mt. Cook Village. Chalets, motel rooms, and lodge accommodation are offered at several locations around town.
Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) is the biggest museum of its type in New Zealand, dedicated to the nation’s transport, technology, and social history. MOTAT houses many attractions, including working steam trains and tramways, perfectly preserved WWII planes, and a Victorian-era village full of historical artifacts.
Crustaceans have the starring role at this aquacultural facility and activity park, where you can feed, fish for, and eat prawns. As well as taking a tour of the prawn nursery and hatchery, you can soak your feet in geothermal waters, go stand-up paddleboarding, and follow adventure trails.
Turangi’s Volcanic Activity Centre is an educational facility filled with stories and experiences dedicated to the history and science of New Zealand’s volcanic landscapes. Learn about the Taupo region’s geothermal and volcanic activity—from the supervolcano that created Lake Taupo to the still-active Mt. Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park.
Spilling 259 miles (417 kilometers) from Mt. Ruapehu to its terminus at the Tasman Sea, the Waikato River is the longest river in New Zealand. Located outside of Taupo, in the central part of the North Island, this river forms the lifeblood of the region’s aquatic playground. Kayakers from around the world come to play in its rapids.
Sileni Estates is an award-winning winery in the North Island’s premier wine-producing region, Hawke’s Bay. Located in what’s known as the Bridge Pa Triangle outside Hastings, Sileni Estates offers tasting experiences—either in a tasting room or among the vines—as well as winery tours. Among the wines it produces are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, and merlot.
Considered the city’s playground, Wellington Outer Green Belt is a strip of undeveloped green land that stretches north along Wellington’s ridgetops. Walking and biking tracks weave through the landscape, which encompasses forests, hills, and the rugged south coastline.
Steam surges from the ground of this active geothermal valley, which rises up from boiling mud and colorful hot pools. As well as boasting geothermal phenomena, Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley features a camping ground with small animals such as chickens and sheep.
Lake Taupo is known for an array of water sports, but it’s also one of the best places for hiking on the North Island of New Zealand. For one of the prime vistas of Lake Taupo, the steep trek up Mt. Tauhara offers panoramic views of the Taupo lakeshore and the surrounding mountains of the Central Plateau.
Although the Waipara Valley wine region doesn’t always feature in glossy magazines, New Zealand oenophiles flock to this small slice of Canterbury for some of the country’s best gewürztraminer, as well as its uniquely rich pinot noir and riesling. Best of all, it’s more accessible from Christchurch than the South Island’s other wine destinations.
The Bay of Plenty’s Ōhope Beach is a popular North Island beach destination—and it’s easy to see why. It’s a 6.8-mile (11-kilometer) stretch of white sand with safe swimming, good surf, and abundant sunshine. Come on a day trip from nearby Whakatāne or camp at beachside campgrounds to enjoy some fun in the sun.
With the popular and developed Bay of Islands just to the south, the Whangaroa Harbour tends to be overlooked by travelers. That’s good news for those who do make it here, because they’re treated to near-deserted beaches, peaceful fishing spots, remote Northland settlements, and some of the most beautiful nature in New Zealand.
Built in 1842, the Pompallier Mission and Printery (Pompallier House) in Russell represents a critical time in New Zealand history: when the British and French vied for dominance. The mission was the heart of Catholic outreach, and the printery produced many thousands of books in Te Reo Maori, prompting literacy and conversion.
The Coromandel Peninsula is a popular destination, but away from the beautiful beaches, the Coromandel Forest Park covers large parts of the peninsula’s interior. At the park’s center are the rugged Pinnacles, volcanic peaks with a range of long- and short-distance hikes available. Waterfalls, rivers, and relics from the Coromandel’s gold-mining and kauri-logging days are other park highlights.
Located at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Port Marlborough (Picton Cruise Port) is wedged between the mountains and the sea of Queen Charlotte Sound, one of four rugged sounds that make up the Marlborough Sounds. Large cruise liners and inter-island ferries crossing the Cook Strait all stop here.
You’ll get 360-degree views and a rush of adrenaline at Auckland Sky Tower, stationed 630 feet (about 192 meters) above the city. Daredevil travelers strap on sturdy harnesses and inch along a narrow walkway during a guided SkyWalk. Another option is to plunge from Auckland’s tallest building as part of the SkyJump Auckland experience.
Perched on the banks of the River Hutt, Hutt Valley is home to wildlife reserves, forest parks, historic harborside settlements, and walking and cycling trails, all of which make it a popular weekend escape from Wellington. The valley is home to several Lord of the Rings filming locations and is therefore a magnet for Tolkien fans.
Hanmer Springs Adventure Centre is an all-in-one retail shop, information center, and booking office in the middle of town, selling a variety of outdoor gear and clothing for all seasons. You can also rent bicycles or four-wheeled quadricycles, and arrange shuttle services and activities.
Kauri trees are a native New Zealand species with trunks that are usually, well, approximately round. But not the Square Kauri Tree in the Coromandel Forest Park, which is square-ish, as the name suggests. The unusual shape is not the only thing interesting about this tree: it’s estimated to be around 1,200 years old.
The white-water rafting on the North Island of New Zealand is considered some of the world’s best. This wild river to the south of Rotorua has 8.5 miles (14 kilometers) of raging rapids that are consistent for most of the year. Visitors can splash, bounce, and paddle their way down the Rangitaiki River with a guide.
