The Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki is home to the largest collection of artwork in New Zealand, with more than 17,000 pieces in its collection. Permanent and rotating exhibits show a wide range of art, from historical Maori and Pacific art to contemporary international works. A gallery visit is a great addition to any central-city sightseeing tour.
Built in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of Mackenzie County, the Church of the Good Shepherd is set on the scenic shores of Lake Tekapo, framed by snow-capped mountain peaks. In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, this heritage building continues to serve as a place of worship.
Signal Hill is a 1,289-foot (393-meter) hill in North Dunedin with a lookout providing sweeping views over the city and Otago Harbour. As well as being a popular place to drive or walk up, Signal Hill is one of Dunedin’s premier destinations for mountain biking, with trails available for a range of experience levels.
The short walk to the Chasm, in the South Island’s Fiordland National Park, is an ideal family excursion as it’s not challenging, and kids will love the sight of the powerful waterfalls. The high volumes of rain in this part of the country have carved interesting shapes into the rocks here over thousands of years.
Until the 1970s, Ponsonby had a reputation as a crime-ridden corner of Auckland. Now it’s one of the most fashionable inner-city districts. Known for its restaurants and cafés, boutiques, bookshops, clubs, and bars—and the art galleries that line Ponsonby Road—this vibrant neighborhood also offers plenty of art hotels.
Auckland’s Albert Park is one of the most centrally located parks in the city, and travelers staying in or exploring the CBD are sure to find their way there at some point. With a significant Maori and European history and views of central Auckland’s tallest buildings, it’s a great place for a picnic lunch and a stroll.
Across the road from New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport lies the next best thing to visiting Antarctica itself: the International Antarctic Centre. Here the whole family can experience a simulation of the harsh Antarctic climate, learn all about the icy continent, and meet the center’s cutest residents—little blue penguins.
In the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island, Matamata isn’t just a small town—it’s home to Hobbiton. The blockbusters The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed all around the country, but Matamata was selected to represent the Shire. Stop by for a day of movie-related attractions and outdoor adventures.
Te Mata Peak is an unusual craggy peak that rises 1,309 feet (399 meters) from the plains of Hawke’s Bay, behind the towns of Hastings and Havelock North. Shaped like a grass-covered tsunami with a rocky crest, Te Mata Peak is a popular hiking destination. You can also drive to the peak for fabulous views, especially at sunset.
The beach suburb of Sumner might be hidden from Christchurch by the Port Hills, but this vibrant summer hot spot is only a short drive east from the CBD. Visitors can enjoy a dip at Sumner Beach, relax on the beach’s golden sands, or enjoy a coffee or ice cream on the waterfront at one of the suburb’s promenade cafés.
The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, just outside Blenheim, tells the story of New Zealand’s involvement in World War I and II through vintage aircraft. Two permanent exhibits—Knights of the Sky and Dangerous Skies—present aircraft alongside rare memorabilia, recreate battle scenes, and tell the story of the pilots who flew these impressive aircraft in each of the early-20th century wars.
The Banks Peninsula is the bulbous thumb of land that juts out into the Pacific Ocean south-east of Christchurch, on New Zealand’s South Island. The town of Akaroa has an interesting French heritage, which is rather unusual in a country colonized by the British, and the rest of the peninsula is a nature-lover’s paradise, offering outdoor and nature-oriented activities.
Queenstown Hill is one of the many hills that surround Queenstown. At 2,975 feet (907 meters) high, it’s more of a mountain, but it’s all relative to the mighty Southern Alps. Rising northeast of central Queenstown, Queenstown Hill is a popular place to hike, although it's quite a steep and demanding climb to the top.
There are plenty of places in Rotorua to find bubbling mud and steam vents, but the geothermal activity at Hell's Gate Geothermal Park is the most pronounced. Explore the landscape in this valley and you’ll notice that the steam is a bit thicker; the mud gurgles, a bit louder. The earth here is powerfully raw, which is precisely what makes the attraction so alluring.
The TranzAlpine Train is New Zealand’s most spectacular train journey, one which winds its way through the dramatic gorges and alpine forests of the Southern Alps, over staggering viaducts and dizzying mountain passes. From Christchurch on the East Coast to Greymouth on the West Coast, this almost 5-hour trip serves up endless photo opportunities as it runs through the heart of the South Island.
Waitemata Harbour (Auckland Harbour) is a complete sight unto itself. After all, in the so-called “City of Sails,” a simple stroll around the yachts anchored at the docks is a legitimate form of sightseeing. Auckland’s Ferry Terminal Building, a five-story structure that was built in 1912, is a city landmark not to be missed.
The Routeburn Track, with its hidden lakes, dramatic waterfalls, and rugged alpine scenery, has been heralded as one of the world's best hikes in one of the world's best settings. The 20-mile (33-kilometer) trail is fittingly listed as a New Zealand Great Walk; it is truly something special.
Marked by a squat lighthouse and a gnarled 800-year-old pohutukawa tree, Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of New Zealand that’s open to the public, and the site where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea come together. The area is popular for its coastal views, which you can enjoy from a series of windswept nature walks.
Mt. Victoria Reserve(Takarunga) is located on a volcanic hill in Devonport, a seaside town on Auckland’s North Shore. The climb to the top is quite quick and manageable for active travelers, and the views are impressive, as you can look back to the central Auckland skyline with its skyscrapers and sailboats bobbing in front.
Tongariro National Park earned dual UNESCO World Heritage status for its combination of Maori cultural and natural features. Located on the central North Island, the park offers visitors several options for exploring the volcanic terrain. If you want to shorten the multi-day Tongariro Northern Circuit, a New Zealand Great Walk, then consider the popular Tongariro Alpine Crossing day hike.
Covering three floors of a stunning neo-Gothic building in heart of Christchurch, the Canterbury Museum tells the stories of the region and the world around us. Walk down a re-created 19th-century Christchurch street, see the skeletons of dinosaurs and extinct native birds, and marvel at the vehicles Antarctic explorers once used to get to the South Pole.
An elegant Victorian homestead presides over 9.9 acres (4 hectares) of gardens and landscaped lawns in this Christchurch park. With blooming flowers, walking paths, and manicured garden beds, Mona Vale is primarily used for weddings and events. The gardens, however, are open to all, with an on-site restaurant serving light meals.
At the top of Bastion Point, overlooking Waitemata Harbour, is the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. A monument to the legacy of New Zealand’s well-loved 23rd prime minister, the memorial is surrounded by a peaceful park with gardens and panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf—a perfect escape from the hectic inner city.
Auckland is covered in pretty volcanic mounds, and Mt. Eden is one of the most famous. You can drive or hike to the summit for sweeping views right out into the harbor. The mount also lends its name to the upmarket suburb below, a lively neighborhood with hip coffee shops and bars.
Home to dance companies, artist collectives, hip start-ups, and more, Wellington’s Cuba Street district is bristling with creative energy. The action is centered along a pedestrian mall, a hot spot for buskers and street performers that’s lined with historical buildings and full of stylish, artsy stores, cafés, and restaurants.
The Kerikeri Stone Store is the oldest stone building in New Zealand and part of Kerikeri’s historic Mission Station. Built in 1832, the Stone Store has been a trading post, a library, a barracks, and more. Today you can explore the store and hear the stories of the chiefs, settlers, and missionaries who passed through the station.
Zealandia Ecosanctuary is a unique wildlife conservation park in Karori, just minutes from central Wellington. A premier eco-attraction, the fully fenced urban project has restored much of the flora and fauna that once surrounded the city. Forest and wetlands provide habitat for more than 40 native bird species, amphibians, and reptiles.
The Mitai Maori Village—just outside Rotorua—offers Maori cultural performances and interactions, such as waka (canoe tours, a traditional hangi meal, song and dance shows, four-wheel-drive adventures, and more. The Rotorua area is rich in Maori culture and history, and visiting the Mitai Maori Village is a convenient way of learning more about this while enjoying some entertainment and activities.
Spa-lovers may find it hard to leave Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. The standout attractions are the nine open-air geothermal pools, ranging in temperatures from 91°F to 107°F (33°C to 42°C). There are also three sulphur pools, six private indoor thermal pools, and a sauna. Anyone who wants to relax will search for reasons to linger.
Established in 1851, just a decade after the founding of modern-day New Zealand, Mission Estate Winery is the country’s oldest winery. As well as making fine Hawkes Bay wines, the winery offers tours, accommodation, a restaurant, a cellar door for tastings, and hosts events and concerts. It’s in the Taradale Hills, near Napier.
