The Marlborough District, at the northeastern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, is a sunny area of vineyards, mountains, and the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. Lovers of good food and drink flock to the region, as do outdoor adventure enthusiasts.
From Naseby and Ranfurly in the east to Cromwell and Arrowtown in the west, Central Otago is a sprawling alpine landscape known for winemaking and natural beauty. Spanning more than 3,800 miles (9,900 square kilometers) but with only 18,000 residents, this isolated, historical part of New Zealand is a great escape from the urban jungle.
Hawke’s Bay is a large bay in the eastern North Island, as well as the name of the region in which the bay is found. The main towns are Napier and Hastings; the two are often just referred to as Napier-Hastings. Hawke’s Bay is famous for its quality wine and the 1930s architecture.
The Rotorua area boasts dozens of lakes, but Lake Rotorua is larger, deeper, and older than its neighbors. Geologists believe that Rotorua, the second-largest lake on the North Island, dates back more than 200,000 years, while most of the region’s other waterways were created by the Tarawera eruption of 1886.
Enjoy the peace and tranquility of forests, gullies, and green spaces in Auckland Domain, a 185-acre (75-hectare) escape from the frantic Queen Street crowds. Get lost on a nature walk, admire the tropical plants at the Wintergarden, and marvel at the history on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Built in 1880 to connect Queenstown with the Southland gold fields, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge is still actively used—though now for a very different reason. This bridge, standing 141 feet above the mighty Kawarau River, is the home of Queenstown bungee jumping and draws many keen jumpers worldwide every year.
The rural lifestyle and country charm of New Zealand’s heartland are revealed on a trip to the Wairarapa region, an area of sheep-raising, vineyards, and outdoor activities such as horseback riding and hiking through forest parks. Organized bike tours that take in the region’s farms and family-run wineries are most popular.
A series of sunken river valleys at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, the Marlborough Sounds offer a range of sights and adventures—hiking, biking, camping, and wildlife watching, to name but a few. Many travelers pass through Queen Charlotte Sound and the town of Picton on the ferry between the North and South islands.
The Government Gardens in central Rotorua are so bountiful, they resemble an old picture postcard from the English countryside. If not for the telltale scent of sulfur from the nearby thermal springs at Sulphur Point, visitors might forget where they’re standing, given the Edwardian architecture and dignified landscape.
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland showcases New Zealand’s geothermal topography at its most dramatic and colorful. Located along the Reporoa Caldera within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, the park’s lava-sculpted landscapes are punctuated by hissing geysers, swirling sulfur lakes, and bubbling mud pools.
Looming out of the land at the end of Courtenay Place, Mt. Victoria is deeply embedded in the life of Wellington’s central city. Standing at more than 640 feet (195 meters) at its highest point, the Mt. Victoria Lookout offers 360-degree views of Wellington stretching out past the scenic harbor.
The Auckland War Memorial Museum, one of New Zealand’s finest, displays thousands of items—including Maori and Pacific Island collections—reflecting the country’s history, culture, and nature. A dedicated children’s area allows kids to touch animals, fossils, and bugs. Visiting Auckland Museum is a must when spending time in New Zealand’s largest city.
Parnell, Auckland’s oldest suburb, is full of high-quality restaurants, cafes, galleries, and boutique shops, especially jewelers. There are also many noncommercial sites to explore, such as parks, churches, and other buildings. A visit to Parnell is essential for understanding Auckland’s unique, stylish character.
The Redwoods Forest Whakarewarewa is a popular mountain biking, horseback riding, and walking area close to central Rotorua. As well as native New Zealand trees and flora, it contains a stand of spectacular Californian Coast Redwoods in a 13,800 acre (5,600 hectare) forest.
Operating since 1902, the Wellington Cable Car is one of the city’s most famous sights. The ride, from the central business district to the city’s tranquil botanic garden, offers a stunning light show inside the tunnels as well as gorgeous vistas of Mount Victoria and Wellington Harbour as you reach the top.
Located off the coast of Auckland, Hauraki Gulf’s 16 beautiful islands are ideal for outdoor activities like walking, horse riding, swimming, and dolphin- and whale-watching. From the vineyards of Waiheke to the hiking trails of Rangitoto, the birdwatching of Tiritiri Matangi to the secluded hot springs of Great Barrier, each of the islands offers something special.
Christchurch, coined the Garden City, is an Anglophile settlement of well-tended gardens and tree-lined streets. Its crowning jewel is the 52-acre (21-hectare) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, attractively set within Hagley Park alongside the winding Avon River. The gardens are planted with thousands of exotic and indigenous plants and trees including seasonal blooms such as magnolias, azaleas, and 250 varieties of roses.
A short drive west of Auckland is Piha Beach, one of the West Coast’s most popular getaways. A small coastal village sandwiched between the Waitakere Ranges and the Tasman Sea, Piha Beach is much loved by surfers and fisherfolk alike, but it’s also a great place for everyone to explore nature, both on the coast and in the hills.
In the rugged wilderness outside of the towns of Wanaka, Glenorchy, Makarora, and Haast, Mt. Aspiring National Park is New Zealand’s third largest park. You’ll see glaciers hanging suspended on mountainsides that are crossed by backcountry trails. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, this South Island landscape is truly magnificent.
Nestled within Fiordland National Park, Lake Manapouri is surrounded by the majestic Cathedral Range and dotted with 33 islands. Forested slopes descend into the water, creating impressive waterfalls and isolated sandy coves perfect for swimming and picnics. It is also the jumping-off point for travel to Doubtful Sound.
The entire western coastline of New Zealand’s two main islands is known to be wild and windswept, and Muriwai Beach, to the west of Auckland, is no exception. The black sand beach with high cliffs and rugged waves are popular with adventurous surfers as well as bird spotters, who come to see the huge colonies of nesting gannets.
Lake Wanaka is one of New Zealand’s largest lakes, surrounded by the mountains of Mt. Aspiring National Park. On the lake's southern shore, the town of Wanaka is a relaxed spot that offers easy access to lake-based activities: in summer, paddleboarding, kayaking, boating, and swimming are popular; in winter, skiing is available nearby.
The South Island city of Dunedin was designed in the 19th century using a grid system that took little account of the area’s hilly topography. This resulted in some very precipitous roads, including the famous Baldwin Street; not only is it Dunedin’s most sloping route, it is officially the steepest street in the world.
Coronet Peak is New Zealand’s oldest ski field and remains a popular choice for people heading to the slopes during the southern hemisphere’s ski season. Snow bunnies can take to one of the ski field’s many trails, while sightseers can enjoy the stunning views of the Wakatipu Basin and the Southern Alps from the summit of the peak.
Built in the late-19th century by William Larnach, Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle—although it’s actually a mock castle, as it was a home rather than a fortified battlement. It’s been beautifully refurbished, and the grounds are carefully tended. The views across the hills and water of the Otago Peninsula are some of the best in the area. A trip to Larnach Castle is a great way to spend a day if visiting Dunedin.
With New Zealand’s Southern Alps in the backdrop, pretty Geraldine is a rural Canterbury hub with a creative flair. Galleries and studios dot its town center while surrounding farms supply bustling cafés with fresh ingredients. It’s also a jumping-off place for exploring the outdoors, from the rushing Rangitata River to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu).
The Te Anau Glowworm Caves are one of New Zealand's most mesmerizing natural wonders, boasting a labyrinth of grottoes, tunnels, dramatic rock formations, and underground waterfalls. Adventure abounds—visitors can cruise across Lake Te Anau, scramble through the caves, and marvel at a glittering canopy of tiny glowworms.
Cathedral Cove—with its stunning and distinctive beach, caves, and rock formations—is the source of some of the most famous images of New Zealand. Part of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve on the North Island’s Coromandel Peninsula, it boasts creamy sand, clear waters, and great views through its signature archway. Visit to enjoy activities such as kayaking, sailing, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, and glass-bottom boat trips.
Twenty-two of New Zealand’s highest mountains stand proud in the Southern Alps. Magnificent Mt. Cook (Aoraki) rises 12,217 feet (3,724 meters) tall, making it the country’s highest peak and one of the South Island's most prominent natural features. The Maori name Aoraki is aptly translated as “cloud piercer.”
Measuring more than 33 feet (10 meters) high, these mammoth Māori sculptures were chiseled into the rocks on the edge of Lake Taupo in the late 1970s. Created by master carver Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell, the carvings depict Ngatoroirangi, who is said to have guided the Te Arawa tribes from their Polynesian homeland to New Zealand.
