10 Places To Visit In New Zealand

New Zealand was never really a country I had thought about travelling to before. I hadn’t heard much about it or what there was to see. As we were travelling to Australia, someone suggested that we should also visit New Zealand. When I looked at the photos online, I instantly fell in love with the place. Immediately, I thought, we have to book a trip around here because it is so gorgeous. 

I love being surrounded by nature, and that’s why New Zealand is so perfect. The mountains and the scenery are just so tranquil. The best way to travel around New Zealand is by campervan, that way you can reach all the amazing hidden gems. On top of that, some of the campsites in the country have mind-blowing scenery, which makes camping there so special. 

New Zealand is made up of two islands, and there is strong favouritism towards the South Island. It’s no wonder why, the mountains on the South Island make it very visually striking. However, I would say that the North Island is also very beautiful, with so many things to see. So, if you do have the time, I would definitely recommend visiting the North Island as well. 

Things To See In New Zealand 

In this blog, I’m going to cover some of my favourite places that I visited in New Zealand to help you build your travel itinerary. 

Hobbiton 

If you're a big fan of The Lord of the Rings, you probably already know it was filmed in New Zealand, so there are plenty of famous spots to check out from the movies. One of them is the Hobbiton Movie Set on the North Island, in the Waikato region, where you can see all the hobbit holes. It’s such a cool experience to see in person and feel like you're part of the LOTR world. You don’t even need to be a massive fan to enjoy it. I’m not the biggest fan and only went for my partner, but I honestly had such a great time. Every little detail is so well thought out, and the guides are incredibly insightful, sharing all the secrets about the filmmaking! 

Waitomo Glowworm Caves 

This place is amazing, the caves are lit up by glowworms like stars in the night sky. It’s truly impressive. The site is entirely run by local Māori people. A local guide will take you through the caves, teaching you the history of how they were discovered and all the intricate details. You’ll then see the glowworms up close, which is really interesting. The experience finishes with a magical boat ride through the caves, where you’ll see the true beauty of the glowworms lighting up the space. It’s unforgettable! 

Huka Falls 

This is a must-see when visiting the North Island. The area is incredibly scenic, the water is the brightest blue you’ve ever seen. The flow is so powerful, creating beautiful white froth amongst the blue water. There are various walks in the area that offer different viewpoints of the falls. You also have the chance to do some water sports like white-water rafting and jet boat riding, such an amazing experience.  

Tongariro Alpine Crossing 

This was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life, so you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness. But it was also the most stunning hike I’ve ever experienced, the views are breathtaking! The hike takes around 6 to 9 hours to complete, as it’s 19.4km with a 765m elevation gain, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. But if you're up for the challenge, it’s so worth it. The volcanic landscape is beautiful, with lava flows, crater lakes and steaming vents. I’d recommend researching beforehand and packing plenty of snacks to keep your energy up. 

Abel Tasman National Park 

Now we’re on the South Island! While New Zealand doesn’t have many ‘must-see’ beach spots, this is certainly one of them. One of the smallest national parks, it’s a stunning wilderness reserve with golden beaches. It’s a beautiful place to explore. You can hike along the world-famous coastal track or just relax on the beach and enjoy the views. It’s also a great place to kayak, with chances to see dolphins, seals and little penguins! 

Marlborough 

This was one of the highlights of the entire trip – and if you love wine, it might be one of your favourites too. It’s one of the most famous wine regions in the world, especially known for Sauvignon Blanc. They specialise in Sauvignon (which happens to be my favourite), but they also produce a wide range of other wines. In my opinion, it’s some of the best Sauvignon, with wonderful tropical notes. I recommend doing a vineyard bike tour. It’s so much fun cycling between vineyards and taking part in wine tastings. You might be a little tipsy on the final ride, so do be careful! The vineyards are stunning and so scenic, and the tastings usually cost around $10 per vineyard. Many also offer delicious charcuterie boards to pair with your wine. 

Kaikōura 

This was my favourite town in New Zealand. There’s a clear theme in this blog but again, the scenery is absolutely stunning. The town has an epic mountain backdrop, and when the weather cools down, the snowy peaks make it look like a screensaver! What makes the town really special is the incredible marine life. There are so many bucket-list experiences here. One is a whale-watching boat tour, there’s a 99% chance of seeing sperm whales. You can also swim with wild dolphins (don’t worry – they’ll give you a wetsuit so it’s not too cold). Finally, there are several spots around the town where you can watch seals. If you love marine life, you must come here! 

Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park 

The main attraction here is Aoraki / Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. But the surrounding mountains make it an incredible area to explore. There are lots of hikes to choose from. I recommend the Hooker Valley Track. It’s family-friendly and suitable for most fitness levels. There are boardwalks along the trail to make it easier and it offers fantastic views of Mount Cook. For something more challenging, try the Sealy Tarns track. This is also where having a campervan is ideal. There’s a fantastic campsite with views of Mount Cook and it’s one of the best spots for stargazing at night. 

First Bungy Jump In Queenstown 

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand, packed with adrenaline activities. If you’re looking for heart-racing adventures, this is the place. There’s skydiving, blackwater rafting and jet boating – but the biggest thrill is the first-ever bungy jump in the world. Not for the faint-hearted, this bucket list experience takes place on the Kawarau Bridge, which opened in 1988. The jump is 141ft high, which is a crazy height! Be brave and tick it off your list, you won’t regret it. Just make sure to jump when they say! 

Milford Sound 

I’m a bit of a sucker for a boat ride, I just find being on the water so relaxing. Milford Sound offers one of the most scenic boat trips you can take, and it’s a must-do experience. There are many day tours available, but I recommend going with Real NZ. Their boat is modern, with plenty of viewpoints, and the guides are really funny, making the whole experience enjoyable. The scenery is stunning, they’ll take you to various vantage points, including an up-close view of an epic waterfall. You might even see dolphins and seals if you're lucky. It’s well worth the money. An insider tip for you, don’t park at the official car park – it’s very expensive. There’s actually a free car park just down the road! 

Conclusion 

That brings us to the end of this blog! New Zealand was one of the most magical countries I’ve ever visited, and if you get the chance, I definitely recommend going. The scenery will blow you away. There are so many hidden gems across the country, so explore as much as you can, you won’t be disappointed. I hope this blog helps you build your New Zealand travel itinerary, and make sure to stay tuned for more travel tips!