Backdrop for the legendary “Lord of the Rings” movies, New Zealand is a place with heavenly middle Earth beauty. Cascading waterfalls, deep fjords, hot water spring, steaming geysers, untamed wilds, clear beaches and dazzling glaciers; it’s just the beginning of its beautiful story.
There are so many wonderful places to visit in New Zealand that it’s hard for people to decide which one to keep on the bucket list and which one to miss. Here is an attempt to sort this out with our list of most beautiful and famous New Zealand tourist attractions.
Top 16 Places To Visit In New Zealand
New Zealand is a country that is filled with a number of beautiful places. The list is actually very long and if you have to cover it all, it will at least take you more than one visit. However, out of all the places, there are certain destinations that obviously have more significance than the others. These are the places that you simply cannot count out of your list. These places reflect the true beauty of the country. Make sure that you include all these places to visit in New Zealand while planning your next trip. Here is the list of the top New Zealand tourist attractions:
1. Bay Of Islands
One of the most popular New Zealand tourist attractions, Bay of Islands is a haven for yachts and sailing boats. Pearls of 144 islands adorn the necklace of Bay of Islands. Kayak along the coast, hike the island trails, enjoy in secluded coves, and explore undisturbed forests. Abundant marine life including dolphins, whales, big marlin, and penguins make for a popular fishing spot. All of these together makes the spot an ideal tourist destination in New Zealand.
2. Tongariro National Park
Towering volcanoes, untamed forests, arid plateaus, hot springs, herb fields, turquoise lakes and lush meadows pitch for a melodramatic scenery. One of the oldest national parks in the world and best places to visit in New Zealand, Tongariro is a land of stunning beauty and natural wonders. Add in a visit to the Lake Taupo, and you are set for a surprisingly delightful day.
3. Napier In Hawke’s Bay
Gourmet food and Art Deco – These two things define the Napier region, one of the best places to visit in New Zealand to take a peek in the Maori World. Spanish Mission style architecture and Art Deco design buildings line this city. Some of them are even adorned with Maori motifs. Also, gourmet restaurants in this place are to die for. Unique procedures and equally unique recipes, make even the regular dishes worthwhile.
4. Auckland
Two shimmering harbors, the Manukau Harbor and the Waitemata Harbor, are the main jewels of the Auckland crown. Rainforests, wild hike trails, hidden coves, picturesque islands, and mysterious volcanoes make this city a perfect base for adventure lovers. Unusual black and gold beaches set the backdrop for amazing pictures and memories. It is quite popular among top New Zealand tourist places.
5. Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel Peninsula is one of the best places to visit in Northern New Zealand. A sublime world, away from the city’s hustle-bustle, Coromandel Peninsula is a paradise for complacent people who look for peace around them. The beaches here are famous for their golden sand. Indulge in hiking, kayaking, and skydiving at this New Zealand tourist attraction.
6. Queenstown
Country’s adventure capital, Queenstown is one of the top tourist destinations of New Zealand. Bungee jumping, white-water rafting, jet boating, rock climbing, paragliding, hiking, downhill skiing, mountain biking; the list of adrenaline-fueled sports is endless at this top tourist attraction in New Zealand.
7. Fiordland National Park
Home to some of the best walking trails, Fiordland National Park boasts of spectacular beauty. Whispering waterfalls, offshore islands, stretched lakes, undisturbed forests, high mountain peaks and gushing cascades make sure that you don’t have a dull moment in here. The popular ways to explore the fjords are sea kayaking or flights for bird’s eye views to enjoy this must see place in New Zealand.
8. Fox And Franz Josef Glaciers
The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers are one the most accessible glacial rivers in the world, and thus make it to list of best tourist attractions in New Zealand. The frozen landscapes of ice caves and mountain peaks at the foot of the glacier are a norm here. Walk over or ride a helicopter, do whatever you want to do but do not miss these amazing natural wonders.
9. Abel Tasman National Park
The vast expanse of Abel Tasman National Park is a hiker’s dream come true. Wilderness with weathered rock formations set the background of this national park. The Tasman Coast Trek is the icing on the cake. Clear beaches and sparkling water lure tourists to themselves. Snorkel, hike, trek, camp or relax; the options are numerous here. And the sightings of rare birds like blue penguins, wekas, wood pigeons, and oystercatchers can make a photographer’s day.
10. Mount Cook National Park
Well, Mount Cook National Park, also known as Aoraki National Park, is the base of tallest mountain peak – Mount Cook and longest glacier – Tasman Glacier. This is the place where the legendary Edmund Hillary trained to ascend the heights of ginormos Mount Everest. A top destination for mountaineers, its pristine glaciers and serene beauty will catch your breathe. Surely justified for being among the top rated best places to visit in New Zealand!
11. Kaikoura
Seafood connoisseur, wildlife fanatics, bird watchers and natural beauty devotees find this place hard to resist. The taste of fresh crawfish, blue cod and mussels will tantalize your taste buds. Spotting of humpbacks, sperm whales, fur seals, dolphins and albatross, among the extensive wildlife here, against the stunning landscapes of Kaikoura, one of the top places to visit in New Zealand, will lift your spirits to a whole new level.
12. Milford Sound
Termed as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, Milford Sound is one of those unmissable places to visit in New Zealand. Surrounded by glaciers, the landscapes of Milford Sound is amazingly beautiful. The best way to explore the place is by boat. Explore the waterfalls and wildlife around the area on a cruise.
You can even go for kayaking tour if you want. If you are already pleased by exploring the surface of the water, then you can go underneath the surface with a visit to the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory. This is the only underwater observatory in New Zealand. You can go 30 feet deep into the water and experience a 360 degrees underwater view.
13. Waiheke Island
Located just half n’ hour away from Downtown Auckland, Waiheke Island can be reached by boat and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in New Zealand. This is the ideal place for all the wine lovers out there. The place is home to a number of vineyards. While visiting this place you simply cannot miss out on going to the wine tours.
You can relish the samples of 14 different wines on the wine tours. Expert guides will guide you to the three vineyards where you can taste some of the finest quality wines. Well, there is other stuff as well that you can do at the Waiheke island other than just enjoying wine. The island is also very popular for its beaches, the art community, olive groves, and forests. It is advised that you opt for a hiking trip or a culture tour while you are here.
14. Christchurch
Christchurch is one of the main tourist attractions in New Zealand. Despite the fact that four massive earthquakes between the period 2010 and 2011 had completely left the city in ruins, it has still managed to spring back to life. You can witness the rebirth of the city everywhere.
Starting from new buildings to shopping malls everything has been reconstructed again. The main attractions of the city include the beautiful Botanic Gardens where you can enjoy the lovely walking tracks, conservatories, and horticulture displays. The garden is also home to some of the oldest, tallest, and largest trees in New Zealand. Explore both the new and old Christchurch on the gondola. You can enjoy a scenic ride of the Mt. Cavendish on the cable car.
15. White Island
If you want to try something more thrilling on your trip then White Island is one of the best places to visit in New Zealand. It is the most active volcano in the country. This place is ideal for all the adventurous travelers who would like to make their trip a memorable one.
You can take a helicopter ride over the White Island while enjoying the stunning view of the volcanic landscape. Since this is an area of active volcanoes, you are required to wear gas masks and hard hats. If you are lucky enough then you can even watch volcanologists monitoring the volcanoes. You can even take on the island by a boat. For the travelers who are fearless, they can even go for scuba diving around the White Island and explore the underwater vents of the volcanoes.
16. Waitomo Glowworm Caves
If you wish to experience something really beautiful and unique then this could be the idle place for you. The cave is naturally illuminated by thousands of glowworms. This is a site which you have never seen in your life before. This is actually one of the most unique places to visit in New Zealand.
To explore the caves, you can take a boat ride through it and learn about the science and history behind the entire phenomenon. By visiting this place you can have a completely different experience which is hard to duplicate anywhere else. Thousands of tourists are attracted to the caves because they want to witness this beautiful phenomenon with their own eyes.
So these are some of the best places to visit in New Zealand. Your trip to this amamzing country remains incomplete without visiting these mentioned attractions. You can have a lovely experience and make your trip a memorable one by paying a visit to all these mentioned places. Now, we’ve given you enough fodder to start planning. Get the tickets done and set your itinerary now for your trip to New Zealand!
