35 Amazing Things to Do in New Zealand

Last updated: April 9th, 2026

New Zealand is considered the most beautiful country on earth. The grandeur of mountains, forests, and alpine lakes combined with wild beaches and twisted farmland is something from another world. Some call it Middle Earth. In this article we are going to discuss the 35 best things to do in New Zealand.

We actually toyed with the idea of calling this, “350 of the best things to do in New Zealand,” because there is so much to see and do in the incredible country. Alas, we settled for a fraction of this, not because we couldn’t do it, but because we respect your time. We are great respecters of time as evidenced by this paragraph.

New Zealand is split into two islands: North and South. The South Island has the more refulgent reputation due to it’s impressive peaks and national parks. Those with less time to spend adventuring may choose to only visit the South Island.

Our experience was the North Island was absolutely wonderful as well and we wouldn’t skip it. What the North Island lacks in snow-capped mountains it makes up with exotic coastline and rugged, pastoral beauty.

No matter where you go in New Zealand the effects will be dramatic. Some of our listed excursions are crucial — Milford Sound, Hobbiton — and part of every New Zealand travel travel itinerary. You simply wouldn’t want to miss your chance at a world-class experience. However, if given enough time you will have other opportunities, and this is where preference takes center stage.

Time is precious and expensive when traveling abroad.

So it’s a good idea to dream up a tight schedule including all the things that sound best. That’s what we did with our 39 day motorhome ramble from Queenstown to Auckland in March of 2025; the results of which are found in this article.

This is the central article of a series of articles, and links are established throughout to offer additional insights into what is possible with a New Zealand vacation.

Here’s an example: 20 Tips for Driving a Motorhome in New Zealand.

We hope this article gets your juices flowing for all the possibilities ahead on your adventure. There are so many incredible things to do in New Zealand — it would be impossible to do them all. Well, maybe not impossible, but expensive, to be sure.

Must Do: Things to Do in New Zealand

Must-Do attractions are typically the reason we’ve decided to visit.

1. Hobbiton

Peter Jackson had his crew tear down the Hobbit village set after the LOTR movies were completed. But when they contacted the owner of the property about rebuilding for the Hobbit movie trilogy the property owner suggested they do it permanently, and here we are.

To anyone who loves the LOTR films this will be a highlight of your visit to New Zealand. Roaming the Hobbiton village and learning the moviemaking lore was pure bliss.

2. Mt. Cook National Park

It’s hard for a man-made excursion to rise above the level of 5-star nature, but it’s also hard for anything to rise above the Lord of the Rings stories. So we’ll call this the other best thing to do in New Zealand.

If you’re coming to New Zealand you have to visit Mt. Cooke National Park, the most visually stunning place in the entire country. The Hooker Valley Track is far too accessible for such otherworldly beauty.

3. Boat Cruise in Milford Sound National Park

Milford Sound National Park is the third most visited National Park in the world. When you consider how far out-of-the-way is New Zealand, and that the Milford Sound is pretty far out-of-the-way once you get to New Zealand, the designation is impressive.

This is the only place on earth where rock cliffs raise straight out of the ocean a mile into the sky. And all along the cliffs are an assortment of massive waterfalls.

A two-hour boat ride is the perfect way to admire one of the most sublime natural environments on earth, making this one of the best things to do in New Zealand.

4. Black Water Rafting in Waitomo Glowworm Caves

For those who are looking for more than hiking and gawking on their New Zealand adventure, try cave rafting in Waitomo!

About a half-million visitors come to the glowworm caves on New Zealand’s North Island each year, but a far lesser number of them take advantage of the more interesting component of the cave system.

Blackwater Rafting gives three and five hour small-group tours into the glowworm caves, where participants float, plunge, and hike through an underground cave and river system. It was one of the highlights of our five-week vacation.

5. Bungee Jump in Queenstown

You kind of have to bungee in Queenstown, right? It is the birthplace of bungee, after all. The above Kawarau bridge is the literal origin locale of commercial bungee jumping circa November 1988.

You’ll have a whole lot more options nowadays, and costs range from $150-300 USD for a jump. Most jumpers go with the original bungee company, AJ Hackett. That’s who we used and we would absolutely recommend them.

6. Skyline Luge and Gondola

The most fun you’ll have in New Zealand might be luging down the hillside in Queenstown. At the top of the gondola that overlooks downtown are two incredible luge tracks. A short ski-lift that takes you from the bottom to the top allows visitors to rocket down the luges over and over.

When you pay for your gondola up the mountain you’ll have the opportunity to pre-pay for how many luges you’ll want to take. This is the best price you’ll get, so we recommend you buy five or six. In our experience, the three rides we purchased weren’t nearly enough.

Related Article: 13 Beautiful Beaches in New Zealand

7. Able Tasman National Park

One of the most beautiful regions in New Zealand is Able Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island. Here you can hike, kayak, or tour the coast via Wilsons water taxi

An assortment of drop-off points are available via boat, which open up different parts of the hiking trail for day-hikes. Some visitors choose to hike the 60 km track in its entirety, which takes between 3-5 days.

We chose a daytrip between Medlands and Anchorage Bay since Awaroa Bay was closed due to high winds. We would recommend this challenging 8-mile hike.

8. Mount Maunganui

The Mount is a locals-dominated retreat off the well-worn path of world travelers, making it sort of a hidden gem.

The most dramatic feature is the looming volcano that rests spectacular at the end of a beach-clad spit. From sunrise to sunset active Kiwis trod up, down, and around that beautiful behemoth. And at the top are some of the most magnificent views on the North Island.

Other key features of Mount Maunganui are a fine assortment of restaurants in the friendly town a half-mile from the main beach, surfable waves, and daytrip accessibility to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton.

9. Tongariro National Park

Tongariro is a desolate, volcanic landscape recently made famous as Mordor in the LOTR movies. It is considered one of the best day-hikes in the world and one of the very best things to do in New Zealand.

The 12-mile, one-way hike is challenging by itself. Adding to the challenge is the logistics, because visitors must make arrangements to be picked-up or dropped off at either end of the trek.

Beware: If someone dies on the trail — yes, dies — they shut down the entire crossing for three days out of respect for the deceased. This is exactly what happened the day before we arrived –the trail was shut down during the two days we were in the region. As the cat says, “In my next lifetime…”

Should Do: Things to do in New Zealand

Should-Do attractions receive a strong recommend.

10. Kaiteriteri — Things to do in New Zealand

This is another locals beach town that somehow escapes the tourist crowd. We spent five days here and it was the perfect mid-vacation slow-down respite.

Kaiteriteri is the gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, as a primary pick-up/drop-off point for boat tours along the coast. When you visit the Abel Tasman National Park be sure to plan a day or two in Kaiteriteri. The sands are soft and there are a million little things to explore.

11. Downtown Queenstown

Cape Farewell Track; Hokitika; Arthur's Pass

For as popular as Queenstown is, we found the reviews underrated how fantastic it actually is here. The dramatic beauty is in your face with mountains all around this beautiful lakeside setting.

Any Queenstown visitor has to take the gondola up to the top to ride the luge cars. And this is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping. If you’re into scenic roadtrips the drive to Glenorchy is really quite special.

We spent 3 days here, which was about the right amount of time. Another day wouldn’t have hurt, as there is much to explore.

12. Aurthur’s Pass National Park

Of all the places we visited on our New Zealand adventure, this was the biggest surprise. There are many things to do in Aurthur Pass N.P., and the coolest of them all is to walk amongst the Castle Hills Rocks. The trail is a loop and takes about 30 minutes if you keep moving. But you won’t want to keep moving. The landscape is simply too amazing to blow past.

Other than the Castle Hills Rocks, be sure to walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall. Beyond that, the view from out your windshield will be satisfying enough. Be sure to stop and take photographs!

If you’re going to be renting a motorhome, be sure to check out our article, 20 Tips for Driving a Motorhome in New Zealand.

13. Hot Water Beach

One of the greatest experiences our family shared in New Zealand was when we dug a dirt bath at Hot Water Beach. I mean, when I dug a dirt bath at Hot Water Beach.

Rent a shovel for $10 and try to find the Goldilocks water temperature. It might be too hot, might be too cold, but if you’re lucky it’ll be just right. Once you’ve got your perfect scalding little place to boil yourself alive, be sure to root for the other fools digging their own private Idahos.

14. The Road to Milford Sound

The Road to Milford Sound is ballyhooed as one of the absolute best things to do in New Zealand. And truth be told, it is the 14th best thing to do in New Zealand. Top 20 for sure. The mountains are spectacular, ethereally dressed in fog and waterfalls to delight the hearts of man.

There are an abundance of vistas and hikes all along the road to Milford Sound. Some are worth your time, and some might be deemed otherwise. We did an unfortunate hike, but we won’t get into that here. Try to take your time, but it’s a long day even if you’re staying in Te Anau, so don’t lolly around too much or you’ll be wiped.

15. Daytrip to Glenorchy

I absolutely loved our day trip to Glenorchy! The drive out there was gorgeous, and the town of Glenorchy was fun to explore as well. There are a lot of little things to do and see along the road, and again, like stated above, don’t stall too much unless you have an abundance of time on your hands.

Be sure to find the lakeside pier and beach once you reach town — it would be easy to not realize it’s there. If you’re a LOTR fan, a few film sites can be found if you keep going past Glenorchy. We visited the Isengard site and enjoyed it immensely.

16. Cape Farewell Track

This was a totally underrated hike through the twisted green hills above Wharariki Beach. The topography is wild and isolated here. It feels like the end of the earth. If you want to find the edge of humanity, forge onward to the Cape Farewell Spit, a 20 mile-long beach that juts into the ocean.

The Cape Farewell track can be hard to find. If you’re hiking to Wharariki Beach, once the trail opens up to the sand and you can see the shore with the rocks in the surf, start winding to your right. The trailhead is in the north-east corner of the beach and it isn’t easy to spot.

17. Hokitika Town and Beach

We loved Hokitika because it had everything. The town was friendly and strollable. The beach was covered in driftwood and structures made of driftwood. The lush, farming valley and hills behind the town was beautiful.

We spent only one night here and it felt like an oversight. Hokitika wasn’t hyped too much in our research. It was viewed as a stopover. In retrospect we should have spent at least one more night here. Hokitika is a cool beach town.

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18. Wanaka — Best Things to do in New Zealand

Everybody loves Wanaka, which is why we spent 5 nights here. The setting is profound with large mountains overlooking a benevolent lake and town. We were here in March, which is the tail end of summer, and because of this the lake level was low and the mountains were brown. #Thatwanakatree wasn’t in the water, but it was still cool to photograph.

The town was fun and had some good restaurants. We would recommend Bombay Palace with a balcony table. Our time here synced up well with the Wanaka A&P Show, which is like a state fair like any other state fair. The finale of the A&P Show was a Jack Russell Terrier race with a hundred dogs at running at once. It sounds more amazing that it looked — the whole thing was over in about 6 seconds.

19. Wellington Chocolate Factory

Who doesn’t want to learn how to make chocolate and then make make three different bars with all of their favorite ingredients? We’re talking fruit, flowers, lavender, coconut, merengue, and any other chocolate addition of which you are familiar. If you’re in Wellington this is an affordable experience that will bring you loads of joy and chocolate.

20. Hokitika Gorge

Thirty minutes from the town of Hokitika is a stunning blue-water gorge. Driving here from town is scenic, too, with the mountains backdropping a beautiful farming valley.

Once you park it’s about a 30 minute walk to the end of the trail. Take a seat on the rocks and soak up the scenery. Or, if you’ve got the guts, strip down to whatever you’re wearing beneath your clothes and take the coldest damn polar plunge of your life! Yeah. Do that. We did. Hoo boy. That’s some cold @$$ water!

21. Ferry Between the Islands

Whatever you do, don’t take your motorhome on the ferry with yourself and three others. It’ll cost you a cool $400 USD. I mean, you should totally do it, just brace for impact.

If heading from the South Island to the North, the first hour of the 4-hour ride is a gorgeous navigation of the arms and islands of Marlborough Sound. Be sure to grab some railing on the top deck of the ferry to take it all in.

22. Cathedral Cove

This is likely the most photographed beach in New Zealand. And it absolutely earns it’s keep! You won’t find many places more picturesque than this beach from inside the cave-like tunnel entrance.

There isn’t much to explore here, but all of it is serene. Well, almost all of it. The obnoxious Instagram crowd will photograph themselves to dust in your view line, but if you look past them taking 30 attempts of the same shot a row you’ll see some truly marvelous things!

23. Te Papa Museum in Wellington

If you want to learn everything about Aotearoa, the Te Papa Museum in Wellington is one of the best things to do in New Zealand. This state of the art facility is both beautiful and filled with beautiful and interesting things.

The featured section detailed Galipoli, New Zealand and Australia’s only foray into WWI (or any war for that matter). We found this wildly interesting. Other noteworthy features were: Geology; animals; native Maori peoples history; and more. One of the featured exhibits is the largest giant squid on record. It’s huge and looks like something out of Bruckheimer’s Independence Day.

24. Wellington Cable Car and Botanical Gardens

If you’re coming to Wellington — which you should — you have to take the cable car to the botanical gardens. The line may be long but it’s worth the $12 NZD. Be sure to snap the bingo card photo of the cable car at the top (see above), or no one will believe you went there.

The botanical garden is cool because it runs from the top of the hill downward. So follow the path down the hill and see some nice arrangements. When you run out of energy just find the cable car again and relax your legs the rest of the way.

Related Article: 5 Best Kept Secrets in New Zealand

25. Downtown Wellington

Wellington is a cool-looking, safe city to walkabout day or night. It’s kind of the mid-point of the New Zealand experience whether you’re traveling north to south or vice-verse, and makes for a gentle reintroduction to civilized city living.

The best things to do are: Wellington Chocolate Factory, Te Papa Museum, the Cable Car, and eating at the myriad delicious restaurants.

26. Wharariki Beach

Let’s be Frank — or I’ll be Frank — you be someone else — and speak the truth to each other… the drive here is long and kinda awful. And don’t get us started on the RV Campground near the beach. It was the worst we endured in our entire epic adventure. And the beach is overrated, too — but that’s mostly because some claim its the best on earth.

Ultimately what you have here is a very cool setting in a super remote part of the country. And then there’s alos a cave where the famous Microsoft screen saver photo originated; and no matter how hard you and the twenty college-aged girls around you try to recreate it you’ll fall frustratingly short. Oh, yeah, and there’s the Cape Farewell Track, which should be attempted at all costs.

27. Te Anau — Best Things to do in New Zealand

Te Anau is the closest town to Milford Sound. And while there isn’t a whole lot here, it’s lakeside presence, mountainous backdrop, and strollable streets make it a solid destination on it’s own. Be sure to stay here when you visit Milford Sound, because it’s an extra two hours each way to travel there from Queenstown.

28. Tekapo Church

Everyone stops here for the photographs — and it’s well worth the stop! This is one of the most picturesque churches you’ll find around the globe. If you visit at the right time of year you’ll catch the added bonus of the blooming lupin flowers, which are tremendously colorful.

This is found just off the highway between Christchurch and Mt. Cook National Park.

Could Do: Things to Do in New Zealand

Could-Do attractions are worthwhile, but come without a strong recommend.

29. Christchurch City Center

Christchurch is the second most populated city in New Zealand (after Auckland). It is filled with things to see and do and friendly, happy people. If you arrive at the city center you’ll find amazing restaurants, historical streets, an earthquake museum (interesting), and a fabulous botanical garden.

30. Christchurch Botanical Gardens

If you’re coming all the way over to Christchurch, be sure to stop by the Christchurch Botanical Gardens, located just a few blocks from the center of town. It’s free to enter and a great way to spend a couple of hours.

31. Piha Beach — Things to do in New Zealand

This is a surfing “town” with a very cool monolith called Lion Rock.

Related Article: The 50 Best Things We Did Year Four.

32. #ThatWanakaTree

I wanted to photograph this tree a hundred ways from Sunday — oh, how I looked forward to this experience. No one mentioned that in March the lake level is low, damn it. So instead of three photoshoots a day, I spent an hour here one morning and called it a wrap.

33. Gollum’s Pool — Things to do in New Zealand

This is a LOTR filming location where Frodo and Sam are taken by Feramir to observe “the creature gollum” catching and killing a fish by the moonlight. It is a beautiful site near the Tongariro National Park, about 10 minutes outside of the town. When you’re there it is clear that they filmed the scene at two different locations, but it is a beautiful place to picnic nonetheless.

34. Cinema Paradiso

What a great little movie theater in Wanaka. You can sit on a couch, or even in an uncomfortable car! We saw a Swedish movie called The Last Journey, a touching film about a man faced with the decline of his aging father. You don’t have to see something this sad — there are many films to choose from!

35. Arrowtown — Things to do in New Zealand

Arrowtown is a small town distraction outside of Queenstown that can tie up a couple hours of your time with its shops and parklike setting. Everyone goes there and you’ll probably like it.

An Honest Conclusion for Things to do in New Zealand

I mean… this is a lot of incredible stuff in one small country. The top handful of excursions are not only the best things to do in New Zealand, but some of the best things to do anywhere on earth!

You will not regret coming to this spectacular country. Stay as long as you can and see as much as you can. Like I said, we spent 39 days (counting flights), and could easily spend another 3-4 weeks.

One of the best parts about driving around New Zealand is looking out the windows of your car. In between the amazing places you’ll stop are the amazing places you’ll drive right on past. You will see countryside like nowhere else on earth. You will endlessly weave between mountains, lakes, and warped terrain like you’ve never experienced. The eons of volcanic activity has transformed this landscape into something of which dreams are made.

Rent a motorhome, rent a campervan, rent a zebra-striped mule, just rent something and get out on the road. Put a couple thousand miles on the back of that beast of burden and explore this vast, magical land.

The locals might hate you for it, but … well, there is no but. BUT! You can be a thoughtful visitor who boosts their economy and doesn’t harm the environment and all that other stuff people carry on about these days. They’ll probably still hate you, but that’s their problem.

Drive two thousand miles around New Zealand and make Americans look good. That’s your ticket. The mule might regret it but you certainly won’t.

Thank you for stopping by our website! We are the Hoffmann family, a full-time RV family that has split residence in Seattle, Washington and San Antonio, Texas. We have special needs children that we homeschool, and work travel assignments for the Veteran Affairs Hospital. If you would like to learn more about us, check out our Start Here and Biography pages. In the meantime, God bless and travel happy!