New Zealand is a country packed with different culture, adventure, hikes, and activities which can make it difficult to determine the best things to do in New Zealand. After Blueprint Travelers traveled around the country for 3 months, we put together this list of our top 10 things to do in New Zealand, based on the moments that were most significant in our travels to help you decide how to focus your limited vacation time. There is no significance to the order of this list.
Things to Do in New Zealand | The South Island
Take a Cruise on Milford Sound
Milford Sound, located within Fiordland National Park, is an iconic fiord that is one of the most popular landscapes to visit and one of the top things to do in New Zealand. The best way to experience the dramatic peaks, the waterfalls, and the marine life that make this fiord so special is through a cruise. While it can be visited as a day trip from Queenstown, it is recommended to spend more time in Fiordland National Park to fully take in the scenery.
Hike the Hooker Valley Track to See Aoraki / Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is one of the parks that is part of the Southern Alps. The Hooker Valley Track is a relatively easy hike that takes you between beautiful peaks and ends at a glacier lake. The views will be all around you, not just at the end of the hike, making it a really enjoyable walk all around. This area is also a dark sky reserve and great for stargazing.
Go Jet Boating in Queenstown
Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world and there are unlimited different adrenaline activities to do here. Two big ones that were invented in New Zealand are commercial bungee jumping and jet boating. If you enjoy rollercoasters, you will love jetboating, which involves flying on shallow rivers in boats that have the ability to maneuver through tight areas quickly and spin 360 degrees, making it one of our favorite things to do in New Zealand. While Queenstown is the most popular place to go jet boating, there are other regions around New Zealand that provide the thrill.
Take a Helicopter Ride to the Top of A Glacier
The Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand are known for their impressive peaks and enormous glaciers. One of the best and most unique ways to experience this is by helicopter, allowing you to get closer to the peaks and see the great expanse of mountains all around. It’s a unique and beautiful perspective of such an amazing landscape. It’s truly a highlight of the top things to do in New Zealand.
Go Wine Tasting in Marlborough
New Zealand has a small but successful wine production industry. The largest and most well-known wine area can be found in the Marlborough region of the South Island. Full of vineyards, cellars, and restaurants, this is a great place to indulge in some wine tasting, especially for Sauvignon Blanc, while enjoying the beautiful New Zealand air and weather. There are other wine regions throughout New Zealand that, while not as commercially popular, are great to explore as well.
The best way to visit the North and South Islands of New Zealand is by road tripping. Don't forget to rent your car.
Things to Do in New Zealand | North Island
Walk Across Geothermal Formations
Rotorua is an area with a great amount of geothermal parks and activities that make the landscape look like another planet. There are a few different parks around Rotorua that put these geothermal formations on display for you to safely see. The landscapes are like nothing else.
Hike the Tongariro Crossing
The Tongariro Crossing is considered one of the best day hikes in the world and for those who like hiking, it’s one of the best things to do in New Zealand. It is a challenging hike that goes up and over an impressive volcanic landscape. The terrain is ever changing and keeps the entire walk interesting. The challenge is worth it for the amazing other-worldly views.
The Blueprint Travelers Hiking Staples
Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Learn About the Māori Culture
The Waitangi Treaty Grounds was the location where the treaty between the Māori people and European colonizers was ratified. Today, it has museums that discuss the history of New Zealand and the importance of the Māori people. You can also purchase the experience a of a hangi dinner along with a Māori show to celebrate their culture.
Go Bird Watching at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne
Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is a native wildlife sanctuary helping with the conservation of native plants, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects. New Zealand is known for its unique wildlife and birds in particular. It has an amazing diversity of unique bird species. Because New Zealand was an island so early in its creation, it was not inhabited with mammals (besides bats) and its isolation from other pieces of land allowed its bird population to flourish and evolve independently. Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne is the perfect place to experience this biodiversity, along with learning about native plants, insects, reptiles, etc and you can even take a tour to learn more.
Visit Hobbiton and Middle Earth
Hobbiton is located on a working farm outside of Rotorua where Peter Jackson chose to build the exterior of the Shire and has now become a tour and experience. You get to walk through the entire set with a guide explaining to you about the filming that occurred here and the design of the set to make movie magic. Make sure you purchase your ticket and reserve your time slot in advance.
