New Zealand is a country that is absolutely full of incredible adventures. The wonderful hikes, mountaintops, glaciers, sounds, and lakes in this country make it an explorer’s wonderland. In this article we are taking you to 16 of the best destinations around the country. Welcome to our ultimate New Zealand bucket list.
Check out our official worldwide bucket list (and how-to on bucket list making)
Aoraki / Mount Cook
The first place in our New Zealand bucket list is Aoraki / Mount Cook. Hiking in Mount Cook is without a doubt one of the best and most adventurous things to do in New Zealand. The Aoraki peak is absolutely stunning from every angle, and all of the wonderful hikes in this area will give you plenty of beautiful views.
6 Best Hikes in Mount Cook Area
Our favorite hike was quite a challenge: the Mueller Hut. This little red hot located way up in the mountains brings you to an epic overlook of Mount Cook and the surrounding area. You’ll see endless waterfalls, beautiful white glaciers, and get a birds-eye-view of the glacial lakes that make this area so unique. The hike is tough though, so be ready!
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is nestled right in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island and comes in at number 2 on our New Zealand bucket list. This enormous lake is full of awesome shoreline for you to explore, and even has a few awesome places to cliff jump!
Awesome Free Things to do in Taupo
The lake is a wonderful place to explore on a boat, kayak, or stand-up-paddleboard. If you have a watercraft, you can head to the Maori carvings on the lake, an enormous stone carving of a face looking out over the lake!
Doubtful Sound
Doubtful Sound is a bit lesser-known than Milford Sound (later on this list) but it is perhaps even more beautiful. These clear and calm waters offer a stunning reflection of the surrounding landscape, and you’ll even have a chance to spot dolphins, seals, and maybe even whales on an excursion to Doubtful Sound!
Doubtful Sound Excursion Blog Post
You will have to book an excursion to see Doubtful Sound, there are no roads that take you there. Our best recommendation is to book the GoOrange cruise and experience a perfect day on the Doubtful Sound waters.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands (Paihia) is one of the best weekend trips to do in the Auckland area. Located a 3 hour drive north from New Zealand’s largest city, the Bay of Islands is an escape to an incredible coastal town complete with some of the best ocean views in the country.
The bay is full of islands, as the name suggests, but the real treat here is the water. The crystal blue tropical waters of New Zealand’s North Island are wonderful here, and are very inviting. Grab your bathing suit (they call them ‘togs’ in New Zealand) and have a wonderful beach day in this tropical escape destination.
The Bay of Islands is also an incredible golfing destination for you golf-lovers out there. The courses are beyond beautiful, rolling green hills and cliffs drop off to the great blue ocean below.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is perhaps the number 1 destination in the country, and belongs firmly on any New Zealand bucket list. Located on the South Island in Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is an absolutely stunning body of water that seems straight out of a dream. To reach the sound, you’ll drive an hour and a half from Te Anau through the mountains and emerge at the coast.
The Milford Sound town is very small, very few people live here and most that do work in tourism. From Milford Sound the best way to see the sites is by jumping on one of the many cruises that bring you to each nook and cranny in the area.
Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly Excursion
The best excursion we have ever done in our lives was in Milford Sound. From Queenstown, we did a fly-cruise-fly excursion that took us over the New Zealand alps. This bird’s eye view of the incredible snow-capped peaks was beyond breathtaking. I still have never seen anything quite like it. On top of the incredible flight, the excursion also comes with a cruise of Milford Sound, a wonderful adventure on its own. All in all, the fly-cruise-fly excursion is an epic way to spend a day, and should be on your New Zealand bucket list.
Blue Pools & Isthmus Peak
Located between the Franz Josef & Fox Glacier area and Wanaka are two incredible sites that made our New Zealand bucket list. These two spots are the Blue Pools and Isthmus Peak.
The Blue Pools is a stunningly blue swimming hole along the Blue River on New Zealand’s South Island. The water is crystal clear up close, but from far away gives a wonderful shade of blue color. If you are a daredevil, you can even climb onto one of the bridges over the Blue Pools and take a leap of faith into the clear waters below.
Just be ready for some cold water! The clear mountain water is beautiful, but it is not warm.
Located a bit further down the road from the Blue Pools is Isthmus Peak, an epic hike to a mountain overlooking two stunning South Island lakes: Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. The Isthmus Peak hike itself is not easy, the hike is about 10 miles round-trip and has an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. The trail is basically uphill for 5 miles.
The view from Isthmus Peak is as good as it gets. You’ll be far above Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, able to see both in an epic 360 degree panorama that will leave your jaw firmly on the floor. We recommend making this hike a full day activity, bring along a picnic to enjoy at the top with your incredible view. Maybe even bring a book along and spend as much time as possible drinking in the wonderful sights.
Rotorua
Rotorua is an awesome adventure town located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island. In Rotorua you’ll find awesome hot springs, adventurous hiking, beautiful lakes, and a great town full of Maori tradition.
One thing you simply must do while in Rotorua is visit the Night Market. The town closes off one street and different shops and artists set up small stands where you can buy trinkets, food, artwork, and pretty much anything you can think of. The atmosphere is the best at the Night Markets, you shouldn’t miss this during your New Zealand adventure.
8 Free Things to do in Rotorua
Just outside Rotorua are a few adventure stops everyone should see: Lake Tikitapu and Kerosene Creek. Lake Tikitapu is an incredible lake with a beach area that makes for a perfect day trip. Rent kayaks or paddleboards and explore the lake while soaking up the sun. Kerosene Creek is a free natural hot spring located a short drive from Rotorua. Grab your swim suit (togs) and relax in the soothing waters of Kerosene Creek.
Roy’s Peak
Do you know what the most Instagrammed place in New Zealand is? I am not 100% sure, but I would put my money on Roy’s Peak. There is a viewpoint near the top of the hike that will take your breath away, as you’ll be surrounded by an panorama view of Lake Wanaka and the mountains surrounding it.
Now, getting to the Roy’s Peak viewpoint is no easy task. This hike is similar in length and difficulty to Isthmus Peak, at around 10 miles round-trip and an elevation gain of over 4,000 feet. You’ll have to plan a full day around this hike, as it will take you at least a few hours to climb the trail and at least two hours to get down.
Seeing Roy’s Peak at sunrise is a next-level adventure. If you are up for it, you’ll have to wake up about 2.5 hours before dawn and get out on the trail with a flashlight. You’ll hike the 4 miles up to the viewpoint in the dark, and once there you’ll be treated to perhaps the best sunrise on Earth. The sun rises over the distant Southern Alps and bathes the Wanaka area in light. There aren’t many sites as beautiful as this one, it takes a commitment to achieve but it was so worth it.
Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula is just a short drive from Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island, and this place has no shortage of adventure. Perhaps the two most famous destinations on the Coromandel are Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, both are must-visit destinations on your New Zealand Bucket List.
Cathedral Cove is an incredible beach that requires a relatively short hike to reach. You could also book a boat trip to the beach if you’d rather just sit back and enjoy the sunshine. Cathedral Cove is actually TWO beaches that are connected by an epic archway that you can actually walk beneath!
13 Free Things to do in the Coromandel Peninsula
Hot Water Beach is a place where you can actually BUILD YOUR OWN HOT SPRING! The beach is beautiful, right along a wonderful stretch of the Pacific Ocean. Right beneath the sands is a bubbling hot spring! Bring along a shovel, or rent one from a local shop, and head out to the beach and start digging! After a few inches, your hole will start to fill with hot water from the spring, and you can relax in your own private hot tub. This unique experience is a must-do on your New Zealand adventure.
Bungee Jumping
Did you know that bungee jumping was invented in New Zealand? AJ Hackett invented this daredevil activity on New Zealand’s South Island near Queenstown, and lucky for you you can bungee jump at the same place it was invented!
At AJ Hackett’s you can go on an epic bungee jumping excursion in Queenstown, Taupo, or Auckland. We recommend the Queenstown area, as this is the true home of the sport and the most beautiful destination to jump, but you’ll have a blast at any of the locations.
Franz Josef & Fox Glacier
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are the two most epic glaciers in New Zealand, both located near the western shore of the South Island. These two absolutely stunning glaciers are both reachable on hikes, and both are worth the trip. You can also jump on an excursion that takes you on a helicopter ride around the area and actually lands on the glacier for an ice walk!
Also in the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier area is a wonderful morning lakeside walk along Lake Matheson. This lake is beautiful at any time of day, but in the morning the stillness will cause the lake to be a perfectly reflective mirror, doubling the view of the Southern Alps in the background. You’ll see a whole new side of Mount Cook from Lake Matheson as well, this is a morning adventure you won’t want to miss.
Surfing in Raglan
Raglan is surf-central New Zealand. If surfing is your thing, then Raglan should be on your New Zealand bucket list without a doubt. Located along the western shore of the North Island, this surfer’s paradise is home to excellent surf sites for people of all skill levels. Even a rookie can find an awesome place to learn to surf in the beautiful waters along Raglan’s shoreline.
Three Free Things to do in Raglan New Zealand
On top of the surfing, Raglan is also home to an awesome town full of breweries, restaurants, and fun things to do. You could spend an awesome long weekend walking through town and experiencing everything that Raglan has in store. If you want an excursion, then Bridal Veil Falls, just outside Raglan, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire country.
Marlborough Wine Tour
Marlborough, New Zealand is every bit as good as Northern California and Southern France when it comes to wine. This area, right at the northern tip of the South Island, has long warm summers. It’s a perfect climate for growing grapes. For you, it is the perfect place to experience a wine tour.
Marlborough Bike Tour Itinerary
Here there are a few tour companies that will take you on a guided tour of the area’s wineries. We recommend that you instead opt for the bike tour of the area. Steve and Jo at Wine Tours by Bike are the best!! Make a full day adventure biking from winery to winery, tasting different wines from the area and enjoying the beautiful New Zealand weather. Our own Marlborough wine tour was one of our favorite days we’ve ever had.
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is also located on the north part of the South Island. Head to this adventure destination after your wonderful Marlborough wine tour. This beautiful stretch of land along the coastline is full of epic hikes and adventure excursions. One of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks takes you top-to-bottom along the entire stretch of Abel Tasman. It’s an epic adventure if you are up for it.
You can also opt for a few days of relaxation, camping, and enjoying the amazing New Zealand weather along these beautiful shores. Pack a picnic, bring a beach towel, and spend a few days relaxing on the sand.
Mount Taranaki
Mount Taranaki and the New Plymouth area of New Zealand is full of tons of incredible adventures, hiking, exploration, and FUN! The central feature of this area is, of course, the stunning Mount Taranaki. Here you can experience awesome hikes from the Pouakai Reflective Tarns to Dawson Falls and the Wilkies Pools!
9 Free Things to do in Mount Taranaki
On top of those hikes, there are tons of free things to do in Taranaki and New Plymouth. One being the famous New Plymouth Coastal Walkway. There is even a free museum for you to learn about the culture, wildlife, and history of Taranaki and New Plymouth! This area is full of adventure and enjoyment. And you can see it all for free! Put that wallet away and have an awesome adventure.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is perhaps the most epic hike in the entire country. This should be on every adventurer’s New Zealand bucket list. Located in the center of New Zealand’s North Island, this 12-mile one-way hike takes you to some absolutely marvelous viewpoints.
First off, the hike starts with a staircase that brings you to an awesome viewpoint above the clouds. Next, you’ll hike right alongside Mount Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings) until you reach the summit. Along the backside of the hike you’ll pass the stunning Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake.
Complete Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guide
The end of the hike takes you down a winding path with an awesome panorama view of the wilderness. A final walk through a dense New Zealand forest takes you to the conclusion of the hike. Here you can get a shuttle to the parking lot, or pick up your car if you planned ahead and parked at the end of the trail. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is an epic day of hiking, and should absolutely be on your New Zealand bucket list.
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