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Planning a trip to New Zealand? This breathtaking country offers a diverse landscape, from towering mountains to pristine beaches. To make the most of your adventure, consider these must-do activities. From exploring the scenic Central Otago Rail Trail to witnessing the dramatic Cape Reinga Lighthouse and immersing yourself in the vibrant Queenstown, there’s something for every traveler.

Things To Do Whilst Visiting New Zealand

Central Otago Rail Trail

Spanning the 150km between Clyde and Middlemarch this now defunct railway line was turned into a cycle and walking track. You can start at either end and you are quite literally off the beaten track as you ride towards the several one-street towns your bed for the night will be in. Central Otago was the setting for many places in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings (most famously Rohan) and as you cycle in silence through the green and pleasant land you can’t help but be struck by the sheer natural beauty of it all.

Queenstown

Most famously known as a thrillseeker’s playground, there are quieter things you can do in the pretty alpine town of Queenstown if you’d prefer. Take the gondola up to the luge and zoom around the track taking in the gorgeous scenery or just take in the views from the top. If you are feeling adventurous you can always jump off the mountain – with a bungee attached to you of course! You can get out on Lake Wakatipu; on a slow steamboat or on a speedy jet boat, take in the many bars and restaurants or spend, spend, spend in the lovely shops! A good place to get away for a few days.

Cape Reinga

Although not the most Northern tip of New Zealand, from here you can witness the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meeting with a ferocious slap. Drive the 90 mile beach to reach the lonely lighthouse and experience the place where the Maori believe the dead journey to in order to descend to the underworld.

Hahei

Situated on the Cormandel Peninsula, Hahei is a gorgeous laid-back beach town. From here you can walk to the famous Cathedral Cove or just chill out on the beach, watching the dolphins play in the ocean just beyond your feet!

Marlborough Wineries

Known for its award-winning Sauvignon Blancs, the Marlborough region is the best place in New Zealand for a wine tour, being the largest wine exporter in New Zealand. Although Blenheim is the main town, Renwick is a great base for a wine tour; a quaint little town close enough to the vineyards for you to get out into it on bikes.

Tongiriro Crossing

Want to climb up Mount Doom? Then this is the tramp for you. There are several routes you can do around the Tongiriro National Park, but the crossing is the most famous – traversing over a mountain, volcanic craters and a rain forest over 18.5km, it is one of the world’s most dramatic one day treks. Crossing over Red Crater to be greeted by the sight of Emerald Lakes is breathtaking.

Fiordland

The Sounds are some of the most amazing scenery you will experience in your life. It helps if it’s not raining, which unfortunately it is more likely to be than not. If you are a walker, there are numerous tramps you can do – the most famous being the Milford Track – or you experience the Sounds by boat or kayak.

Waiheke Island

A short boat ride away from Auckland city, Waiheke is a curious mix of the hippies of old and the yuppies of new, and with its numerous vineyards and beaches the mix works surprisingly well. It is a fairly small island in the Hauraki Gulf with its own micro climate, a wealth of luxury and basic accommodation, wineries galore and some of the best beaches in the Auckland area.

Aoraki Mount Cook

Perfect if you’re into skiing, but a definite must-see even if you’re not, Aoraki Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in the southern Alps of New Zealand, standing at over 3,000 metres. The alpine town that supports the thousands of visitors is worth a stay, as is the nearby Twizel and Lake Tekapo. Tekapo has one of the clearest night skies anywhere in the World and the highest lake in New Zealand.

Wellington

They don’t call it the coolest little capital for nothing! Also known as the Windy City, that doesn’t deter from the sheer vitality of Wellywood. It is a cultural hotspot but also, as with everywhere else in New Zealand, surrounded by natural beauty. If you find yourself inexplicably bored of all the amazing shopping, eating and drinking, not to mention visiting the world class Te Papa museum, then you could always head to the vineyards of Martinborough or Wairarapa or the inner city beach of Oriental Bay.

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