Experience New Zealand: Top 10 Things to See and Do

From Cape Reinga to Rakiura, New Zealand has stunning landscapes and adventures to behold. Discover culinary delights, thrill-seeking activities, Insta-worthy photo opportunities and authentic Māori cultural experiences. The North and South Islands have something for every traveller. Say “kia ora” to Aotearoa and seek out these 10 must-see stops to experience on your journey. 

• Explore Northland & the Bay of Islands
• Adventure in Auckland
• Find The One Ring in Waikato
• Embrace Māori culture in Rotorua
• Trek through the Taranaki region
• Discover the “Coolest Little Capital” of Wellington
• Ascend the alps of Christchurch-Canterbury
• Get your heart pumping in Queenstown
• Marvel in the majestic Milford Sound
• Cozy up to nature on the West Coast

The northernmost tip of New Zealand is home to several must-see highlights. The Northland has subtropical climates, islands with epic diving sites, beaches that go on for miles and rich Māori cultural experiences.

Visit the Poor Knights Islands if you’re a snorkelling or scuba diving fan. It is rated one of the top diving sites in the world. Explore a diverse marine life population, bright and colourful underwater flora, and rocky volcanic bluffs. 

If you’re more of a sea and sand junkie, the Cape Reinga area offers the opportunity for you to see the Tasman Sea converging into the Pacific Ocean, bodyboard down the Te Paki Sand Dunes or walk across endless kilometers of beaches at Ninety Mile Beach. 

If exploring lush green areas is more your style, be sure to visit the Waipoua Forest and get in touch with Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand's largest Kauri tree. Discover the woodland with Māori guides and learn how the forest plays a significant role in the life of the locals and the eco-system. 

Adventures in Auckland are plentiful — this unique city-meets-landscape location is not to be missed. Tap into your thrill-seeker side with a bungee jump from the Sky Tower or a climb up the Auckland Harbour Bridge to get epic views of Auckland. 

Dig into some fabulous foodie delights coupled with award-winning wine in the Matakana region not far from the city centre or take a quick ferry ride to Waiheke Island and discover the “island of wine”.

Rolling green hills of the Shire, underground adventures, black sand surf beaches and more await in the Waikato region. 

If you’re a Tolkienite then you’ll want to make a stop in Matamata and visit the Hobbiton Movie Set™ and immerse yourself in all things Lord of the Rings. Explore Bag End and the Party Tree, and enjoy ale and a feast at the Green Dragon Inn™. 

Below the green hills of Waitomo lie a magnificent array of limestone caverns. Rappel into the darkness of the Waitomo Caves or experience them with a guided boat tour where your way will be lit by unique New Zealand glow worms. 

Round out your trip to this region with stunning morning views from a hot air balloon tour over the Mighty Waikato River. 

Rotorua is a fantastic volcanic landscape located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Full of shooting geysers, natural hot springs and mud pools, it is the perfect place to treat yourself to some therapeutic spa sessions. Enjoy a float in a mineral pool or a rejuvenating mud bath. 

Rotorua is known as the heartland of Māori culture. Discover the ancient practices, cuisine and culture of the Māori people at Te Pā Tū village — a sanctuary and place of wellbeing. Through Haka pōwhiri (a dance of welcome), Ahi taitai (a sacred fire ceremony) and kai (cuisine) events, they share cultural knowledge, tradition and future aspirations. These celebratory events change and align with the maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), so your experience will be unique depending on when you’re visiting.

For the thrill-seeking traveller Rotorua also offers jet-boating, sky-diving, rafting and more! These experiences make Rotorua a must-see spot on your New Zealand adventures. 

The Taranaki region is famed for its fabulous surfing sites and hiking spots. The beautiful coastal landscape coupled with its rich heritage offer a handful of key experiences to discover in this area. 

The Pouākai Circuit is an ideal way to explore the natural beauty of Taranaki Maunga, New Zealand’s most perfectly formed dormant volcano. The volcano is intrinsically linked to the Māori heritage, so it’s a great opportunity to visit and learn more about the culture while also experiencing some breathtaking views. If you’re an experienced climber, this is the perfect stop as it is considered an achievable summit challenge. 

The coast of Taranaki hosts the perfect swells for avid surfers. Explore Surf Highway 45 and stop in at New Plymouth, Ōakura or Ōpunake for some of the hottest wave-riding spots. Experience good eats and great beach vibes along this coastal drive. 

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and hosts world-class museums, art galleries and movie experiences, and is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. Discover the national museum Te Papa and be immersed in New Zealand history and culture. Ride the well-known Wellington Cable Car from the city centre to the Kelburn Lookout for stunning views of the city and harbourfront. 

If you’re a nature lover, Wellington hosts the world’s first metropolitan ecological sanctuary, Zealandia, where you can explore some of New Zealand’s most unique and rare wildlife — including the famous kiwi and other native birds, reptiles, and species exclusive to New Zealand. 

Wellington is also home of the gateway to the South Island. You can board a ferry from the harbour and cross the Cook Strait to experience fabulous views on your way to explore the south. 

The city of Christchurch and the Canterbury region hosts dramatic landscapes of plains, glacial lakes, sweeping coasts and sky-high mountains. 

Stargazing is a popular activity to experience in this region, as it’s host to the world’s largest dark sky reserve in the heart of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. These views are worth staying up late for. While in the Aoraki/Mount Cook area, be sure to visit the Tasman Glacier. Take a boat tour around the lake where you can learn how New Zealand's largest glacier was formed and get up close and personal with icebergs. 

Explore street art and creative projects around the city of Christchurch, take a gondola ride down the Avon River and follow this up with dinner and drinks in the vibrant downtown area. If you want to see all the Christchurch-Canterbury region has to offer, a TranzAlpine railway journey will bring you across the varied landscape through the Southern Alps. 

Queenstown sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu and is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise. For adventure seekers this spot is not to be missed. Whether you'd prefer to bungee jump from the Kawarau Gorge Suspension bridge or go on a jet-boat ride through the rapids of the Shotover River, there are so many ways to get your blood pumping.

In the city, you don’t want to miss the views from the Queenstown Gondola that takes you up 450 metres to Bob’s Peak. Explore one of the area's many hiking paths or, if you're a passionate cyclist, ride along the 130-kilometre Queenstown trail. This region is also popular in the winter amongst ski aficionados with many ski hills and snowy peaks to explore. 

In the Fiordland National Park lies Milford Sound. With towering peaks to cascading waterfalls and stunning coastal creatures, this region is a must-see experience in your New Zealand visit. 

At the Milford Sound Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory, you’ll get to see rare black coral and other colourful marine life. A boat cruise around Milford Sound will get you a closer look at fur seals, penguins and dolphins — plus provide stunning views of Mitre Peak. If you want to take it aerial, book a helicopter tour to get stunning views of the waterfalls, rainforests, peaks and rivers in the area. 

The Milford Track is one of the great walks of New Zealand. For the hiking enthusiasts, this is surely an adventure not to be missed. A 53.5 kilometre trek through the Fiordland National Park will have you basking in the most beautiful scenery of the region. 

The West Coast of the South Island offers plenty of nature activities. There is so much to experience up and down the coast: check out blowholes, ice rivers and limestone cliffs. From Haast to Westport, this region is rich in geological wonders. 

Start at the Haast UNESCO World Heritage Area and explore true wilderness, greenstone waters and blue pools. Stop in at the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers along the West Coast and marvel at the enormous glaciers that are some of the most accessible in the world. Visit the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks that were formed over 30 million years ago and watch the blowholes in action at high tide. It is truly a sight to be admired. 

This sponsored story was written by Flight Centre Canada on behalf of Tourism New Zealand.