Top 8 New Zealand Tourist Destinations

When it comes to the most scenic places to visit on Earth, New Zealand, the Land of the Kiwis, stands as one of the top contenders. With crashing waterfalls, pristine beaches, emerald lakes and bustling tourist cities, New Zealand has no dearth of places to visit. No matter how long you plan to visit the country, one thing is for sure: you will never run out of places to visit in New Zealand. There are only a handful of places on Earth where you can climb volcanoes, eat your heart out at some of the best culinary restaurants, set sail on the ocean and learn more about the indigenous culture, all in one day. But it is absolutely possible when it comes to tourist destinations in New Zealand. Everywhere you look, there are adventures to be experienced and jaw-dropping landscapes waiting to be explored. Kia Ora! (Greetings in Maori, one of the official languages of New Zealand). Welcome to the real Middle Earth!

Places to Visit in New Zealand

With an array of things to do in New Zealand, we can not fix everything into one list, but take a look at the eight most stunning places waiting for you to explore. Here is how to maximise your trip to New Zealand with these tourist places.

• Bay of Islands
• Fiordland National Park
• Wellington
• Queenstown
• White Island
• Christchurch
• Rotorua
• Coromandel Peninsula

Bay of Islands

A 35-minute flight or 30-minute drive from the North of Auckland will take you to one of the most popular tourist locations in New Zealand, the Bay of Islands. With more than 144 island docks, the haven in New Zealand is truly mesmerising. What was once a busy seafaring and political base has now been transformed into one of the most spectacular places to visit on Earth. The Bay of Islands is as dreamy as its name. The Bay of Islands is also known as the birthplace of New Zealand, which increases your reason to visit and learn more about the ethnic Maori culture and history. On the coast, you have the main hub of Paihia and Waitangi, where you can find most of the adventure activities, such as snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding and much more. If you are lucky, you can also spot whales, dolphins, marlins, penguins, gannets and seals in their natural habitat.

Fiordland National Park

The World Heritage Site and one of the most dramatic and beautiful tourist attractions in New Zealand, the Fiordland National Park is full of thrill and adventure for all sorts of travellers. The beauty of Fiordland National Park never ceases to amaze travellers coming from all over the world. The national park protects some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand and is often described as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Featuring fabulous fjords, untouched rainforests, shimmering waterfalls and snow-capped mountains, the national park in New Zealand is awe-inspiring in its true sense. To catch the beauty of the Fiordland National Park, you can either choose to take a cruise ride or take a flight to the magnificent Milfjord sound and spot countless dolphins, penguins, and fur seals. The Fiordland National Park is one of the tourist locations in New Zealand that is sure to count for an unforgettable experience.

Wellington

When talking about some of the most scenic tourist attractions in New Zealand, Wellington must not be left behind. Tucked between the bewitching Wellington harbour and numerous hills, within which the city lies, Wellington is the core capital of New Zealand. The place is the melting pot of culture, cuisines, nature and an action-packed adventure paradise for adventure junkies. Located to the South of North Island, Wellington is a friendly tourist destination in New Zealand with a generous waterfront and a laid-back population. When it comes to exploring the length and breadth of Wellington city, you can choose to relax at the Oriental Bay, which is Wellington’s golden sand inner city beach or dive deeper into the many museums, art galleries, and theatre shows that the city has to offer.

Fun fact: Most scenes from the movie series The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, have been filmed here.

Queenstown

One thing which you will experience in every New Zealand holiday package for sure is unlimited fun and entertainment. Queenstown is one such tourist destination in New Zealand in the package, which has a lot to offer to its visitors. From bungee jumping to skiing, snowboarding and fishing, the list is endless when it comes to enjoying the various adventure activities in Queenstown. Another thing that might entice you to add Queenstown to your list of itineraries is the eateries around the vicinity. Whether local or authentic, you will find all sorts of restaurants, cafes and bistros in Queenstown, which are worth it.

Bonus tip: If you like burgers, Fergburger is one of the famous burger places in New Zealand, which is known to serve the juiciest and yummiest burgers in town.

White Island

Home to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, White Island is one of the famous places in New Zealand that must top your list of itineraries if you wish to do something thrilling on your trip to the Land of the Kiwis. To take a glance at the White Island while enjoying the stunning view around, you can book a helicopter ride to capture nature at its best. For adventure enthusiasts who are fearless, scuba diving around White Island gives the opportunity to get closer to the underwater world and discover the mystery. White Island is an ideal spot for volcanologists. Hence, if you are lucky, you can even watch volcanologists monitoring the White Island volcano.

Pro tip: Since White Island is an area of active volcanoes, you are required to wear a gas mask and hard hat to protect yourself.

Christchurch

Christchurch is unarguably another one of the best tourist spots to visit in New Zealand. Despite being completely ruined by four major earthquakes between 2010 and 2011, Christchurch has still managed to spring back to life. As a visitor to the tourist attraction in Christchurch, New Zealand, you will see the evidence of the city’s rebirth everywhere. Upon visiting Christchurch, you will notice new buildings made out of old shipping containers and other unique materials, such as a cathedral made out of cardboard. Around Christchurch, another stunning location is the Botanic Garden, where you will notice a sprawling network of conservatories, horticulture displays and walking tracks. If you wish to take an aerial view of Christchurch, you can book a Gondola ride to view the city’s landscape at its best.

Rotorua

If you are to visit only one sightseeing place in New Zealand, Rotorua checks all the right boxes, which will make your trip memorable. Situated right on the North Island at about 140 miles Southeast of Auckland, Rotorua is one of the tourist cities in New Zealand, which is known for its geothermal activity and promotion of Maori culture. The sights here at Rotorua are simply breathtaking, with steam impressively rising from the geysers dotting the vicinity. To enjoy the offerings of the place, you can stroll around the geothermal wonders or soak in the mineral-rich water. If you wish to indulge in other adventurous activities, diving, mountain biking, and trekking are some of the most popular activities.

Things not to miss: Lady Know Geyser, trout fishing and Champagne Pool

Coromandel Peninsula

Last but not least, the Coromandel is another one of the best scenic spots to visit in New Zealand, which is away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Coromandel Peninsula attracts tons of tourists to this stunning marvel of nature every year. The place’s unspoiled beaches with pristine forests complete its attractive profile. The Coromandel Peninsula is only an hour's drive away from Auckland Airport, which adds to the lure of the place. This travel attraction in New Zealand is everything that a big city is not: the mountainous interior cloaked in narrative rainforests and dazzling sandy beaches, which are rustic, unspoilt and relaxed. The activities around the Coromandel Peninsula are plentiful, which includes fishing, diving, hiking, cycling and much more.

Best time to visit: For pleasant weather, visit the Coromandel Peninsula between September to November.

Visit New Zealand

Whether you are an adventure junkie, a nature lover, want to plan a vacation with your family or want to book a New Zealand honeymoon package, you will find memorable experiences in abundance in this country. So pack your backpacks already and book your tickets to the land where adventure awaits, New Zealand, with Veena World as your travel partner. In case you wish to plan a travel itinerary according to your preferences, you can check out Veena World’s Customised Holidays section.