16 Amazing Places In New Zealand That Will Leave You Wanting More

If you view my Pinterest boards, you’ll find one board labelled as ‘Travelust: New Zealand’ that hosts endless pictures of lapis lazuli lakes, breath-taking mountains, and diamond stars scattered on velvet night skies. New Zealand’s natural beauty makes you want to leave your suffocating cubicle in the middle of grey city and fly all the way to cleanse your lungs in pure, natural air. Zone out from your meetings and let us take you on an imaginary ride to the places you should visit in the land of Kiwis.

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[Need more reasons to drop everything and head to New Zealand? Here are 10!]

1. Hobbiton

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I’m not an avid follower of The Lord of the Rings franchise (*ducks from objects thrown by fans*) but the movie set is one of the most charming places to visit in New Zealand. Located on the North Island, the place known as The Shire was formerly a Waikato farmland that was rebuilt into a permanent movie set.

You can also experience the beauty of sundown through the door of a hobbit hole!

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Price: Tours of the Hobbiton Movie Set begins from NZ$79 for an adult while children get in free with an adult!

2. Bay of Islands

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Just like the name, the Bay of Islands encompasses more than 140 islands along the Northern coastline and hosts a variety of activities for visitors to indulge themselves in.

From appreciating the bloody history of the lands at Ruapekapeka Pa and Roberton Island…

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…to paving your way across the archaeological walking trails at Urupukapuka Island…

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…to scuba diving in the clear turquoise waters of Waewaetorea…

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…the Bay of Islands has got it all. 

3. Lake Wakatipu

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Imagine a scenery painted with all the shades of blue and you’ve got Lake Wakatipu (hey, that rhymed!).

Naturally taking the shape of a lightning bolt, Lake Wakatipu is the third-largest lake and the longest lake in New Zealand situated in the South Island. Drive along the lake or take a morning walk to experience a tranquil panorama that will tug at your heartstrings even after you move on. For those who want to experience being on the lake, they have speedboat and steamboat services for tourists.

4. Lake Tekapo

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Before you claim that the above image is a photoshopped image used only for Windows’ background, let me tell you that the scene is indeed real, and it lies in the heart of the Mackenzie Country. Lake Tekapo not only provides hydro electrical energy to neighbouring towns, it also offers a long list of unique activities surrounding the lake and Mount Cook.

During the chillier seasons, gaze over the turquoise blue lake while you dip in the hot pools of Tekapo Springs.

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Price: For NZ$25, you can soak yourself for the entire day. Add another NZ$14 and you can skate on the ice rink in the winter or go down the waterslide in the summer.

Or you can opt to glide down Roundhill Ski Area which is bestowed with one of the best views of Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, and the Mackenzie Basin. Your first time trying skiing or snowboarding? Worry not! The Roundhill Ski Area beginner slope is an ideal place to break the ice.

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Price: For NZ$50, you can hire complete ski equipment for the whole day. That means a lot of hours tumbling in snow!

If you crave for the perfect vantage point to take in the breathtaking sights of Lake Tekapo, hop on the Air Safari and for 50 minutes, fly over Mount Cook, Westland National Park, and the highest peaks in Oceania.

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Price: The Grand Traverse Air Safari starts from NZ$360 for an adult, and NZ$230 for a child.

5. Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve

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Following the ride from Lake Tekapo, you will arrive at Aoraki Mackenzie. Due to the high quality of its starry night, over 4300m of Aoraki Mackenzie land is acknowledged as a certified International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) International Dark Sky Reserve. Home to a rare view, you can see the Milky Way all year round!

Price: Depends on the tours that you opt for.

6. Lake Pukaki

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 A neighbor of Lake Tekapo that runs along the Northen Edge of the Mackenzie, Lake Pukaki is no less stunning with a unique color derived from glacial flour. If you’re on a personal drive, have a stop at the Information Centre and Mount Cook Alpine Salmon for their positively-acclaimed salmon dishes. You can even purchase fresh salmon and smoked salmon from the Centre.

7. Koekohe Beach near Moeraki

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The main reason people come by and visit the Koekohe Beach on the Otago Coast is because of the spherical boulders located along the shores. These boulders age more than 40 million years and carry a thrilling mythical story behind their creations.

8. Milford Sound

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Dubbed as the ‘eighth world wonder’ by author Rudyard Kipling, Milford Sound is a natural wonder that is almost untainted by humans. The lake stretches for 16km and houses two waterfalls – the Stirling Falls and the Lady Bowen Falls.

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The lake is accompanied by Mitre Peak, an iconic mountain by the shores of Milford Sound which is the most photographed mountain in the country.

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You can drink in the cool beauty of Milford Sound and the formations surrounding it in three ways: either by coach, cruise, flight, or all of them. The cruise is highly recommended as they take you as close as possible to the waterfalls (sometimes even under them) and if you’re lucky, you might even encounter a group of seals!

#HHWT Tip: Opt to be dropped off at the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory at Harrison Cove. You can dive more than 500 meters deep and view the underwater creatures without actually getting wet and cold.

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Prices & Time:

• For the combination tour by coach, cruise, and flight, it will take 8.5 hours starting from a drive from Queenstown and ending with a bird’s eye view of Milford Sound and Mitre Peak. This combo costs NZ$545 for an adult and NZ$330 for a child.
• For a simple cruise around Milford Sound, it will take 2 hours. The cost is starting from NZ$70 for an adult and NZ$17 for a child.
• The drop off at Milford Discovery Centre takes about 35 to 60 minutes. The entry fee is additional to the cruise fee, which is NZ$36 for adults and NZ$18 for children. 

9. Glowworm Caves

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Usually, we get squeamish at the mention of bugs, much less worms, but the glowworm (arachnocampa luminosa) is a sensitive creature that naturally emanates lights on the ceiling of the Waitomo Caves. Visitors are streamed down the Waitomo River in complete silence as they are guided under these magical creatures.

#HHWT Tip: Visitors are not allowed to take pictures of the glowworms or the caves. Also, the entire ride requires complete silence as to not disturb the glowworms, so you might need to bribe your kids with a sweet treat to keep them from crying.

Price: NZ$49 for adults, NZ$22 for a child and NZ$16 for an extra child.  

10. Queenstown

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Now, we get to Queenstown: the small town that can be explored entirely by foot yet accommodates a plethora of adrenaline-pumping activities for the thrill-seeker in you.

The tamest of the list: The Luge

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Luge is a simple activity that even children can enjoy. All you need to do is ride down the cart down the designated tracks and feel the wind slapping your face as you do so. Skyline offers two tracks: Blue Track for a more leisurely ride, and the Red Track that feels more like Formula One with sharp bends and cuttings. For the price, you can get on the gondola to get to the top and ride down the track five times.

Price: NZ$55 for adults, and NZ$45 for children.

Level UP: White Water Rafting

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Queenstown Rafting provides a few options for those interested in rafting. For non-swimmers, they have the Flow Fun canoes where the ride is tranquil and not physically challenging. As for the slightly cautious, you can opt for a mix of thrilling and relaxing ride at the Kawarau River. Finally, for the serious thrill-seekers, rafting the rapid waters of Shotover River is your pick.

Price: 
Shotover River – NZ$219* for adults only
Kawarau River – NZ$219* for adults only
Flow Fun Canoes – NZ$159 for adults and youth, NZ$99 for children.
*The prices include a sauna and shower at the end of the rafting session, among other things

 

The Final Boss: Bungee Jumping

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High on my bucket list (and probably some of yours) is to jump from an amazing height, and leaping off a ledge somewhere in Queensland just might fulfill that dream.

There are a few bungee spots around Queensland.

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…Or live life off the edge by jumping off The Ledge…

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…or take on NZ’s highest bungee and jump off 134m in the Nevis bungee!

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#HHWT Tip: A bungee jump is just that – it’s a fall, where you probably spent most of your time down wishing that the cable is strong enough to hold you. If you’d rather enjoy the view at a vantage point, opt for The Swing instead of a Bungee jump.

Price:  
Kawarau – Adult, NZ$195; Child NZ$145
Ledge – Adult, NZ$195; Child, NZ$145
Nevis – Adult, NZ$275
All the prices include a Bungee Jump Certificate and an authentic Bungee Jump t-shirt.

That said, don’t neglect the city of Queenstown itself! Experience farming life at the Walter Peak High Country Farm, visit the rural town of Paradise, and much more!

#HHWT Tip: You can get a helicopter ride to view The Remarkables mountain range for a price as low as $NZ49! Just look out for crazy offers from the local travel agents.

[Interested to visit Queenstown?  Check out our first-timer’s guide for the best adventure trip ever!]

11. Glenorchy

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 Just a 45-minute ride from Queenstown, Glenorchy is a small town where the landscape loses to none as it was featured in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Narnia Chronicles. A further 20km from Glenorchy, lies Paradise (literally!) boasting awe-striking allure that Sir Ian McKellen (Gandlaf) had said that it was the Middle Earth he had always pictured.

12. Kaikoura

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The town of Kaikoura is formed through the natural marriage of mountains and sea. The town is mainly known for its whale-watching cruise and encounters with the dolphins.

Whale-watching tour

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While cruising on the waters of Kaikoura, keep an eye out for the world’s largest toothed predator, the Giant Sperm Whale.

Price: Adult, NZ$145; Children (3 – 15 years old) NZ$60. If your tour fails to spot a whale, an 80% refund of the fee is guaranteed

Dolphin Encounter

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What is a more novel experience than watching dolphins in their natural habitat? Swimming with them of course!

Price:       
Watching – Adult, NZ$95; Child, NZ$50
Swimming – Adult, NZ$175; Child, NZ$160

13. Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland

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Waiotapu literally translates to ‘sacred waters’ a term befitting this naturally formed hot springs. The Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland is made up of a Geothermal Area that is known for the vibrant colour of the waters, the Lady Knox Geyser that goes off at 10.15 a.m. everyday, and the Boiling Mud Pool. Although you cannot take a dip in the waters, you can still be charged by the earthly energy radiating from the active volcanic area.

Price: Adult, NZ$32.50; Child, NZ$11 (admission is free for under 5)

14. Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, Wellington.

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You can’t visit a country without learning it’s history and culture, and what better way to do it than learning it firsthand from the national museum? Located at New Zealand’s capital, Te Papa Museum is a six-floor interactive place of learning all about the country— from its history, extraordinary natural life, Gallipoli and Maori tribe cultures, and even fine art. You’ll need more than just a couple of hours to immerse yourself in the exhibits.

Price: Free
Opening Hours: 1000 – 1800

15. Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

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Park your cars at the main highway to Punakaiki and walk 20 minutes to witness rock formations that resembles stacks of pancakes. It may surprise you to know that the formation is sourced from fragments of dead sea creatures. The best time to view them is at high tide, where the blowholes are active with the rising water. The entire walk is relatively easy and would only take 20 minutes of your day.

16. Cadbury World, Dunedin

Credit: By Rept0n1x (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

My ever-increasing weight is a testament to my love for chocolate, and thus, the +1 amazing place to visit in New Zealand! For a 60 minute Cadbury World Experience, you get to learn the history of the world-famous Cadbury chocolates, and watch the entire process of how chocolates are made right in front of your eyes. Plus, you even get to create your own Marvellous Creations!

And the highlight of the trip?

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THE CADBURY WORLD CHOCOLATE FALL. The chocolate fountains in the hotel buffets can’t beat this.

Price: Adults, NZ$20; Concession, NZ$18; Children under 15, NZ$14.

 As you can see, although New Zealand is the perfect place for natural landscape lovers and the adventurous traveler, it is not the cheapest destination for anyone. So let’s start packing our lunch from home and collect our spare change in a jar. With these efforts, maybe I’ll see you there in five years time!