10 Spectacular and Breathtaking Places to Visit in New Zealand (2020)!

If you love to travel then you must have a list of places you want to go. Check back and see if New Zealand is on your list or not. New Zealand is a beautiful island country in Oceania which is also known as Aotearoa in Maori. It is made of two islands - the North and the South Islands, and has several other small islands as well. The South Island is bigger but more than three-quarters of New Zealand’s population lives in the North. You can say that New Zealand is fairly a new country because it is situated so far off from the rest of the world that it was one of the last places discovered by humans. The islands that make New Zealand are situated to the southeast of Australia and are one of the most beautiful places you'll ever see.

The capital of New Zealand is Wellington but the largest city in New Zealand is Auckland. Both the cities are situated on the North Island, and you'll be surprised to know that New Zealand was ranked as the 8th happiest country in the world. So plan your next vacation in New Zealand and discover what makes it so unique and special.

Although New Zealand is a small country, it is 1000 miles long and around five million people live there but it offers a huge number of places to see and activities to do and thus is one of the most visited places in the world. You will be amazed to see snow-capped mountains and subtropical beaches in one place, you will also get to learn about the Maoris and British heritage during this trip. You will also be able to drink some of the best wines and venture into great forests all here in New Zealand. It is one place that offers something to everyone.

New Zealand is also famous for the shooting of the epic trilogies, Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit which interests almost all the visitors who come here. There are n number of things you can do in New Zealand like hiking, water sports, adventure travelling or simply hit the road on a camper and take in the scenic beauty the place has to offer.

Most of the beautiful places in New Zealand are outside the city. So one has to rent a car to travel, which may get a little expensive but you can contact travel companies and get good deals from them and save money. We have compiled a list of 10 best places you can visit while you are in New Zealand and make your vacation a memorable one.

New Zealand is also known for Maori people. They are the warrior natives of New Zealand and contribute to the rich culture of the land. They came to New Zealand in the 1200s from Polynesia and have influenced the overall culture of New Zealand. Maori people have different tribes and sub-tribes but they mostly share a common heritage which includes their dance, language, stories, tattoos and crafts. Most of the world does not understand Maori people and their language, which makes them unique. If you wish to understand more about the Maori people, you can read different books available on them but the best way to know them is to visit New Zealand and experience their magic first hand.

Rotorua is known for its Maori culture. If you are travelling to Auckland, you can easily visit Rotorua on your way. It is a small city with a population of about 70,000 people living there and is known as the thermal hotspot of New Zealand. You will love the natural geysers of hot gas and acids in Rotorua. If you are a backpacker then you should not miss an opportunity to visit this enchanting place. You can participate in various activities here in Rotorua like taking a dip in the hot springs and ride the adventurous Skyline cable car or even try white water rafting. The place offers great picturesque places as well.

You get to learn a lot about the Maori culture by visiting the Maori villages and participate in their dances, eating the traditional hangi meal cooked in an underground pit and other rituals at Te Puia, Mitai and Tamaki villages. You can also visit some of the great eating joints around the Eat Street which offers great and affordable food for you.

Other things that you can do while visiting Rotorua is to explore the North Island through bike rides as Rotorua is home to one of the oldest mountain bike networks and takes you through the Whakarewarewa forest also known as The Redwoods. Just a five-minute walk away from Rotorua is the playground which offers great trails for you to hike and the newly developed Gravity Park at Skyline Rotorua will give you a thrilling experience.

Rotorua is also famous for its 18 sparkling lakes and three rivers which are the natural assets for the people there. If you love to fish, this is the right place for you as you can fish trout all year round on the lakes, rivers and streams here; or if you are the wild type, you can try the white water sledging or rafting not to mention a trip to the beautiful Redwoods forest. You can try horse riding, mountain biking or simply stroll among the towering exotic trees and take in the natural beauty with each step. Take a day out of your visit to New Zealand and visit Rotorua and you won't regret a minute of it.

Stewart Island is another great place to visit in New Zealand, is the third-largest island and is at the furthermost part of the South Island. The island only has 28kms of road and 280 km of tracks for walks and hikes. The major attraction in Stewart Island is the Rakiura National Park which takes up around 80% of the Island and the rest of it is mainly forest and is undeveloped. If you love to be outdoors, then Stewart Island is a good place for you to be. You can participate in activities like hiking, camping, birdwatching and enjoy your stay in the wilderness. You can also try trekking in the Northwest Circuit which is popular among experienced trekkers as it takes days to finish it, it will give you a view of some of the amazing wildlife in New Zealand.

Stewart Island is also known as 'the land of glowing skies' (Rakiura) in the Maori language, you'll see why it is called so when you see the Aurora Australis in the southern skies. It will leave you overwhelmed as you take in the beautiful glowing sky above you.

Another wonder of the place is the number of brown kiwi or Tokoeka which outnumber the humans living on the island, you can see them all through the day and even at night. You will also be able to see the rare yellow-eyed penguins and other native species of birds in the famous bird sanctuary.

People in Stewart Island are quite independent and very friendly. The place where most of them live in the Halfmoon Bay or Oban. You can find good accommodation there during your visit and learn a lot about the island's culture and tradition. You can also stay overnight in the huts provided by the Department of Conservation (DOC) if you visit the DOC visitor centre on the island. Visiting the Stewart Island is like visiting a wonderland full of a green lush environment with beautiful beaches and amazing wildlife.

You can reach the island by ferry from Bluff or take a flight from Invercargill Airport. It takes about an hour on a ferry and about 20 minutes via a flight to reach the island. You can also take the daily coach from Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown and Christchurch and you'll love the view en route.

No one can explain Milford Sound better than the famous writer Rudyard Kipling himself, who called Milford Sound the 'eighth wonder of the world'. It is formed by huge glaciers during the Ice Age. Milford Sound is a fjord in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island, it is located within the Fjordland National Park, Piopiotahi Marine Reserve and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. It is also known as the world's top travelled place in an international survey.

The beauty of the place can be seen through the vertical rising cliffs from fjords combined by mountains and beautiful waterfalls coming crashing down from as high as 1000 meters and if you visit there when it rains you will see the magnificent effect it has on these humongous waterfalls. Once you are done taking in the beauty from the surface you can visit the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory which takes you 30 feet under and lets you view the underwater life while you stay totally dry as you float in it.

You can also enjoy great hiking and trekking expeditions while you are in Milford Sound, if you want to push your luck, you can also try sea kayaking, diving or flightseeing. The great trek at Milford Sound starts at the northern end of Lake Te Anau and takes you through amazing views and ends with a boat trip from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound wharf.

Since Milford Sound is a small village you will find limited places to stay here. But if you plan ahead and book, then you can travel stress-free and enjoy it to the fullest. You can stay in the Milford Sound Lodge which offers great packages for hiking and boat tours and make your stay worthwhile.

Imagine a place where you live right in the middle of a great, modern and fully developed city but can reach the most beautiful beaches, hiking trails and other great tourists’ spots in just half an hour, not to mention great wine and food under the bright sun. This is what Auckland offers you. You will fall in love with this beautiful city which has all the natural wonders right next to it, people love to visit Auckland for short vacation breaks and go back completely relaxed and satisfied.

Auckland is made of two harbours, the Manukau and the Waitemata Harbour. It is a wonderous places as you can see the amazing rainforests, go on wild hikes, visit the hidden coves and volcanoes, sun bathe at the black and gold beaches while you are in Auckland. There is something for everyone here; you can simply jump from one activity to another and enjoy you stay in Auckland.

Let’s talk about the amazing 48 volcanic cones across Auckland which themselves are an amazing site to see. The major volcanic cones which you ought to visit here are:

1. Rangitoto Island – Te Rangi-i-totongia-a-Tama-te-kapua which is a symmetrical cone, sitting just off the coast, makes it one of our most distinctive natural landmarks, a constant inspiration to photographers and artists
2. Mount Eden – Maungawhau is 196 metres high which makes it the highest mainland volcanoes.
3. One Tree Hill – Maungakiekie is also called the One Tree Hill and it the largest and most culturally significant volcanoes.
4. Mount Victoria – Takarunga and North Head – Maungauika are the two volcanic cones sit side by side in the scenic suburb of Devonport, surrounded by amazing sea views
5. Mangere Mountain - Te Pane o Mataoho is Auckland’s best-preserved volcanic cone, it is 106 metres above sea level and looks across the Manukau Harbour
6. Auckland Domain – Pukekawa is Auckland's oldest volcano erupting over 100,000 years ago which makes it the most popular among the travellers.

And let’s not forget the sky tower which is 328 meters high which gives you an excellent view of the surroundings plus you can visit the revolving restaurant, Orbit which gives you a whole new experience while you dine with your family and friends. Auckland is a major city and therefore, is well connected with most of the cities in New Zealand, you can take flights from anywhere you want. The best time to visit Auckland is between June and September.

While you are in New Zealand and staying in Franz Josef Glacier, you should not skip visiting the two most incredible glaciers which are just 25 minutes apart from each other. Although there are about 3100 glaciers in the Southern Alps, almost all of them are inaccessible due to the high altitudes. But Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are the two through which you can feel and see the beauty of nature at its best. They are the New Zealand's rivers of ice and you will love it as soon as you step foot on it.

Fox Glacier is the longest West Coast glacier and is on the top of the list of travellers around the globe. It is situated around 20kms southwest of Franz Josef. So you can visit both the glaciers in one day. It takes about 30 minutes to walk along the valley from the parking lot and the walk up to Franz Josef is almost an hour. You will find great accommodations in the nearby towns for you to stay overnight and calm those tired muscles after a good walk over the frozen ice. Trained guides are available to take you to the glaciers so that you don't miss any of the great spots while you are there or you can take a helicopter flight over the glaciers and land on top of the summit.

Visiting these glaciers will be a trip to remember through your lifetime and the best part is that you can relax by the Glacier Hot Pools which are formed from the glacier itself to cool down or warm yourself up after a memorable walk.

Cape Regina holds a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders as according to the Maori legend, it is the place from where the spirits depart from the Earth into the ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. It is situated at the top of the North Island. The major attraction of the place is a gnarled pohutukawa tree which is said to be over 800 years old and the it is believed that the spirits of the deceased Maori leaps from the tree into the ocean and reach Hawaiki. Another spectacular view of Cape Reinga is the meeting point of the Tasman Sea with the Pacific Ocean which forms a unique swirl of currents and leaves you with an amazing experience.

You should also visit the iconic lighthouse while you are in Cape Reinga, it gives a spectacular view of the coastline and the surrounding beauty. You will a signpost at the base of the lighthouse which shows the distance from the Cape to the other locations all over world.

Cape Reinga is a scared place. So eating anything is not permitted here but you can organize a great picnic at the Tapotupotu Bay which is about 5km from the Cape. You might not be one of those people who believe in old granny tales but visiting Cape Reinga will give you chills as the atmosphere here is undoubtedly different than other places. You can drive to Cape Reinga from Kaitaia or take a guided tour which operates daily. You will experience the beauty of the place as you drive along the 90-mile Beach and experience the Maori history and culture on the way. There are scenic flights available from the Bay of Islands which takes you over the Cape along both coasts of New Zealand. Be prepared for a trip of your life time when you are in Cape Reinga.

Queenstown is another most popular destination among the tourists in New Zealand. It is situated on the South Island. Queenstown is one of the most famous towns with an increasing population, the growth rate of Queensland is about 30% every 5 hours and it doubles during the peak seasons. There are a ton of things you can do while in Queensland - you can start with skydiving or bungee jumping, visit the beautiful lakes, canyons and mountains or even go for white water rafting on the Shotover River. Some of the most fun activities in Queenstown are:

Queenstown is one of the most visited places in New Zealand if you want to spend some alone time there you should visit if during the off-seasons, spring or autumn.

Aoraki or the village of Mount Cook is at the bottom of the tallest mountain in New Zealand which is about 12,218 feet high. It is a beautiful place with rocky snow-capped peaks, glacial lakes and great hiking trails within the bounds of Aoraki National Park. One can take the trails over the mountains and complete it in 3 hours but climbing over Mount Cook is recommended for experts only.

The place has its own legend; it is said that Rakinui had four sons from which one was Aoraki. While travelling on sea their canoe overturned on a reef and the brothers climbed over their canoe but the freezing wind turned them into stone. The canoe became the South Island (Te Waka o Aoraki); Aoraki and his brothers became the peaks of the Southern Alps. You can visit the Tasman Glacier which is 27 km in length and has a small place for landing the ski planes and helicopters. You can visit the milky lakes which are opaque due to the glacier-ground rock sediment.

The mountain walks are safe for new hikers as all of it is marked for you to be safe. You can stay in one of the 17 huts provided by the DOC for mountaineers but you need to reach them by climbing up to them. If you are not the climber type then you can stay at the Mt. Cook Village which has affordable lodges and luxury hotels as well.

Te Anau is a small but extremely peaceful town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau and is the largest lake in the South Island and the second largest in New Zealand. People earn their living here through tourism and agriculture. You will love the peaceful environment here but if you are into night life then you can skip visiting this town. People visit Te Anau for the Fjordland National Park. You can plan your visit through the DOC visitor centre and can participate in the walk to Milford or Kepler trekking. You can also indulge in lake cruising, fishing, kayaking and visiting the most famous Te Anau Glow-worm Caves (the bioluminescent insects light up the dark cave and take you into a magical land). You can also visit the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary and see birds like Takahe, Kaka and other endangered species there. Te Anau is a great place to visit with family and especially with kids.

The busiest months for Te Anau are January to March and if you are planning to visit in this time, you need to make prior stay arrangements for a hassle-free trip. There are a lot of great local eating joints and restaurants that offer great local dishes and if you are into sea food then you will love your visit here.

The Hokitika Gorge gives you an experience of a lifetime while you check out the beautiful blue green waters of the Hokitika River which runs along the rock sided Hokitika Gorge. You can leave your car at the car parking and follow the track through the hardwood forest and reach the lush farmland of Kowhitirangi. The track is made wheelchair friendly.

As you reach the viewing platform, you take in the mesmerising view of the surroundings and walk up to the swing bridge and see the Hokitika Gorge. You can walk further down and reach another viewing platform and relax there as you breathe in the fresh air. Hokitika Gorge is about 33 km east of Hokitika and is easily accessible but you do need to take extra care of little kids as there are plenty of places where they can get excited and run about and may get lost or hurt.

Kiwis are friendly and outgoing people, they love to welcome people. You will find most of the Kiwis smiling and offering a helping hand when asked. If you are invited to a Kiwi house, you should always bring a small gift or flowers as a token of appreciation for their hospitality. They are very particular about table manners. So keep your elbows off the table while eating. Kiwis are honest people and expect the same in return they also like their personal space. So you should not stand too close to them while talking. We are very used to haggling but if you are shopping in New Zealand don't try using high pressure sales tactics with them, they won't appreciate it. Following these simple tips will make your trip worthwhile in New Zealand.