From stunning beaches and natural hot springs, to flowing waterfalls and marine reserves, New Zealand has endless free experiences for you to discover.

Watch Oceans Battle at Cape Reinga

There are not many places where you can watch two oceans meet. And at 165 meters above sea level, nowhere offers a more spectacular way to do so than the lookout at Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Photo by @misi_chan(opens in new window) on Instagram

Northland & Bay of Islands
Visit Cape Reinga, Northland & Bay of Islands

Watch as oceans collide at New Zealand's most northern tip.

northland

Northland & Bay of Islands

Highlights

  • The Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  • Dune surfing on Ninety Mile Beach
  • Dolphin encounters

Proximity

  • by car:

    5hr 40min from Auckland Central

  • by car:

    2hr 45min from Paihia, Bay of Islands

Chase the Fish at Goat Island

Actually, it’s not the island itself that’s the attraction – rather the waters that surround it. Okakari Point Marine Reserve (Goat Island) in Auckland was one of New Zealand’s first, situated on a coastline already abundant in sea life. So put your mask and snorkel on and dive in.

Auckland
Swim with Snapper at Goat Island, Auckland

Get up close to masses of colourful fish at Goat Island Marine Reserve.

auckland

Auckland

Highlights

  • New Zealand's oldest marine reserve
  • Matakana markets, cafes and vineyards
  • Tāwharanui Regional Park

Proximity

  • by car:

    1hr 10mins from Auckland Central

Climb Mount Maunganui

Climb to the top of this iconic extinct volcano you will enjoy a 360 degree views which span the entire length of the Bay of Plenty.

Relax on the white sand beach at Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach, which had been crowned the “Best Beach in New Zealand’ by TripAdvisor. Loved by locals, it is also a great location for surfing and swimming.   

Mt Maunganui, New Zealand

Take a walk to the top of Mt Maunganui and enjoy a stunning view

bay-of-plenty

Bay of Plenty

A coastal sunshine paradise with plenty for everyone.

Highlights

  • Superb surfing (and sunbathing)
  • Hike to the summit of Mount Manguanui
  • Hot saltwater pools

Proximity

  • by car:

    10 mins from Tauranga

  • by car:

    1 hour from Rotorua

  • by car:

    2 hours 45 mins from Auckland

Hot Pools at Hot Water Beach

The water at Hot Water Beach in The Coromandel is like a bath. Literally. Natural thermal springs run under the sand between the high- and low-tide mark and you can dig yourself a hot pool. Photo by @victorgag(opens in new window) on Instagram.

Coromandel
Hot Water Beach, Coromandel

Dig your own beach-spa while soaking in epic ocean views of the Pacific at Hot Water Beach in The Coromandel.

coromandel

Coromandel

Highlights

  • Cathedral Cove
  • The Pinnacles track
  • Gold-mining history in Waihi

Proximity

  • by car:

    2hr 40min from Auckland Central

  • by bus:

    Approx 4hr from Auckland Central

Enjoy the Rere Rock Slide 

Just outside the iconic surf town of Gisborne, Rere Rock Slide is New Zealand’s first waterslide. Carved over thousands of years it’s become a stunning natural waterpark.

Tairāwhiti Gisborne
Riding the Rere Rockslide, Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Just out of Gisborne is a 60-metre-long natural water slide. The Rere Rockslide is as much fun as it looks in the photos.

eastland

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Highlights

  • Top notch surf beaches
  • Wine trail - Chardonnay is the specialty
  • Māori culture and heritage

Proximity

  • by car:

    3hr 30 min from Rotorua

  • by plane:

    1hr from Auckland

Hike an Active Volcano

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a challenging and fun one-day hike through Tongariro National Park, a dual World Heritage listed site. You’ll see lava flows, an active crater, steam vents, emerald coloured lakes and magnificent views making this an epic walking journey. If you’re willing to step up to the challenge you’ll be rewarded with some views that are impossible to get any other way. Along with bragging rights, of course. Photo by @semiamateurphotography(opens in new window) on Instagram.

Ruapehu
Walking Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Ruapehu

Crossing a stark and spectacular volcanic terrain, Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the world's best day walks.

ruapehu

Ruapehu

Highlights

  • Emerald lakes
  • Panoramic views
  • Volcanic craters and lava flows

Proximity

  • by car:

    10 mins from Turangi

  • by car:

    45 min from Ohakune/Taupo

  • by car:

    4hr 15min from Wellington Central

Visit Auckland's wild West Coast

With picturesque waterfalls and spectacular black-sand beaches, Auckland’s West Coast is just waiting to be explored. Climb Lion Rock at Piha Beach or visit the huge gannet colony at Muriwai. Although just an hour from the city centre, you'll feel a world away among the rugged, untamed beauty.

Auckland
Waitakere Bay & Bethells Beach, Auckland

Discover the rugged beauty of Auckland's West Coast.

auckland

Auckland

Highlights

  • Lion Rock on Piha Beach
  • Streams, caves and cliffs
  • Surfing, horse-riding, blo-karting

Proximity

Stargaze in Canterbury

Covering much of the Aoraki/Mount Cook Mackenzie region is an International Dark Sky Reserve - the Southern Hemisphere’s sole reserve of its kind and one of only eight in the world. This is a stargazing experience that is second to none. Extensive testing has proven the area has the darkest, and most spectacular night skies in New Zealand with the highest number of clear sky nights! Photo by @david.rexer on Instagram.

Christchurch - Canterbury
Stargazing the night away, Christchurch - Canterbury

Campers take in the beautiful southern night sky in the Aoraki/Mount Cook region.

christchurch-canterbury

Christchurch - Canterbury

Highlights

  • Climbing and Mountain walks
  • Stargazing
  • Glacier viewing and skiing

Proximity

  • by car:

    4hr from Christchurch Central

  • by car:

    3hr from Queenstown

Reflect on Wanaka’s Blue Pools

A short walk from the Haast Highway, in Mount Aspiring National Park, are the Blue Pools with some of the bluest water the world has to offer, it’s so clear you can often see New Zealand’s famous brown and rainbow trout migrating. Photo by @ellenprojects(opens in new window) on Instagram.

Wānaka
The Blue Pools in Wanaka, Wānaka

The crystal clear blue water at Wanaka's stunning Blue Pools.

lake-wanaka

Wānaka

Highlights

  • Skiing and snowboarding
  • Sailing, jetboating, and kayaking
  • Flightseeing, skydiving, and canyoning

Proximity

  • by car:

    2hr from Queenstown

  • by car:

    50min from Wanaka Township

  • by bicycle:

    4hr 45min from Wanaka

Chase Fiordland’s Waterfalls

Mountains and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into massive fiords here - hence the name Fiordland. The area is renowned for it's spectacular scenery and walks throughout the Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Don't miss out on a sight that’s completely, utterly and unforgettably majestical. Which is officially a word in New Zealand. Almost. Photo by @hannahdanilu(opens in new window) on Instagram.

Fiordland
Milford Sound Waterfalls, Fiordland

Surreal waterfalls in Fiordland.

fiordland

Fiordland

Highlights

  • Milford & Kepler Tracks - Great Walks
  • Kayaking, diving, or scenic flights
  • Glowworm caves

Proximity

  • by car:

    2hr from Queenstown

  • by bus:

    3hr from Queenstown

plane Find & book flights

You may also be interested in