Discover more of Aotearoa in some of New Zealand's best destinations. With awe-inspiring landscapes, exciting activities, and friendly people, it's little wonder everyone loves these prime spots.
From jaw-dropping mountains and crystal clear waters to Māori culture and geothermal valleys, these are the best places to visit the wonders that make New Zealand so popular.
Famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound is where plunging cliffs and raging waterfalls meet cold dark waters. Breathtaking in any weather, you can see why it is one of the best places in New Zealand. Explore
Milford Sound on a coach and cruise tour, go kayaking, or lace up your walking shoes and tackle some of the area's stunning tracks.
Best known for its geothermal wonders and powerful Māori culture, Rotorua has welcomed visitors for decades. With attractions and experiences for everyone from adventure-seekers to those just looking to relax and unwind. Crystal-clear streams, magical forests, epic biking trails and thermal mud pools, Rotorua has it all.
Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland CBD, you'll find Waiheke Island, a haven of beautiful vineyards and beaches. Known for its food and wine-tasting, flying-fox zipline, and walking trails, Waiheke is the best weekend to spot to indulge.
An hour drive from Rotorua is the stunning town of Taupō. Best known for its giant lake, ski fields, alpine deserts, geothermal valleys, and the thundering Huka Falls, Taupō is perfect for both thrill-seeking adventurers and active relaxers.
Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest yet one of the most beautiful national parks. You can choose to explore the park from land, on the water, or in the air, with tour operators aplenty offering cruises, water taxi services, kayaking options, heli-tours and sailing catamarans.
Known for its pristine mountain top view, white-sand beaches, hot saltwater pools and many beachfront cafes, Mount Maunganui is a coastal paradise. The main beach was crowned by TripAdvisor as the best beach in New Zealand and is ranked among the top 25 best beaches in the world.
Located in the South Island Alps, visitors from around the world are drawn to Wānaka by its beauty. With stunning mountains, a prime lakeside setting and proximity to Mt Aspiring National Park, it's no wonder Wānaka is one of the best places to visit year-round.
Three hours north of Auckland, you'll find Paihia, the perfect place to start exploring the Bay of Islands. In Paihia, you'll be spoiled for choice with water-based activities that include fast boats to the Hole in the Rock, fishing, sea kayaks, sailing, scuba diving, and paddleboarding.