TRENDING DESTINATIONS
Last updated on: 14 Jan, 2026
Planning an international vacation but still stuck on deciding the perfect destination?. You should consider visiting New Zealand, as it serves as the perfect tourist destination, offering stunning landscapes that seem unreal, opportunities to embark on thrilling adventures, vibrant cities, wildlife experiences, and much more. You can book your iconic New Zealand holiday with a customizable New Zealand Tour Package from Flip Trip Holidays.
And if you're pondering what all to explore in New Zealand, read along as this guide shares twenty exciting things to do in New Zealand. Along with some wonderful travelling tips and budget hacks, to make your journey all the more exciting, hassle-free, and unforgettable.
Queenstown, also known as the paradise for adventure lovers, serves as an ultimate location for exploring several exhilarating activities that keep the adrenaline pumping. Many travellers pen down bungee jumping in Queenstown as one of the top things on their bucket list. Yes, bungee jumping was invented here, but Queenstown offers much more than just Bungee Jumping. This stunning town offers breathtaking views and marvellous landscapes that will leave you in splits. Let’s look at the various must-try things in Queenstown:
About a 4-hour ride away from Queenstown, this iconic fjord is located in the Fiordland National Park. Surrounded by towering cliffs, tons of stunning waterfalls, and deep, dark waters. You can embark on a cruise journey to experience the magical views of the cliffs and the wonderful ocean views. Indulge in an unforgettable wildlife experience, where you can see dolphins, penguins, fur seals, and other fascinating creatures. “ Rudyard Kipling,” the famous English poet, called it the eighth wonder of the world. Milford Sound serves as an all-in-one location for travellers, combining awe-inspiring views and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
You can experience stargazing under the darkest skies in the world at the Aoraki National Park in New Zealand. Delighting in this magical experience is totally worth your time & energy. You can witness one of the cleanest night skies on earth, and on some days, you can even see the Milky Way and other distant galaxies. This is a perfect location for those who love to capture the cosmos.
Taking a scenic hike to Lake Marian is probably one of the best things you can experience while exploring New Zealand. While hiking, you can delight in gazing at the lush green rainforests and enjoy the tranquilizing sound of the stunning waterfalls that fill the soul with peace. This 3-hour return, wonderful adventure will be one that you won’t be able to forget for a long time.
One of the best places where you can spot the Kiwi bird. This picturesque island is located at the bottom of New Zealand’s southern island. A perfect location for hiking, bird watching, and indulging in a complete wildlife experience. With over 80% of the island being a national park, Stewart Island gives you a glimpse of what the whole of New Zealand would have looked like back in time.
Kaikoura is one of the most iconic regions where you can experience the marine life in New Zealand. You can watch dolphins and whales, and even swim with dolphins for a fun-filled and memorable experience. You can also take a scenic helicopter ride overlooking the marine life, to get a bird’s eye view of the coastline and the aquatic life.
Enjoy tasting the world-famous wines in Marlborough, including the specialty Sauvignon Blanc. You must take a tour of the majestic vineyards in Marlborough, especially if you are a wine connoisseur, to learn about the process of wine-making and taste some of the country’s finest and most aromatic wines.
Taking a crater of the moon geothermal walk is one of the most unique experiences that you can have while travelling to New Zealand. A wonderful experience that is also age-appropriate. In this walk, you can witness the steaming vents, dramatic scenery, colourful soils, unique rocks, and craters, all creating a never-before-seen kind of experience for the visitors.
Discover the Franz Josef glacier, which is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world, from up close. You will explore spectacular views of the glacier and the snow-covered mountains that surround the valley. Witness frozen rivers and waterfalls in the alpine environment.
While driving up the west coast, you must visit the Hokitika Gorge to explore its stunning emerald waters. The crystal clear waters can be a perfect backdrop for your photographs. Ensure your safety by not going too close to the river, as it can be dangerous. Spend some time on the edge for some peaceful moments while gazing at the captivating scenery that will leave you speechless.
You can go island hopping on the Hauraki Gulf, where you can explore several islands and their wildlife, marvel at the captivating views of the beaches, cliffs, and the city of Auckland, go on a scenic hike, relish the local cuisine and wines, enjoy boating, surfing and more.
Another experience in New Zealand that will make your vacation a remarkable one is visiting the city of Rotorua for its geothermal wonders and to learn about the Māori culture. Spend your day exploring the geothermal spas of nature. Soak in the mineral-rich waters, bubbling mud pools, and hot springs for true relaxation.
In the evening, you can visit the Mitai Mauri village, where you can learn about the Maori culture and the Maori way of living.
Many ‘Lord of the Rings’ fans come to New Zealand, especially to visit Hobbiton. You can go on a Hobbiton movie set tour and embark on an unreal journey through the magical world of the ‘Lord of the Rings’. You can witness breathtaking views, along with getting an insight into the cinema world. Explore movie shooting locations, learn facts about film-making, and end your journey by relishing a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Making you feel as though you’ve been transported into Middle-earth.
Indulge in this once-in-a-lifetime experience of exploring the glowworm caves in New Zealand. This experience is unique to New Zealand, except for some places in Australia. The ethereal glowworms will leave you stunned. There are various places where you can see glowworms in New Zealand. Ensure to include this striking experience in your itinerary and make your vacation in New Zealand one that will stay with you forever.
This unique rafting experience is totally different than all the other rafting experiences that you’ve ever had. This one is filled with pitch darkness and silence, where the glowworms will be lighting your way. You will wade through the dark rivers, jump from mini waterfalls, and raft through complete darkness, surrounded by glowworms that will appear as stars. This experience offers you a blend of adventure, fun, and unforgettable memories.
While visiting New Zealand, make sure to take the opportunity to board the TranzAlpine train and delight in gazing at the gorgeous scenery of the Southern Alps. TranzAlpine is one of the best train journeys in the world. Make sure not to forget adding this train ride experience to your list of things to do in New Zealand.
This 1-hour return walk through the beautiful path at Cathedral Cove is truly worth experiencing, walking on the white sand while enjoying the stunning views of the emerald waters. The beautiful rock archway at the cathedral cove connects the two stunning beaches, where you can click Instaworthy pictures. The best time to visit this incredible place is around sunrise, but you can also enjoy soaking in the basking sun at noon.
After taking a short drive from Auckland, you can reach the iconic volcanic beaches located on the west coast. Visiting these intensely dramatic beaches is a perfect way to turn a normal beach day into an exciting beach adventure. These beaches offer a great view that you can enjoy while taking a swim, within a safe area. You can indulge in a photography and surfing session, and you can also hike down one of the trails and sit on the black sand by the seashore that offers great scenery and immense peace.
The Catlins is truly a remarkable wonder of nature. Located in the southeastern part of New Zealand’s southern island. Packed with marvellous waterfalls, native rainforests, and plenty of amazing wildlife experiences. You can find penguins, seals, and native birds like the National bird Kiwi. You can also spot dolphins and whales if you are lucky. Delight in taking scenic hikes overlooking the lush rainforest, and enjoy stargazing in the dark skies.
If you are coming to New Zealand not just for a vacation but for an escape from your daily chaotic hustle. Then, staying in a pure pod can turn out to be one of the most satisfying and refreshing experiences for you. One that you have never experienced before. A pure pod is an eco-friendly cabin that is set amongst the stunning scenery of nature, where you can enjoy looking at breathtaking views while opting for a digital detox, avoiding all kinds of devices, living like in the 90s. This experience will rejuvenate you completely and leave you wondering, Why did you not try this sooner?.
We have shared a few tips and hacks that will help you make your journey to New Zealand smoother, more comfortable, and hassle-free.
It totally depends on the kind of weather you are seeking and the activities you wish to experience. But overall, the best time to visit New Zealand is between December to March, as this season brings on sunny days filled with joy, a sigh of relief from the freezing temperatures that New Zealand usually experiences. Let’s look at the best time to visit New Zealand for various season lovers:
| Seasons/Activities | Best Time to Visit | What Makes it Best |
|---|---|---|
| For winter lovers | June to August | Snow-covered mountains, cozy environment |
| For summer lovers | December to February | Pleasant weather, perfect time to explore beaches |
| For hiking | November to April | Peak season, suitable conditions for hiking |
| To experience thrilling sports activities | December to March | Perfect weather for experiencing exciting sports activities |
| To enjoy the festivities | December to February | Major festivals fall during this time, and there are celebrations across the country |
| For budget travellers | May & September | Fewer crowds, lowest prices |
| Spring lovers | September to November | Fewer tourists, lush green landscapes, and balanced weather |
New Zealand offers several opportunities to experience various exciting and fun-filled activities. And one of the best things that you can do in New Zealand is to cruise along the Milford Sound and delight in gazing at the stunning scenery of the fjords.
Due to the high cost of living, New Zealand is considered an expensive country. But at Flip Trip Holidays, you can find a variety of affordable New Zealand tour packages. Book a budget trip to New Zealand with Flip Trip Holidays, starting at just ₹65,999.
To cover both the islands, north and south, you must have at least 8-10 days. Although it depends on the amount of time you wish to spend on a particular place and the number of activities you want to experience. Ideally, you need 10-14 days for a well-balanced, not too rushed trip to New Zealand, which gives you enough time to rest and explore both the New Zealand islands properly.
