Top Scenic Spots to Visit in New Zealand

An island destination unlike any other, New Zealand is a traveler's playground, an outdoor dream of a country whose contrasts can take your breath away. Offering exquisite beaches, looming mountains, crystalline lakes and so much more, it’s a nation seemingly made for picture postcards or paintings. But its beauty is beyond the imagination of even an Old Master. After learning about the top spots to visit on the island, from vast glaciers and secret coves to dramatic volcanoes and vibrant cities, you won't want to miss out on a single one of them.

Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier is one of the few places in the world where you can take a walking tour of a glacier and is not to be missed. See the glacier on foot or take a helicopter tour — both offer stunning views, and you’ll feel like you’re exploring an alien landscape on an unspoiled planet. Despite being covered in ice, the glacier sees plenty of sunshine, so temperatures are usually only one to two degrees cooler than in the nearby town of the same name. Dress warm to stay cozy while you admire the stunning colors the sun picks out in the ice. 

Mount Maunganui

Sunbathe on the sand, walk the beach or get a bird's eye view of the scenery at Mount Maunganui, a peninsula just to the east of Tauranga. The trail up the mountain is a challenging 2.1 miles, but the views of the harbor, port, and beach are rich rewards for your efforts. Afterwards, unwind in the region's hot saltwater pools. With clear blue water, white sands that have been crowned the best in New Zealand, and stunning beauty, this area is a true delight.

Milford Sound

Visitors to Milford Sound quickly realize why Rudyard Kipling called it the "eighth wonder of the world." Formed by glaciers, this breathtaking area offers cascading waterfalls, towering vertical cliffs and mountain peaks that seemingly stretch to the sky, along with cliffs clad with gravity-defying, verdant forests. For the best experience, take a sightseeing tour by boat and enjoy the majestic waves, keeping a keen eye out for dolphins, fur seals and even whales.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Head underground to Waitomo glowworm caves and you’ll experience one of the most distinctive natural phenomena New Zealand offers. Thousands of Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms, a species unique to New Zealand, illuminate the dark recesses of the cave as you glide along on a boat tour for an adventure you won't find anywhere else. It’s like a subterranean cosmos here on earth – who knew mucus and fungus could be the stars of the show?

White Island

If seeing an active volcano is on your bucket list, then White Island is the place to visit. Also known as Whaakari, it last erupted in 2019, but you can still admire its splendor on a helicopter tour. It can be found rising from the waters off Whakatane and it more than lives up to the Maori meaning of its full name ‘Te Puia o Whakaari’ – the dramatic volcano.

Waiheke Island

Rub elbows with artists at Waiheke Island, located just a 40-minute boat ride from downtown Auckland. New Zealand's island paradise, this scenic spot is home to vineyards, small art galleries, sandy beaches and quaint oceanfront eateries, making it the perfect place to relax and taste the best of local cuisine Tours will help you make the most of the glorious outdoors here, with unexpected delights such as hidden tunnels and gun emplacements which date back to World War II.

Rotorua

Rotorua is one of the most active geothermal areas in the world with boiling mud pools, thermal springs, and geysers including Pohutu, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. The crater lakes are a riot of color, and an invigorating, restorative soak is an essential for your NZ bucket list. Rotorua is also the central home of the Maori people, an indigenous Polynesian tribe that settled in New Zealand more than 700 years ago. After you view the natural marvels, learn about the proud Maori heritage, history and culture with a tour of a traditional village.

Cathedral Cove

Left to its own devices, nature in New Zealand often creates wonders, and Cathedral Cove is one of them. A secluded, stunning beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, it pays off the hike it takes to get here. This marine reserve has a unique charm and beauty, and the easy walking path offers captivating scenery, with massive cliffs, native bush and access to both Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay, making the entire journey worth it. The perfect shot of the natural stone archway here will be the pride of your Instagram feed.

Bay of Islands

Head to the far north of North Island and you’ll be greeted by over 144 islands in a subtropical area that holds so much for you to discover. The Bay of Islands is home to plenty of sailing, fishing and other water sports; and once out on the water you’ll see a wide variety of marine life. Hike the island trails, explore secluded caves and tour the sub-tropical forests. Towns like Russell, Paihia, Kerikeri, and Opua offer plenty of accommodation, including a number of boutique stays.

Queensland

With unprecedented beauty and a reputation as an adventure-lover's paradise, Queensland isn't your ordinary resort town. Here you'll find world-class skiing, one of the best foodie scenes in New Zealand and the world's highest cliff jump at the Shotover Canyon Swing, The town sits on Lake Wakatipu, and you can spend days idling by it, or head out for adrenalin-pumping adventure.

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