Best Tourist Spots In New Zealand

A heavenly combination of traditional Maori culture, charming villages, and stunning modern architecture, New Zealand is a divine place. With its unspoiled rugged terrains, sparkling waters, wilderness, and incredible national parks, this beautiful country is a top pick for tourists from around the globe. 

Here is our list of some of the best tourist spots in New Zealand that guarantee a delightful time. 

The Hobbiton Movie Set 

Fans of Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies are in for an absolute treat. This breathtakingly beautiful 1250-acre sheep farm in the heart of the Mighty Waikato region is where the magic in the movies all unfolded. This unearthly location is shrouded in an aura of magic and mystery, and guided Hobbiton Movie Set Tours will allow you to explore the hobbit holes and film sites up close!

From the Middle Earth Halfling Marathon to Breakfast Tours and beyond, visiting the set is an incredible opportunity to delight your imagination in a Tolkien-esque world of your own. 

Bay Of Islands 

Among the most popular tourist spots in New Zealand, the Bay of Islands sprawls over 260 square kilometers, with over 144 islands, gorgeous beaches, and charming secluded bays. The area also attracts an abundance of marine life, including penguins, dolphins, whales, and beyond. 

The cerulean blue waters are the perfect spot for sailing yachts and fishing, with the region greeting thousands of international sports fishermen throughout the year. Other attractions include exquisite rock formations, the beautiful towns of Russell and Paihia, and the Poor Knights Islands. 

Wai-o-Tapu 

Wai-o-tapu is an unearthly beautiful collection of New Zealand’s most vibrant, active geothermal spots. Hiking through the gorgeous volcanic landscapes is like trekking through the lion’s den itself. The best tourist attraction in Wai-o-tapu is definitely the amazing Lady Knox Geyser, which puts on a spectacular display by spouting surfactant-like clockwork at 10:15 am each morning. The uniquely-hued thermal waters and jaw-dropping displays aren’t all Wai-o-tapu has to offer, though. After the excitement of these show-stopping views, visitors can end their day by winding down and relaxing at one of the many geothermal spas in the area. 

Waitomo Caves 

Tucked away under the lush green hills of Waitomo is a maze of sinkholes, underground rivers, and caves. The area gets its name from the Maoi words “wai,” meaning water, and “tomo” meaning shaft or hole. While the gorgeous green hills above ground are certainly a sight to behold, the real magic lies beneath. The caves put on a breathtaking luminescent display with native glow worms lighting up the limestone walls, creating a scene straight out of a fairyland.

Guided underground tours allow you to bask in the luminescence leisurely, but you can also choose to hike through this underground labyrinth for an adrenaline-pumping experience. For the more adventurous sort, Black Water Rafting is also an option. You can float, swim, or crawl through the twinkling caves on a rubber tube and even zipline through the darkness for a truly out-of-this-world feeling. 

Hamilton Gardens 

This 54-hectare garden in the south of Hamilton isn’t just your regular display of flowers and plants. For those interested in culture and tradition, Hamilton Gardens offer a unique experience unlike any others you’ll find in New Zealand. Perched on the banks of River Waikato, the Hamilton grounds aren’t precisely a botanical garden. 

It takes the crown as New Zealand’s first traditional Maoi garden, showcasing the practices, sacred rituals, and ceremonies of the Maoi people. The Gardens were built to tell the “Story of Gardens,” allowing visitors a glimpse into the rich culture and practices of the people who have dwelled in the land for centuries. 

Kaikoura 

A small coastal town in the South Islands, Kaikoura is all about the sand and surf. Trekking along the gorgeous shores allows you to glimpse all sorts of marine life, from albatrosses to fur seals, sperm whales, dolphins, and more. After a day of lolling around in the luxurious sand, visitors can tuck into a delicious feast of mussels, blue cod, and other delicacies plucked fresh from the sea. 

The town is famous for its crayfish, with “Kai” meaning “food” and koura” meaning “crayfish” in the Maori language. The picturesque village is also the epicenter for wildlife experiences of all sorts, and wilderness lovers can hike through the rugged shorelines, sprawling farmlands, and lush, untamed forests in the area. 

These best tourist spots in New Zealand will surely be quite enjoyable!