Updated by Rachel, April 2026
Travelling around New Zealand is something you’ll never forget. The rolling fields, ominous mountains, mirror like lakes and jagged coastline are packed full of beauty. No matter what type of traveller you are, New Zealand offers heaps of awesome things to see and do. Whether you want to get your adrenaline pumping with some bungee jumping and skydiving or relax with a sea kayaking tour or Maori homestay, there’s something for everyone.
Despite its relatively small size in comparison with its neighbour Australia, there’s still a huge variety of places to stop off in the land of the long white cloud. Because there’s so much to do, if you want to make the most of your travels here it’ll take a bit of planning. Luckily we’ve spent a lot of time travelling New Zealand and we’ve decided to help make your planning easier by sharing our Top 10 Places To Visit In New Zealand.
Image thanks to Queenstown NZ
This is the adrenaline capital of New Zealand with more activities than you could shake a stick at! From white water rafting and jet boating, through to snowboarding, skydiving and bungee jumping, Queenstown delivers on every front.
Not only that but Queenstown is a beautiful place to kick back and relax. Wander around the lake, take in the scenic viewpoints at Skyline, and enjoy a stunning mountain backdrop to boot. It’s also incredibly central to some of New Zealand’s best natural locations such as Milford Sound, Cardrona and Coronet Peak. For backpackers, Queenstown is one of the most popular stops on any New Zealand itinerary and it’s easy to see why.
New Zealand's largest city (but not it’s capital!) is where most people will either start or finish their Kiwi adventure. With art galleries, cafes, restaurants and all the excitement of city living, it’s the ideal place to begin your New Zealand travels.
Sip cocktails by the waterfront, enjoy the views from the Skytower, or jump on a ferry and relax in the Waiheke wine region. Auckland is also a fantastic base for day trips to some incredible North Island destinations, making it well worth spending a few nights here at the start of your trip.
Image thanks to Audley Travel
Rotorua is the geothermic hub of NZ and as a result it smells a bit funky. But don't let the smell of rotten eggs put you off - it’s an amazing stop on any New Zealand tour with a lot to see and do!
Wai-O-Tapu is famous for being a geothermal wonderland, featuring Lady Knox Geyser, geothermal systems spanning over 18km², and bubbling mud pools that rack up temperatures of over 100°C. If you’re after a mud bath that won’t leave you overcooked, head over to Hells Gate where you can relax in bubbling mud spas that are apparently incredible good for you.
If you’re looking for something more extreme, tackle the world's highest commercial rafting waterfall at Kaituna rapids and drop 7 meters into raging waters. You can also go rolling down hills inside a giant ball with the guys from Ogo who invented zorbing back in 1994. For a cultural experience, why not spend the night at a traditional Maori homestay? Rotorua is one of the best places in New Zealand to connect with Maori culture and is well worth spending a few days here.
Image thanks to Fairbairn House
With its magnificent lake, Taupo is sure to impress from the word go! Jump out of a plane for cheap (seriously, it's one of the cheapest skydives in New Zealand!) and take in the stunning views of the lake while you fall at terminal velocity.
Tackle Huka Falls on a jet boat and speed along the Waikato River doing 360° spins. If you want to relax, head to the lake itself for some kayaking or test your balance with Stand Up Paddleboarding. Taupo is also the perfect base to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of the best day hikes in New Zealand with Lord of the Rings level scenery. It’s a must-do for any backpacker travelling the North Island.
Image thanks to Hobbiton Tours
While it’s not really a stopover in New Zealand, the Hobbiton movie set just outside of Matamata in the North Island is a highlight for any Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans. The place is truly beautiful with rolling green hills and little hobbit holes that make you feel like you’re right in The Shire.
They even have their own pub called the Green Dragon Inn which features local brews inspired by the best beers of Middle Earth. Even if you aren't a huge fan of the films, it’s still a pretty awesome place to explore and snap an iconic Hobbit Hole selfie for the ‘gram. Hobbiton tours are popular so booking ahead is highly recommended.
Image thanks to New Zealand Tourism
This sleepy little town on the West Coast of the South Island is a hub for backpackers thanks to its access to the glaciers in the area. You can hike to the glacier viewpoint for free and see how impressive this place is. For a closer look, guided glacier hike experiences take you right into the icy landscape.
If you’re feeling like splurging, go all out and take a helicopter trip over the glacier and explore parts of it most people don't get a chance to see. If you can’t get enough of extreme activities, you can also skydive over Franz Josef from up to 20,000 ft and freefall at ~200km/h while looking out at the stunning World Heritage Listed location. Franz Josef is one of the most unique and unforgettable stops on any South Island tour.
Image Thanks to Base Backpackers
You can’t head to New Zealand without exploring the capital Wellington. Known as “Windy Wellington” due to it being the windiest city on the planet, but don't let the name put you off - the city is absolutely worth visiting.
Head up to the botanical gardens, take the cable car to the viewpoints, or visit the world famous Te Papa Museum. Wellington is also home to Zealandia, an enormous wildlife sanctuary with a 500 year mission to restore Wellington valley’s forest and freshwater ecosystems to their pre-human state.
If you’re a craft beer lover you’re in luck - Wellington is New Zealand’s craft beer capital. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area during August, make sure to check out Beervana, a giant craft beer festival with loads of breweries and local food. Wellington is also the gateway to the South Island with the Interislander Ferry departing from the port.
Image thanks to Waikato District Council
This laid back hippy town a few hours south of Auckland is beautiful, consistently rated one of New Zealand’s most charming small towns. Raglan is the place to head if you’re in search of a slower pace of life (yes, even slower than the normal Kiwi pace!) and some amazing surf.
The left hand point breaks here are a goofy footer’s dream, made famous by the Endless Summer 2. Don't worry if you’re not already a confident surfer - there’s some great surf schools in the area who will take you from absolute kook to riding waves in no time. Raglan is a fantastic addition to any North Island itinerary for travellers who want to experience New Zealand’s laid back coastal culture.
Image thanks to Auckland & Beyond Tours
Right towards the tip of the North Island - about 3 hours drive from Auckland - is the stunning Bay of Islands. Spots like Paihia, Cape Reinga and Russell offer up everything from dolphin watching and sand boarding to surfing, scenic lookouts and heaps of island hopping goodness.
Featuring 144 islands, each one offers something different but every one is worth visiting. If you’ve only got time for one, we recommend Paihia which features amazing natural locations like the Hole in the Rock (way more impressive than it sounds) as well as Haruru Falls. There’s also plenty of opportunities to snorkel or scuba all around the islands. The Bay of Islands is a truly stunning part of New Zealand that deserves a spot on every backpacker’s North Island travel list.
Image thanks to Real Journeys
At the total opposite end of NZ from the Bay of Islands, in the bottom of the South Island, is the famed Milford Sound. The sound (which is actually a fjord) is a favourite with travellers either as a day trip from Queenstown or a more leisurely few days of calm and nature.
Photograph the spectacular mirrored lakes, take a cruise around the Fiordland National Park, or kayak around the many coves. Milford Sound is consistently voted one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand and regularly features on best-of lists for South Island travel. It’s a brilliant place to really immerse yourself in the incredible landscape New Zealand has to offer and a welcome change of pace from some of the more high adrenaline activities on offer throughout the country!
New Zealand truly is an amazing place. With one of a kind scenery that feels like it’s out of a film (mostly because it is), a diverse spread of multicultural cities, rich culture and plenty of varying activities, it’s got something for just about anyone. If you’re looking for an adrenaline hit or a more relaxed vibe with stunning scenery, the country has it all. Who said size matters? For such a small place with so much to offer, New Zealand packs a punch worthy of a heavyweight champion.
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