The Ultimate New Zealand Bucket List: 15 Things to See & Do

1. See Glowworms

You cannot visit this part of the world and not see these tiny bioluminescent creatures that light up dark caves’ ceilings like the starry sky. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, two hours from Auckland in the North Island, are the most popular and accessible. The Waitomo Caves feature stunning geological formations that have developed over 30 million years. Another interesting fact is that most of the guides who bring this cave to life through their storytelling are direct descendants of the Maori Chief who first explored the cave. The most popular way to explore these caves is a 45-minute tour on foot and boat.

However, you can also choose to just walk, abseil, zip line, or tube through the caves, making your glowworm experience the perfect adventure.

If you aren’t visiting Waitomo, you could also see glow worms at:

Te Anau Glowworm caves in Te Anau, South Island: This 2-hour and 15-minute tour takes you on a cruise across Te Anau Lake to one of the youngest caves in New Zealand (only 12,000 years old), after which you will be led into a glowworm grotto via a small boat.

Tartare Tunnel near Franz Josef, South Island: A 1-hour and 20-minute round trip on foot to see glowworms in a non-commercial setting. Best of all, it is free.

2. Visit Geothermal Parks in Rotorua

Visiting a geothermal park is a must-do in the North Island. The most interesting one is the Wai o Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Located in Rotorua, it is an 18-square-kilometre active geothermal park formed by thousands of years of volcanic activity.

The geothermal springs around this park, especially the Artist’s Palette and champagne pool, are a truly fascinating mix of greens, blues, and oranges. The park also has the largest bubbling mud pool in New Zealand and a geyser called Lady Knox that erupts at 10.15 a.m. every day. Time to be punctual, people!

While walking around the park, it is easy to get lost in the walkways covered with eerily twisted old trees, springs with vivid splashes of colour, and clouds of wafting hot steam. It is not surprising that this geothermal park features on Trip Advisor’s list of the most surreal places in the world.

There are plenty of other geothermal parks in the area. Some of the interesting ones include Waimangu Volcanic Valley, on the Geothermal Explorer Highway, and Kuirau Park, located in Rotorua city itself. The latter has foot baths and is absolutely free. 

You can visit Te Puia for the Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere that can go up to a staggering 100 feet. Additionally, in Rotorua’s neighbouring town of Taupo, there exists another fascinating geothermal park, Orakei Korako, which features one of the only two thermal caves in the world. How cool is that?

3. Take a Dip in Hot Springs with Stunning Views

This country is located on the Pacific Rim of Fire, an area known for its geothermal activity. As a result, New Zealand has several geothermal hot pools and springs. It is incredibly tough to decide which ones to visit.

Polynesian Spa in Rotorua: Built on the site of historic bathhouses, Polynesian Spa is the most renowned hot pool in New Zealand. It is known for its locally sourced natural acidic and alkaline mineral pools that have beneficial properties ranging from soothing sore muscles to nourishing the skin. Additionally, they have a foot reflexology walking path for total-body benefits. You can choose to take a dip in the open-air pavilion pools or deluxe pools overlooking Lake Rotorua, bathe in private pools (great for if you’re on a honeymoon), or opt for a combination of both.

Hot Pool Beach in Hahei: This no-cost option is an intriguing one! You can dig your personal spa pool in the sand. If you’re not in the mood for working that hard for a hot water dip, you can also hop over to an abandoned pool. Soak in the mineral-filled water and enjoy the serenity of the beach and ocean beyond. The best time to visit is two hours either side of low tide. Check low-tide timings here.

Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown: Onsen Hot Pools offers private pools with astounding views overlooking the Shotover River Canyon. Here you can physically and visually soak in the marvels of nature in a candle-lit private cedar-lined pool while sipping on a glass of bubbly and munching on delicious snacks.

4. Learn about Maori Culture and Try the Hangi in Rotorua

No trip is complete without delving into the culture and tasting the traditional food of the region, especially one as vibrant as that of the Maori people. They came to New Zealand nearly 1000 years ago from the mythical land of Hawaiki in Polynesia and developed a unique Maori culture.

The best way to observe Maori culture is by visiting a Marae, a sacred meeting place. Here you will be greeted with the calming Hongi (pressing of noses), hear harmonious singing, learn about their customs and traditions, observe their intricate traditional arts, see the spirited haka (a ceremonial dance), and enjoy a Hangi Feast (food cooked in underground pits).

There are several places in New Zealand where you can experience their culture. However, there is no better place than Rotorua in the North Island, as it is known for its concentration of Maori culture, with plenty of Maori villages and Maraes to choose from. 

Te Puia is a good option if you would also like to see Kiwi birds and the Pohutu Geyser (the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere). However, Te Pa Tu Village is the most renowned as it provides an immersive and interactive cultural experience.

5. Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing near Taupo

With dual World Heritage status due to its cultural and natural significance, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike simply cannot and should not be missed. The hike takes you through a surreal, almost alien, volcanic landscape with solidified lava flats, red craters, volcanoes, steam vents, brightly hued lakes, and native beech forests.

These otherworldly vistas place the hike not only on the list of New Zealand’s Great Walks but also on every list featuring the world’s best day hikes. Not to mention, it is home to Mount Doom from the famous epic fantasy film ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Aren’t you yearning to go here already? You can choose to do the 19.4-kilometre hike like we did or the 43.1-kilometre, 3 to 4-day trek through the Tongariro Northern Circuit. Click here for details.

1. Have Wildlife Encounters in Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a magical place where the mountains meet the ocean in a dramatically beautiful manner. Due to the nutrient-rich ocean water on Kaikoura’s shore, it has a wide variety and abundance of marine wildlife.

Here you can witness seals basking in the sun on rocks right next to the road; kayak alongside seals; go whale watching; and have the opportunity to swim and snorkel with dolphins and seals. These are all wonderful experiences you wouldn’t want to miss. Even if you just walk the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway and do not take any tours at all, you will be amazed by the scenic beauty and wildlife in Kaikoura.

That said, the activity that is most popular here is whale watching by boat or scenic flight. Sperm whale sightings are a given, as they are present in the region all year round. June and July are the best times to see humpback whales as they migrate north towards the Pacific Islands. December through March are the best months to see orcas (killer whales).

2. Hike on a Glacier in Franz Josef

Franz Josef is a small town built around its central attraction, the Franz Josef Glacier. This is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. Earlier, you could just walk up to the glacier and hike on it. However, now the glacier has receded due to global warming, and the only way to get up there is through a scenic helicopter ride, giving way to the adventurous heli hiking tour. 

The helicopter ride to and fro from the glacier offers remarkable views of the glacier valley. On landing on the glacier, you will walk on ice between brilliant white and blue-hued glacier walls and inside ice caves. Don’t worry about gear for hiking on ice; it will be provided by the tour company.

You will see dramatic ice formations and learn about them. Each glacier experience is truly one of a kind, as these glacier formations change rapidly, and your route is tailored based on the condition of the ice on that day. After your return flight, you can rejuvenate with a complimentary soak in the Glacier Hot Pools. The entire experience is absolutely phenomenal!

You can also do heli-hiking at Fox Glacier or Tasman Glacier (Mt. Cook National Park).

Tip

1. Remember to pre-book your tour here, as it is very popular and sells out fast.

2. The weather is unpredictable in Franz Josef, and the tours get cancelled often (happened to us too). However, you can put yourself on the standby list for the next day’s tours and fill in the slot for dropouts. So, stay an extra day or plan to leave for your next destination late in the afternoon the next day.

3. Visit Wanaka

Wanaka is a picturesque town with a laid-back yet lively vibe and plenty to see and do. You can see the famous solitary Wanaka Tree, visit a Lavender Farm, go for a wine tour, try a waterfall climb, or just walk around the town and Lake Wanaka, taking in the brilliant view of the lake and mountains.

You have to do some hikes in New Zealand on your trip and what better place than Mt. Aspiring National Park, close to Wanaka? Some of these hikes that you could attempt are:

Roy’s Peak: The most famous one is Rob Roy Peak, a 17-kilometer moderate-difficulty hike that offers a supremely spectacular view often featured on Instagram. However, let me warn you: due to its Instagram popularity, expect to wait in a queue for an hour to click the picture.

Isthmus Peak: If busy tracks don’t appeal to you, hike Isthmus Peak. It is a 15-kilometer hike with views similar to those of Roy’s Peak and, hey, no queues. However, it is becoming increasingly popular by the day.

Mt. Iron: If you think the above-mentioned hikes are too long, try the much shorter Mt. Iron walk, which is a 4.5-kilometer loop frequented by locals on a daily basis.

4. Wine Tasting at a Vineyard

New Zealand is a haven for wine lovers, as it has world-class wineries spread throughout the country. Even if you’re on a budget, you will have no problem finding good wine and options for wine tasting. New Zealand is especially known for its Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region (area around Picton in the South Island) and Pinot Noir from Marlborough (South Island), Martinborough (near Wellington in the North Island), and Central Otago (area around Queenstown in the South Island). 

5. Bungy Jump in Queenstown

Queenstown is a fast-paced town where the thrill-seekers of the world come to get their adrenaline pumping. Queenstown has aptly gained popularity as ‘the adventure capital of the world’ with its vast range of activities like jet boating, canyoning, rafting, quad biking, bungees and swings, zip-lining, skydiving, and much more. No matter how much of an adrenaline junkie you are, you simply cannot do all of the mentioned activities and will definitely have to pick and choose.

So, what’s our recommendation? Its hands-down bungy jumping, and for good reason.

Queenstown is the birthplace of the first-ever commercial bungy, the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, established by A.J. Hackett, a native Kiwi. You have a total of three bungees to choose from: Kawarau Bridge Bungy (43 m), where you have the option of a dunk in the river; Ledge Bungy (47 m), which is a freestyle bungy overlooking beautiful Queenstown; and Nevis Bungy, which stands at a whopping 134 meters.

The best part is that you don’t need to worry about safety. A.J. Hackett has had an impressive record of being accident-free ever since they started out. With personal experience on the Ledge Bungy, I can ensure you that the recoil is so smooth you can hardly feel it. So why don’t you visit Queenstown and take a leap of faith? Quite literally!

6. Drive to Glenorchy

This 45-minute drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is by far the most beautiful and an absolute must-see in the South Island. You’ll see the blue waters of Lake Wakatipu on one side and mountains on the other all the way through. There are multiple points of interest along the route, so you can relax, have a picnic, and make it a day.

After reaching Glenorchy, visit the Glenorchy waterfront, which has a cute red boat shed. The crowning point is that the view from the Glenorchy wharf is beautiful no matter the weather—a mystical grey with the mountains peeping through the fog on a rainy day and an impressive fusion of greens and blues on a sunny one.

Fun fact: there is a place called ‘Paradise’ a little beyond Glenorchy. Yes, Paradise! Glenorchy and Paradise are epic enough to be made into fantasy movie sets for the likes of LOTR, The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, Wolverine, and many others. If you’re a movie buff, you can actually go on a Lord of the Rings tour to see these locations.

7. Take a Trip to Milford Sound

A trip to New Zealand is incomplete without visiting Milford Sound, which is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. This postcard icon of New Zealand offers an uninterrupted view of towering glacier-carved cliff frontages, snow-capped mountains, glistening fjords and lakes, cascading waterfalls, diverse wildlife, and exotic, lush greenery. Keep a lookout for fur seals, dolphins, and Fjordland crested penguins. 

The most popular way to absorb this scenery is by a 2 to 3-hour cruise on the fjord. However, you can also choose to kayak or take an overnight cruise to enjoy the landscape for a longer time.

Nature lovers can hike the 53.5-kilometer Milford Track, a New Zealand Great Walk that takes you through rainforests and alpine passes. The walk takes four days to complete, with each night spent in a pre-booked hut. These are sometimes fully booked a year in advance; that’s how alluring the track is.

That said, the alpine drive to Milford Sound is equally spectacular, if not more. You will want to stop at the numerous viewing points to take in the magnificent vistas. Be sure to have spare time to do so!

8. Visit Mt. Cook National Park

Mt. Cook Aoraki National Park comprises 19 peaks that are over 3000 metres tall and glaciers that cover 40% of the area. The drive to Mt. Cook Village is absolutely sensational, with the resplendent turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki on the right and the rugged snow-clad peak of New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mt. Cook/Aoraki, in front. The sprawling alpine landscape of the park definitely spoils you for choices of hikes.

The best ones that can be done in a single day are:

Hooker Valley Track: a relatively flat 2-3 hour walk with a few picturesque suspension bridges that ultimately lead up to the Hooker Glacier terminal lake. It is the most popular hike due to the stunning views that are present throughout the track.
Tasman Glacier View Track: The short 1-hour return track takes you to Tasman Glacier Lake, where you can see icebergs floating in the lake.

9. Stargaze in a Dark Sky Reserve, Mackenzie Region

Fascinated by starry sky pictures you see on social media that seem photoshopped? Well, then visit the Mackenzie region (Tekapo/Pukaki/Mt. Cook/Fairlie), where the clarity of individual stars and the milky sight seen with the naked eye will leave you spellbound—a must-see in New Zealand. The Mackenzie Region is a Dark Sky Reserve, one of the only 16 such reserves in the world. Low levels of light pollution make it the perfect place for stargazing.

You can stargaze by yourself, take a tour of Mt. John Observatory to make more sense of that brilliant sky or stargaze while soaking in hot pools. Make the most of your time here and take a tour (we regretted not taking one); who knows when you’ll be able to see the Milky Way so clearly again?

Plus, there are plenty of amazing things to do in Tekapo besides stargazing!

10. Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata

Hollywood Director Peter Jackson found the perfect farm to build ‘The Shire’ for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movies more than 20 years ago. After the filming of the LOTR movies, the set was brought down and the farm was returned to its original state. Later, the set was built to last for ‘The Hobbit’ movies and guided tours, which began in 2012 in the place popularly known as ‘Hobbiton’.

The tour of Hobbiton takes you through the 12-acre magical property with a guide telling you interesting facts and stories about the set and movies all along. There are plenty of pretty picture opportunities in this immensely green hobbit land. The 2-hour tour ends at the Green Dragon with a free drink.

Note: Tours leave every 10-15 minutes, though booking times online are limited. Do pre-book this experience as it can sell out.

In all honesty, we have put Hobbiton on this list very reluctantly. It was beautiful, but still not one of our favourite experiences due to its commercialization. However, if you’re in New Zealand for the first time, you should visit once to form your own opinions about the place. Some really love it, despite being dragged here by their travel partners, who are LOTR fans. You might just be one of them.