Things to do in 

New Zealand

Step off the main routes and find alternative things to do among west‑coast forests, volcanic plateaus, and quiet bays from Northland to Otago.

Cultural experiences: In Rotorua, sit with Māori carvers at a local arts institute, then sample hāngī‑inspired dishes at a neighborhood eatery; families love the storytelling. In Wellington, meet roasters in Te Aro and taste small‑batch chocolate before a hillside tram ride that seniors find easy. Around Dunedin, trace street art lanes and visit a tiny speakeasy‑style distillery for a chat with the maker. In Kaikōura, try a simple crayfish shack along the coast road, a casual stop couples often rave about.

Day trip ideas: From Auckland, cross the Waitākere Ranges to Piha and Karekare for black‑sand beaches and short bush walks, then loop back via the Arataki Visitor Centre. From Queenstown, cycle the Arrow River Bridges Trail to Arrowtown and into the Gibbston Valley for winery patios and easy riding. From Wellington, drive 75 minutes to Martinborough for cellar doors and olive groves on flat roads suited to all ages. From Christchurch, head to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula for harbor views and French‑influenced streets, with scenic stops at Little River.

Explore New Zealand's regions: Northland and the Bay of Islands center on Russell and Kerikeri, where coastal walks and historic missions sit close together. The Coromandel mixes forested drives with coves near Whitianga and trails above Hot Water Beach. Around Rotorua and Taupō, geothermal valleys meet lakefront bike paths and easy lookout walks. In Taranaki, New Plymouth’s coastal walkway frames views of Mount Taranaki between galleries. Nelson–Tasman leads to Abel Tasman’s golden bays from Motueka, while the West Coast stacks glacier valleys with Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. Canterbury strings Kaikōura’s marine life with Akaroa’s hill roads from Christchurch. Otago and Fiordland anchor Queenstown, Wānaka, Te Anau, and Milford Sound for alpine drives and quiet side tracks. Stewart Island’s Oban brings dark skies and kiwi calls on short coastal trails.

Travel tip: Plan 10–14 days for one island at an easy pace or 3–4 weeks for both North and South Islands. Distances look short on the map, but winding roads reward slow travel.

More places to see in New Zealand

There’s plenty waiting beyond Auckland, from steam-filled valleys to deep fiords and art deco streets. A few days on the road gives you a clearer taste of the country’s rhythm.

Wellington: Start at Te Papa to trace stories of land and sea, then wander Cuba Street for strong coffee and street buskers. Ride the red Cable Car up to the Botanic Garden and follow the paths down to the waterfront at Oriental Bay.

Rotorua: Watch the Pōhutu geyser rise at Te Puia and walk boardwalks past bubbling mud pools. Head into the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest for tall, straight trunks and soft trails, then wind down with a soak at Polynesian Spa overlooking Lake Rotorua.

Hawke’s Bay: Stroll Napier’s art deco blocks and duck into a corner bar for a local pour. Drive up Te Mata Peak for long views over vineyards, then cycle a flat section of the Hawke’s Bay Trails between cellar doors like Mission Estate or Craggy Range.

Fiordland: Cruise Milford Sound beneath cliffs where waterfalls thread straight into the sea. Stretch your legs at Mirror Lakes and watch the peaks flip in the water, or take the Key Summit Track for a few hours of alpine tarns and tussock with big mountain views.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Watch lambs dot green hillsides and kōwhai and lupins brighten country roads, then wander garden trails when blossoms peak from Taranaki to Christchurch. Cruise the Otago Peninsula or an eco-sanctuary to spot penguins and albatross, while calmer weather and lighter crowds suit slower-paced travellers and families easing into outdoor hikes and scenic drives.

Summer: Swim sheltered bays in Northland, kayak the golden coves of Abel Tasman, or tackle alpine day walks like the Tongariro Crossing under long, warm days. Christmas in New Zealand plays out on the beach, with picnics, evening markets, and easy-going seaside towns; couples linger for sunset sails, families chase ice cream and rock pools, and luxury travellers slip into private boat days or vineyard lunches.

Fall: Follow the colour in Central Otago and Arrowtown, then roll into harvest season tastings in Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough as days stay mild and trails quiet. Cycle easy rail trails, sample new releases fireside, and plan unhurried coastal routes that suit multi-generational groups looking to savour scenery without the rush.

Winter: Ski fields around Queenstown, Wānaka, and Mt Hutt bring crisp mornings and bluebird days, while Rotorua’s geothermal pools and alpine hot tubs turn evenings cosy. Celebrate Matariki with dawn gatherings and night-sky storytelling, look for humpbacks off Kaikōura, and settle into slower city walks and galleries when the weather turns, a comfortable pace for seniors and young families alike.

From late January’s Waitangi Day commemorations in Northland to autumn’s community celebrations in Arrowtown, the calendar stays busy. Look for the Pasifika Festival and Auckland Lantern and Diwali festivals lighting up city parks, CubaDupa filling Wellington’s streets with performance, and nationwide Matariki events marking the Māori New Year with kai, kapa haka, and stargazing that guides can help weave into a private day out.