New Zealand is the perfect destination for travelers who like adventure, nature, and beautiful scenery. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the options. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite things to do when visiting New Zealand so that you can take advantage of every minute spent here!
Get lost in Hobbiton.
Another must-do for any Lord of the Rings fan is Hobbiton. It’s a working farm that was used as the location for Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. You’ll find yourself immersed in Middle Earth as you walk through Bag End, see Bilbo’s front door, and visit The Green Dragon Inn.
The best way to get to Hobbiton is by car; it will take about an hour from Auckland or Queenstown (around $70 each way). A visit here costs around $50 per adult and takes about three hours on average. If you don’t have your transportation, there are guided tours available from both Auckland and Queenstown that include transport from your hotel or hostel, entry into Hobbiton, and lunch at The Shire Restuarant—a delicious assortment of food inspired by the hobbits’ favorite meals!
Expect: To feel like a kid again when looking at all these movie sets; getting lost in this magical land; taking lots of photos (and selfies); carefully crossing bridges over small streams; going inside Bag End where Bilbo Baggins once lived…and much more!
Go on a hike through Middle Earth.
The Hobbiton movie set is located in Matamata, New Zealand. It is the real-life version of Hobbiton that you see in the Lord of The Rings and Hobbit movies. You can go on a tour of this amazing movie set, which includes going inside several hobbit holes and seeing where many scenes were filmed. You also get to visit “The Green Dragon Inn,” which was actually built for the Lord of The Rings movies but now serves as a restaurant where you can enjoy some traditional Kiwi cuisine. If you’re interested in seeing both Hobbiton and The Green Dragon Inn, I recommend booking two different tours: one for each location (or if you want to make your trip worthwhile, three).
Drink beer at the Guinness Book of Records’ southernmost brewery.
If you’re looking for something to do that will make your trip stand out, the Guinness Book of Records’ southernmost brewery is a must. Located in Dunedin, it’s called Emerson’s Brewery and was established in 1876. The brewery makes a range of beers, including an IPA and a stout. They have won awards throughout New Zealand and Australia for their products.
Mountain Bike Tours
Whether you’re an experienced mountain biker or just getting started, there are plenty of tours to choose like this mountain bike tours in NZ. If you’re a beginner, it might be best to take a guided tour so that your guide can help and keep track of where you are on the trail. This way you know that you will be safe and won’t get lost in the woods.
It is important that if you decide to go off-trail or hike in some areas, make sure that all your equipment is up-to-date and working properly before heading into the mountains. Helmets are required by law when riding in New Zealand most companies require helmets even if they aren’t legally required! Make sure to bring snacks as well since long rides can wear out your energy levels quickly.
Drink wine in Marlborough.
Marlborough is a region in the north of New Zealand, famous for its wine. There are many vineyards to visit and taste their award-winning wines. It has a Mediterranean climate and is perfect for growing grapes.
If you love wine, visiting Marlborough is a must-do activity when traveling through New Zealand.
Hike through Wolf Creek Crater.
If you want to see the outside world, but are tired of the same old sights, then a hike through Wolf Creek Crater is for you. This crater was created by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. It’s now filled with water from Lake Wanaka and has become one of New Zealand’s most popular destinations for hikers and sightseers alike. The crater itself is beautiful – there are beaches, lakes, forests, and waterfalls all around it – but what makes this hike special is that it offers something different every step along the way:
- Hiking up to the top of the crater provides breathtaking views across Lake Wanaka and into the surrounding mountains
- Hiking down to the bottom gives access to a cave system where you can explore stalactites and stalagmites
- A short walk away from here leads to another lake within which swims dozens of species of fish including rainbow trout (also known as steelhead trout).
Walk with kiwis in the only place in the world you can.
- The Kiwi Encounter is a unique experience that allows you to walk with kiwis in the only place in the world where it’s possible.
- Just north of Queenstown, New Zealand, you can visit Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and get up close and personal with these flightless birds, who will come right up to you.
- You can even hold a plush stuffed kiwi toy! It looks like it’s smiling at you.
- Kiwis are shy creatures and will run away if they feel threatened by your approach or loud noises. To prevent this from happening: keep your distance; don’t wear bright colors or perfume; stay calm; avoid sudden movements; speak softly (or use sign language), and always be aware of where other people are around you so that no one accidentally gets hurt by running into each other while trying not to scare off our furry friends! If things still go wrong during an encounter with one of these little guys (and sometimes they do), remember that there are plenty more where he came from!
Get your adrenaline fix at Shotover Jet.
You’ve probably seen videos of Shotover Jet on the internet. It’s a jet boat ride on the Shotover River in Queenstown. And it’s one of those adrenaline-pumping experiences that you can’t miss when you’re visiting New Zealand.
The trip lasts about 30 minutes and will take you through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful landscapes, including gorges and waterfalls. During the ride, your captain will throw in some fun activities like performing spins and splashes for extra excitement! There’s also an option to go for even more adrenaline-filled activities such as white water rafting or bungee jumping off a bridge!
Watch seals sunbathe on Motuhora Island.
- Go for a boat ride to Motuhora Island.
- This nature reserve is home to a large colony of seals and other wildlife, including pukeko, petrels, and gannets.
- You can take a boat tour from the Bay of Plenty or visit by helicopter and land on the island.
Swim with dolphins in Akaroa’s harbor.
When you are in the Akaroa Harbor, you can swim with dolphins. Dolphins are very friendly and love to be around people. They are very playful and will interact with you while you swim with them.
You can swim with dolphins in the Akaroa Harbor during certain times of the year but not all year round because it is not safe for them when there are too many boats in the area or if there isn’t enough food for them to eat.
Go kayaking in Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove is a popular tourist destination on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is surrounded by high cliffs and lush forests, which makes it a great place to visit if you want to get away from other tourists. Cathedral Cove is also a great place to go kayaking because there are many waterfalls in the area, as well as snorkeling and diving opportunities for people who don’t like kayaking.
The next time you’re visiting New Zealand, make sure to check out these 10 attractions!
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Mt. Cook Village
- Fox Glacier
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Fiordland National Park and Te Anau Wildlife Center
- The Catlins Coastal Drive
- Cape Foulwind Lighthouse
- Wanganui River Journey
- (Natural Attraction) The Milford Track
Conclusion
There are so many things to do in New Zealand! If you’re looking for a new adventure and want to explore the beautiful country of New Zealand, we hope you found our list of things to do helpful. Visit these 10 attractions next time you’re visiting this amazing country!
