New Zealand is a truly gorgeous country, with so many beautiful places to visit. It is so vast I thought I’d compile my top 20 recommendations after spending 3 months travelling here. This list is compiled in order of the places I visited, with 6 spots from North Island and 14 from the South Island.
I hope this guide helps to give you inspiration and plan your own New Zealand adventure!
North Island:
1. Russel:
Russell is located in Northland, a 15 minute ferry ride from Piahia. Russel is a quaint little town, home to beautiful beaches and amazing wildlife. I got the passenger ferry over for 1 day and was blown away with its beauty.
While I was there I walked straight from the ferry port to Tapeka Point. The walk is along the coast and has stunning views of the surrounding beaches. I also walked from Russel town to Long Beach which is equally beautiful.
2. Whangārei Heads
Whangārei Heads is also located in Northland. It is best known for its stunning coast, harbour beaches and forests. I parked at the car park on Urquhart Bay Road and walked the 1.25km to Smuggler’s Bay. The beach might be one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen, and I had an unforgettable swim here.
3. Putāruru Blue Springs
You’ve probably seen this spot on Instagram or TikTok. Happily, unlike many places, this one is as pretty as it looks online! Putāruru Blue Springs is located a 45 minute drive from Rotorua and is so worth the trip. It is a short walk down from the car park to the prettiest spot of the river. I then walked 20 minutes down the river as well to get to a less busy spot as it is super popular here. The tranquil atmosphere and clear blue water hands down makes it one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
4. Huka Falls, Taupo
Huka falls is New Zealand’s most-visited natural attraction, located on the Waikato River near Taupō. This makes it a must-visit spot, it is absolutely breathtaking-taking! Every second 220,000 liters of water is forced through a 15-meter wide volcanic gorge, plunging 9 meters.
It is a short walk down from the car park to the bridge overlooking the falls. There are a variety of walks around the area, or you can just spend a short time at the main spots.
5. The Hobbiton Movie Set
The Hobbiton Movie Set is a must-visit for all Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans. This 12-acre set is located in Matamata and is a great attraction, even if you haven’t watched any of the films (like me)! The 2.5 hour tour takes you through the 44 hobbit holes, giving facts into the set-making process and behind-the-scenes details. It ends with a complementary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Tickets costs NZ$120 per adult and NZ$60 per child. This is a hugely popular attraction so it is worth booking well in advance to avoid disappointment, especially between December and February.
6. Tongariro National Park
One of the most popular hikes in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a gorgeous 20km walk across an active volcano. The dramatic volcanic scenery feels otherworldly and is unlike anything I’d seen before. The famous emerald lakes are a vibrant turquoise-blue, caused by minerals leaching from the surrounding thermal ground. The hike takes you through various terrains: starting with alpine tussock fields, then through alpine deserts and concluding with lush forest. This is absolutely one of most beautiful places in New Zealand, click here for a complete guide to this one of a kind hike.
South Island:
7. Marlborough Sounds
This was my first place I visited in the South Island and it set a high precedent. The Queen Charlotte scenic drive was one of my favourite drives, with so many beautiful lookouts. I also did parts of the Queen Charlotte walking track which was equally stunning. The water is so blue with many gorgeous swimming spots off the beach.
8. Wharariki Beach, Abel Tasman
This beach is so pretty, Windows used it in not 1 but 2 screensavers! Located at the very north of the South Island, it is a bit of a drive to get here but is so worth it. It is known for its dramatic, wild coastline with the famous Archway Islands just off-shore. The area is also a sanctuary for New Zealand fur seals, with pups frequently spotted playing in the tide pools.
9. Nelson Lakes National Park
This is a less well-known National Park north of Arthur’s Pass. I completed the 9km Mount Robert Circuit on our one day here and the views over Lake Rotoiti and the surrounding mountains were spectacular. If I had longer here I’m sure I would have discovered more equally-stunning hikes.
10. Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks were formed 30 million years ago from compressed layers of dead marine creatures and plants on the seabed. Tectonic activity then lifted these beds, and over millennia, rain and seawater eroded the softer layers faster than the hard ones, creating these stacked rocks.
Their unique features surrounded by this rugged coastline meant they deserved a place on this list. The walk from the nearby car park takes about an hour in total, including time to admire the view.
11. Hokitika Gorge
This is one of the South Island’s most recognisable spots. An easy 2.4km walkway takes you on a loop round this stunning river. As nearby glaciers grind down rocks, they create a fine, suspended powder that, when combined with clear water, scatters sunlight. This results in an exceptionally vivid blue-green colour which the gorge is so well-known for, making it without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
12. Franz Josef Glacier
Located on the West Coast, this is an absolute must-visit spot. You can either take a helicopter ride to see the glacier up close, or do as I did and hike the Robert Point Track. This is a 12km return walk that takes you to a stunning view of the glacier. Even from the town, the views of the glacier are insane. You can sit at a cafe and simply marvel at its beauty. Click here for my top recommendations for things to do in Franz Josef.
13. Jackson Bay
This spot got recommended to me by a random couple in a pub in Hokitika! It had not been on my radar at all, but I thought I’d have a look on my way to Wanaka and it was completely stunning. Jackson Bay is located a 30 minute drive from Haast and is so worth the detour. It is a tiny place, with only one seafood restaurant (The Craypot) right by the beach.
The highlight of our time here, however, was Neil’s beach. The beach itself is gorgeous, but its main attraction is its abundance of Hector Dolphins which have a nursery offshore. They were so inquisitive and confident and swam among us for over an hour. This was one of my most memorable experiences from my time in New Zealand. My friend and I saw no one else on the beach at all during our 2 hour visit, adding to why it is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
14. That Wanaka Tree
Possibly the most famous tree in the Southern Hemisphere, the Wanaka Tree is a must-visit location in New Zealand. Located on the lakefront, with the Southern Alps as the backdrop, this iconic landmark has been famous since 2014 when a picture of it won a photography competition.
For recommendations of things to do in Wanaka, click here.
15. Roy’s Peak, Wanaka
This 12km hike is one of the most famous in New Zealand, and for good reason. From its peak, you can see for miles to Mount Aspiring and other surrounding mountains. It is a tough hike, especially at sunrise, but it is so worth it once you reach the summit. If you are thinking of completing this iconic hike, read this guide for everything you need to know before you go.
16. Glenorchy, Queenstown
It is my theory that the popularity of central Queenstown eclipses the beauty of Glenorchy. It is only a 50 minute drive and is one of my favourite day trips. The drive there along the coast is stunning with a backdrop of snowy mountain tops. The Animal Experience was extremely fun and we took some epic pictures. I would say it is definitely worth leaving the busyness of Queenstown for at least an afternoon to visit this underrated spot. For recommendations on what to do here, and the rest of Queenstown, check out this blog.
17. Milford Sound, Fiordland
Milford Sound is located in Fiordland National Park and is one of the best paid activities in New Zealand (in my opinion)! The best way to see it is from the water, on either a boat cruise or kayak tour. I have been twice, once on a perfect sunny day, and another on a rainy, gloomy day, and I can confidently say the views are astounding whatever the weather conditions! There is a chance to see seals, dolphins and even penguins and the abundance of waterfalls makes it feel like an other-worldly experience.
18. The Catlins
Out of all the places I visited in New Zealand, the Catlins was the most underrated spot. It is barely spoken about but is insanely pretty, and full of unique wildlife. 3 of my favourite areas are shown in the photos below, but there are tons more in this Catlins blog. I loved it so much I spent 3 days here instead of my originally planned 1! Part of the reasons why I think it is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand is because of how undiscovered it still is.
19. Hanmer Springs, Lake Sumner National Park
Another underrated spot, I ended up visiting Hanmer Springs after a cancelled house sit meant I had some time to kill. I only spent one day here, but was happily surprised by this twist of fate! While I was there, I did the walk from the town centre to the Conical Hill Lookout. I think this was the largest amount of mountains I saw in one place throughout our whole trip – a whole 360° view.
20. Aoraki/Mount Cook
I decided to keep the best until last with this list! Mount Cook is one of my favourite places on earth. There are tons of walks to do in this area and on a clear day the views are crazy. I would highly recommend staying at the free Lake Pukaki campsite for stunning views across the lake.
My favourite walks include the Hooker Valley track and Kea Point. Sealy Tarns is also meant to have stunning views, if you can brave the 2,200 steps it takes to reach the end!
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