New Zealand has long been one of the world’s top tourist destinations. The country is renowned for its friendly people, stunning landscapes, and unique wildlife. If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, here are some amazing places that you need to visit:
Visit Picton
Picton is a small town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, and it’s one of those places that has everything you could want from a vacation spot. The town has beautiful views, good restaurants, look at Picton restaurant, interesting shops, and plenty of things to do–plus it’s close enough to Wellington (the capital city) that you can easily get there if you want more excitement than Picton offers itself.
Picton Ferry Terminal is the main port for passengers traveling between Wellington on North Island and Christchurch or Queenstown on the South Island via ferry services operated by Interislander or Bluebridge Ferries, respectively.
Related Read: Best Places to Visit in South Island, New Zealand
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is a popular tourist destination in New Zealand. It’s home to many beautiful sights, including beaches and waterfalls. The park is also ideal for hiking and kayaking, so if you’re looking for some exciting outdoor activities while on your trip, this is the place to go!
The park is also home to native animals like kiwis (a flightless bird), tuatara lizards (the only surviving species of reptiles that existed before dinosaurs), and kea parrots (the world’s largest parrot).
Go Souvenir Shopping
It’s always fun to buy souvenirs like this dartboard from your travels, and New Zealand offers plenty of options. There are plenty of places to shop for souvenirs in the country’s major cities and towns.
For example, if you’re in Auckland or Wellington, be sure to check out Parnell Village or Cuba Street for some great New Zealand-themed gifts like t-shirts and jewelry. If you’re feeling more adventurous and want something handmade (and maybe even one-of-a-kind), try visiting one of the many craft markets around the country–there are several held annually that feature locally made goods! And lastly, if all else fails: just bring home some Kiwi fruit! They’re delicious!
Sky Tower
Sky Tower is a striking building in Auckland, New Zealand. It’s the tallest free-standing structure in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere, standing at 328 meters (1,076 feet) tall.
At night, Sky Tower lights up and becomes even more impressive as it shines brightly against Auckland’s skyline. The tower has two observation decks: one at 203 meters (666 feet) above ground level and another at 230 meters (755 feet). From here, you can see across Auckland city and out over its surrounding suburbs–a truly awe-inspiring view!
The tower also offers restaurants with amazing views of both land and sea, including SkyCity Restaurant & Bar, where you can enjoy some delicious food while admiring one of nature’s greatest wonders: Mount Cook National Park, from above!
Visit Akaroa
Akaroa is a small town on the Banks Peninsula, which is part of the Canterbury region. It’s a popular tourist destination and home to the largest breeding colony of little blue penguins in the world. There are many things to do in Akaroa, including eating, looking at Akaroa places to eat, swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is a popular tourist destination that provides peace, as well as plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. The area is famous for its pristine beaches and lush forests, which are perfect for hiking or biking. There are also plenty of museums to visit if you want to learn more about the culture of New Zealand.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest corner of New Zealand. It’s one of the country’s most visited spots, and it’s also one of only three sites in New Zealand to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sound was formed when glaciers carved out deep valleys during the last ice age. Today, there are no glaciers left–just steep mountainsides that tower over crystal clear waters filled with seals and penguins (in summer). You can hike around these mountains on foot or kayak through them on your own or with an experienced guide (Milford Sound has some of the best kayaking in all of New Zealand).
Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier is located on the West Coast of New Zealand. The glacier can be reached by car, or you can take a helicopter flight over it and land at one of its landing sites.
There are several walks around the Franz Josef Glacier, including an easy walk around Lake Matheson and a longer hike up to Fox Glacier’s terminal face. If you want more information about these hikes and other things to do in this area, check out our article on hiking near Franz Josef Glacier!
You’ll never run out of places to go in New Zealand.
New Zealand is a big country, and there are countless places to visit. You’ll never run out of things to do in New Zealand!
You can’t see everything in one trip (or even two), but if you’re planning a vacation here–or even just thinking about it–here are some suggestions for where to go:
Conclusion
We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at some of New Zealand’s most popular attractions. If you have any questions about planning your trip, feel free to contact us! We’d love to hear from you.
