
Wikipedia / Milford Sound
New Zealand packs an extraordinary range of natural wonders and adventures into two islands spanning 1,600km. From Milford Sound fiords to volcanic plateaus and Lord of the Rings film sets, these are the definitive experiences in one of the world's most scenic countries, attracting 3.9 million international visitors annually.
Top 10 lists about this destination
Curated by our travel editors. Lived-experience picks weighted by community vote β updated as travelers report back.

Located in Fiordland National Park, this 15km-long fiord receives 7,000mm of rainfall annually making it one of the wettest places on Earth; boat tours operate year-round revealing 1,200m vertical cliff faces and cascading waterfalls including Stirling Falls at 155m.

Consistently ranked one of the world's best single-day hikes; the 19.4km trail through Tongariro National Park takes 6-8 hours and passes volcanic craters, emerald lakes and Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings films).

Queenstown is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping; AJ Hackett launched the world's first commercial bungee jump in 1988 from the 43m Kawarau Bridge; the Nevis Bungy at 134m remains the highest in New Zealand.

The fully preserved Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film set near Matamata; covers 1,250 acres with 44 Hobbit holes; receives over 500,000 visitors annually since opening to the public in 2012; guided tours run daily year-round.

An archipelago of 144 islands north of Auckland, known for the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi signing site and some of New Zealand's best sailing and dolphin-watching; over 30,000 dolphins inhabit the waters and 90% of all charter fishing occurs here.

One of only three temperate rainforest glaciers in the world; the 12km-long glacier descends from 2,700m to 240m above sea level; helicopter tours and guided ice-hikes operate year-round, offering access to blue ice caves and seracs.

Home to 17 geothermal features including geysers, mud pools and silica terraces; the Pohutu Geyser erupts up to 30 meters high more than 20 times daily; the Maori cultural experience here attracts over 3 million visitors annually.

New Zealand's smallest but most visited national park at 225 sq km; the 3-5 day Abel Tasman Coast Track passes golden beaches, fur seal colonies and 100km of crystal-clear coastline; 29,000 guided track walkers annually.

A 35-minute ferry from Auckland city center; home to over 30 vineyards including Goldwater Estate (NZ's first serious Cabernet Sauvignon); 93 restaurants in just 21 sq km of land; consistently ranked in Lonely Planet's top islands globally.

A network of limestone caves near Hamilton inhabited by Arachnocampa luminosa, a glowworm unique to New Zealand; the 30-minute boat tour through the Glowworm Grotto passes thousands of bioluminescent larvae on cave ceilings; discovered by Maori chief Tane Tinorau in 1887.
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Located in Fiordland National Park, this 15km-long fiord receives 7,000mm of rainfall annually making it one of the wettest places on Earth; boat tours operate year-round revealing 1,200m vertical cliff faces and cascading waterfalls including Stirling Falls at 155m.

Consistently ranked one of the world's best single-day hikes; the 19.4km trail through Tongariro National Park takes 6-8 hours and passes volcanic craters, emerald lakes and Mt. Ngauruhoe (Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings films).

Queenstown is the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping; AJ Hackett launched the world's first commercial bungee jump in 1988 from the 43m Kawarau Bridge; the Nevis Bungy at 134m remains the highest in New Zealand.

The fully preserved Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film set near Matamata; covers 1,250 acres with 44 Hobbit holes; receives over 500,000 visitors annually since opening to the public in 2012; guided tours run daily year-round.

An archipelago of 144 islands north of Auckland, known for the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi signing site and some of New Zealand's best sailing and dolphin-watching; over 30,000 dolphins inhabit the waters and 90% of all charter fishing occurs here.

One of only three temperate rainforest glaciers in the world; the 12km-long glacier descends from 2,700m to 240m above sea level; helicopter tours and guided ice-hikes operate year-round, offering access to blue ice caves and seracs.

Home to 17 geothermal features including geysers, mud pools and silica terraces; the Pohutu Geyser erupts up to 30 meters high more than 20 times daily; the Maori cultural experience here attracts over 3 million visitors annually.

New Zealand's smallest but most visited national park at 225 sq km; the 3-5 day Abel Tasman Coast Track passes golden beaches, fur seal colonies and 100km of crystal-clear coastline; 29,000 guided track walkers annually.

A 35-minute ferry from Auckland city center; home to over 30 vineyards including Goldwater Estate (NZ's first serious Cabernet Sauvignon); 93 restaurants in just 21 sq km of land; consistently ranked in Lonely Planet's top islands globally.

A network of limestone caves near Hamilton inhabited by Arachnocampa luminosa, a glowworm unique to New Zealand; the 30-minute boat tour through the Glowworm Grotto passes thousands of bioluminescent larvae on cave ceilings; discovered by Maori chief Tane Tinorau in 1887.
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