Map view
Sky Tower, Auckland
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- The Sky Tower is a telecommunications and observation tower in Auckland
- It is 328 metres (1,076 ft) tall, as measured from ground level to the top of the mast
- Since its completion in 1997, the Sky Tower has become an iconic landmark in Auckland's skyline, due to its height and design
- It was the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere from 1996 to 2022
- The upper portion of the tower contains two restaurants and a cafe; including New Zealand's only revolving restaurant, which turns 360 degrees every hour
Mount Eden, Auckland
Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov
- Maungawhau / Mount Eden is a scoria cone and Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountain) in Mount Eden, Auckland
- The cone is part of the Auckland volcanic field, the tallest located on the isthmus
- The volcano erupted from three craters 28,000 years ago, with the last eruptions from the southern crater filling the northern craters
Sutherland Falls, Fiordland
- Sutherland Falls is a waterfall near Milford Sound in New Zealand's South Island
- At 580 metres (1,904 feet) the falls are the tallest waterfall in New Zealand
- The base of Sutherland Falls is a 90-minute (return) walk from Quintin Public Shelter on the famous Milford Track
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park
- Milford Sound is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park
- It is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination
- The sound is one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots even with its remote location and long journey times from the nearest population centers
- Many tourists take one of the boat tours which usually last one to two hours
Ohau Point Seal Colony, Kaikōura
- The Ohau Point Seal Colony is a prominent seal colony located approximately 20 kilometers north of Kaikoura, on the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island
- Visitors can watch the seals lounging on the rocky outcrops below the viewing platform
- The seals are often seen resting or interacting with each other, providing a unique opportunity for wildlife observation
- The colony is situated in a scenic coastal environment, with cliffs and ocean views
Mount John University Observatory, Mackenzie District
- Mount John University Observatory (UCMJO) is New Zealand's largest professional research observatory, located at an elevation of 1,029 meters (3,376 feet) on Mount John, near Lake Tekapo in the South Island
- The observatory offers daytime and nighttime tours, allowing visitors to experience stargazing and learn about astronomy
- It also features a café with views of the surrounding lakes and mountains
Nugget Point Lighthouse
- Nugget Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse at Nugget Point in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand
- The lighthouse was built from 1869 to 1870 and first lit in 1870
- The lighthouse was solarized in May 2020 and now has no mains power
- A 20 minute return walking track leads from the car park at the end of The Nuggets Road to a viewing platform right next to the lighthouse overlooking "The Nuggets", however the lighthouse itself is fenced off
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a renowned geothermal area located near Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island
- The region is known for its vibrant and diverse geothermal features
- The colors of the geothermal features can change with the sunlight and weather conditions, offering a different experience at various times of the day
- The name "Wai-O-Tapu" translates to "sacred waters" in Māori, reflecting its cultural significance
Redwoods Forest, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
- Whakarewarewa Forest, commonly known as The Redwoods, is a forest located on the outskirts of Rotorua
- It is renowned for its magnificent stands of Californian Coastal Redwoods, which were planted in 1901 primarily for timber production
- The forest serves as a recreational area, offering a variety of activities such as mountain biking, hiking, and horse riding
- The Redwoods is not only a vital natural resource but also a significant attraction, providing scenery and an environment that blends exotic trees with native bush
Te Puia, Rotorua
- Te Puia is a renowned geothermal park located in Rotorua, within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Valley
- It is famous for its dramatic geothermal features, including the Pōhutu geyser, which is the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as bubbling mud pools and hot springs
- In addition to its natural wonders, Te Puia serves as a cultural center for Māori traditions, showcasing traditional arts and crafts through the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute
Cardrona Alpine Resort, South Island
Best time to visit: Jan-Feb, Dec
- Cardrona Alpine Resort is a prominent ski destination located in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, situated between the towns of Wanaka and Queenstown
- The distribution of slopes is 20% beginner, 25% intermediate, 30% advanced and 25% expert
Taranaki Falls Walk, Tongariro National Park
Walk difficulty: moderate
- The Taranaki Falls Walk is a scenic 6 km loop track located in Tongariro National Park
- The walk leads to the Taranaki Falls, which cascades down 20 meters and is surrounded by volcanic rock formations
- Along the trail, hikers can enjoy views of Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe, as well as diverse landscapes that include forests, tussock, and alpine shrublands
Treble Cone
- Treble Cone is the largest ski area in New Zealand's South Island, equalled only by Roundhill after the installation of a 1.44 km (0.9 miles) rope tow (world's longest rope tow) in 2010
- Treble Cone is most known for its fairly steep and challenging terrain, which it claims is some of the best in the country
- Recent earthworks initiatives have however ensure that beginner to intermediate skiers and boarders are fully catered for
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave at Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand
- It is known for its population of a glowworm species found exclusively in New Zealand
- This cave is part of the waitomo streamway system that includes the Ruakuri Cave, Lucky Strike, and Tumutumu Cave
- The attraction has a modern visitor center, and there are organized tours that include a boat ride under the glowworms
Te Papa, Wellington
Best time to visit: March-May
- Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand's national museum and is located in Wellington
- It opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum of New Zealand and the National Art Gallery
- Te Papa operates under a bicultural philosophy, and emphasises the living stories behind its cultural treasures
- The long term exhibitions of cultural objects focus on New Zealand history, Māori culture and New Zealand's natural world