Where to go in New Zealand on your first visit: 10 top places
These are some of the top things to do for first time visitors
Lake Matheson on the West Coast — photo by BareKiwi
New Zealand is so big, and packed so full of wonderful places, that narrowing down where to visit on your first trip can be tough.
If you have the luxury of time, or you’re visiting for a second or third time, you might want to get more off the beaten track. But, for your first visit to New Zealand, you’ll probably want to visit the highlights.
If I had to choose the ultimate things to see in New Zealand, and the places to visit for your first time, I would have to say:
Queenstown and Fiordland
Fox and Franz Josef glaciers
Although all of these places come with the caveat that they are among the busiest places to visit, as they are so popular. I would also encourage you to mix in a few lesser visited places as well, so you get a balance of touristy/busy and quieter.
The classic itineraries for first time visitors usually touch on Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown — the three main hubs.
The list of destinations below all fit into an itinerary from/to these hubs, and they are all places that truly stand out to me (I don’t have the eyes of a fresh visitor, but after years of travelling New Zealand, these are the places I still fall in love with each time).
Hopefully this helps you start planning your first visit.
Just letting you know, I have included affiliate links in this article, which means I may make a small commission if you book through those links. Thanks for your support.
A few quick tips for your first visit
You will most likely need to rent a car to get around — public transport is limited. Small rental cars are fine for most New Zealand roads, as long as they have enough space for your luggage. I usually just go for the cheapest option (check prices on DiscoverCars) and I’ve never had any issues.
You can also expect to move around most days. The places I have suggested visiting below are all pretty spread out. I usually end up driving 2-4 hours per day on road trips, occasionally spending two nights in one spot to rest.
The best time to visit weather wise is usually February, but I love late February to March for the best combination of good weather but slightly less busy attractions.
Get itinerary help
If you are feeling very lost and struggling to decide where to go for your first New Zealand trip, feel free to reach out to me. I offer itinerary planning consultations, which is essentially an hour or two where we talk through your trip and I help you map out your itinerary.
If you don’t have the budget for a consultation or just have a couple of smaller questions, feel free to contact me and I’m happy to help anyway — if I help you, you can make a small donation to my coffee fund.
North or South?
For your first visit, I would probably recommend spending more time in the South Island — especially if you only have one or two weeks.
However, both islands have something distinct to offer, and it can be nice to get more of a sense of New Zealand as a whole. For example, you are much. more likely to experience Maori culture in the North Island than the South.
If you have three weeks or longer, I would definitely suggest visiting both islands.
If you’re short on time, flying between the North and South Islands can help you pack more into your trip. From Rotorua, a popular place to visit in the North Island, you can fly directly down to Christchurch.
The top 10 places to go for your first New Zealand visit
I just want to quickly caveat that none of these places are absolute ‘must sees,’ or ‘unmissable.’ You can see some, or all of them — either way you’ll have a great time.
Don’t stress about seeing everything, just pick a couple of places that really draw you in.
1. Queenstown: The top place to visit
The number one place to visit on your first trip to New Zealand is Queenstown.
There’s a reason Queenstown is the adventure hub of New Zealand — from here you can jet boat, bungy jump, sky dive or do any number of wild activities.
It’s also a beautiful town, even if it has something of a resort vibe (this is the most touristy part of New Zealand). Surrounded by mountains and right on a lake, this is the quintessential scenery most people think of when they think of New Zealand.
The town also makes an excellent base for exploring some of the best activities the country has to offer. From Queenstown, you can do some great day trips. This is a little unusual for New Zealand, as most of the towns are far away from the best sights, which tend to be in nature.
Milford Sound is a full day tour from Queenstown, and you can also visit the vineyards of Central Otago, head to the historic village of Arrowtown, and visit Glenorchy further down the lake.
Queenstown is also one of the liveliest towns in New Zealand for eating and drinking, despite its small size. You’ll find bars open any night of the week, but I personally found the nightlife there to feel a lot like my university days — a lot of sitting around trying to down as much alcohol as possible, rather than going out to gigs, which is what I like to do in Auckland.
You can however try some pretty great restaurants in Queenstown, which will give you an introduction to all kinds of game meat from the South Island — like wild deer shot in the depths of Fiordland.
WHERE TO STAY
Queenstown is a pretty small town. Stay in a hotel in the middle of town and you will be within walking distance to bars, restaurants, and the lakefront.
CONTINUE YOUR ROAD TRIP FROM QUEENSTOWN
From Queenstown, a popular route is to head to Christchurch via Aoraki/Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo.
Stop in Wanaka on the way, which is quieter and somewhat less dramatic in terms of scenery than Queenstown, but has arguably better hiking (and Lake Hawea is stunning too)
For something more off the beaten track, you can do a great road trip around to Christchurch via Dunedin and the East Coast. I love the Catlins area, which is wild and remote — you can see sea lions and penguins here.
2. Visit Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park to see New Zealand’s highest peak
I’m a little conflicted about adding Aoraki/Mount Cook to this list, as it is one of the most visited places in New Zealand — and that’s a lot of pressure on a delicate environment.
But, it is one of the most beautiful locations in the country.
The sight of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, is pretty breathtaking.
Then there are the glaciers you can see in the park, crunching, melting, and slowly inching down the mountainsides.
The night time scenery also matches the day time scenery — the park is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, which is an area of exceptional natural darkness.
It’s ideal for stargazing and appreciating pristine night skies.
WHERE TO STAY
You’ll want at least a full day for Aoraki/Mount Cook, but finding accommodation in Mt Cook Village is tough — it’s a small village with high demand. If you’re camping, White Horse Hill is busy but great.
If you can’t find a hotel in the village, check out options along Lake Pukaki or around Twizel.
WHERE TO GO FROM AORAKI/MOUNT COOK
Aoraki is typically a stop on a road trip between Christchurch and Queenstown. From here, you can head to Wanaka for hiking, or Lake Tekapo for lake views, depending on which direction you’ve come from.
3. Visit Fox Glacier and Franz Josef for glaciers and landscapes
I think it’s well worth making it to the West Coast of the South Island on your first visit. For me, this is the most beautiful part of New Zealand.
The main attractions are the twin glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef, which are spectacular. You can go on a heli hiking trip to either glacier — I went heli hiking on Franz Josef and loved it.
If the weather is on your side you can go heli hiking, or just plain hiking to viewpoints — the Alex Knob Track is a fabulous half day walk to a viewpoint of Franz Josef.
The other special thing about the West Coast is the dense rainforest that grows here. The landscapes and forests of the west coast are very different to the area around Queenstown and Christchurch, so getting this variation can really add to your appreciation of New Zealand on your first visit.
You can also escape the crowds on this coast, as it’s the least populated part of New Zealand.
WHERE TO STAY
Check out the Rainforest Retreat.
CARRY ON UP THE WEST COAST:
I recommend visiting Lake Matheson for a stunning short walk around a mirror lake, and also Okarito, which has a special kind of magic.
I love visiting Punakaiki, which is another great West Coast stop
If you have more time, the overnight hike into Welcome Flat Hut is spectacular — there are natural hot springs to bathe in at the end.
If you’re travelling in a campervan, Gentle Annies Campground is a wonder, and making it to the end of the road in Kohaihai is also fantastic.
4. Stop by Kaikoura for epic marine life
Kaikoura is a stunning spot for your first visit to New Zealand.
The town is set between the seaward ranges running down the spine of the South Island, and the wild coast. I find the setting to be very beautiful, with a wild, magical feel.
The area here is home to many resident and migratory marine mammals, like sperm whales, humpback whales, dusky dolphins, and seals.
There is something very special about standing on the shore and watching dolphins frolic in the bays right off the coast.
You can also go on boat tours to see the whales, or see them from above on a scenic flight.
If you’ve never seen seals before, the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is a great gentle coastal walk along cliffs with fantastic views back to the mountains.
Another must-do in Kaikoura is getting a taste of the local seafood. Nin’s Bin, a crayfish shack along the highway north, is famous for its locally caught crays.
TOP ACTIVITIES
Swim with dolphins
Hike the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Kaikoura is 2.5 hours north of Christchurch, so you can stop over here on your way to Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park, or double back down to do the inland route to Queenstown.
Alternatively, if you like wildlife, you could carry on down the east coast to Dunedin
Dunedin is an epic destination for wildlife — you can see seals, albatross, penguins and more around the Otago Peninsula.
In the Catlins, the rugged region just south of Dunedin, you can also see sea lions.
There’s also Oamaru, where you can see penguins. Making your way down the east coast of the South Island is a little more off the beaten track than going inland via Mount Cook, and it’s a great option if you’re in a campervan.
5. Explore the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park
Strings of golden beaches set against a backdrop of native bush — Abel Tasman is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
A coastal hiking trail, the Abel Tasman Coast Track, is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. Sections can be easily explored on a day trip, or you can try out hut to hut hiking (or campground to campground) here.
Laid out along the water, Abel Tasman is also the perfect place for a kayak trip.
6. See the drowned river valleys of the Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough region is famous for producing Sauvignon Blanc, which makes it a great destination for wine lovers.
But I also love visiting the Marlborough Sounds, a network of drowned river valleys that is wonderful for hiking.
WHERE TO STAY
Hopewell Lodge in the Marlborough Sounds is one of the loveliest lodges I have stayed at in New Zealand.
7. Visit Rotorua for geothermal activity and Maori cultural experiences
Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s more ‘touristy’ towns (locals call it Roto-Vegas for no good reason) but it’s popular because there’s a lot there.
This is the geothermal hot spot of New Zealand, where you can walk around parks that have steaming vents, colourful pools, and pits of boiling mud.
The legacy of geothermal activity here also means it has a lot of historical significance to Maori people, as it has always been a desirable place to live — hot water on tap, hello.
So, you can see some wonderful Maori cultural displays here, from traditional performances, to a wood carving school, and traditional food experiences.
I would say it’s worth visiting for at least two nights, but you could easily spend three if you have a bit more time up your sleeve.
TOP ACTIVITIES
WHERE TO STAY
Rotorua has plenty of hotels to choose from close to the centre.
WHERE TO GO AFTER ROTORUA
Rotorua is near both Hobbiton and Taupo, so you can add these to your itinerary. Another popular North Island stop is Waitomo, which is about 2.5 hours from Rotorua — Waitomo is where you go to see glow worms and caves.
8. Discover Tongariro National Park, one of only two UNESCO sites on mainland New Zealand
Tongariro is one of New Zealand’s three UNESCO sites — but one of them is the Subantarctic Islands, located way south of the South Island.
9. Visit the Coromandel Peninsula for a relaxing beach holiday
New Zealand isn’t quite as resort-y as Pacific Islands like Fiji, but you can still have a pretty relaxing beach holiday here. Heading to the beach in summer is a big part of our culture.
The classic way to experience it is in a ‘bach’, which is a small holiday home, usually close to the sea. They are often simple little houses where with big decks and barbecues, where you can enjoy the barefoot lifestyle and strolling back and forth to the beach.
If you want to explore the best of New Zealand’s beaches, head to the Coromandel.
The Coromandel is stunning — white sand, blue water, pohutakawa trees that bloom bright red in summer.
The most famous beaches are Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, but you can find gorgeous bays the length of the eastern side of the peninsula.
I love Opito Bay, and further north, Waikawau Bay, which is a great spot to camp.
Make sure you stop at Luke’s Kitchen for a meal; it’s a top notch local hangout spot and there’s a good chance you’ll catch some live music on summer evenings.
10. Visit Waiheke Island, near Auckland
Auckland is a great base for exploring the North Island.
From Auckland you can explore the city and its surrounds, which include stunning black sand beaches and islands like Waiheke.
You can easily take day trips to beaches and nature reserves north of the city — Tawharanui is my go-to weekend destination, with great beaches, walks, and opportunities to spot rare birds.
You could also head to Rotorua for one or two nights, visiting Hobbiton on the way.
New Zealand essentials for your first visit
SIM CARDS: I recommend getting a Skinny SIM card when you arrive or an Airalo eSIM
FIND WALKS AND HIKES: The DOC website is the best resource for all trails, scenic campsites, and mountain huts
BEST APPS: Campermate for finding campsites, Gaspy for saving money on petrol
LANGUAGE: English but be prepared for some local quirks
Thanks for reading this far! I hope this helped you plan your first visit to New Zealand.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. Otherwise, you might find these articles helpful for planning your trip:
