New Zealand is the perfect destination for travelers who love adventure, nature and beautiful scenery. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the options. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite things to do when visiting New Zealand so you can take advantage of every minute you spend here!
Get lost in Hobbiton.
Another must-do for any Lord of the Rings fan is Hobbiton. It is a working farm that was used as the location for Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. You’ll find yourself immersed in Middle-earth as you walk through Bag End, see Bilbo’s front door, and visit The Green Dragon Inn.
The best way to get to Hobbiton is by car; it will take about an hour from Auckland or Queenstown (about $70 each way). A visit here costs about $50 per adult and takes about three hours on average. If you don’t have your own transport, there are guided tours available from both Auckland and Queenstown that include transport from your hotel or hostel, admission to Hobbiton, and lunch at The Shire Restuarant—a delicious assortment of food inspired by the hobbits favourite. meals!
Expect: To feel like a kid again when you look at all these movie sets; get lost in this magical land; take lots of photos (and selfies); carefully cross bridges over small streams; you go inside Bag End where Bilbo Baggins once lived… and much more!
Go on a hike through Middle Earth.
The Hobbiton movie set is located in Matamata, New Zealand. It is the real life version of Hobbiton that you see in the movies Lord of The Rings and Hobbit. You can go on a tour of this amazing movie set, which includes going inside several hobbit holes and seeing where many scenes were filmed. You also get to visit “The Green Dragon Inn,” which was actually built for the Lord of The Rings movies but now serves as a restaurant where you can enjoy some traditional Kiwi cuisine. If you’re interested in seeing both Hobbiton and The Green Dragon Inn, I recommend booking two different tours: one for each place (or if you want to make your trip worthwhile, three).
Drink beer at the Guinness Book of Records’ southernmost brewery.
If you’re looking for something to do that will make your trip stand out, the southernmost brewery in the Guinness Book of Records is a must. Located in Dunedin, it is called Emerson’s Brewery and was founded in 1876. The brewery makes a range of beers, including an IPA and a stout. They have won awards throughout New Zealand and Australia for their products.
Mountain Bike Tours
Whether you’re an experienced mountain biker or just starting out, there are plenty of tours to choose from like this one mountain bike tours in NZ. If you are a beginner, it may be best to take a guided tour so your guide can help and keep track of where you are on the trail. This way you know you will be safe and you won’t get lost in the woods.
It is important that if you decide to go off-trail or hike in some areas, make sure all your equipment is up to date and working properly before you go into the mountains. Helmets are required by law when riding in New Zealand most companies require helmets even if they are not legally required! Be sure to bring snacks too as long rides can wear down your energy levels quickly.
Drink wine in Marlborough.
Marlborough is a region in the north of New Zealand, famous for its wine. There are many vineyards to visit and taste their award winning wines. It has a Mediterranean climate and is perfect for growing grapes.
If you love wine, visiting Marlborough is a must-do activity when traveling through New Zealand.
Hike from Wolf Creek Crater.
If you want to see the outside world, but are tired of the same old sights, then a hike from Wolf Creek Crater is for you. This crater was created by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. It is now filled with water from Lake Wanaka and has become one of New Zealand’s most popular destinations for walkers and visitors alike. The crater itself is beautiful – there are beaches, lakes, forests, and waterfalls around it – but what makes this hike special is that it offers something different every step along the way:
- Walking to the top of the crater provides wonderful views across Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains
- Walking down to the bottom gives access to a cave system where you can explore stalactites and stalagmites
- A short walk away from here leads to another lake in which dozens of species of fish swim including rainbow trout (also known as steelhead trout).
Go kiwi in the only place in the world you can.
- The Kiwi Encounter is a unique experience that allows you to walk with a kiwi in the only place in the world where it is possible.
- Just north of Queenstown, New Zealand, you can visit Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and get up close and personal with these flightless birds, which come right at you.
- You can even hold a plush stuffed kiwi toy! He seems to be smiling at you.
- Kiwis are shy creatures and will run away if they feel threatened by your approach or loud noises. To prevent this from happening: keep your distance; do not wear bright colors or perfume; keep calm; avoid sudden movements; speak slowly (or use sign language), and always be aware of where other people are around you so no one gets hurt accidentally bumping into each other while trying not to scare our furry friends! If things still go wrong during an encounter with one of these little guys (and sometimes they do), remember there’s a lot more where it came from!
Get your adrenaline on Shotover Jet.
You’ve probably seen Shotover Jet videos on the internet. It’s a jet boat ride on the Shotover River in Queenstown. And it’s one of those adrenaline-pumping experiences you can’t miss when visiting New Zealand.
The trip lasts about 30 minutes and will take you through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful landscapes, including gorges and waterfalls. During the ride, your captain will throw in some fun activities like performing spins and splashes for extra excitement! There is also an option to go for even more adrenaline filled activities such as white water rafting or bungee jumping off a bridge!
See the seals sunbathing on Motuhora Island.
- Go for a tour of Motuhora Island.
- This nature reserve is home to a large colony of seals and other wildlife, including pukeko, petrels, and gannets.
- You can take a boat tour from the Bay of Plenty or visit by helicopter and land on the island.
Swim with dolphins in Akaroa harbour.
When you are in Akaroa Harbour, you can swim with dolphins. Dolphins are very friendly and love to be around people. They are very playful and will interact with you while you swim with them.
You can swim with dolphins in Akaroa Harbor at certain times of the year but not all year round as it is not safe for them when there are too many boats in the area or if there is not enough food for them to eat.
Go kayaking in Cathedral Cove.
Cathedral Cove is a popular tourist destination on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is surrounded by high cliffs and lush forests, which makes it a great place to visit if you want to get away from other tourists. Cathedral Cove is also a great place to go kayaking because there are many waterfalls in the area, as well as snorkeling and diving opportunities for people who don’t like kayaking.
Next time you’re visiting New Zealand, be sure to check out these 10 attractions!
- Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Mt Cook Village
- Fox Glacier
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Fiordland National Park and Te Anau Wildlife Centre
- The Catlins Coastal Drive
- Cape Foulwind Lighthouse
- Wanganui River Trip
- (Natural Attraction) The Milford Track
Conclusion
There are so many things to do in New Zealand! If you are looking for a new adventure and want to explore the beautiful country of New Zealand, we hope you found our list of things to do useful. Visit these 10 attractions the next time you are visiting this amazing country!