Lonely PlanetOct 4, 2026
10 Best Things to Do in New Zealand
From otherworldly national parks to inspirational Māori cultural experiences to world-class pinot noir, you
24 things in this story
- Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & GalleryMuseum
- Elsewhere
- Auckland MuseumMuseumAuckland, New ZealandAuckland War Memorial Museum tells the story of New Zealand, its place in the Pacific and its people.
- Kohutapu LodgeHotelMurupara, New Zealandincludes excursions to catch tuna and visit rock art sites
- Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation ParkTrailMurupara, New Zealandone of the world's last prehistoric forests
- OtaraSuburbAuckland, New ZealandŌtara is a suburb of South Auckland, New Zealand, situated 18 kilometres to the southeast of the Auckland City Centre.
- Pasifika FestivalFestivalAuckland, New ZealandCelebrated since 1993, it is the largest festival of its type in the world and attracts over 200,000 visitors every…
- New Zealand WarriorsPlaceAuckland, New Zealandrugby league team
- Auckland BluesPlaceAuckland, New Zealandrugby union team
- Rakiura TrackTrailStewart Island, New Zealandmeandering forest trails on compact Stewart Island
- Abel Tasman Coast TrackTrailNelson, New Zealandbeach-fringed track in Nelson Tasman region
- Tongariro National ParkTrailNational Park Village, New Zealandskirting two volcanoes and taking in crater views
- Tongariro Alpine CrossingTrailNational Park Village, New Zealandsingle-day wilderness experience skirting two volcanoes
- Otago Central Rail TrailAttractionCentral Otago, New Zealand4-6 day ride through southern landscapes
- Lake Dunstan TrailTrailCromwell, New Zealandtraverses Cromwell Gorge via suspension bridge
- Rakiura National ParkTrailStewart Island, New Zealandprotects 85% of Stewart Island
- Ulva Island/Te WharawharaSightStewart Island, New Zealandislet with rare birdlife
- Beaks & FeathersPlaceStewart Island, New ZealandUlva Island nature and history guided walks and Stewart Island walks.
- Whale Watch KaikōuraAttractionKaikōura, New Zealandboat trip to see whales and marine mammals
- AvondaleSuburbAuckland, New Zealand
- DiwaliFestivalAuckland, New Zealand
- Lantern FestivalFestivalAuckland, New Zealand
- Ruggedy Range Wilderness ExperiencePlaceStewart Island, New Zealand
- Nin’s BinRestaurantKaikōura, New Zealand
- Kaikōura Seafood BBQRestaurantKaikōura, New Zealand