New Zealand for First Timers

Every place below is pinned on the interactive map with its exact location. You can browse it for free, and copy the whole map into your own Ikuzo account to adapt it to your trip.

Auckland & North

Sky Tower

Auckland's 328 meter observation tower with views over both harbours. Go around sunset for the best light over the city.

Waiheke Island

Vineyard island 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland. Hop between wineries and beaches like Onetangi, buses and rental bikes cover the island.

Piha Beach

Wild black sand surf beach on Auckland's west coast, about 40 minutes from the city. Climb Lion Rock and swim only between the flags, the currents are strong.

Paihia, Bay of Islands

Main base for exploring the Bay of Islands. Cruises to the Hole in the Rock and dolphin trips leave from the wharf, and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a short walk away.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

The far northern tip of New Zealand where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific. A deeply sacred place in Maori culture, you can watch the two seas collide below the lighthouse.

Tane Mahuta, Waipoua Forest

New Zealand's largest living kauri tree, roughly 2000 years old and a short boardwalk from the road. Clean your shoes at the station to help protect the forest.

Devonport

Historic seaside suburb a 12 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Stroll Victoria Road then walk up Mount Victoria for skyline views across the harbour.

Rangitoto Island

Volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf, 25 minutes by ferry. The summit walk takes about an hour each way through lava fields, bring water as there are no shops on the island.

Rotorua & Central North

Te Puia

Geothermal park in Rotorua home to the Pohutu geyser and the national Maori arts and crafts institute. Combine geysers, mud pools and a cultural performance in one visit.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

The most colorful geothermal park near Rotorua, with the Champagne Pool and the neon green Devil's Bath. Arrive before 10am to catch the Lady Knox geyser eruption.

Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest

Towering Californian redwoods with free walking and biking trails just outside Rotorua. The treewalk on suspended bridges is magical at night when the lanterns come on.

Hobbiton Movie Set

The Shire from the Lord of the Rings films, with 44 hobbit holes and a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Book the tour well in advance, it sells out most days.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

A silent boat ride under a ceiling of thousands of glowworms. Book online to skip the queues, photos are not allowed inside the cave.

Lake Taupo

New Zealand's largest lake, filling a huge volcanic caldera. Taupo town is a relaxed base, take a cruise to the Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay.

Huka Falls

The Waikato River squeezed through a narrow canyon, thundering over an ice blue drop. Free viewpoints just steps from the car park, minutes north of Taupo.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

New Zealand's most famous day hike, 19 km past volcanic craters and the Emerald Lakes. Book a shuttle for the one way route and check conditions, it is real alpine terrain.

Wellington & South North

Te Papa Museum

New Zealand's national museum on the Wellington waterfront, free to enter. The Maori taonga and the Gallipoli exhibition are worth half a day on their own.

Mount Victoria Lookout

The classic 360 degree view over Wellington, its harbour and the airport. Walk up from Oriental Bay in about 40 minutes or drive to the top, sunset is best.

Wellington Cable Car

Historic red cable car climbing from Lambton Quay to the Kelburn lookout. Ride up, then wander back down through the Botanic Garden into the city.

Cape Palliser Lighthouse

Remote lighthouse at the southernmost point of the North Island, about two hours from Wellington. Home to a big fur seal colony, climb the 250 steps for wild coastal views.

South Island North

Abel Tasman National Park

Golden beaches and turquoise coves along the famous coastal track. Water taxis from Marahau let you hike one section and cruise back in a single day.

Nelson

Sunny arts and crafts town and the gateway to Abel Tasman. Great food scene, and the Saturday market is worth planning around.

Whale Watch Kaikoura

Sperm whales live off Kaikoura year round thanks to a deep undersea canyon. Tours also spot dolphins and albatross, morning departures are usually calmer.

Blenheim, Marlborough Wine Region

Heart of the Marlborough wine region, home of Sauvignon Blanc. Rent a bike and pedal between cellar doors on the flat valley roads.

Picton

Pretty harbour town where the Cook Strait ferry from Wellington lands. Gateway to the Queen Charlotte Track and Marlborough Sounds cruises.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Layered limestone stacks and blowholes on the wild West Coast. Time your visit for high tide when the blowholes fire, the loop walk takes 20 minutes.

Queenstown & Central

Skyline Queenstown Gondola

Gondola up Bob's Peak to the classic postcard view over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Add a few luge runs at the top, or walk down through the forest.

Lake Wakatipu

Lightning bolt shaped glacial lake framed by the Remarkables range. Stroll the Queenstown lakefront or cruise on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw.

Glenorchy

Tiny town at the head of Lake Wakatipu, 45 scenic minutes from Queenstown. The red shed on the wharf and the lagoon boardwalk are the icons, Lord of the Rings country lies beyond.

Arrowtown

Gold rush village with preserved 1860s streets and the historic Chinese settlement by the river. Spectacular in late April when the trees turn gold.

That Wanaka Tree

The famous lone willow growing out of Lake Wanaka, a 10 minute lakefront walk from town. Best at dawn when the water is glassy and the crowds are thin.

Roys Peak Track

Steep 16 km return hike above Lake Wanaka to the most photographed ridgeline viewpoint in the country. Allow 5 to 6 hours, start early, and note it closes in October and November for lambing.

Cardrona

Tiny valley settlement on the scenic Crown Range road between Queenstown and Wanaka. Stop at the 1863 Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand's most photographed pubs, ski fields above in winter.

Cromwell

Fruit growing town between Queenstown and the lakes, with a restored gold rush precinct on the water. Stop for cherries and stone fruit in summer and Central Otago Pinot year round.

Fiordland & South

Milford Sound

New Zealand's most famous fiord, with Mitre Peak rising straight out of the water. Take a morning cruise and allow a full day for the spectacular drive from Te Anau.

Te Anau

Lakeside town and the natural base for exploring Fiordland. Visit the glowworm caves across the lake and fill the tank before driving the Milford road.

Doubtful Sound

Deeper, quieter and three times longer than Milford, reached by boat and bus via Lake Manapouri. The overnight cruise with kayaking is unforgettable.

Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki Mount Cook

Easy 3 hour return walk over three swing bridges to a glacial lake right beneath Aoraki Mount Cook. The best effort to reward hike in the country.

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo

Tiny 1935 stone church on the shore of turquoise Lake Tekapo. Come back after dark, the area is an international dark sky reserve with incredible stars.

Lake Pukaki

Impossibly blue glacial lake with Aoraki Mount Cook floating at its far end. Pull over at the viewpoints along the road from Twizel toward Mount Cook village.

Moeraki Boulders

Giant spherical boulders scattered along Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast. Visit at low tide, and sunrise makes them glow.

Franz Josef Glacier

West Coast glacier descending almost into rainforest. The valley walk gives distant views, heli hike tours land you on the ice itself.