New Zealand captured our hearts during our seven-month stay. These 95 ideas span the North and South Islands, with our family memories alongside places to consider, plus films from Christchurch-area outings and a separate Lake Taupō visit.
Our Christchurch-area outings, from a walk to indoor snow · Full film (9 min 5 sec)
Playback isn’t available here. Open the full film on Vimeo ↗
The full film follows our earlier Christchurch-area outings, including a walk, lunch, an Akaroa segment and the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. It does not cover all 95 ideas. The Lake Taupō boating scene below is from a separate North Island film. Confirm current access, track conditions, operator terms and attraction details for your dates.
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After our seven-month stay, New Zealand captured our hearts. We talk about it often and fondly. However, when considering a trip to New Zealand, it’s difficult not to become overwhelmed!
New Zealand is made up of two large islands, the North and the South, and there are plenty of places to choose from. Chances are high that you’ll only have enough time to visit one island or at least spend most of your time on one island.
Watch our original related video on YouTube
While the South Island is more popular, we really like what the North Island has to offer. I think there is more to see in the South Island for a limited time.
If you want a more “touristy” feel and amenities, the South Island is probably the place for you. Mt. Cook and Milford Sound are incredible places to visit!
However, the Te Paki Sand Dunes and Hot Water Beach on the North Island are probably our favorite memories now that we’re gone for a while.
It’s a hard choice, but you are sure to have an amazing time, no matter which island you choose to visit in New Zealand. Read on to learn more about the most important things to do on each island.
We love staying in Airbnbs around the world, but for quicker trips, we also like a good hotel at a good price. Check out some of our favorite picks across New Zealand:
3. Bay of Islands – Take a ferry to Russell, see amazing waterfalls and play on stunning beaches in this gorgeous area of New Zealand.
4. 90-Mile Beach – This long beach is also used as a road. Check your rental agreement and current local access information before considering any beach driving.
5. Matakana Farmer’s Market – Enjoy local fare and food. We were here for lunch and shopping.
6. Matakana Country Park – After the farmer’s market, drive a short distance to this darling, privately-owned attraction. It has a huge playground, a petting zoo, and a small train.
7. Poor Knight’s Reserve – You can take a boat and scuba dive around this protected island.
My tips for Auckland with kids are here. Auckland itself has so much to offer, including:
8. Snowplanet – Ski indoors! You can rent all the equipment you need to enjoy a day of skiing.
9. Butterfly Creek – An outdoor zoo and butterfly garden.
10. Myers Park Playground – New Zealand really knows how to do playgrounds! This one is amazing and we love it!
11. Piha Beach – Not really suitable for swimming, but this black sand beach is worth a visit. It’s famous for drownings as well as for its beauty, so have some healthy caution when visiting.
12. Shakespeare Regional Park – Beautiful park to visit with kids.
13. Day Trip to Waiheke Island – Explore beaches and vineyards. It is relatively easy to take the ferry from central Auckland. We went for dinner, and some beautiful beach time before coming back.
14. Day Trip to Rangitoto Island – Hike a volcano!
15. Devonport – A cute beach and town.
16. Mount Eden – The highest point in Auckland with trails to explore.
17. Auckland Zoo – If you like to visit some animals for the day.
18. Sky Tower and Sky Jump – Jump off Auckland’s tallest building! We loved this thrill.
19. Bungy Jumping. Born in New Zealand, bungy jumping is everywhere. If you’ve been tempted to take the plunge, this could be a perfect time.
20. Sheep World – Visit this boutique farm to learn more about sheep and watch shows throughout the day.
This area of the North Island might be your favorite. It is in the southeast of Auckland and can be reached within a couple of hours drive from Auckland. Some of the most stunning scenery of New Zealand is here as well as our top experience while traveling: Hot Water Beach!
21. Hot Water Beach – Bring a shovel and dig your own hot tub right on the beach. This is a MUST-DO activity. We loved it so much we did it twice.
22. Hahei Beach – Gorgeous beach with rope swings and tide pools to explore.
23. Cathedral Cove – Breathtaking beauty in this bay you hike down to. Enjoy the beaches and stunning scenery below. You can also view this by boat.
24. Tauranga/Mount Maunganui – Stunning beaches surround this hill. You can hike to the top or just enjoy the surrounding beaches and neighborhoods.
25. Pukekura Park in New Plymouth – Wonderful park and nature area for children. From mid-December to February, the Festival of Lights exhibit adds an extra touch of beauty.
26. Redwood Valley Farm – Get back to nature at this collection of cabins that you can serve. It was a lot of fun to explore the property with the mudslides and nature.
27. Hairy Maclary Playground – on The Strand. Have fun with the ocean and playground in one!
28. Slipper Island – Go glamping on a private island.
29. Hobbiton – About a 2-hour drive from Auckland, you can immerse yourself in the fantasy of the Lord of the Rings.
30. Tongariro Crossing – See lakes of emerald green in a reddish desert. This long alpine hike requires careful planning. Check DOC’s current route information and alerts before deciding whether it suits your group. You can see Mt. Doom from the LOTR movies!
31. Taupo Donut Boats – These little, round boats can be taken out on Lake Taupo. We met the owners and had a great time!
We tried the round Doughboats on Lake Taupō, with a central table and canopy. This excerpt shows a boat out on the lake and a group photo by the dock. It comes from a separate North Island outing, rather than the Christchurch film above. Check the operator’s current trip details when planning.
Floating on Lake Taupō · Scene from our film (15 sec)
Playback isn’t available here. Open the full film on Vimeo ↗
32. Sailing Lake Taupo – Take a boat ride around this beautiful lake.
33. Hot Springs in Rotorua – Immerse in the geothermal activity in this area.
34. Maori Dinner and Show – Similar to a luau in Hawaii, these dinner shows are super fun and teach you about the local Maori culture. Book a fun tour like this one!
35. Zorb in Rotorua – Roll down a hill while riding in a giant bubble.
36. Huka Falls – More of a horizontal water chute, this short hike is gorgeous. You can also drive and park directly here to skip the hike. At the beginning of the hike, you will also find a natural hot spring pool to swim in.
37. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves – Not far away, it’s a must-see to go through the glowing caves of glow worms. Book a tour here!
38. Sky Waka on Mt. Ruapehu – For a unique gondola experience.
39. Mud Pool – Not the typical one. Here you can enjoy sitting in a mud pool!
40. Geothermal parks and geysers – Walk around to see the different hot springs, volcanic pools, bubbling mud pools, and soaring geysers.
41. Tongaporutu Beach – The coastal rock formations at Tongapōrutu are tide-dependent. Check the regional visitor information and local tide times before planning access.
42. Lady Knox Geyser – Check the operator’s current presentation times and visitor information. Our old note about a renovation closure should not be treated as current access information.
43. Underground Market – A super fun craft market!
44. Te Papa Museum with Gallipoli Exhibit – Interested in history? This groundbreaking exhibit tells the story of the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.
45. Waterfront – Grab some food truck food and enjoy the marina.
46. Skate Park and Beach Playgrounds – One stop for fun playgrounds, cafes, and skate parks.
47. Cable Car and Gardens – The cable car ride is gorgeous and you can explore the botanical gardens above. The playground in the botanical garden is also incredible!
In this film, we describe finding a babysitter for the little ones so we could take the older kids out. The scene moves from our conversation in the car to a sunny hillside walk. The full film also includes lunch and an Akaroa segment; I would use it as a record of our outings, rather than assume its edits describe a continuous route to follow.
Our Big-Kid Walking Outing · Scene from our film (25 sec)
Playback isn’t available here. Open the full film on Vimeo ↗
48. Akaroa – A French settlement, this is a great place for lunch and exploring.
49. Margaret Mahy Playground – A large Christchurch playground to consider with kids.
50. New Brighton Beach – For camping and beach activities.
51. Hagley Park – Dedicated urban park and the largest in Christchurch.
52. Downtown Christchurch – See street art and take a trolley ride. We did a trolley dinner date that was so fun!
Our film moves from the centre’s entrance sign into the indoor experience, with blue parkas and a snow exhibit. The International Antarctic Centre is in Christchurch, near the airport; the film’s Akaroa segment is a separate stop. Check the centre’s current visitor information for exhibits and access.
Inside the International Antarctic Centre · Scene from our film (25 sec)
Playback isn’t available here. Open the full film on Vimeo ↗
53. Gondola to Port Hills – A must-do activity when in Christchurch.
54. Rapaki Hike – A Port Hills walking option. Consider the route length, gradient and conditions for your own family.
55. Hanmer Springs – Plan the drive from Christchurch using current route and road information.
56. Wharariki Beach – Dunes, beaches, and baby seals!
57. Pancake Rocks – Super cool rock formations and nearby restaurants.
58. Teri Beach – A favorite of our local friends, this gorgeous beach area will soothe your soul.
59. Mitchell’s Gully Gold Mine. The official West Coast regional guide includes information about the mine near Charleston. Check current access and tour arrangements before visiting.
60. Aoraki Mt Cook National Park – Remarkable view! Amazingly, this mountain was used by Edmund Hillary to train for Mount Everest.
61. Tekapo Hot Springs – Enjoy stunning blue lake views and a hot spring resort.
62. Hooker Valley Track – One of our most memorable hikes: on our visit, we crossed bridges over streams and reached a glacier lake. Check the linked route information and current DOC alerts for your dates.
63. Glacier Heli-Hiking – Take a helicopter ride onto a real glacier. We loved exploring ice caves! Check some bookings here.
Watch our original related video on YouTube
64. Glacier Boat Ride – Alternatively, take a boat ride around the glacier-formed lake and see it from the bottom.
65. Wanaka Lavender Farm – Darling farm, lavender fields, and shop.
66. Church of the Good Shepard Lake Tekapo – Iconic Instagram picture spot!
67. Roy’s Peak – A gorgeous and steep hike. Might be tough for little kids.
68. Isthmus Peak – A long uphill hike; check the current route information, expected time and conditions before deciding whether it suits your family.
69. Blue Pools Track (Haast Pass) – Gorgeous blue pools make this hike one to consider.
70. Wanaka Tree – Lone tree sitting in a gorgeous lake. Another iconic Instagram picture spot!
71. The Kawarau Bridge – The birthplace of commercial bungy jumping.
72. Omarama Hot Tubs – A hot tub with mountain views and on-site massage is available.
73. Franz Joseph Glacier – Visit one of the remaining glaciers in New Zealand!
74. Cardrona Bra Fence – Quirky spot to see a rural fence that is covered in hundreds of bras!
75. Rapaki Track Hike – This is the Port Hills route near Christchurch, also noted in item 54. Check the linked track details for route length and conditions.
76. Rakaia River Bridge – New Zealand’s longest road bridge.
77. Moeraki Boulders – Large boulders on a scenic shoreline.
78. Elephant Rocks in Duntroon – Let the kids run around the giant boulders that resemble elephants.
79. New Brighton Pier – Take some pictures at the sunset.
80. Dunedin – Explore the city’s heritage and visitor attractions. Our original Cadbury factory reference is out of date: Dunedin City Council’s heritage record notes the factory’s closure in 2018.
81. Caitlins Beach – Lush forests and waterfalls surround this beach area.
82. Moeraki – Quaint fishing village and former whaling port.
83. Ice Bar – An whole bar is made of ice!
84. Shark Rides – Hop in a covered jet ski and submerge in the lake.
85. Skyline Gondola and Go-Karts – Take the tram up the mountain for amazing views, dinner, and go-karts!
86. Ziplines – Soar over the town!
87. Shotover Jet Boat – Ride along the canyon river in this speedboat. It’s a ton of fun!
88. Canyon Swing – Like a Bungy jump, but better. Free-fall and then, into a swing.
89. Bungee Jumping – Born in New Zealand, there are many options for this.
90. Arrowtown – A historic gold-mining town near Queenstown; the official regional guide has visitor information.
91. Glenorchy – The drive to this quaint town surrounded by snow-capped mountains is one of the most beautiful drives in New Zealand.
92. Coach and Cruise Day Trip From Queenstown – Spend the day on a boat and see the fjords of New Zealand. Sail out to the ocean, witness stunning waterfalls and see penguins!
93. Airplane Tour From Milford to Queenstown – We took a plane back from Milford Sounds to Queenstown. The views were unreal!
94. Glow Worms – The area is also home to fantastic glow worms. Book a tour here!
95. Visit The Chasm. Check DOC’s linked route information and current alerts before visiting; the experience and access can change.
Plan your trip ahead so you don’t miss the best places you want to go!
Xoxo,
Leslie
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