21 Amazing Experiences You Can Only Have in New Zealand
New Zealand is a place for memorable experiences. The country’s remarkable beauty, adventurous thrills and one-of-a-kind attractions are guaranteed to awaken your sense of wanderlust. Here are just some of the bucket-list worthy must-dos that prove it.
See some of the world’s rarest wildlife
New Zealand is home to a plethora of birds, insects, reptiles and marine mammals that you won’t find elsewhere. Whether you want to catch sight of the endangered Hector’s Dolphin or the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin, you’ll find there are plenty of eco-friendly opportunities to get up close and personal to the native wildlife on your journey.
Discover plants that don’t exist anywhere else
Live like a Hobbit for a day
If you’re an avid fan of all things Tolkien, a visit to Hobbiton is an absolute treat. The film set, which has been diligently preserved to look like a real-life Hobbit village, is quite handy to main centres like Auckland, Rotorua and Taupo.
Experience Maori culture first-hand
New Zealand protects its indigenous Maori culture and customs in a way that is exemplary to the rest of world. Besides seeing various examples of the language and traditions embedded in everyday life, travellers can also get involved in various encounters that include performances, historic showcases and a hangi feast at the end.
Immerse yourself in some Art Deco
Fun fact: the North Island city of Napier has the largest collection of Art Deco buildings outside Miami, and the highest concentration of the style in the entire Southern Hemisphere. These incredible structures emerged in the aftermath of one of New Zealand’s most destructive earthquakes, and are revered annually in the local Art Deco Festival.
Get your adrenaline fix in Queenstown
Aptly dubbed New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown is the place to visit if you want to get your heart racing. Its claim to fame includes being home to the world’s first commercial bungy jumping operations, having the world’s largest rope swing and being surrounded by a myriad of epic ski fields.
Explore Wellington’s eclectic Cuba Street
If you love cities with alternative vibes, a trip to Wellington is an absolute must. Cuba Street is a favourite among locals and visitors alike for its eclectic cafes, markets, carnivals, live music venues, vintage shopping locations and colourful history.
See the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere
At 328 metres (1,076 feet) high, Auckland’s Sky Tower is the tallest standing structure in the entire Southern Hemisphere. If that’s not impressive enough, this iconic landmark also serves as a local radio transmission tower, has a revolving restaurant and is a major go-to for an adventure fix.
Do one of the nine Great Walks
Experienced hikers, this one’s for you. New Zealand’s nine Great Walks are multi-day journeys that have become quite famous for their challenging stretches, sublime landscapes and contrasting forces of nature. They are hosted in various national parks, and have allocated camping facilities for those wanting to tackle the full circuit.
Classic cars and wearable art in a single space
Nelson’s World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum brings two different elements you wouldn’t think could fit together: the winning pieces from the town’s famous design competition and a vast collection of vintage cars. Interestingly, the quirky juxtaposition works.
Take a scenic train ride across the Canterbury plains
The TranzAlpine continues to marvel South Island travellers with its wonderful showcase of sublime landscapes. Ride the train from Christchurch to Greymouth, traversing Arthur’s Pass in between, to fully immerse yourself in the alpine vistas on show.
Have a barbecue
A great way to feast like a local is to embrace the traditional New Zealand ‘barbie’, a summer ritual. If you don’t have your own equipment, various parks, campsites and selected beaches will have some that can be used on a first-come, first-served basis.
Explore the unique vineyards
New Zealand is globally renowned for its viticulture. Wine tours and tasting sessions are very easy to find. They’ll teach you everything you need to know about the white and red grape varietals that continue to please connoisseurs and enthusiasts from the world over.
See some underground glowworms
The Waitomo Caves are a favourite among adventurous spelunkers and nature enthusiasts. Whether you prefer to plunge into the depths of the limestone caves on your own terms or you’d simply settle for an underground cruise, the glowworm lights will make your visit one to truly cherish.
Get up close to an active volcano
One of the most compelling things about New Zealand is the sheer amount of volcanic and geothermal activity on show. Besides famous destinations like Rotorua and Taupo, the volcanic White Island is also a good place to get up close and personal to this stunning phenomenon.
Camp by the glistening waters
Summer in New Zealand is the prime time for camping. Be it by the lake, near the beach or surrounded by rivers and forests, pitching a tent is the best way to bask at the country’s natural beauty as you relish the outdoors.
Venture to Stewart Island
A place for hiking, seeing wildlife and soaking up the sun that might get overlooked if you fail to delve into the southernmost parts of New Zealand. You can easily reach Rakiura/Stewart Island by catching a ferry from Bluff or by aeroplane from Invercargill.
Cruise Milford Sound
Milford Sound is one of those places that looks just as good as, if not better than, its pictures. If you’re not one for multi-day treks, a cruise along the waters will introduce you to the waterfalls, forests and animal species that has make this a much-loved destination.
Watch a rugby match
New Zealand, you might know, is a rugby-mad nation. Its national team, the All Blacks, are renowned for being some of the very best in the world. Watch a match in any stadium or sports bar to get into the local culture and see how the pros thrive on their home turf.
Be the first to welcome the new day
Gisborne lays claim to being one of the first places in the world to see the sunrise. It’s not the first to welcome the New Year (the Chatham Islands get that honour) but it is pretty close — there’s even a New Year’s Eve festival to celebrate this fine occasion.
Cuddle up to a kiwi (the bird, that is)
No visit to New Zealand would be complete without a kiwi bird encounter. There are various reserves that will introduce you to this cute little bird and, if you’re lucky, you might even get to hold one in your arms.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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