To truly experience all the sights and wonders of New Zealand, a simple two-week trip simply won’t cut it. However, traveling for a few weeks – or even a week – doesn’t mean that you can’t have a fantastic itinerary planned for this amazing destination. If you’re looking to visit the best sights in this country with the time you have to travel, then here is a list of some of the best locations to make your trip truly a bucket list adventure.
Hit the Trails of Mount Cook
New Zealand is home to some truly incredible scenery and mountain ranges, and the most notorious of these is Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki. Not only do you get to witness the mountain in its true splendor (the drive itself to this location is something to behold), but the variety of hiking trails bordering this mountain offer an impressive walking route to take in the best rivers, hills and all-round scenery, including glacial views, all while having the mountain as your backdrop.
If you’re feeling more adventurous and have the skills, you can climb the mountain, too.
Visit Hobbiton in Matamata
A dream come true for Middle Earth fans, you can stand outside Bilbo’s hobbit hole and stop for a drink at the Green Dragon pub! Even if you’re not a huge Lord of the Rings fan, Hobbiton is such a beautiful location and experience that you don’t need to be a fan. Simply taking in the sights and enjoying a guided walk can be an amazing day out, regardless of whether you love the franchise or not. For the bigger fans, there are plenty of Lord of the Rings tours throughout New Zealand, which you will not want to miss out on.
See the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
If you’re looking for a true piece of wonder and tranquility, taking a tour to the glowworm caves is an amazing experience. These natural caves display glowworms native only to New Zealand, producing an incredible blue light, resulting in a magical experience that will stay with you forever.
Take a Boat Ride Through Milford Sound
If stunning tranquility is what you’re looking for, you won’t want to miss a trip to Fjordland National Park and experience Milford Sound up close and personal. A boat tour will see you able to sail by the spectacular ranges and have your guide explain the history of this amazing destination.
Milford Sound boasts natural waterfalls, and the chance to see seals lounging on nearby rocks in the sun.
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington
New Zealand has a wealth of fascinating culture and history, which means no trip to New Zealand is complete without delving a little deeper and learning more about Maori culture and how this country came to be. The Te Papa museum in Wellington is one of the best experiences for this; this national museum boasts over a million visitors every year.
Furthermore, the museum is perfectly placed for a trip around the capital of Wellington, too, where you can also easily catch a ferry over to the South Island.
