Discover 12 of the most beautiful places in New Zealand !

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand and not really sure where to go, looking for a few ideas? Let me tell you straight away, you’ll have one small problem. There’s just too much to see. Honestly, you find extraordinary places everywhere. Volcanoes, mountains, geothermal areas, fantastic lakes (watch out for the sandflies!), glaciers right next to soaking-wet rainforests, even paradise beaches.

By the way, that sheer variety deserves an article of its own, and I’ve written it: the 13 types of landscape you find in New Zealand.

Truly, it’s tricky. The idea isn’t to show you EVERYTHING, that’s impossible (and it would be far too long), especially as I’m nowhere near having seen it all, but to share with you the places I genuinely loved. Over a month out there, I saw quite a lot, but the distances are long, and you really are at the mercy of the weather, which is incredibly changeable (a gentle understatement!).

Anyway, I hope I’ll make you want to discover them, among many others, both on the North Island and the South Island 🙂

1. Tongariro National Park

Simply exceptional. First off, Tongariro is a UNESCO-listed volcanic complex, and it has to be said there’s good reason for it. Because you find volcanoes here, craters, emerald-coloured lakes, quite simply fantastic landscapes.

And the great thing is that it’s home to one of the most beautiful treks in the world: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, usually done over a single day. A day where your calves will suffer, but it’s so worth it! You zigzag between volcanoes and lakes, jaw-dropping views, jaw-dropping descents too because there are one or two slightly hairy sections 😀

But it will remain one of your finest memories, without any doubt. So if you’re passing through the North Island, set aside a day to do this hike!

You can find out more about the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in this article!

Practical information about Tongariro

Now careful, because of the crowds, you can’t leave your car in the main car park (Mangatepopo) for more than 4 hours, from mid-October to May. Which is a nuisance because you don’t have time to do the there-and-back. The DOC goes even further: in summer, it flat-out advises hikers against this car park. So you’ll need to take a shuttle from National Park (see here).

• Price of the hike: free
• Price of the shuttle: between 50 and 75 NZD return depending on the operator, i.e. 25 to 38 € (2026 prices). National Park Shuttles is 50 NZD, Tongariro Crossing Shuttles goes up to 75
• Since October 2023, the DOC offers a free online booking. It’s not compulsory and there’s no quota, but you might as well do it: it helps spread out the crowds
• Duration of the hike: between 4 hours (the pros) and 12 hours (me)
• In winter (but including October), you’ll need a guide or plenty of experience because it’s covered in snow and ice

2. Abel Tasman National Park

It’s the smallest national park, but it’s packed with things to offer! Abel Tasman is the idyllic spot on the South Island, the last place where you’ll see paradise beaches before heading down to take on the mountains.

And genuinely, the beaches are beautiful, the coast is magnificent, it’s a fantastic place for a hike. In fact, these various walks most often start with a little cruise to bring you into the heart of the park, onto a beach, and from there you can walk for a few hours and either head straight back to the village, or get picked up somewhere else.

Honestly, I loved this place (and I’m not just saying that because I got rotten weather afterwards)!

Practical information about Abel Tasman National Park

• I’d recommend at least a full day to do a hike in the park
• Doable all year round, 15° in winter, 25 in summer
• The water taxis aren’t cheap, and watch out for the trap: the advertised fare (from 59 NZD with AquaTaxi) is one-way. Reckon on more like 118 to 148 NZD return depending on which beach you get off at (2026 prices). It stings, but it’s the only way to reach the heart of the park
• Discover the cruise + walks here
• But it’s also a great place to go kayaking
• Recommended accommodation: Haven on Glenaven

3. The superb fjords of Milford Sound

You know me (well, probably!), being a Norway fan I find fjords majestic. And I have to say that Milford Sound is unquestionably one of the most beautiful in the world. Set in an isolated spot and, above all, with very little infrastructure, it’s a truly magical place.

Milford Sound sits within the sumptuous Fiordland National Park, a fairly wild region through which few roads pass. Which is exactly what gives it that utterly unique end-of-the-world feel. You actually reach it via the region’s only road, starting from Te Anau. And do take the time to enjoy that road, which is stunning! Especially as you might spot the keas.

You discover Milford Sound by boat. There are quite a few different companies, but they all offer almost the same programme: 2 hours of pure magic in the fjord. I’d recommend taking the first boats to avoid the tour groups.

• In the following article, you can find much more information about Milford Sound

Practical information about Milford Sound

• You can visit all year round, but depending on the weather conditions, the road can be closed
• The journey between Te Anau and Milford Sound is 120km
• The boat trip lasts 2 hours and costs 70€ minimum: reckon on 143 to 189 NZD depending on the company (Southern Discoveries from 143, Mitre Peak and RealNZ at 169, Cruise Milford at 189)
• In summer, the first departure is at 8:45am and the last around 3:55pm. In winter the offer shrinks considerably: often just 11am and 1:30pm, so check before setting off from Te Anau
• Recommended cruise: Mitre Peak

Discover the Milford Sound cruises!

4. Te Anau and its surroundings

Te Anau isn’t just good for getting to Milford Sound. It’s also a magnificent setting, for me a little haven of peace just the way I like them: sumptuous landscapes, mountains, hikes all over the place and a huge amount to do. Milford Sound of course, but also the superb Doubtful Sound, or seeing the glowworms, which are genuinely surprising.

Te Anau deserves a stop of a few days, to discover the bird park with in particular the rare takahe, or the kaka parrot. Buuut you can also set off on the famous Kepler Track, Milford Track or Routeburn hikes, 3 of the Great Walks, the best hikes in the country!

Practical information about Te Anau

• How long to stay: 3 days minimum
  • 1 day Milford Sound + the fantastic road from Te Anau
  • 1 day Doubtful Sound
  • 1 day Glow worms
• Recommended accommodation: the Tasman Holiday Lodge (from 37€)
• Accessible all year round
• Best time: spring and summer (October – April)

4 recommended places to stay in Te Anau

5. Glenorchy and the superb road from Queenstown

I found Queenstown a touch too American/Australian for my taste, but it’s the starting point for a huge number of activities (see here). And above all the landscapes are insane, a top setting with a very beautiful lake, Lake Wakatipu, all surrounded by mountains worthy of Lord of the Rings. You’d think you were in Scotland!

And it feels so much like it that right at the far end of the lake, in a really special atmosphere, some Scots came and settled there. So they left the cold and the lochs behind… to settle at the other end of the world, in the cold and by a loch. But! This village called Glenorchy (a name that reeks pleasantly of whisky) is linked to Queenstown by what is considered the most beautiful road in the world. Nothing less!

Over 50km, you’ll genuinely get an eyeful, running alongside both mountains and a magnificent lake in an end-of-the-world atmosphere.

Practical information about Glenorchy

• you need to do this road by car so you can stop whenever you want (and also because there isn’t much public transport)
• 50km of pure bliss, and even 100 there and back
• Glenorchy is the starting point of the Routeburn Track
• Discover Glenorchy from Queenstown!

6. The fantastic Lake Tekapo

Careful, heaven on Earth. Lake Tekapo is my favourite place in New Zealand. A truly magnificent lake, turquoise to your heart’s content especially when the sun is out, surrounded by beautiful mountains.

But Tekapo is a very peaceful, relaxing place, for several reasons. Firstly, you can enjoy the lake, do plenty of hikes around it and nearby. Then you can go a bit further, a spot at the foot of the mountains, with absolutely no one around and magnificent landscapes.

Finally, Lake Tekapo is the perfect place for stargazing at the Milky Way. It’s a paradise for astrophotography because the sky is considered the 2nd purest in the world (after the Atacama), and there’s absolutely no light pollution. Outside summer, you can also see the Northern Lights with a bit of luck!

Practical information about Tekapo

• In the following article I explain why I love Lake Tekapo
• How long to stay: between 2 days and 1 week (you really do feel good there!)
• Best season: summer (mid-November/mid-December) for the lupins around the lake, spring and autumn are lovely too, winter is chilly!
• Discover the fantastic night sky at the Observatory with the Dark Sky Project
• Recommended accommodation: the Lake Edge Holiday Park, both for the cottages and for the camping

7. Kaikoura and its marine wildlife

Another paradise on the South Island! Kaikoura is a haven for marine wildlife. Thanks to its extraordinarily rich sea canyon, you’ll find whales (sperm whales in particular) all year round and in great numbers. But also loads of dolphins and seals everywhere. Honestly, it’s just brilliant!

And all of this in an exceptional setting, because the sea sits at the foot of the mountains, with a ski resort nearby.

For instance, in the morning I’d have my coffee facing dolphins leaping by the dozen. Then, out on walks, I’d come across seals lazing on the rocks and the public benches. And finally, on a cruise, I got to see the whales.

Hey, I told you it was paradise!

Practical information about Kaikoura

• marine wildlife (whales, dolphins, seals) can be seen all year round
• spring, summer and early autumn are the best seasons
• a minimum of 2 days, 3 is really rather nice
• recommended excursion to see the whales: Whale Watching Kaikoura. Reckon on 175 NZD per adult (60 NZD for ages 3-15), and from 1 October 2026 it goes up to 185 NZD. A nice touch, though: 80% refunded if no whales show up
• recommended accommodation: Alpine Pacific Holiday Park

8. Mount Taranaki (Taranaki Maunga)

I passed through at the end of my trip, on the way back to Wellington, and I’d have liked to devote a bit more time to it, especially the chance to hike there with decent weather. Because Mount Taranaki is THE iconic volcano of New Zealand, one of those rare perfect cones.

A quick note on terminology, because it has changed and many French-language articles haven’t caught up yet: since 30 January 2025, the summit is officially called Taranaki Maunga. The old colonial name “Mount Egmont” no longer exists, and the national park has become Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki. The mountain has even been granted legal personhood. If you still see “Egmont” on a map, it’s out of date.

Well, even if you don’t climb it, you can still get some superb viewpoints. The best-known one requires good physical fitness: it’s the Henry Peak Lookout. Otherwise, near Stratford there are a few lovely parks that offer a really pretty view.
Finally, you can drive up to the North Egmont Visitor Centre or Dawson’s Falls to get fairly close and then carry on walking.

Practical information about Mount Taranaki

• If you want to climb all the way to the top, you’ll need proper equipment and experience because it’s always frozen, even in summer. In winter it’s inaccessible except to the very experienced.
• The volcano is visible all year round from the surrounding area
• Official name since January 2025: Taranaki Maunga, within Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki park (formerly Egmont National Park)
• Recommended duration: 1 day to admire the volcano and its surroundings
• I’d recommend heading back via the Forgotten Highway and the self-proclaimed republic of Whangamomona
• Recommended accommodation: Amity Court Motel (well, there isn’t a huge amount of choice)

9. A sunrise over Lake Matheson

A real classic when it comes to New Zealand’s glaciers. The country has countless lakes, each as beautiful as the next, but Lake Matheson is special. A fantastic setting, with views over the mountains and Mount Cook in particular. It’s genuinely the ideal spot for sunrise, but not only that.

You’ll need to arrive fairly early to reach the viewing platform, but on the way there you’ll pass through a lovely mist, a mystical atmosphere.

The sunrise is famous mainly for the calm of the lake and the absence of wind, which allows for a perfect reflection.

Practical information about Lake Matheson

• Visible all year round, but mostly weather-dependent
• Find out more about Lake Matheson in this article
• Recommended accommodation: Glowworm Accomodation, in Franz Josef

10. The Franz Josef and Fox glaciers

In the middle of dense, humid rainforest, you’ll find glaciers. It’s really surprising in this region, but the Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini national parks have magnificent mountains, and their glaciers come down almost to the sea!

Now let’s be clear on one point, because it’s changed a lot: you can no longer approach the glacier fronts on foot. Both valley walks are open and easy, but they stop at a viewpoint: 3 km of ice for the Franz Josef (30 min return from the car park), 2.6 km for the Fox. The barriers are there for good reasons, rockfalls and flash floods, so you don’t cross them.

And it’s very much a symbol of global warming: if the viewpoints are so far away today, it’s precisely because the glacier has retreated. Fifteen years ago you’d walk almost right up to the foot of it.

A little further south, the Fox is now discovered via the Fox Glacier South Side Walkway (6.4 km, about 2h return, two viewpoints): the old north access was never rebuilt after the storms, so don’t go looking for it. And if you really want to set foot on the ice, there’s now only one option, the heli-hike. It’s expensive, but it’s that or nothing. Otherwise, count on a guided tour, which can be really interesting for learning more about these glaciers.

Although these glaciers aren’t the most impressive (see Iceland, Alaska or elsewhere), they’re superb, and what I love most is their location, unique in the world, because you really don’t expect to see them there!

Practical information about the Franz Josef glacier

• How much time: at least 1 full day (1 sunrise at Matheson, then exploring the 2 glaciers)
• visible all year round; naturally in winter they’ll have advanced, but conditions could be more difficult for getting close
• getting there is free
• the valley paths are easy but require good footwear. They lead to a viewpoint, not to the front: 3 km of ice on the Franz Josef side, 2.6 km on the Fox side (Fox Glacier South Side Walkway, 6.4 km return)
• walking on the ice is now only possible on a heli-hike. There is no pedestrian access to the glacier itself
• to see them even better, you can take a helicopter tour and even land on top of them! Discover it here.
• Recommended accommodation (the village of Franz Josef is very close): Glow worm Accomodation

11. The Huka Falls

This was one of my very first encounters with New Zealand. The Huka Falls are in the Taupo region, with loads of other beautiful things to see nearby, such as the Orakei Korako geothermal area or the Wairakei Terraces.

But for me, the finest discovery in the area was the Huka Falls. The country’s longest river and hugely powerful falls, all combined with gorgeously turquoise water. It’s a very surprising place, as loud as can be, magnificent. And free!

The falls are easy to explore, relatively quickly, but you feel hypnotised by the flow and the colours. It’s genuinely captivating!

Practical information about the Huka Falls

• Can be visited in any season
• It’s free!
• 3 minutes from Taupo
• A small detail so you’re not caught out: the car park closes from 5.30pm to 8.30am, and if your car is locked inside, it’s 30 NZD to get it back
• You can take a boat trip on the river up to the falls, discover it here!
• Recommended accommodation: Acacia Lakeview Motel

12. Wanaka and its surroundings

Wanaka is yet another dream spot. The opposite of Queenstown, but with some buzz all the same. What I mean is that it’s the main town in this lake district (Wanaka, Hawea, Tekapo, Pukaki…) with… 5,000 inhabitants.

You’ll find incredible mountains here; in fact the road coming in from the Haast Pass is fantastic, and whether you’re heading to Queenstown or further north, you’ll get an eyeful.

Wanaka is above all the starting point for many hikes, not always easy ones, that give you stunning viewpoints. Like Roy’s Peak, Isthmus Peak, Rob Roy… imagine 15 km hikes that take 6 hours. So it climbs steeply!

But Wanaka is also home to the country’s (the world’s?) most famous tree, the Wanaka Tree, which stands all alone in the water with a magical panorama.

Practical information about Wanaka

• How long to stay: 2/3 days, more if you want to explore around the region
• What’s the best season: all seasons are good; in winter there are the activities that go with it
• Take a little cruise on Lake Wanaka!
• Recommended accommodation: Wanaka Riverside Apartment

Frequently asked questions about New Zealand

What is the most beautiful place in New Zealand?

If I had to keep just one, it’s Lake Tekapo. My favourite place in the country, and I’m not going to pretend to hesitate: a turquoise lake, mountains all around, and in the evening one of the purest skies you could ever see.

The downside? Between mid-November and mid-December, the lupins are in bloom and everyone knows it. You won’t be alone by the lake (far from it).

That said, my ranking is worth no more than anyone else’s. Milford Sound is more impressive, Kaikoura is more alive, the Tongariro has to be earned more.

Should you favour the South Island or the North Island?

Be careful not to misread my list. Of my 12 places, 9 are on the South Island, but this isn’t a ranking: it’s simply that I concentrated my trip down there.

The North Island has more than enough to fill an entire stay. Volcanoes, geothermal areas, and beaches right up north that are every bit as good as the rest of the country.

It’s better to dig deep into one island than to skim over both.

Can you see these 12 places in a single trip?

Yes, but you need three weeks and you can’t dawdle. Adding up what I recommend place by place, you’re already there: 3 days at Te Anau, 2 to 3 at Kaikoura, 2 to 3 at Wanaka, at least 2 at Tekapo, a full day for Abel Tasman, one for the glaciers, one for the Tongariro, one for Taranaki.

I stayed a month and didn’t see everything. Far from it. Even with time, you have to make choices: the distances are long and the weather changes constantly. Too tight a schedule is a schedule that falls apart on the first rainy day (and there will be some).

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Conclusion

And there we are! And to think this is only a tiny sample of what you can see in the country. I had to avoid certain regions because of the weather (like Aoraki, the whole southern part) and change plans at the last minute (the joy of being in a van!), but even without that, I got an eyeful. And since there’s so much to see, the upside is that you can’t make do with a single trip, so you’ll have to come back. Well, OK, it’s not exactly next door, but it’s worth the effort!