New Zealand Travel Information: 11 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand

New Zealand is an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is a country of stunning and diverse natural beauty: jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, scenic beaches, and active volcanic zones. Here are the best places to visit in New Zealand:

11. Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park

wiki/Corey Parsons

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is in the South Island of New Zealand, near the town of Twizel. Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain and Aoraki/Mount Cook Village lie within the park. More than 400 species of plants make up the vegetation in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, which include more than 100 introduced plant species such as the colourful Russell lupin, the wild cherry and wilding pines. There are about 35 to 40 species of birds in the park and include the kea, 223 recorded moth species and 7 native butterflies. The park is home to many invertebrates, including large dragonflies, crickets, grasshoppers.

10. Stewart Island

flickr/mikeccross

Stewart Island (officially named Stewart Island/Rakiura) is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of the South Island, across the Foveaux Strait. Most of the island is covered in native forest and virtually the entire small population is concentrated in the township of Oban (also known as Halfmoon Bay) on the east coast. Commercial fishing is the main occupation for residents. The main attractions for visitors are hiking, birdwatching and deer hunting.

9. Napier

flickr/Ronald Woan

Located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The city is famed for its Art Deco architecture, and contains the largest concentration of inner-city Art Deco buildings in the world. It also has one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country, a statue on Marine Parade called Pania of the Reef. Thousands of people flock to Napier every February for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend event, a celebration of its Art Deco heritage and history. The other main attraction there is wine -- specifically from the wineries in Hawke's Bay.

8. Auckland

flickr/Malcolm Peacey

Auckland is a major city in the north of New Zealand’s North Island. In the centre, the iconic Sky Tower has views of Viaduct Harbour, which is full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes. If you’re interested in learning more about the history and heritage of New Zealand, then be sure to check out the Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, is based around an extinct volcano and home to the formal Wintergardens. Near Downtown, Mission Bay Beach has a seaside promenade.

7. Nelson

flickr/AB / CC

Nelson is a city on the South Island of New Zealand. It's known for its local arts and crafts stores and art galleries. It's also a popular base for nearby caving sites, vineyards and Abel Tasman National Park (the most notable features of the park are its beaches). Established by English settlers in 1841, the city's history is showcased at Founders Heritage Park, a living museum with a vintage railway.

6. Westland Tai Poutini National Park

flickr/Rajiv Patel

Established in 1960, Westland Tai Poutini National Park is located on the western coast of New Zealand's South Island. Included in the park are glaciers, scenic lakes and dense temperate rainforest, as well as remains of old gold mining towns along the coast. Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are two popular tourist attractions within Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The park offers hunting opportunities for red deer, chamois and tahr and helicopter access allows hunters access to the rugged mountain areas. Along with the mountain scenery visible from the track, there are hot springs at Welcome Flat Hut.

5. Rotorua

flickr/Paolo Macorig

Rotorua is known as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. Its hot springs and geysers have attracted tourists for over a hundred years.  Rotorua is built over a geothermal hot spot. There are numerous natural vents, hot pools and other geothermal features in and around the city. Many of these are in parks and reserves. Along with the geothermal wonders, there are also the more usual water activities such as fishing, boating and white water rafting. Tourism is a major industry in Rotorua.

4. Tongariro National Park

flickr/aloys_dharambure

Located in the central North Island, Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand, contains the three active volcanoes of Mount Ruapehu (the island's highest peak), Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe. It is one of the North Island's most popular areas for day tramping, multi-day tramping and snow sports. The island's two main skifields are on Ruapehu. It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as one of the 28 mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Sites.

3. Paihia

flickr/Florian Bugiel

The Bay of Islands is an area on the east coast of the Far North District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country. In addition, The bay has many interesting historic towns including Paihia, Russell, Waitangi and Kerikeri. Russell, formerly known as Kororāreka, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, and dates from the early 19th century. Kerikeri contains many historic sites from the earliest European colonial settlement in the country.

2. Queenstown

flickr/Tom Hall

Queenstown is a scenic town in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It's one of the most beautiful regions and offers year round attractions. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and just above the town; Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. Queenstown is known for its commerce-oriented tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism.

1. Fiordland National Park

flickr/Bernard Spragg. NZ

One of the most scenic spots in New Zealand is the Fiordland National Park. It is the largest of the 14 national parks in New Zealand, with an area of 12,500 km2. The park is a popular destination for alpine climbers and especially for trampers, with the Milford, Kepler, Hollyford and Routeburn Tracks all in or close to the park. In addition, Milford Sound is the biggest attraction in Fiordland,  and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey (the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor).

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