Find places in New Zealand

Must-Haves

• Sky Tower (City Centre)
  Ride up for the widest views over the harbour, volcanoes and gulf islands.
• Waiheke Island (Hauraki Gulf)
  Vineyards, olive groves and beaches a short ferry ride from downtown.

Fun for Everyone

• Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium (Mission Bay)
  Penguins and sharks in an aquarium built in old sewage tanks.

Great for Date Night

• Devonport (North Shore)
  Ferry to a seaside village with volcanic lookouts and old villas.

Must-Haves

• Maungawhau Mount Eden (Mount Eden)
  Walk up a grassy volcanic cone with a deep crater and city views.
• Rangitoto Island (Hauraki Gulf)
  Ferry out to climb a young volcano through lava fields and pōhutukawa forest.

Off the Beaten Path

• Karekare Beach (West Coast)
  Wild black sand beach and waterfall in the Waitākere Ranges.
• Piha Beach (West Coast)
  Dramatic surf beach below Lion Rock, swim only between the flags.

Fun for Everyone

• Tiritiri Matangi Island (Hauraki Gulf)
  Open sanctuary where rare native birds come close on the trails.

Must-Haves

• Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland Domain)
  Superb Māori and Pacific collections plus natural history.

Fun for Everyone

• Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki (City Centre)
  The country's largest art collection in a striking timber canopied building.

Off the Beaten Path

• Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery (Titirangi)
  Small hillside gallery on the edge of the Waitākere Ranges.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Otara Market (Otara)
  Saturday market full of Pacific food, music and island crafts.
• La Cigale French Market (Parnell)
  Weekend market of pastries, crêpes and local produce.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Dominion Road dumpling houses (Mount Eden)
  A long road of Chinese eateries, perfect for a cheap, filling dumpling feast.

Fun for Everyone

• Ponsonby Central (Ponsonby)
  Food hall and laneway of eateries with something for every appetite.

Great for Date Night

• Wynyard Quarter waterfront bars (Wynyard Quarter)
  Harbourside drinks with yachts and sunset over the Harbour Bridge.

Must-Haves

• Britomart cafés (Britomart)
  Restored heritage blocks packed with good coffee and brunch.

Must-Haves

• Auckland Lantern Festival (Auckland)
  Lunar New Year celebration of lanterns, food stalls and performances.

Must-Haves

• Hotel Britomart (Britomart)
  Design-led hotel in the heart of the waterfront precinct.

Must-Haves

• Te Papa Tongarewa (Waterfront)
  The national museum, free to enter, with Māori treasures and a colossal squid.
• Wellington Museum (Queens Wharf)
  Lively museum of city and maritime history in a heritage bond store.

Fun for Everyone

• Parliament Buildings and the Beehive (Pipitea)
  Free guided tours of New Zealand's Parliament.

Great for Date Night

• BATS Theatre (Te Aro)
  Small theatre showing new local plays and comedy.

Must-Haves

• Wellington Cable Car (Lambton Quay)
  Short ride up to Kelburn with views and the Botanic Garden.

Fun for Everyone

• Wētā Workshop (Miramar)
  Behind the scenes tours of the film props and effects studio.

Off the Beaten Path

• Matiu Somes Island (Wellington Harbour)
  Ferry to a predator-free island with history and wildlife.

Must-Haves

• Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne (Karori)
  Fenced urban ecosanctuary full of native birds and tuatara.

Fun for Everyone

• Mount Victoria Lookout (Mount Victoria)
  Panoramic view over the harbour, city and airport.

Off the Beaten Path

• Red Rocks Coastal Walk (Owhiro Bay)
  Rugged south coast walk with seasonal fur seals.
• Ōtari-Wilton's Bush (Wilton)
  Botanic garden devoted entirely to native plants with a canopy walkway.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Wellington Botanic Garden (Kelburn)
  Native forest, rose garden and city views, free to wander.

Must-Haves

• Cuba Street cafés (Te Aro)
  Bohemian street of coffee roasters, vintage shops and buskers.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Fidel's Café (Cuba Street)
  Long-running, quirky café beloved for brunch and coffee.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Harbourside Market (Waterfront)
  Sunday fresh produce and street food beside Te Papa.

Great for Date Night

• Logan Brown (Te Aro)
  Classic fine dining in a grand former bank building.

Fun for Everyone

• Ortega Fish Shack (Mount Cook)
  Relaxed seafood restaurant with a nautical feel.

Must-Haves

• Garage Project (Aro Valley)
  Experimental craft brewery tasting room in an old petrol station.

Great for Date Night

• Hawthorn Lounge (Te Aro)
  Speakeasy style cocktail bar with skilled bartenders.

Must-Haves

• Visa Wellington On a Plate (Wellington)
  Winter food festival with special menus and burger challenges across the city.

Fun for Everyone

• CubaDupa (Cuba Street)
  Street festival of music, dance and food in late summer.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Moore Wilson's Fresh (Te Aro)
  Local favourite food market for regional produce and treats.

Must-Haves

• QT Wellington (Waterfront)
  Art-filled hotel across from Te Papa.

Must-Haves

• Te Puia (Whakarewarewa)
  See the Pōhutu geyser and the national carving and weaving schools.
• Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (Waiotapu)
  Champagne Pool, the Lady Knox Geyser and vivid mineral colours.
• Whakarewarewa Forest Redwoods (Redwoods)
  Giant redwoods, a treewalk and world-class mountain bike trails.

Off the Beaten Path

• Waimangu Volcanic Valley (Waimangu)
  Walk through the world's youngest geothermal valley to a steaming lake.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kuirau Park (Rotorua Central)
  Free park with bubbling mud pools and hot foot baths.

Must-Haves

• Whakarewarewa The Living Māori Village (Whakarewarewa)
  Guided tours of a village where families still live and cook with geothermal heat.

Fun for Everyone

• Skyline Rotorua (Mount Ngongotahā)
  Gondola, views and fast luge runs down the hill.
• Tamaki Māori Village (Tumunui)
  Evening cultural experience with a hāngī dinner in the forest.

Great for Date Night

• Polynesian Spa (Lakefront)
  Hot mineral pools overlooking Lake Rotorua.

Off the Beaten Path

• Hell's Gate Te Tikitere (Tikitere)
  Geothermal park with a mud bath and the largest hot waterfall in the region.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Eat Streat (Rotorua Central)
  Covered dining strip with many cuisines and geothermally warmed pavement.

Must-Haves

• Solitaire Lodge (Lake Tarawera)
  Secluded luxury lodge on a lake peninsula.

Must-Haves

• Skyline Queenstown (Bob's Peak)
  Gondola up for a sweeping view over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
• Milford Sound day trip (Fiordland)
  Long scenic drive or flight to cruise beneath waterfalls and sheer cliffs.
• Kawarau Bridge Bungy (Gibbston)
  The world's first commercial bungy site above a turquoise river.

Fun for Everyone

• TSS Earnslaw (Steamer Wharf)
  Century-old steamship cruising to Walter Peak high country farm.
• Shotover Jet (Arthurs Point)
  Jet boat spins through a narrow canyon.

Must-Haves

• Ben Lomond Track (Queenstown Hill)
  Tough summit hike with views across the Southern Alps.
• Routeburn Track (Glenorchy)
  One of the Great Walks, with a beautiful first section as a day hike.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Queenstown Gardens (Town Centre)
  Lakeside peninsula park with a frisbee golf course.

Off the Beaten Path

• Moke Lake (Moke Lake Road)
  Quiet lake loop walk a short drive from town.

Fun for Everyone

• Onsen Hot Pools (Arthurs Point)
  Private cedar hot tubs above the Shotover River.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Fergburger (Town Centre)
  Famous giant burgers, open late with a queue to prove it.

Great for Date Night

• Rātā (Town Centre)
  Seasonal New Zealand cooking in an intimate dining room.
• Amisfield Bistro (Lake Hayes)
  Winery restaurant with mountain views and a trust-the-chef menu.

Fun for Everyone

• Gibbston Valley Winery (Gibbston)
  Pinot noir tastings and a wine cave.

Must-Haves

• Bespoke Kitchen (Isle Street)
  Bright café with excellent coffee and brunch.

Fun for Everyone

• Atlas Beer Cafe (Steamer Wharf)
  Lakeside pub with craft beer and hearty food.

Must-Haves

• Queenstown Winter Festival (Queenstown)
  Lively winter festival marking the start of ski season.

Great for Date Night

• Eichardt's Private Hotel (Marine Parade)
  Historic boutique hotel on the lakefront.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Remarkables Market (Frankton)
  Summer Saturday market of local crafts and food.

Must-Haves

• Christchurch Botanic Gardens (Hagley Park)
  Large gardens on the Avon River, free to explore.
• Akaroa (Banks Peninsula)
  French flavoured harbour town where you can cruise with Hector's dolphins.

Off the Beaten Path

• Godley Head (Port Hills)
  Coastal walk past wartime batteries above the harbour entrance.

Fun for Everyone

• Orana Wildlife Park (McLeans Island)
  Open range zoo with native birds and African animals.
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve (Northwood)
  See kiwi and other native wildlife in a nocturnal house.

Fun for Everyone

• Punting on the Avon (City Centre)
  Gentle punt ride past gardens and willows.
• Christchurch Gondola (Heathcote)
  Ride up the Port Hills for views over the city and Lyttelton Harbour.
• International Antarctic Centre (Airport)
  Hands-on Antarctic exhibits with blue penguins and a storm room.

Off the Beaten Path

• Lyttelton (Lyttelton)
  Port town with a Saturday market and cafés.

Must-Haves

• Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū (City Centre)
  Striking glass gallery with strong New Zealand collections.
• Cardboard Cathedral (Latimer Square)
  Temporary cathedral built from cardboard tubes after the earthquakes.

Must-Haves

• Riverside Market (City Centre)
  Indoor food market with local produce and eateries.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Christchurch Farmers Market (Riccarton Bush)
  Saturday market in the grounds of a historic homestead.

Fun for Everyone

• The Tannery (Woolston)
  Victorian style arcade of shops, eateries and a craft brewery.

Must-Haves

• C1 Espresso (High Street)
  Quirky café that delivers sliders by pneumatic tube.

Great for Date Night

• New Regent Street (City Centre)
  Pastel Spanish mission street of bars and cafés with a heritage tram.

Must-Haves

• World Buskers Festival (Christchurch)
  Summer festival of street performers across the city.

Great for Date Night

• The George (Hagley Park)
  Small luxury hotel beside the park and river.