The Only Map Of New Zealand You Need For Your Upcoming Trip

When you think of New Zealand, you probably envision gorgeous vistas, beautiful mountains, and scenes from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which was filmed there. If you've visited before, you've likely experienced the friendliness of the people, the rich culture, and the fabulous wine and food this South Pacific nation produces. New Zealand received over 3.3 million tourists in 2024, and for good reason. There is plenty to see and do, whether you're taking a short hop over from Australia or doing a full 10-day New Zealand itinerary.

The country encompasses two islands: the North Island and the South Island. The North Island has Auckland, with its famous Sky Tower, the wine haven of Waiheke, Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest, and the "Lord of the Rings" tour in Matamata. It also has the lovely capital city of Wellington, with its stunning and walkable harbor, the phenomenal Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa full of incredible art, and a tour of the Wētā Workshop which has worked on a vast number of films. The South Island features the charming Christchurch area with its scenic gondola ride up a mountain and the Queenstown area, which is a fantastic destination for outdoor activity on Lake Wakatipu, as well as skiing, hiking, and bungee jumping, which had its first commercial site in the world here. There is something for everyone, so consider booking your getaway. To that end, we'll help you get a sense of what to see and do in New Zealand's different regions.

The populous Auckland sits in the northern part of the North Island and has 1.7 million residents, as of 2023. When you visit, you have to hit the famous Sky Tower, offering incredible vistas from the top. You can simply head up for the view, or dine at the revolving restaurant, 360˚Dining. The more daring type of tourist can bungee jump off the tower or walk around the outside of a high platform wearing a body harness. Around 100 miles south of Auckland is Matamata. There, fans of "The Lord of the Rings" can actually visit the Shire and take a tour of the Hobbiton film set to relive some cinematic moments. You can also visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves where you can hear some incredible stories from a Māori guide as you glide through the sparkling caves on a boat.

If you're a wine-tasting fan, there is no more luxurious getaway than Waiheke Island. Grab a ferry from Auckland for the day to sample some delectable vintages and enjoy the restaurants, or stay longer and lounge on Waiheke's pristine beaches. You can also take a drive (under three hours from Auckland) to check out the spellbinding trails and beautiful redwood trees in Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest. If you travel north of Auckland to the Northland region, you can visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, learn about Māori traditions, and visit the Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship and the Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi.

Wellington is right at the bottom of the North Island, and there is nothing more relaxing than walking along the charming waterfront, morning or night. However, you cannot leave until you've experienced the Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa. Right on the water, the museum gives a look at the history of New Zealand and its people. Its Rongomaraeroa marae, or meeting place, has a beautiful traditional structure inside, and its earthquake house lets you experience the force of nature that can change the ground underneath you. About 15 minutes from Wellington is Wētā Workshop, the design and manufacturing house behind films like "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogy, the "Avatar" films, Marvel and DC Comics productions, and the 2025 series "Alien: Earth." You can take a tour through the workshop and learn all about the creative team's process.

If you want the perfect view of the south part of this island, you can hike the Mount Victoria Loop. It's a 3-mile trail with a 711-foot elevation gain and a full 360-degree vista to enjoy. You may even catch a glimpse of the South Island, and conveniently, there's a restroom and water fountain near the top of the trail. On a nice day you can take the Wellington Cable Car to the top of the Botanic Garden, and you can even walk back down via a walking path if you want some exercise. The Wellington Botanic Garden features fascinating native plants and even an Ōtari Glow Worm Tour if you miss the one up near Auckland. The Space Place, right next door, has a planetarium, a telescope to look through, and galleries to learn all about the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.

Next up is the South Island, and on the northern half you'll find the city of Christchurch, with some fun activities. You can take the Christchurch Gondola to view Lyttelton Harbour, the Southern Alps, Pegasus Bay, and more. While you're up there, you can hike, shop at the summit store, eat at the cafe, or simply enjoy the breathtaking view. If you're looking for a great spot to snack and shop in Christchurch proper, the Riverside Market is an indoor spot full of boutiques, bars, cafes, produce shops, and restaurants. Hungry tourists can find wood-fired pizza, pastries, sushi, coffee shops, Greek food, ramen, meat pies, and more.

On the more somber side, Christchurch had a massive 6.3-magnitude earthquake in 2011, but there has been a lot of rebuilding in the years since. If you'd like to pay your respects, you can visit the beautiful Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial. You should also make time to check out the International Antarctic Centre, where you can get a sense of what it would be like to live in the cold conditions that aren't really that far away from the South Island. You can check out the Penguin Rescue's little blue penguins and try the Storm Experience, which is an indoor room, set around 18 degrees Fahrenheit with winds below 0. There is an ice cave to explore, and, if you're brave, you can even try the Polar Plunge Challenge.

On the south side of the South Island, you have to visit Queenstown, which is the hub for some incredible outdoor adventures. It's right on Lake Wakatipu, and every angle gives you another amazing view of the mountains. You can enjoy restaurants and shopping, as this is a major stopping spot for South Island tourists. This area also gets some great snow for winter sports like skiing. In fact, this mountain town is set to become the world's first zero-carbon ski destination. There is more "The Lord of the Rings" goodness on the South Island as well, with tours from Queenstown to see some of the locations where they filmed the Lothlórien Forest, Isengard, and more. You may also want to look into the area's bungee jumping if you're feeling extra daring. 

For more outdoor adventures, you can visit the southwest side of the South Island. There you'll find New Zealand's largest national park, Fiordland, part of Te Wāhipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Inside, you can take the Milford Track — one of New Zealand's Great Walks (the park has three of them) — which is around 33 miles long, if days-long hikes are your jam. In the park you'll also be able to do some kayaking or paddling, and even snorkeling. 

Off the southern coast is Rakiura/Stewart Island, which features the Rakiura National Park, covering most of the island. In addition, this is a prime location for stargazing, as the area was named a Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International in 2019. The island has diving, fishing, wildlife watching, tours, a museum, and plenty more to explore, as well as accommodations ranging from bed and breakfasts to hotels and motels.