10 Ultimate Tourist Spots That You Should Not Miss In New Zealand This 2022

Posted On May 19, 2022

New Zealand…a diverse island country tucked away in far Southwestern Pacific Ocean. It has a blend of Maori, European as well as Asian culture and consists of two main islands – the North and South Islands.

Shaped by volcanic activity, this is the unrivaled destination for adrenaline junkies and nature lovers. It is known for its glaciers, geothermal pools, national parks, distinct and animating cities not to mention its beaches.

A country that should be on the radar of every traveler’s list, I’ve narrowed down some ultimate tourists spots that you should not miss this 2022. Due to its rugged and natural beauty, the list could be a lot longer.

City of Sails, Auckland, North Island

Two sparkling harbors, 50 bizarre volcanoes, a soaring Sky Tower and so much more..this is Auckland. Dubbed as the “City of Sails”, this is an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. Being the country’s largest city and the hub of international travel, Auckland is the best place to start your odyssey of Aotearoa and don’t forget to spend a day of sailing experience on Waitemata Harbor for there, you’ll find out why it is called the “City of Sails”

Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island

Situated at the southwestern most part, the Fiordland National Park is adjudged as one of the country’s most scenic and ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to towering mountains, deep lakes and rivers, wild forests and of course, imposing fjords. The majestic Milford Sound regarded by Rudyard Kipling as the 8th wonder of the world is one of the attractions of Fiordland National Park, a fjord itself carved out from glacial erosion wherein cruising along its calm waters surrounded by the epic landscape will be a memorable experience you can have while visiting New Zealand.

Christchurch Canterbury, South Island

It may have been badly damaged by massive earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 but Christchurch has managed to rise up into a brand-new city, an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. From new buildings to shopping malls, the rebound of the city is evident all over. Regent Street is one of Christchurch‘s major draws, the whole road being a historic quarter as the original buildings in the area have been restored and turned into boutique shops and cafes.

Wai-o-tapu, Rotorua, North Island

Home to one of the geothermal regions in the world, Rotorua is an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand as it is the heart of Maori culture as well. Boiling mud pools, fizzing geysers and steaming hot springs characterize this thermal wonderland. Translated as “sacred waters” in Maori, Wai-o-tapu is one of Rotorua‘s geothermal attractions that has a Champagne Pool due to its genuine colorful appearance.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Tauranga, North Island

An attractive phenomenon to witness right with your own eyes is Tauranga’s Waitomo Glowworm Caves adventure, an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. Something that you will see and experience only once in your lifetime, the walls and roofs of the caves come alive at dusk as they are illuminated by thousands of glowworms that are actually species of the gnat insect in their larval stage. The Waitomo Caves in Tauranga are dark and damp, ideal places for the “glowworms” to live in, thus making it one of the most amazing wonders of New Zealand.

Franz Josef Glaciers, South Island

Did you know you can actually walk or hike on a glacier? Yes, it is, at Franz Josef Glacier which is found on the west coast of the South Island offers both guided walks and heart-stopping helicopter tours, an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. One of the most accessible glacial rivers in the world, you won’t be freezing here as it gets a lot of fair temperature thus you can either trek or hike at the base of the glacier if you are not an experienced mountaineer.

Hobbiton Village, Matamata, North Island

In 1998, a team of location scouts from Hollywood took an aerial tour of New Zealand in search of a place that would fit perfectly of the description of the place as that in the Lord of the Rings books and the farming village of Matamata in the North Island had matched what they were looking for. A temporary set was built on the farm for the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy but fans were keen to visit the area long after the shootings were done so that’s when Hobbiton Village was opened for travel destination and became one of the ultimate tourist spots that you should not miss in New Zealand. Matamata can be reached just two hours ride from Auckland where a guided tour will take you around the area of small cottages and green rolling hills.

Center of New Zealand, Nelson, North Island

A city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, Nelson is not only the sunniest place but the 2nd oldest city, an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. Known as the geographical center of the country, here in Nelson you will find the world’s clearest water which is the Te Waikoroupupu springs, even scientists have claimed that if you place it under a microscope, it is even clearer than a crystal. If you are an adrenaline junkie, then you will truly enjoy a thrilling ride on the world’s longest Skywire that Nelson also offers.

Lake Tekapo, South Island

Regarded as one of the most striking lakes in the world, Lake Tekapo which is in the middle of the cities Christchurch and Queenstown is an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. What is intriguing with this lake is its brilliant blue color as it is a glacial lake and made more resplendent during summer (December to February in the Southern Hemisphere) with the pink and purple flowers of lupins that cover its banks. Lake Tekapo is also famous for its sensational night sky, the only Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand wherein you can perfectly see the Milky Way and other wonders of the night sky with your naked eye including the Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights, Southern Hemisphere version of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

Tongariro National Park, South Island

A UNESCO World Heritage Center, Tongariro National Park is home to some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, an ultimate tourist spot that you should not miss in New Zealand. It is in this area where you will find lakes, rivers, bush, hiking trails, volcanoes and snow in just one site right at the middle of the country’s North Island. Each of these facets is unique and presents visible surroundings to behold, a far cry from the rest of North Island.

True to say, Aotearoa or “Land of the Long White Cloud” as the Maoris call their country is like a remote gem lying on the waters of the deep, blue Southwest Pacific Ocean. It will always be regarded as one of the most stunning countries in the world. Despite of its fair size, it comes big with so many attractions, culture, and history for you to experience.

Though it has gained so much attention from tourists in the past years, I would say that New Zealand is always a beautiful and pristine country that I had seen in 2016. I highly recommend that it should be a priority on your travel list this 2022.

Reference: Wikipedia