Top 50 Best Things to Do in New Zealand
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Top 50 Best Things to Do in New Zealand

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tourstop_1
    󰺂9.4
    233.67
    Matamata
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱓊Unique New Zealand hills & lakes
    Sample Ginger Beer at the Green Dragon Inn
    󱨠Saved by 1122 users󱨠546 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Jenny CindyJenny Cindy

    This was the best attraction of my North Island trip. I thought I wouldn't understand it since I hadn't seen The Lord of the Rings, but the guide explained a lot about the story. The whole Hobbiton was lovely and cozy. As we were about to enter Hobbiton in the car, the sight of sheep all over the hillside, accompanied by the Lord of the Rings movie music on the bus, was truly touching. I had never seen so many sheep before. Finally, we went inside the Hobbit houses. The wooden decor smelled wonderful, and there were all sorts of adorable scenes inside. I took countless photos and videos. We ended the tour with a drink and then took the car back to where we boarded. I highly recommend Hobbiton.

  • Skyline Queenstowntop_2
    󰺂9.4
    Queenstown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱤎Skyline Gondola: A Night View Like a Painting
    Thrilling activities with scenic views
    󱨠Saved by 668 users󱨠459 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    eric_Teric_T

    Enjoy the scenery of Queenstown while riding the cable car. The cable car ride gives you a panoramic view of the entire Queenstown landscape. Up to the observation deck above the scenery is even more stunning: including the town, the entire lake plus the nearby peaks are very stunning.

  • RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruisetop_3
    󰺂9.2
    220.31
    Queenstown
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱨜Steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu
    󰋄Captain's view from lookout tower
    󱨠Saved by 310 users󱨠314 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Definitely worth it! Very informative farm tour and we get to feed them too. Wish there was more time to walk around and take photos. It did felt a bit rush, but overall it was a fun experience

  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves
    4
    󰺂9.1
    137.62
    Waitomo Caves
    trip best TravelHotspot logoNew Zealand's Underground Galaxy: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱨜Listen to echoes in Cathedral Cave
    󱓊Hear underground waterfall's unique echo
    󱨠Saved by 536 users󱨠351 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    樹樹樹樹樹樹

    Compared to the campfire worm cave experience in Australia, this one was much better. However, the value wasn't great, as the entire experience lasted less than an hour, with only about ten minutes of boat time spent observing the worms. The rest of the time was spent with the guide explaining the history of the cave. But since I'm in New Zealand, this is definitely a must-see.

  • Milford Sound Scenic Cruises
    5
    󰺂8.9
    284
    Milford Sound
    Highlights:
    󱓊Panoramic cabin & bow view
    󰋄Waterfalls & wildlife up close
    󱨠Saved by 280 users󱨠156 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    _TI***ma_TI***ma

    The views were definitely gobsmacking, with a likely chance of seeing seals and waterfalls, however we had to drive five hours to Milford Sound, with the trip being expensive and sadly not covering food, which unsurprisingly was also expensive.

  • Whale Watch Kaikoura
    6
    󰺂8.8
    340.18
    Kaikoura
    Highlights:
    󱓊Guided whale & marine biology tour
    󰋄95% chance to see whales
    󱨠Saved by 166 users󱨠74% positive reviews
    4.7/5
    Summer Summer SummerSummer Summer Summer

    Super lucky to see 3 whales in the beginning of my trip. What a day!

  • NZONE Skydive Queenstown
    7
    󰺂8.8
    740.13
    Queenstown
    Highlights:
    󰀆Queenstown views from 15,000 ft
    󱓊One-on-one coaching & guidance
    󱨠Saved by 302 users󱨠57% positive reviews
    4.8/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Skydiving was a great experience, but the reception from this company was terrible. You weren't allowed to bring your own GoPro, and if you wanted to film, you had to pay NZD 209 for them to take the video. We called a day before to ask if we could drive to the event, but customer service said no. We had no choice but to park in the city center (for a fee) and meet at the office. While we were waiting, we heard customer service tell another customer that we could drive. We asked why they had said no the previous call, but they didn't respond. The Asian female driver, a minibus driver, took us to the event location. When we got out of the car, she had a sour face and spoke a few quick, quiet instructions (I'm Asian and had studied in the UK before, so I couldn't hear clearly). We were completely disappointed with this company's customer service, their money-grabbing, and their misleading experience.

  • Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
    8
    󰺂8.7
    86.88
    Waiotapu
    Highlights:
    󰀆Watch "Ladies Hat" geyser erupt
    󰋄Geothermal steam-cooked culinary experience
    󱨠Saved by 422 users󱨠292 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    WendylwwWendylww

    price cheaper than official website, recommended to book through trip. Always amazed by these nature places

  • Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
    9
    󰺂8.5
    Milford Sound
    trip best small logoAchieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󱓊Boat tour: waterfalls & marine life
    󱨜Boat tour: Bow Falls & marine life
    󱨠Saved by 192 users󱨠168 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    iQOO🐮iQOO🐮

    Milford Sound is like a magical movie! When you are on a boat, giant waterfalls on both sides of the river crash into the emerald sea from the cliffs, such as Stirling Falls, and the water vapor hits you with rainbows. The steep cliffs are covered with moss, seals lie lazily on the rocks, and the snow-capped peaks in the distance are looming in the clouds. It is even more amazing when it rains and fogs, the mountain peaks are shrouded in mist, the sea is dark blue, as if the whole world is quiet and only the sound of water remains. It is so shocking!

  • Agrodome
    10
    󰺂8.4
    76.6
    Rotorua
    trip best TravelHotspot logoKiwi Farm Life Unleashed: Agrodome Farm Show & Tour in Rotorua
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in New Zealand
    Highlights:
    See sheep & deer up close
    󰋄Sheep shearing & close encounters
    󱨠Saved by 158 users󱨠167 positive reviews
    4.7/5
    portamunteportamunte

    You have to swipe to the end to see the cutest baby alpaca picture. My friend David recommended the agrodome in Rotorua and said the whole family would enjoy it. He didn’t lie- we loved the show, the tractor tour around the farm, the chance to feed the sheep and alpacas. I wouldn’t have minded meeting the pigs too but all in all, 10/10, highly recommend

Best things to do in New Zealand (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in New Zealand? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, New Zealand offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in New Zealand

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full New Zealand experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

• Matamata | undefined

• : Unique New Zealand hills & lakes,Sample Ginger Beer at the Green Dragon Inn

Skyline Queenstown

• Queenstown | undefined

• : Skyline Gondola: A Night View Like a Painting,Thrilling activities with scenic views

RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise

• Queenstown | undefined

• : Steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu,Captain's view from lookout tower

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near New Zealand

If you want to explore attractions just outside New Zealand, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of New Zealand, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in New Zealand special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in New Zealand

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in New Zealand

Ready to explore the best of New Zealand? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in New Zealand?
These are all Best Things to Do in New Zealand:Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours, Skyline Queenstown, RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Milford Sound Scenic Cruises
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in New Zealand?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in New Zealand include:Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours:4.7, Skyline Queenstown:4.7, RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise:4.7, Waitomo Glowworm Caves:4.5, Milford Sound Scenic Cruises:4.6
At what locations in New Zealand can Best Things to Do in New Zealand be found?
The Best Things to Do in New Zealand are mainly located in:Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours:Matamata, Skyline Queenstown:Queenstown, RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise:Queenstown, Waitomo Glowworm Caves:Waitomo Caves, Milford Sound Scenic Cruises:Milford Sound
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