Top 10 Reasons to Visit New Zealand
By Ryan Brown published on 6 October 2024
Calling all adventure seekers, nature lovers, globe trotters, and everyone in between! We've compiled a list of pure adventure lust for you in our top 10 reasons to visit New Zealand! Be warned, the list below may fuel the desire to book a ticket, pack your bags, and head out on an incredible around New Zealand, which is fine by us!
1. Exploring Milford Sound
Imagine you're on a boat, slowly cruising through the waters, surrounded by towering green mountains that pierce the misty sky as waterfalls rain down from the clouds. Welcome to Milford Sound, considered the 8th wonder of the world and a place that will leave you speechless. Milford Sound is a naturally awe-inspiring spectacle in any season, whether exploring it in the moody vibes of autumn and winter or taking in the vibrant sights of spring and summer.
2. Swimming with Dolphins in Kaikoura
One of the most unforgettable interactions and best reasons to visit New Zealand is swimming with dolphins in Kaikoura. Kaikoura itself is a beautiful region with a crescent-shaped coastline surrounded by mountains. Yet, it's the marine life here that is like no other. Head out on a boat with a small group and jump into the deep blue waters of Kaikoura. Here, you can snorkel amongst pods of curious dolphins leaping and swimming around you.
3. Heli-Hiking in Franz Josef
Often said to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, heli-hiking Franz Josef glacier is, without a doubt, an excursion you'll long remember. Hop in a helicopter and soar through the dramatic valley of dark cliffs and waterfalls. Take in the breathtaking sights before landing on the glacier. Up 3,000 meters high, strap on the crampons and explore the vast shimmering labyrinth of ice caves and valleys on a 2-hour guided tour.
4. Lost World Caving in Waitomo
What would you say to dangling in a cave 100 meters deep? Are you in? Great! The Lost World Caving in Waitomo graces our top 10 reasons to visit New Zealand for the sheer uniqueness of this nature experience. On a 4-hour dry-caving tour, you'll abseil 100 meters deep into the belly of New Zealand, descending into a vast and captivating network of caverns. Described as a "sensory feast", you'll abseil and explore natural vaults filled with glow worms and unique formations.
5. Hiking the Tongariro Crossing
Considered one of the most incredible day hikes on the planet (we aren't bragging), the Tongariro Crossing is a must-do for outdoors lovers and active travellers. Famous for the otherworldly landscapes, your journey will take you through more than 19km of volcanic wonder that resembles what you might imagine the scenery on Mars to look like. Witness the iridescent mineral pools, mind-blowing emerald lakes, deep volcanic craters, and the imposing grandeur of Mount Ngauruhoe, AKA Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings.
6. Bungy Jumping in Queenstown
Get ready to lose your voice and feel an adrenaline rush you've never experienced. Queenstown is the home of the first commercial bungy jump and is the best place to get your fix for heart-pounding action. Freefall for 8.5 seconds, 134 meters from a suspended platform over the Nevis Valley, screaming your heart out and struggling to wipe the smile off your face afterward. It's one for the most adventurous and one for those conquering fears.
7. Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is rated one of the most phenomenal natural regions in New Zealand, and the best way to take it all in is by kayak. Paddle your way along the rugged coastline, keeping a keen eye out for seals basking on the rocks, and take a break on the golden sand beaches for lunch. Enjoy a refreshing dip before a hike back through towering prehistoric ferns spotting rare flora and fauna.
8. Rotorua Canopy and Zipline
What better way to take in the lush ancient growth of the Dansey Road Scenic Reserve than zipping through the trees? Bursting with native flora and rare birdlife, explore the expanse of this stunning forest via trails, swing bridges, and ziplines through the treetops, learning all about the reserve along the way.
9. A Walk Through Hobbiton
This one is for the Lord of the Rings™ lovers and the only place you can truly have that authentic Middle Earth™ visit. All across New Zealand, you have film locations from the movies, but the Hobbiton movie set remains and holds a one-of-a-kind experience giving you a chance to live out your Hobbit dreams. Walk the vibrant hills of the Shire™ poking into the homes, take some snaps re-enacting scenes, and pause for a break for a drink in the Green Dragon™ tavern.
10. New Zealand's Breathtaking Nature
We know it's a general reason, but we saved the best for last. Among this list of top 10 reasons to visit New Zealand, the crown goes to the experiences in the unmatched natural splendour around the country. It isn't easy to describe the uniqueness of the beaches, dunes, forests, mountains, seas, caves, waterfalls, sounds, glaciers, and other natural wonders. You'll have to see for yourself.
Now you have ten reasons to visit New Zealand and check off some of this list, but that's not even a fraction of what awaits. and experience the best today, all in a luxury van with amazing people!
