With so many scenic, historical and cultural landmarks in our own backyard, New Zealand is brimming with amazing places to visit. From geothermal wonderlands, bike trails and regional parks to whale-watching, kayaking and picturesque star-gazing spots, there is so much for your family to see and do – it’s a very full bucket list!
If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend or for your next family holiday, why not head out to somewhere you’ve never explored before and start ticking off some of these must-do experiences. See how many you can tick off and be inspired for where to go and what to do next.
North Island bucket list
Pose for a photo under the signpost at Cape Reinga in Northland
Slide down sand dunes at Te Paki on Ninety Mile Beach
Stand under the mighty Tāne Mahuta in Waipoua Forest, Hokianga
See the Hole in the Rock in the Bay of Islands
Check out the view from SkyTower in Auckland
Watch the penguins play at SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s, Auckland
Walk up the Mt Eden volcanic cone in Auckland
Dig your own hot pool at Hot Water Beach in the Coromandel
Be ‘world famous’ and take a snap with the giant L&P botttle in Paeroa
Dine at the Green Dragon Inn at Hobbiton Movie Set
Float under a glowing sky at Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Walk to the summit of Mauao (Mount Maunganui)
View the Inferno Crater at Waimangu Volcanic Valley near Rotorua
Watch the sun set in a mineral hot pool at Rotorua’s Polynesian Spa
Walk the length of the wharf at Tolaga Bay near Gisborne
Ride the natural waterslide at Rere Rockslide near Gisborne
See a kiwi at the Otorohanga Kiwi House
Hear the thunder of Huka Falls near Taupō
Take in an art deco tour of Napier from a vintage car
Watch hang gliders from Te Mata Peak near Hastings
Get your photo taken with the Ohakune carrot
Ski, snowboard or sled at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu
See the Festival of Lights at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth
Ride a paddle-steamer on the Whanganui River
Test your rugby skills at the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North
Climb the 250 steps to Cape Palliser lighthouse in the Wairarapa
Ride the Wellington Cable Car
See the harbour view from Mt Victoria, Wellington
Take a Weta Workshop Tour in Wellington
Cross the Cook Strait by ferry
South Island bucket list
Kayak in Abel Tasman National Park
See amazing aircraft displays at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim
See the blowholes in action at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks on the West Coast
Ride the waterslides at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa
- Go whale watching in Kaikōura
Zoom down the Zipline at Christchurch Adventure Park
Ride the tram in Christchurch
Go punting on the Avon River in Christchurch
Walk on a glacier at Franz Josef or Fox Glacier
Dine at The Hermitage with views of Aoraki Mount Cook
Gaze into the Blue Pools from a swingbridge in the Haast Pass
Go stargazing in the Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo
Take a photo on the Moeraki Boulders near Oamaru
Complete the Puzzling World maze in Wānaka
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown
Ride the luge track from Queenstown’s Skyline Gondola
Take a jet boat ride on Queenstown’s Shotover River
Have your photo taken at Glenorchy wharf
See the amazing Glenorchy scenery from horseback
Cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail
Spot dolphins, seals and penguins on a cruise through Milford Sound
Explore Larnach Castle in Dunedin
Walk up Dunedin’s Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world
Go chasing waterfalls in the Caitlins
See Aurora Australis in Southland
Eat freshly caught oysters in Bluff
Visit Stewart Island
Written by Julie Scanlon
Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, annoying her family by asking questions about movie plots, and never taking anything too seriously. She speaks a little Spanish and a lot of Yorkshire.
Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”
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