Oceania · 5 cities
Things to Do in New Zealand
Five New Zealand destinations in one place: which island holds the scenery, how long the Milford Sound day really is, and the common mistake about where Hobbiton is.
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Where to go
Cities of New Zealand
In the order Viator’s own catalogue puts them — most-booked first, not alphabetical.
Full list
All cities, by region
Grouped by region using Viator’s own map of the country. The first block is the places it files directly under New Zealand.
Practical info
Know before you book
The things that change a decision — not a retelling of the guidebook.
Two islands, and the South has the landscape
Queenstown, Fiordland, the glaciers and the Southern Alps are all on the South Island. Auckland, Rotorua and Wellington are on the North. A trip that only lands in Auckland and expects the postcards is on the wrong island.
Milford Sound from Queenstown is a twelve-hour day
Four hours of driving each way through spectacular country, and roughly ninety minutes on the water. Flying in cuts it to half a day and costs several times more, weather permitting. Staying at Te Anau shortens the drive considerably.
Hobbiton is nowhere near Queenstown
The film set is at Matamata on the North Island, usually visited from Rotorua or Auckland — about two hours from either. It is one of the most common itinerary mistakes people make when planning this country.
The Great Walks book out months ahead
The Milford, Routeburn and Abel Tasman tracks use booked huts with fixed capacity, released on a set date each year and taken within hours for the peak weeks. Day walks on the same tracks need nothing at all.
The UV is extreme and the weather is fast
Thin ozone over New Zealand makes burn times very short, and mountain weather changes within an hour — four seasons in a day is a local saying for a reason. Carry a waterproof on any walk, whatever the morning looks like.
Biosecurity at the border is serious
Hiking boots are inspected and cleaned, food must be declared, and fines for undeclared items are immediate and substantial. Declare everything — the officers are helpful about it and unforgiving about the alternative.
When to visit
New Zealand through the seasons
What is open, how busy it gets, and when to book ahead.
Summer
Dec–Feb
- Best for
- The Great Walks, long daylight, every road and track open, warm lakes.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak season and peak prices — book Milford cruises and huts months in advance.
Autumn
Mar–May
- Best for
- Colour in Central Otago, stable weather, crowds falling away sharply.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- March and April are the quiet favourite — summer conditions without the summer prices.
Winter
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Skiing around Queenstown and Wanaka, snow on the Alps, clear cold days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Some alpine roads and tracks close; Fiordland is wet but the sounds are at their most dramatic.
Spring
Sep–Nov
- Best for
- Waterfalls at full melt, lambing season, low prices before the summer rush.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Changeable weather, but Milford Sound after rain is the version worth seeing.
Frequently asked
New Zealand: common questions
How many days do you need in New Zealand?
Two weeks for both islands without rushing. Ten days is enough for the South Island alone, which is what most first-time visitors should do. A week means picking one region — Queenstown and Fiordland, or Rotorua and the Bay of Islands.
What does a tour in New Zealand cost?
New Zealand is not in our fifty-city price index, so we avoid quoting a median. It is comparable with Australia: adventure activities around Queenstown — bungee, jetboat, helicopter and glacier landings — are the expensive end of the catalogue.
When is the best time to visit?
March and April, or November — settled weather without the December to February peak prices and crowds. Summer is the safest for the Great Walks and the alpine roads. Winter is for skiing and for Fiordland at its most atmospheric.
North Island or South Island?
South, if you have to choose — mountains, fiords, glaciers and lakes. The North Island has the geothermal country at Rotorua, Maori cultural experiences, the wine regions and the cities. Ideally both, with an internal flight rather than the ferry if time is short.
Do you need a car?
It is the standard way to see the country and the distances between towns make it close to necessary outside the cities. Driving is on the left, roads are narrow and winding, and the drive times on the map are optimistic — allow more than the estimate.