Travelling to New Zealand and want to see all the famous sights while you’re here? Of course you do! We Kiwis love our own backyard and we love you visiting from overseas too, and you won’t find an easier country in the world for travelling and sightseeing. If it’s your first time to New Zealand, get ready to be surprised, there’s so much to see and everything is all so close making travel times between all the best spots really short.
Here's a classic Kiwi example, imagine you arrive in Auckland and are heading up to Northland - here’s we tell friends visiting from overseas to do to make a really fun day - head out to Auckland’s west coast at Muriwai beach first, at the right time of year you’ll see the nesting gannets but the views alone are worth the trip, then head north and take a break at Matakohe for lunch and a visit to the Kauri museum, before continuing on to the Northland Kauri forest to see Tane ‘Lord of the Forest’. Just a hop skip and a jump from there is the Hokianga, the perfect place to stop for the night and just an idyllic spot, right on the water and perfect for unwinding.
Wildlife, history, nature, Maori culture and a night by a picturesque beach, in a relaxing day’s travel over just 275 km / 170 miles. That’s what sightseeing in New Zealand is all about, you’ll see so much every day it’s hard to believe you’re in the same country!
Here are our tips for the best sightseeing and attractions at the main spots around New Zealand: