17 of the Most Beautiful Places to Visit in New Zealand in 2024!

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Tongariro National Park is nestled right in the middle of the north island of New Zealand and is packed with volcanic action. Rising up from the National Park you’ll find three majestic mountains: Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe.

The National Park welcomes adventure seekers of all levels. It is home to the Tongariro Crossing – one of the best day hikes in New Zealand (if not the world) and Mount Ruapehu – home to the best ski fields in the North Island.

Whether you’re a hard-out hiker or a snow bunny – Tongariro National Park tops the list as one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand ALL. YEAR. AROUND. Pack a good pair of hiking boots or your skis and explore these majestic mountains, the views are easily some of the most beautiful in New Zealand.

You can opt to do this hike without a guide (which during the summer months is doable!) but it’s always nice to have a local show you the way. If this sounds up your alley, check out this premium-guided Tongariro hike.

When talking about the most beautiful places in New Zealand, our minds often go to the pristine beaches in the North and the incredible display of the Alps in the South. However, even the cities in New Zealand can be pretty damn eye-catching.

Right at the very bottom of the North Island, you’ll find the country’s funky capital city, Wellington. And as far as cities can go in the looks department… Welly absolutely shines!

Whether you’re chilling on Oriental Bay, looking out to sea (yip, there is a beach in the city!), goggling at the views from the top of Mount Vic or heading up to the Botanic Gardens via the infamous red cable car… there is a LOAD of beauty in Wellington City.

Mount Cook (Aoraki) is an absolute show stopper – or in my case, a car stopper! You can’t miss a side of the road pull-over to take some pics of the mighty beauty of Mount Cook.

Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain, sitting tall at 3,724 metres and covering 23 peaks… it’s an impressive sight. The Mount Cook National Park is home to a beautiful small village and is miles away from city lights – the stargazing in the national park is absolutely insane.

You’ll want to pack a good travel camera – there are some wicked photo ops of Mount Cook around. My fav is the Panasonic LUMIX ZS100 – it’s light, small and relatively affordable!

There is something special about the Waitakere Ranges – they are rugged and raw, and just ooze badassness. The waves can be wild, the cliffs can be high, the sand is often black, the waterfalls be flowin’ and the hiking is epic!

If you’re looking for an ideal and easy day trip from Auckland, they are the perfect getaway.

My favourite places in the Waitakere Ranges to visit are:

• Piha Beach – climb up Lion Rock and watch the waves rolling in!
• Muriwai Beach – check out the HUGE gannet colony (however, be prepared… they can be stinky)
• Kitekite track – a 45-minute track that takes you through bush and waterfalls.
• Hillary Trail – a longer hike, this used to be a multi-day hike, however, it is only partially open as a single-day hike at the moment. You can find updates on the government website.

This “wild west coast” feels like you’re a million miles away but in fact, you’re just a 45-minute drive from the bustling city centre of Auckland. Which makes it highly convenient for us explorers to… well, explore! This is easily one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand – so don’t miss it if you’re passing through Auckland.

Pack a good pair of hiking boots last here are some banging trails in this area!

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Queenstown has got to be up there with one of the most beautiful places in the world, let alone just New Zealand. I’ve been blessed enough to visit Queenstown many times and it never fails to blow my mind… every single time.

Sure, it’s become pretty touristy over the years, but that doesn’t take away from the insane natural beauty it boasts. The snow-capped mountains, the massive clear lake and the endless stretch of farmlands on the outskirts make Queenstown the STUNNING place it is.

The cool thing about Queenstown is how easy it is to get right in the thick of the beauty. One of my favourite hikes is the Ben Lomond track which literally starts in the busy centre of town (right by the Skyline Gonada) and takes you over the hill and into a nature-lovers paradise.

Let’s be honest, Queenstown is a reason to visit New Zealand all on its own!

Te Puia is high on the hit list of places to visit for many travellers. Rotorua is infamous for its steaming geysers, Maori culture and STINKY ass air. Don’t worry, you get used to it, plus the hostels make up for it.

The geysers in Te Puia are not only geologically seriously impressive but even for us non-scientific folks, they are pretty damn beautiful to see. It feels like magic watering the earth’s surface bubble away and dramatically release in the form of a geyser.

Te Puia is also home to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, so not only will you be able to marvel at the madness of the geysers but you can also dive in and learn more about New Zealand’s Maori Culture.

Join a Whaka Village & geothermal trails tour to see what the fuss is all about.

If you’re heading to New Zealand’s North Island over the summer (December-March), it would be a crime against the travel gods to not visit the Coromandel.

The Coromandel is home to the best beaches in New Zealand – I’m talking endless stretches of white sand, the bluest seas with small rolling waves and gorgeous Kiwi beach towns. There is some seriously dazzling beauty going on in the Coromandel.

Not only is the Coromandel brimming with beaches but it’s also packed with peaks – if you head inland, there are so many mountains to climb!

My absolute FAV spots to admire the beauty of the Coromandel are:

• New Chums Beach
• The Pinnacles Hike
• Cathedral Cove
• Hot Water Beach

Fiordland National Park is one of New Zealand’s most incredible, Jurassic-park-like natural wonders. It feels like you’ve stepped away from civilization and back into another time. The mountains tower over the alpine lakes and the park is surrounded by LUSH rainforest… full of waterfalls, hiking trails and impressive glaciers – there’s a HEAP of beauty to marvel at here.

Again, don’t forget a good pair of hiking boots – the trails here are some of the best in New Zealand (which says a lot). Human activity in this national park has been limited as it’s got some pretty wild terrains so you can really travel off the beaten track.

Travel with peace of mind. Travel WITH a security belt.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Hide Yo’ Money!

As always, I’m completely biased BUT Mount Maunganui has got to be one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. My gorgeous home town is off-the-charts when it comes to looks… especially when those summer months roll in.

Whether you’re down to chill by the sea, hike up the mount, catch shaka-gnarly waves or soak in the surfy vibes in the town – Mount Maunganui absolutely shines… whatever angle you want to look at it from.

Matapouri Beach along the Tutukaka Coast in Northland, New Zealand is one of the country’s hidden gems. This small curved beach is a sight for sore eyes, that’s for sure especially if you’re travelling in the summer months (December-March).

If you’re up for a short quest to witness even more impressive views, you can tackle the walkways between Whale Bay and Matapouri… you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views along the coast!

Pack your swimmers and some good sun cream – it’s the perfect Kiwi summer day out.

The town of Lake Tekapo is 10/10 worth a visit if you’re tripping through the south island. The town faces across the remarkable turquoise Lake Tekapo with a dramatic view of the Southern Alps towering behind. The colour of the lake is unlike anything I’ve seen before, it’s an intense milky-turquoise that is formed from the fine rock-flour (that is ground by glaciers) that ends up in water.

Not only is Lake Tekapo beautiful by day, but by night the area is a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, making it the perfect spot for stargazing!

However, my favourite part about Lake Tekapo is the Lupin Flowers that grow between mid-to-late November through early January. You can stroll through them and soak in their beauty… plus it makes for a pretty epic Insta shot!

The Marlborough Sounds is an awe-inspiring sight to see – from whatever angle you choose to see it from. The sounds have been created by ancient sunken river valleys that have been filled with the Pacific Ocean to create these incredible bodies of water.

This is another area of New Zealand that will transport you into another world. With steeply rising hills erupting from the sea around a beautifully shaped coast lined with sandy bays and inlets. Not only will the Marlborough Sounds whisp you away with its beauty but it is also seeped in Maori history.

The Abel Tasman National Park sits proudly at the top of the South Island. When most people think of New Zealand’s south, the image of the Alps and snowy peaks comes to mind… however, the Abel Tasman is actually pretty tropical!

Home to the infamous Abel Tasman Hiking Trial (one of New Zealand’s Great Walks), this spot tops the charts when it comes to beauty in New Zealand. Whether you’re up for the full four-day hike or just want to stop by to marvel at the views for a day or two… the Abel Tasman is 100% worth a visit.

If you want to part hike and part cruise your way around the Abel Tasman, I’d recommend this Abel Tasman Cruise and Walking Tour. This way you go experience the sights from both the sea and the track.

Sweet, sweet FREEDOM…

Here at The Broke Backpacker, we love freedom! And there’s no freedom as sweet (and CHEAP) as camping around the world.

We’ve been camping on our adventures for over 10 years, so take it from us: the MSR HUBBA HUBBA is the best damn tent for adventuring…

View on REI Read Our Review

Ahh, the beautiful Bay of Islands. The Bay of Islands is known for its stunning beaches, quaint small-town vibes, vast stretches of vineyards and epic hiking trails. Whether you find beauty in a perfect glass of Sav or being submerged in New Zealand’s native bush, the Bay of Shines is an absolute stunner.

The Bay of Islands is home to rich and complicated New Zealand history as it is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the Maori and the British many moons ago (1840).

There is much to explore in in the Bay of Islands, no matter what you’re into. My favourite spots to soak in the beauty are:

• Cape Brett Hiking Trail
• Treaty of Waitangi Grounds
• Otama Vinyard and Estate
• Flagstaff Hill Summit
• Urupukapuka Island
• Oneroa Bay Beach (Long Bay)

If you LOVE Queenstown but the crowds can be, well, a bit too much. I feel ya, and that is why Wanaka is my absolute favourite place to visit in the South Island of New Zealand. It boasts all the beauty and adventure of Queenstown but with a much more local vibe to it.

Wanaka Town offers some insane views as it looks out over Lake Wanaka and the mighty mountains that surround it. The town is wrapped by peaks that offer some of the best hikes in New Zealand and the most incredible views. The most popular is Roys Peak and my favourite is Isthmus Peak.

However, you don’t have to hike to appreciate Wanakas’s beauty. Just hang out in the town, swim in the lake and soak it all in.

I can’t talk about the most beautiful places in New Zealand without mentioning Hobbiton… otherwise, I would be in BIG trouble with a lot of you. Travellers flock to the small farming town of Matamata in New Zealand’s North Island to witness the magic of Hobbiton. This picturesque town is pretty damn beautiful.

There are daily tours of Hobbiton that will take you through the STUNNING landscapes of the Shire. Stroll through the rambling paths and take your photo with the Hobbit Holes in the rolling hillsides. The guide will talk you through how the movie magic was made. A Middle-earth adventure is an iconic must on your Kiwi itinerary.

The magnificence of Milford Sound should not be missed off your New Zealand bucket list. You can jump on an iconic Milford Sound scenic ferry tour or you can travel a little off the beaten track and go hiking in the Milford Sound region.

There are a few tracks to choose from. Some are shorter, such as the 400m Milford Foreshore Walk right up to the Milford Track which takes up to four days. Whether you want to jump on board the ferry trips through Milford Sound or pack a good pair of hiking boots and hit up the trails – this is another one of New Zealand’s most beautiful spots.

Beautiful travels stay that way insured

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

As you can see, you’re not going to be short of beauty when you visit New Zealand… however, I don’t think that was news for anyone – New Zealand is famous for it! But I hope you’ve noted a few of these places down as they are (in my opinion) the most impressive pockets of prettiness across the country (say that after a bottle of Sav!)

From steamy geysers and majestic mountains to endless stretches of beach and chilled-out cities – New Zealand’s beauty comes in all shapes and forms, and unique ones at that! With a mix of volcanic terrains, tropical beaches and lush highlands – you won’t be short of diverse landscapes to soak in.

Wherever you decide to visit on your Kiwi escapades, you’ll no doubt find more magic to marvel at. Let me know in the comments what you think the most beautiful places in New Zealand are.