Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in New Zealand, New Zealand

November 15, 2021 Roseanne Arnett

New Zealand (/njuːˈziːlənd/ ( listen); Māori: Aotearoa [aɔˈtɛaɾɔa]) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui), and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and around 600 smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland.
Restaurants in New Zealand

1. New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

New Plymouth New Zealand +64 6-759 6060 http://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-plymouth-coastal-walkway
Excellent
81%
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5.0 based on 1,675 reviews

New Plymouth Coastal Walkway

Utterly spectacular 11km long walkway along the seafront in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Walk, ride skate or scoot from Bell Block in the north to Port Taranaki to the south taking in the stunning Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, three swimming beaches, a golf club, rolling farm land, rivers and various accessways to residential and shopping areas.

Reviewed By 562grahamb - Napier, New Zealand

The New Plymouth Costal Walkway is a pedestrian and cycleway goes for miles and miles...8 miles to be exact. It’s easy to walk manageable pieces, there are numerous parking lots and public washrooms along the way. There are lots of delights along the way, including surfers, friendly Kiwis walking their dogs, a golf course, the famous Len Lee’s “Wind Wand” sculpture and the spectacularly shaped Te Rewa Rewa Bridge crossing Waiwhakaiho River at the northern end. We had several wonderful excursions during our stay. New Plymouth is to be commended for making exercising, the easy choice.

2. Glenorchy-Queenstown Road

Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, Mount Creighton New Zealand
Excellent
78%
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20%
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5.0 based on 1,928 reviews

Glenorchy-Queenstown Road

Reviewed By Vulcan90049 - Nambucca Heads, Australia

Wonderful drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy,, Great road and Fantastic views along the way,,, lovely little town ship. Well worth the trip

3. Glenorchy Animal Experience

Glenorchy-Paradise Rd Rapid 225, Glenorchy 9350 New Zealand +64 21 252 7753 [email protected] http://www.glenorchyanimalexperience.co.nz
Excellent
91%
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Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 322 reviews

Glenorchy Animal Experience

Glenorchy Animal Experience is situated on a terrace overlooking Lake Wakatipu surrounded by mountains and stunning scenery. Come and pat, feed, photograph and interact with our many friendly farm animals. From alpaca to Pablo the donkey: something for everyone and suitable for all ages. Daily shearing demonstrations at 2.30pm during Spring, Summer, and Autumn. No Shearing during winter. Souvenir Shop on site.

Reviewed By claires870 - Brisbane, Australia

Got a bag of feed and to begin with the farm to myself! I got treated to cuddles with a baby lamb after their feed ???? Alpacas, llamas, naughty goats, kune kune pigs, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits Frank the horse Daisy the cow Pablo the donkey Plus Doggos Everyone was super friendly & welcoming! The setting is amazing and who doesn’t want to pet & feed super cute animals?!

4. SkyTower

Victoria Street Corner Federal Streets, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 New Zealand +64 9-363 6000 [email protected] http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/Attractions/Skytower.html
Excellent
51%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 11,422 reviews

SkyTower

Auckland's SkyTower is the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, this tower is more than 300 metres high. Offering stunning views, along with award winning restaurants, a gift shop and an opportunity to push your limits by walking the outside of the viewing platforms, or by jumping off from 192 metres above Auckland's CBD. Off Peak Season - (1st May - 31st Oct) 9:00am - 10:00pm daily - Last tickets sold at 9:30pm Peak Season - (1st Nov - 30th Apr) Sun - Thurs: 8:30am - 10:30pm - Last tickets sold at 10:00pm Fri & Sat: 8:30am - 11:30pm - Last tickets sold at 11:00pm

Reviewed By LachmiPunjabi - New Delhi, India

Visit the Sky Tower in Auckland for an awesome view of the city and harbour.The ride in the lift to the top floor is amazing with the glass floor mesmerising anyone who looks down. The 360 degrees view of the tower is magnificent and the money is totally worth it.

5. Tamaki Maori Village

1220 Hinemaru St, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand +64 7-349 2999 [email protected] http://www.tamakimaorivillage.co.nz
Excellent
72%
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Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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4.5 based on 5,404 reviews

Tamaki Maori Village

Tamaki Māori Village – Evening Cultural Experience. New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Experience! Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting. Share in the Powhiri, our ancient ceremony of welcome before entering our pre-European Māori Village nestled within a native Tawa Forest. The village comes alive with sights, sounds & activity of days gone by including haka, poi, tattooing, weaving, carving and arts of warrior training. You will have the opportunity to participate in these activities. Witness the earth being scraped away from the hāngi pit to reveal baskets of food cooked beneath the ground on hot stones. Enter the ancestral meeting house and enjoy a powerful cultural performance before dining the traditional hāngi buffet feast!

Reviewed By rhigr - London, United Kingdom

From the minute Hone picked me up it was phenomenal, the whole drive there our guide, Liam, was warm and funnny as well as informative, and the experience of walking around and learning about Maori culture was unforgettable! I’m also a veggie and was amply provided for - would highly recommend, well worth a visit

6. Larnach Castle & Gardens

145 Camp Rd Otago Peninsula, Dunedin New Zealand +64 3-476 1616 [email protected] http://www.larnachcastle.co.nz
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,841 reviews

Larnach Castle & Gardens

Discover New Zealand’s only Castle, built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell and master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior. Larnach spared no expense on his dream home, which features the finest materials from around the world.The Castle is still privately owned and cared for by the Barker family who purchased it as their home in 1967. Decades have been spent on the Castle's restoration, with the family having restored empty buildings from ruin and assembled a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques. Open to the public throughout, this conservation project has been funded through admission fees. The family has always been committed to opening their home and sharing this significant period of Dunedin and New Zealand's history.Scandalous and tragic stories, spectacular tower views and a Garden of International Significance complete this enjoyable award-winning experience. Boutique Lodge accommodation is available in the Castle gardens. Weddings, Balls, Conferences and Celebrations are held in the beautiful 3000 square foot Ballroom. High Tea is also now served daily in the Ballroom at 3pm

Reviewed By pirate013

A must see!!!! Beautiful castle!!!! Exquisite gardens!!!! Yummy lunch!!!! Self guided tour!!!! Highly Recommend Untamednz for your private tour!!!! You won't be disappointed

7. Christchurch Gondola

10 Bridle Path Road, Christchurch 8022 New Zealand +64 3-384 0310 [email protected] http://www.christchurchattractions.nz/christchurch_gondola/
Excellent
51%
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4.5 based on 2,181 reviews

Christchurch Gondola

For a “top” experience in Christchurch (15 minute drive from central city), enjoy a relaxing ride to the summit of the Port Hills. Spectacular 360 degree views of the city, Lyttelton Harbour, the majestic Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains. Plenty to see and do - experience the Time Tunnel Ride, go shopping, relax and enjoy a snack or beverage at the Red Rock Cafe.

Reviewed By TonyBCambs

The only way to travel - it's quick and efficient and good value, and has the benfit of great views from the top!

8. The Royal Albatross Centre

1260 Harington Point Rd, Dunedin New Zealand +64 3-478 0499 [email protected] http://www.albatross.org.nz
Excellent
58%
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4.5 based on 2,053 reviews

The Royal Albatross Centre

The only chance to see... the world's only mainland Royal Albatross Breeding Colony. A unique experience to access the nature reserve to see giant albatross court, mate, raise their chicks and show off their three metre wingspans. Taiaroa Head/Pukekura is alive with wildlife species, many of them scarce nesting seabirds. Our jewel in the crown is the Northern Royal Albatross. Experience it for yourself by taking a guided tour through the Nature Reserve into the viewing Observatory. The 2012 latest Lonely Planet publication "1000 Ultimate Sights" features the Royal Albatross Centre alongside the Taj Mahal and Grand Canyon. They say of us: Here at one of New Zealand's hottest attractions the draw card is the bird life. Taiaroa Head is the site of the world's only mainland royal albatross breeding ground, where you can observe the spectacle of the albatrosses with wingspans of up to 3m coming in to land like a succession of 747s. The Royal Albatross Centre is located on the tip of the Otago Peninsula, about a 45 minute drive from Dunedin. We are operated by the Otago Peninsula Trust, a charitable trust formed in 1967 for the protection of the local natural environment. The Nature Reserve on Taiaroa Head is managed by the Department of Conservation. Taiaroa Head is also famous in New Zealand history. From a small Maori camp in the 1300s to a fortified pa where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840; from a wooden flagstaff to 1864 lighthouse to radar entrance for Otago Harbour; from an 1880s underground fortress to a large defence base in WWII. Taiaroa Head is today a Nature Reserve and an iconic wildlife attraction.

Reviewed By FourTravel2013 - Auckland, New Zealand

We did the Unique Taiaroa tour which allowed plenty of time to view the albatross chicks and also a couple of the adult birds flying close by in the strong wind. James was our knowledgeable guide who was informative and happy to answer any questions. The history of the 1889 Armstrong Disappearing Gun and underground tunnels was interesting. A great way to spend a couple of hours even if it’s raining.

9. Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

17 Tryon Street Whakarewarewa Village, Rotorua 3010 New Zealand +64 7-349 3463 [email protected] http://www.whakarewarewa.com/
Excellent
59%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 2,669 reviews

Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village

With natural geothermal heat radiating from the ground, Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village is a unique cultural experience, set in a fascinating geothermal landscape, offering an authentic peek into Māori village life. Hourly guided tours give visitors a chance to learn how the geothermal resources are used in daily life, twice-daily cultural performances are filled with fun interactivity, and a network of nature trails traverse geothermal lakes, bubbling mud and explosive geysers. This will be a memorable experience for all ages. Open 8.30am – 5.00pm daily.

Reviewed By linfarrington24 - Launceston, Australia

Loved seeing how Maori people have lived and evolved over hundreds of years. Wonderful to be welcomed and encouraged to share their pride in their cultural heritage. We started with a tour by a young guide who had a uniquely modern perspective on her heritage, we followed that with the cultural show which brought us to tears in the beauty of the love songs and the passion of the cultural expressions. Finally we shared a traditionally prepared meal, which we thought we would 'experience' rather than enjoy. How wrong we were! It all goes to show how much we have to learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters!

10. Franz Josef Glacier

Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland Tai Poutini National Park New Zealand +64 3-752 0360 http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/c02d801031244638bce00a807bfe071d.aspx
Excellent
61%
Good
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Satisfactory
9%
Poor
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4.5 based on 3,579 reviews

Franz Josef Glacier

Westland Tai Poutini National Park, renowned for its Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and the beautiful walks from 5 minutes to 8 hours that you can do in this area to view these amazing ice features, native forest, wildlife and waterfalls. The track up the Glacier river bed is 5.4 km return via same track Suggested duration 1 hr 30 min •This track is sometimes closed due to ice collapse, flooding or landslides – check the latest track conditions and weather forecasts at the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Visitor Centre before starting your trip. •Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly. •Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection. •No drones allowed.

Reviewed By greg_wanders - Auckland Central, New Zealand

An enjoyable and picturesque walk through the Franz Josef Glacier Valley. From the car park its a 1.5 to 2 hour walk depending on how long you stop for photographs. Several waterfalls all around as you make your way to the glacier wall. The Glacier wall itself is quite a way away from the view point as it is receding, though it is still awesome to be so close. Maybe a good idea to keep this in mind so as to not be disappointed. Combine the glacier valley walk with two short walks from the car park (Sentinel Rock for Panoramic views and Peters Pool for reflections) and you have great day out on the west coast. A great FREE way to enjoy you time by the glacier, although you have the options of helicopter tours or heli hikes to get further up close. Would highly recommend this walk in good weather. If it is raining and you have spare time, I would save it for when you get a break in the weather.

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