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1 hr 30 min
Sky Tower
Sky Tower is Auckland's 328-metre observation tower at the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets in the SkyCity precinct.
- Must see
- Viewpoint
- Auckland
Country guide
New Zealand
New Zealand runs more than 1,600 kilometres along a north-north-east axis, and its 5,355,150 people as of August 2026 are spread across 263,310 km2 of it. There...
Photograph · Michal Klajban · CC BY-SA 4.0
10,806
Places
2Cities
Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor
New Zealand runs more than 1,600 kilometres along a north-north-east axis, and its 5,355,150 people as of August 2026 are spread across 263,310 km2 of it. There are two main islands and over 700 smaller ones; the Cook Strait between the big two is 22 kilometres across at its narrowest. Auckland is the largest city and where most visitors land, Wellington is the capital and the crossing point south. The South Island carries the Southern Alps, raised by tectonic uplift and volcanism, and its road distances are consistently longer than the map makes them look.
Checked 2026-08-25
Cities
Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.
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Auckland
Photograph · ChewyPineapple · CC BY-SA 3.0
Auckland 10,100 places -
Queenstown
Photograph · Lawrence Murray from Perth, Australia · CC BY 2.0
Queenstown 706 places
Practical information
- Language spoken
- English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language
- National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
- Dialling code
- +64
- International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
- Currency
- New Zealand dollar (NZD)
- Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
- Emergency number
- 111
- Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
- Plug type
- Type I · 230 V
- Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
- Tap water
- Safe from treated public supplies
- Follow local notices for remote or untreated supplies
Planning a visit
Seasonal closures come from recorded opening hours.
- January: seasonal closure recorded
- February: seasonal closure recorded
- March: seasonal closure recorded
- April: seasonal closure recorded
- May: seasonal closure recorded
- June: seasonal closure recorded
- July: seasonal closure recorded
- August: seasonal closure recorded
- September: seasonal closure recorded
- October: seasonal closure recorded
- November: seasonal closure recorded — this month
- December: no seasonality data recorded
- Seasonal closure recorded
- No data recorded for this month
- The current month
Top things to see
Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.
Filter the list
103 places match
Category
Typical visit duration
Interests
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02 2 hoursSkyline Queenstown
Skyline Queenstown is a scenic complex perched on Bob's Peak overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. It centres on a gondola ride that ascends from the town centre to an elevated viewpoint and activity base.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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03 2 hoursTSS Earnslaw
TSS Earnslaw is a vintage twin-screw steamship operating on Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown. Launched in 1912, the vessel was built for the New Zealand Railways Department to transport passengers, sheep and cattle to high-country stations.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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04 1 hourWaiheke Island
Waiheke Island is a large island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, located approximately 35 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland. It is the second-largest island in the gulf after Great Barrier Island.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Auckland
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05 1 hourRangitoto Island
Rangitoto Island is a volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland, New Zealand.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Auckland
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06 2 hoursBen Lomond Track
Ben Lomond Track is a prominent tramping route near Queenstown, ascending from the town centre vicinity toward the Ben Lomond summit. The track forms part of Queenstown's accessible backcountry offering, with trailheads reachable without vehicle transport.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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07 1 hourAuckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki is the principal public art museum in Auckland, New Zealand. The institution holds the country's most extensive collection of national and international art.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Auckland
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Queenstown Hill Time Walk 08 3 hoursQueenstown Hill Time Walk
Queenstown Hill Time Walk is a signed uphill track beginning in central Queenstown and climbing to broad views over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and the surrounding Otago landscape.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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09 2 hoursViaduct Harbour
Te Whanga-nui-o-Tūtai Viaduct Harbour
Viaduct Harbour, known in te reo Māori as Te Whanga-nui-o-Tūtai Viaduct Harbour, is a waterfront precinct in central Auckland.
- Must see
- Activity
- Auckland
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10 2 hoursArrowtown Historic Precinct
Arrowtown Historic Precinct is a preserved gold-rush town centre in Arrowtown, a short drive from Queenstown. The precinct retains much of its nineteenth-century character, with original and reconstructed buildings lining the main street.
- Must see
- Historic site
- Queenstown
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11 1 hourPiha Beach
Piha
Piha is a coastal settlement on Auckland's western coast, located within the Waitākere Ranges. It features a black sand beach renowned for its dramatic natural scenery, including the prominent volcanic peak Lion Rock rising from the shoreline.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Auckland
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12 2 hoursThe Remarkables Ski Area
The Remarkables Ski Area is a commercial ski field located in the Remarkables mountain range near Queenstown, New Zealand. It operates as one of the region's principal winter sports destinations alongside Coronet Peak.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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13 2 hoursGlenorchy
Glenorchy is a small settlement at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, approximately 45 kilometres from Queenstown. The locality sits within the Queenstown visitor destination scope and serves as a gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park and the Routeburn Track.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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14 4 hoursNevis Bungy
Nevis Bungy is a commercial bungee jumping operation located at the Nevis Playground, a remote site outside Queenstown, New Zealand. It is operated by AJ Hackett Bungy, the company that established commercial bungee jumping in the country.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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Onsen Hot Pools 15 2 hoursOnsen Hot Pools
Onsen Hot Pools is a private hot pool facility located near Queenstown, New Zealand. The attraction offers individually booked pools with views of the surrounding alpine landscape.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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16 1 hourAuckland Domain Wintergardens
Auckland Domain Wintergardens is a historic glasshouse and fernery complex inside Pukekawa / Auckland Domain, not another name for the whole park or the nearby museum.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Auckland
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17 2 hoursQueenstown Trail
Queenstown Trail is a network of cycling and walking tracks in the Queenstown region. The trail connects various locations around Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding area, providing visitors with an outdoor recreational option.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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Frankton Track
Frankton Track is a walking and cycling trail linking Queenstown with Frankton along the shore of Lake Wakatipu.
- Must see
- Activity
- Queenstown
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19 2 hoursWynyard Quarter
Wynyard Quarter is a waterfront precinct in central Auckland, New Zealand. Formerly an industrial port area, it has been redeveloped into a mixed-use destination combining public spaces, dining venues, and maritime heritage elements.
- Must see
- Activity
- Auckland
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20 2 hoursBritomart Precinct
Britomart
Britomart is a waterfront precinct in central Auckland, New Zealand. The area encompasses heritage buildings, commercial spaces, and public areas near Auckland's Waitematā Harbour. It functions as a mixed-use destination combining retail, hospitality, and office functions within historically significant architecture.
- Must see
- Historic site
- Auckland
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21 1 hourSkippers Canyon
Skippers Canyon is a dramatic gorge north of Queenstown, carved by the Shotover River through steep schist mountains. The canyon combines rugged scenery with the remains of Otago’s nineteenth-century gold-mining era.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Queenstown
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22 1 hourShotover River
Shotover River is one of Queenstown’s defining adventure landscapes, cutting through steep schist canyons before joining the Kawarau River. Its shallow, fast-flowing water and narrow gorge are closely associated with jet boating.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Queenstown
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23 45 minAotea Square
Aotea Square is a public open space in central Auckland, New Zealand. It sits adjacent to the Auckland Town Hall and serves as a venue for gatherings, events, and everyday urban recreation.
- Must see
- Historic site
- Auckland
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24 1 hourKawarau River
Kawarau River is a significant river system flowing through the Queenstown region of New Zealand's South Island. The river runs between the towns of Queenstown and Cromwell, carving through dramatic schist gorges and valley landscapes.
- Must see
- Nature site
- Queenstown
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25 1 hr 30 minAuckland Town Hall
Auckland Town Hall is a historic civic building and performing arts venue in central Auckland, New Zealand. Opened in 1911, it was designed by architects J.
- Must see
- Art and culture venue
- Auckland
Common questions
How long should a first trip to New Zealand be?
Two weeks is a sensible minimum for a limited North-and-South-Island combination; ten days is better spent on one island. Auckland works as the largest gateway and Queenstown as a southern base, but scenic roads and ferry or flight transitions make ambitious mileage deceptive.
What entry documents are needed for New Zealand?
Immigration New Zealand determines whether a traveller needs a Visitor Visa, an NZeTA or another permission. Verify the passport, purpose and arrival declaration requirements on its official service before departure; airline check-in is not the place to discover a missing authority.
What is the best way to travel around New Zealand?
Domestic flights link major regions, the Cook Strait ferry joins the islands, and coaches, rental cars or selected scenic trains cover ground routes. Driving is on the left, and rural journey estimates should allow for one-lane bridges, weather and viewpoint stops.
When is a practical time to visit New Zealand?
December to February suits many summer itineraries, while ski travel targets winter and shoulder seasons can be quieter. Alpine weather changes quickly in every season, so plan around the principal hike, pass or ferry rather than relying on one forecast for both islands.
What money and payment basics apply in New Zealand?
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar. Cards are routine in towns, but a backup method is prudent for remote fuel, small operators or service outages; confirm whether accommodation, ferry and activity prices include booking or card charges.
What practical safety details should I save for New Zealand?
Dial 111 for police, fire or ambulance; the electrical standard is Type I at 230 V. Treated public tap supplies are recorded as safe, while huts and remote sources need their own posted guidance; carry current road and weather information on long drives.