New Zealand. A country where no location is more than 128 km from the ocean and which has a landscape with mountainous peaks, volcanic craters, hobbits, black sandy beaches, geysers, forest and lakes. There is SO much natural goodness in New Zealand that it can actually be quite an affordable country to explore (if you factor out the skydives, bungy jumping and jager bombs). So tantalise those travel buds of yours, we have prepared a list of 51 FREE things to do in New Zealand.
NORTHLAND
1. Visit the historic site of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Paihia, Bay of Islands
2. Sandboard the dunes in Cape Reinga
3. Take a walk to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse
4. Hug New Zealand's largest living Kauri tree - Ta ne Mahuta
By User:Gadfium (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsBy User:Gadfium (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
AUCKLAND & SURROUNDS
5. Walk to the top of Mt Eden - Auckland's active volcano
6. Visit the Auckland Art Gallery
7. Chill in Auckland's Parnell Gardens
8. Check out the hipster shops and cafes in Ponsonby
9. Head out to Piha Beach and take a walk on one of New Zealand's famous black sandy beaches
10. Drive 20 mins out of Auckland to explore the waterfalls and swimming holes of Waitakere Ranges
11. Head west to the abandoned gold mining caves along the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
12. Head to The Coromandel and dig your own hot pool at Hahei's Hot Water Beach
13. Don't forget to explore Cathedral Cove
Micknz at English Wikipedia [GFDL or CC BY 3.0]
ROTORUA
15. Ignore the 'egg smell' and explore Rotorua's bubbling mud pools at Kuirau Park
14. Visit the Maori Village of Ohinemutu
16. Soak in the hot streams and waterfalls at Kerosene Creek
17. Head way out east of Rotorua and be the first person in the world to see the sunrise in Gisborne
Michal Klajban [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons
WAITOMO
18. Explore the limestone caves along the Ruakuri Scenic Walk
TAUPO
19. Snap a selfie at Huka Falls - New Zealand's most photographed natural attraction
20. Relax in the hot thermal springs at Taupo's natural Spa Park
21. Hike to Mead Wall at Mount Ruapehu
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WELLINGTON
22. Visit the National Tattoo Museum
23. Make the most of a free parliament "Beehive" building tour
24. Chill by Oriental Bay
26. Enjoy 360 degree views of Wellington from the top of Mount Victoria
25. Visit New Zealand's GREATEST (AND FREE) Museum - Te Papa
27. Explore Wellington's cultural Cuba Street
28. Head to Weta Cave - home of the props and costumes used in Lord of the Rings, King Kong & many other famous films
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Check out 50 Free Things to Do in Wellington
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MARLBOROUGH
29. Visit one of the many wineries that offer free wine tastings
ABEL TASMAN
30. Explore the stunning beaches on one of the many walking trails through Abel Tasman National Park
WEST COAST
31. Take some photos at Lake Matheson - a stunning mirror lake
32. Stop by the basin of the enormous Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers
33. If you have a car - a visit to one of the many tracks throughout the Fiordland & National Park is a must!
34. Hike through Mount Aspiring National Park
WANAKA
35. Take a walk to the top of Mt Iron for views over Lake Wanaka
36. Visit the Blue Pools
37. Follow the walking trail along Lake Wanaka for some amazing photo opportunities
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QUEENSTOWN
38. Start early and explore the falls, creeks and forest along the 6 hour Ben Lomond Track
39. Re-enact scenes from Lord of the Rings in Glenorchy
40. Play a game of Frisbee Golf
41. Visit the world's longest bra fence in Cardrona Valley
42. People watch alongside Lake Wakatipu
43. Walk to the top of Queenstown Hill
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LAKE TEKAPO
44. Take a 'refreshing' dip in the stunning Lake Tekapo
45. Hike one of the many trails around New Zealand's tallest mountain - Mt Cook
DUNEDIN
46. Make your way up the world's steepest street
47. North of Dunedin stop by the weird and iconic Moeraki Boulders
48. Walk the stunning Tunnel Beach walkway
CHRISTCHURCH
49. Visit Re-Start Mall - a mall made of shipping tins that were brought in following the Christchurch Earthquake
KAIKOURA
50. Spot for Dolphins and Seals
51. Visit the unique black pebble beach
We hope these 51 free things to do in New Zealand keeps you occupied but if not make sure you also read our Backpacking Guide to New Zealand for more tips on things to do and places to see.
Happy Travels!
