Top Things To Do And Places To Visit In New Zealand During Your Working Holiday

Posted on July 18, 2024 | Last Updated on November 26, 2024

Let me guess, you have spent months planning and preparing for your working holiday in New Zealand. Your great escape is fast approaching and you want to make sure you take full advantage of your time spent there.

It can be overwhelming trying to decide which activities to do and places you should visit when New Zealand is jam-packed with fun things to do!

Lucky for you, we have put together this guide which takes you through the top things to do and places to visit in New Zealand.

New Zealand is a haven of exciting things to do and beautiful attractions to visit.

So without further delay… let’s begin!

1. Tongariro National Park

First on the list of things to do in New Zealand is to visit Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest national park and attracts many adventurers.

There is beautiful scenery and volcanic landscapes to be explored.

If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you may recognize this park. This was where some filming for the series took place – the Tongariro crossing is where the scenes of Mount Doom were filmed. Pretty cool, right?

2. Explore the Bay of Islands

Located a three-hour drive from Auckland, the Bay of Islands is made up of 144 beautiful islands and has some glorious sandy beaches.

The bay has something for everyone. If you enjoy water sports and water-based activities, there are plenty of activities to dab your hand at like fishing, sailing, diving, jet-skiing and many more!

For those who prefer on-land activities, there is biking, horse trekking, and some stunning seaside walking trails to explore.

The Bay of Islands is a paradise for the working holiday adventurer!

3. New Zealand’s Nine Great Walks

With so many beautiful walking trails at your grasp, it can be difficult to decide which ones you will take. New Zealand’s Nine Great Walks are nine of New Zealand’s most popular hikes where you will experience New Zealand’s great outdoors and all it has to offer.

The Nine Great Walks are located across New Zealand with one on Stewart Island, five on the South Island, and three on the North Island. You may recognize some of the names below from earlier in this article.

The Nine Great Walks are:

• Heaphy Track
• Kepler Track
• Routeburn Track
• Milford Track
• Tongariro Northern Circuit
• Whanganui Journey
• Lake Waikaremoana Track
• Abel Tasman Coast Track
• Rakiura Track

4. Visit Lake Wakatipu

A popular tourist town in New Zealand popular is Queenstown.

There are some memorable things to do in Queensland, New Zealand, such as visiting Lake Wakatipu – the third-largest and the longest lake in New Zealand.

Here you can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains from above the lake.

The beauty of this lake can be enjoyed in many ways including cruise ships, jet boat rides or kayaking.

A visit to New Zealand would not be complete without a trip to Lake Wakatipu.

5. Take a walk along Piha Beach

Located west of Auckland, Piha beach is a stunning black-sand beach and New Zealand’s most famous surfing beach.

Why not indulge in a beachside picnic or a relaxed walk along the beach? Or enjoy the sunset after a hike up Lion Rock.

The scenery at Piha beach is truly extraordinary and not to be missed while in New Zealand.

6. Head up Sky Tower

Want to see New Zealand’s highest man-made structure? Visit the Sky Tower in Auckland!

Sky Tower is 328 metres high and hosts some of the most fun things to do in New Zealand, such as the SkyJump or SkyWalk.

If you enjoy yoga, you might indulge in a sunrise yoga session on the main deck of the tower.

You can also experience dining like no other with three different restaurants including the Orbit 360° Dining revolving restaurant.

From the Sky Tower, you can view the city 220 metres above street level, the views are spectacular and you can even spot some well-known landmarks in the distance.

7. Explore Milford Sound

Located within Fiordland National Park in New Zealand’s South Island, Milford Sound is the only Fiord in New Zealand that can be accessed from the road.

Carved out by glaciers during the ice ages, Milford sound can be experienced in a number of different ways.

There are boat cruises, scenic flights, kayaking, sailing and hikes among the options for exploration.

Milford Sound boasts stunning views with captivating waterfalls and rainforests – so definitely add this to your list of places to see in New Zealand!

If you feel like you want to experience everything Milford Sound has to offer you can avail of accommodation to stay for as long as you wish.

8. Dig your own pool at Hot Water Beach

A very popular activity among both locals and tourists in New Zealand is to dig a hot water pool at this magnificent beach.

Hot Water Beach is located at the Coromandel near Cathedral Cove and boasts some stunning views.

Tired of the fun water activities and hiking? Here you can sit back, relax and enjoy the warm water and soak in the stunning scenery around you.

9. Kayak around Cathedral Cove

One of the best things to do in North Island, New Zealand is to visit the beautiful Cathedral Cove – a well-known rock formation located on the Coromandel Peninsula.

While kayaking around the cove you will soak in the breathtaking scenery of white cliffs, sandy beaches and aesthetic rock formations.

You may recognize this glorious rock formation from the Chronicles of Narnia film series or from one of Macklemore’s well-known music videos.

10. Hobbiton Movie Set

File this one under ‘Must do!’

At the Hobbiton Movie Set, where filming for both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit took place, you can enjoy a number of awesome tours and spot the 44 hobbit holes featured in the films!

11. Sky Dive

Let’s talk about crazy things to do in New Zealand.

Our next two highlights are perfect for thrillseekers.

With New Zealand being known as the adventure capital of the world, if you seek high-adrenaline experiences, you are in the right place.

There are many places to skydive in the country, with skydiving over the Fox Glaciers being one of the most popular places to skydive in the world. Then you also have Abel Tasman where you can see both the North and the South Island as you skydive.

Take in New Zealand’s outstanding scenery while thousands of feet above it all!

12. Bungee jump

You can also go bungee jumping – which has actually become a ritual for many visitors to New Zealand.

There are many Bungee Jump operators across the country, with options to take the leap from many different structures.

The Nevis Bungy is the highest in the country, which is a giant 134-metre jump. This is well-known across the world as one of the best bungee jump spots.

If a Bungee Jump is on your bucket list, you will find no better place to tick it off!

13. See the underground glowworms

No list of amazing things to do in New Zealand is complete without a trip to see glowworms!

These glow-in-the-dark insects can be seen across the country in caves, forests, etc.

For a great experience, Waitomo Caves is the place to go. You can experience the worms by an underground boat and watch them light up the caves like stars in the sky.

14. Taste award-winning wines on Waiheke Island

Also known as New Zealand’s ‘Island of Wine,’ Waiheke is one of the great places to visit on New Zealand’s north island. You can get to Waiheke Island by ferry in around 40 minutes from Auckland City.

On Waiheke Island in Auckland, you can taste award-winning wines. The great thing is that you can visit a lot of the vineyards year-round! A wine tour is ideal if you’d like to visit some of the popular vineyards.

Hungry while visiting the vineyards? You’ll be glad to know that a lot of the vineyards have a restaurant or a cafe where you can grab a bite to eat!

If you’d like to experience more of Waiheke Island, you should stay overnight. There are gorgeous beaches to see such as Little Oneroa, Sandy Bay, and Blackpool Beach, and plenty of cafes and art galleries such as the Waiheke Community Art Gallery. You can also grab a bike and explore Waiheke on the cycling trails.

15. Visit Wai-O-Tapu – the thermal paradise

Located in Rotorua, you’ve got Wai-O-Tapu – a geothermal attraction. It’s actually in the top 20 of the most surreal places to visit worldwide! So add this to your list of the best places to visit in New Zealand.

Here you’ll see hot springs, volcanic craters, and pools of bubbling mud. There are three different walks you can take. The longest takes an hour and a half to complete.

Another thing to experience here is the Lady Knox Geyser – a hot spring that erupts at 10.15 am every day. Highlights of Wai-O-Tapu include Champagne Pool, Lake Ngakoro, and the Devil’s Bath.

Make sure to check the opening hours before making the trip. One of the fun things to do in Rotorua New Zealand to add to your list is zorbing – where you roll down a hill in a blow-up ball.

16. Go and see the Moeraki Boulders

Then on things to do in Otago, New Zealand, you have the famous Moeraki Boulders which are located in the southeastern region on the south island of New Zealand.

These spherical-shaped boulders are along Koekohe Beach between Moeraki and Hampden. The Moeraki Boulders are believed to have been formed over millions of years to the size they are now.

These unique formations are a must-see while you’re visiting New Zealand! To see the full size of the boulders it’s best to go at low tide which takes place twice a day. Ensure to check the tide times before arriving.

17. Visit New Zealand’s Castle

On the Otago Peninsula, you’ll find Dunedin’s Larnach, also known as ‘New Zealand’s Castle.’ Add this to the lovely things to do in Dunedin, New Zealand.

People often hold weddings and balls here but it’s also open for people to visit. It’s a landmark for tourists with beautiful gardens you can explore. If you’d like to extend your stay, you can always try to book a room.

The gardens here are quite special because New Zealand’s Gardens Trust (an organization that assesses public gardens for visitors) rated Larnach’s Castle Gardens as one of the five gardens of “International Significance” in New Zealand.

18. See the southern lights

Aurora Australis is like Aurora Borealis but the southern hemisphere version.

The beautiful Aurora Australis is bound to take your breath away as you see the beautiful green and pink hues alongside stars when you look at the sky!

For the best chance to see the southern lights, you’ll have to go to the deep south since the southern lights are best seen away from the city lights.

Some off-the-beaten-path locations where you may see the southern lights are Lake Tekapo, Stewart Island and the Catlins.

Although it’s possible to see the southern lights year-round, the best time is from March to September.

Another thing to consider is that dark, clear skies are ideal for a chance to see the southern lights.

19. Take a trip to Lake Taupo

Visiting Lake Taupo is one of the best things to do in New Zealand’s North Island. After all, it’s the largest lake in New Zealand!

Whether you love walking, hiking, or cycling, there’s something in it for you! Some trails you can take include the: Great Lake Trails, Waikato River Walking Track, and Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

If you’re feeling adventurous and fit there’s also the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, which takes between four to ten hours to finish.

A highlight at Lake Taupo is the Ngātoroirangi Mine Bay Māori Rock Carving. Note you can only access them by boat or kayak – both of which you can take a tour on. Another way to get there is by helicopter or float plane – each a unique experience.

There are plenty of other boat tours you can consider or other activities you can do like taking a rapid jet – so you’ll certainly be kept busy!

20. Climb Mount Maunganui

Adding on to the best places to visit in North Island, New Zealand, you’ve got the gorgeous Mount Maunganui.

At the bottom of Mount Maunganui, there’s the Main Beach which has been titled the ‘best beach in New Zealand’ and it’s actually on the list of the top 25 best beaches worldwide – so don’t miss out on a trip to Mount Maunganui!

The mountain hike here is gorgeous – due to its popularity, it’s on the top things to do in New Zealand. Note that there are plenty of routes you can take to get up Mount Maunganui.

21. Hike up to Aoraki Mount Cook

Want more outdoor things to do in New Zealand’s South Island? Hike Aoraki Mount Cook – it’s the highest mountain in New Zealand!

Aoraki Mount Cook is located in Mount Cook National Park.

There are multiple routes you can take to get up Mount Cook. Not to worry though, you can find both easy and challenging tracks you can hike.

Some of the easier hikes include Glencoe Walk, Governors Bush Walk and Bowen Bush Walk.

More challenging hikes are Mueller Hut Route, Red Tarns Track and Kea Point.

There’s a high chance that you’ll find a hike at Aoraki Mount Cook that you’ll enjoy, making it a worthwhile visit!

22. Enjoy Glacier Hikes in Fox Glacier village

More things to do in South Island, New Zealand include visiting Fox Glacier village – this is a popular spot for glacier hikes.

Here you can take the Fox Glacier heli hike, which involves a helicopter flight – so quite the experience! This tour will give you the opportunity to experience the upper icefall.

Exciting things to do in Fox Glacier, New Zealand include ice climbing!

Lake Matheson is another beauty to see on your visit here and you can actually take a walk around the lake. If you’re lucky, you might see glow worms at night at Lake Matheson!

23. Swim with dolphins in Kaikoura

Looking for a marine adventure? Add visiting Kaikoura (a town on the South Island) on the list of best things to do in New Zealand!

For a magical experience, you can swim with dolphins in Kaikoura.

Interacting with dolphins can be truly an unforgettable experience! But note that the water can be cold, so it’s a good idea to wear a wetsuit.

If you don’t want to go all out, you can also go dolphin watching from a boat, where you can see dolphins swim together and jump out of the water.

Alternatively, you can go whale watching which is popular in Kaikoura year-round!

24. Jump onto the world’s number-one canyon swing

Love an adrenaline rush? Then the worldwide famous Shotover Canyon Swing is for you! It’s the world’s number one canyon swing, located on Shotover Street in Queenstown.

Although not as intense as the bungee jump, it’ll still keep you on your toes! The great thing is that you can jump off the platform with a friend if you prefer, but you can also do it alone, of course! On the swing, you’ll have beautiful views of the Shotover River.

So don’t miss out on one of the best things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand!

25. Paraglide over Queenstown

You also have the thrilling opportunity to paraglide in Queenstown.

Although it’s an extreme sport, it’s on the fun side of things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand.
You’ll get a view over Queenstown from above, but at a slower pace than if you’re to go on the Shotover Swing.

You’ll have to take the Skyline Gondola to get to the mountaintop to paraglide. You can take the gondola from close to central Queenstown.

26. Take a trip to Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is known as a place where you can see the spectacular southern lights.

Interestingly, Lake Tekapo is also a historical site where you can learn about how Lake Tekapo was formed and about the human settlement here.

Some places to visit while you’re here include the Church of the Good Shepard, Mackenzie Sheep Dog Statue, and Maclaren Footbridge.

While you’re visiting Lake Tekapo, you also have the option to camp overnight. Some places you can camp are:

• NZMCA Park Tekapo
• Lake Tekapo Motels & Holiday Park
• Mackenzie Waitaki RV Camping

Typically a lot of the camping grounds here require you to pay a fee, however, the Mackenzie Waitaki RV campground is free.

So have fun and embrace nature, history and the beautiful night sky at Lake Tekapo!

27. Take a walk through the Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki

Let’s talk about cool places to visit in New Zealand…

Located in Punakaiki village on the South Island on the west coast is the Pancake Rocks.

These limestone formations are known as the ‘Pancake Rocks’ because they look like pancakes stacked on one another.

They were formed from dead plants and marine creatures that solidified together due to water pressure.

To explore this beautiful area you can do the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk which is a 1.1 km loop.

28. Walk up the ‘world’s steepest street’

For a unique and challenging experience, on the list of the top 10 things to do in Dunedin, New Zealand is to walk up the steepest street in the world – Baldwin Street.

The Guinness Book of Records recognized Baldwin Street as the steepest street in the world in 1987. However, that title was granted to Ffordd Pen Llech, in Harlech, Wales in 2019, but Baldwin restored its title as the steepest street in 2020.

Although a short walk (350 metres), Baldwin Street rises by 30 metres, so you’re sure to get those leg calves working!

It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Once you climb up, you’ll have beautiful views of the surrounding greenery!

Walking up Baldwin Street should definitely be a thing to tick off your bucket list when you’re traveling to New Zealand.

29. Immerse yourself in the Maori culture

No visit to New Zealand is complete without immersing yourself in the Maori culture. If you love exploring cultures, then this one is for you!

The ancestors of the Maori people were the first to arrive in New Zealand. Maori people are the indigenous people of New Zealand.

There are places to experience the Maori culture in both the North and the South Island.

Some places in the North Island you can experience the Maori culture include:

• Rotorua
• Bay of Islands
• Taupo
• Wellington
• And more!

Some places in the South Island include:

• Christchurch
• Queenstown
• Hokitika
• Kaikoura

Some of the things you can experience on a Maori cultural experience tour include a Powhiri ceremony, Karanga chanting, storytelling, dancing, having a meal, and more.

30. Search for Kiwi birds on Stewart Island

We couldn’t have ended this list without mentioning one of the top places to visit in New Zealand – Stewart Island

This is the third biggest island in New Zealand which is located 30km from the South Island.

Since Stewart Island is densely forested, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in nature!

Activities popular here include hiking, birdwatching and camping.

The exciting thing is that you might even see the Kiwi bird as you explore the island – which is New Zealand’s flightless bird.

So if you’re a nature lover be sure to make a trip to Stewart Island and enjoy this natural paradise!

So there we have it, top things to see and do in New Zealand. Certainly a land of adventure right?

Need to apply for a visa to New Zealand?

You can apply for a visa by yourself, of course, but let’s face it, the process can often be stressful and time-consuming. That’s why, you have visa specialists like Visa First, who can help you obtain your working holiday visa for New Zealand and answer any of your queries in relation to working holidays in New Zealand.

If you are just planning a visit to New Zealand before you commit to a long-term stay, you should know, you can visit New Zealand for up to 6 months without a visa, but you will need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel.

Why apply with Visa First?

• We have over 20 years of experience in processing visas and work permits worldwide
• Our visa agents can assist you to boost your chances for a successful outcome
• We will ensure your application process is prepared correctly
• It’s a fast and easy service

For additional information about New Zealand visas, you can call us or email us at info@visafirst.com, our team would be more than happy to help!