Rated Tourist Attractions in New Zealand

Napier displays an impressive collection of Art Deco buildings. An earthquake in 1931 almost leveled the town. The rebuilding of the town saw the construction of some fabulous Art Deco architecture.

You could be forgiven for thinking you are in the Caribbean when you visit Abel Tasman National Park. Lush greenery, sparkling clear ocean waters, and beautiful beaches are some of the most stunning sights in the park.

Tongariro National Park is a wild and everchanging volcanic landscape. Desolate yet beautiful at the same time, this area is rife with fantastic photo ops. Steaming vents, hot springs, and turquoise lakes beg to be photographed.

The Bay of Islands is one of the top destinations in New Zealand for locals and tourists alike. Beaches and rocky shorelines are the dominant topographical features. Take a cruise through the 144 islands to the famous Hole in the Rock. Along the way, watch for fur seals lazing in the sun.

Park of Fiordland National Park, the stunning scenery of Milford Sound will awe you. Steep mountains descend to the water's edge, lining both sides of the fiord. To really experience the sound at its fullest, take a boat trip. Some of the sights you'll be able to photograph include cascading waterfalls, virgin rainforest, and distant mountaintops.

Blessed with two sparkling harbors, Auckland, the "City of Sails," is New Zealand's largest city and the most populous Polynesian city in the world (population = 1.6 million). Blond- and black-sand beaches, rain forest hiking trails, picturesque coves, islands, and volcanoes surround the city, making it a perfect base for day trips and wilderness adventures.

In the sunny region of Hawke's Bay, Napier is famous for its gourmet food and Art Deco architecture. After a powerful earthquake destroyed the town in 1931, it was rebuilt in the Spanish Mission style and Art Deco design for which Miami Beach is also famous. Today, fun things for visitors to do include taking a self-guided tour to view these buildings, some of which are embellished with Maori motifs, or spending time at Napier Beach.

In the heart of the Southern Alps, New Zealand's highest peaks rise above the alpine landscapes of Aoraki National Park, also called Mount Cook National Park. More than 40 percent of the park is covered in glaciers, and the country's tallest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook and longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier, lie within its borders, making this a top destination for mountaineering. Sir Edmund Hillary trained here for his legendary Mount Everest ascent.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track in Abel Tasman National Park is one of New Zealand's Great Walks. Winding along sparkling Tasman Bay, from Marahau to Separation Point, this scenic 51-kilometer hike lies in one of the sunniest regions of the South Island. Along the way, visitors can snorkel or kayak in secluded coves; enjoy tours that offer the chance to spot fur seals, dolphins, penguins, and a diverse range of birds; hike through cool forests; and enjoy panoramic views from the rugged coastal cliffs.

Among the most accessible glaciers in the world, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers are the main tourist attractions in spectacular Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Both of these rivers of ice flow from some of the highest peaks in the Southern Alps to near sea level, where the gentle coastal climate makes it easy for visitors to explore them on foot.

On the tumultuous Pacific Ring of Fire, Rotorua is one of the most active geothermal regions in the world. This is a land where the earth speaks. Boiling mud pools, hissing geysers, volcanic craters, and steaming thermal springs betray the forces that birthed much of New Zealand's dramatic topography.

In the center of the North Island and just a few kilometers from glittering Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, lies Tongariro National Park. A dual World Heritage Site due to its spectacular volcanic features and its importance to the Maori culture, the volcanic peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and part of Ruapehu were in fact gifted by Maori chief Te Heuheu Tukino IV in 1887 to the people of New Zealand in order to preserve this sacred land.