10 Unmissable New Zealand Experiences

During our 3 week road trip, New Zealand quickly became our new favourite country. Every inch of New Zealand is breathtaking and you will want to stop every 5 minutes to explore and admire it. But the question is where to stop and what is worth spending your time and money on. We have collated our favourite stops from both the North and the South Islands, to help you with your adventure.

1. Milford Sound

If you are thinking of doing a trip to New Zealand, no doubt you have already heard about Milford Sound; its every bit as good as it looks in photos, and then some. The snow capped mountains tower over the glassy, green water and the waterfalls coming down off the glaciers are beautiful.

There are a few different operators you can choose from, but as a rule of thumb, the smaller the boat, the better the experience you'll get, as you can get closer to the waterfalls. We went with Jucy Tours; they often have great deals, their boats are medium sized, and the staff are really knowledgable meaning you can learn a lot about the Sound and the area. As well as the breathtaking views from the boat, we were also lucky enough to see Fiordland Crested Penguins and Fur Seals (or as they are affectionately referred to; Rock Sausages).

There is only one road that leads to Milford Sound, which is about 4 hours from Queenstown by car or camper van, but many operators offer the cruise with transport options, including coach, plane or helicopter. If you decide to drive, ensure you aim for the early sailing to avoid the tourist crowds.

2. Whale Watching in Kaikoura

This was one of our favourite excursions on our trip. Kaikoura is one of the best places in the world for year round whale watching; Sperm Whales live and feed in the Kaikoura canyon just off the north east coast of the South Island. Depending on what time of year you visit, you may see other types of whales and Ocras migrating through.

We did a tour with Whale Watch Kaikoura and it was an amazing day; not only did we see Sperm Whales, we also saw Fur Seals sunbathing on the rocks, a large pod of very playful Dusky Dolphins and Albatrosses. Whale Watch Kaikoura were incredible, the staff are very knowledge, super enthusiastic and the company pays careful attention to ensuring they minimise any distraction of the whales and other marine life with their boat.

While you wait for your trip to start, you can visit one of the many restaurants or fish and chip shops in town, which serve up delicious, local seafood. Our favourite was Cooper's Catch, which is incidentally also walking distance from the tour company.

3. Onsen Hot Pools

At this point we've driven about 1,500 miles over the course of 4 days and we wanted nothing more than a hot tub with a view. Just a 10 minute drive outside of Queenstown you can find Onsen Hot Pools & Spa, here they offer spa experiences and incredible natural hot pools with breathtaking views over the Shotover River. This is a perfect spot for some R&R; soak your body in the hot tubs, enjoy some local ice cream and wine, with spectacular views

4. See the Lupins at Lake Tekapo

Just a heads up, this is seasonal, but if you are in the South Island September to February definitely head to Lake Tekapo to see the beautiful Lupins in bloom against the bright blue of the lake and mountains in the background.

We visited in early December and these amazing flowers were in full bloom. Not only does Lake Tekapo have these beautiful flowers for you to admire, you can also enjoy some great walks around the lake. If you are staying in the area, make use of the fact that you are in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, meaning it is perfect to enjoy some fantastic star gazing.

5. Bike Tour Wine Tasting in Marlborough

This is a must do for any wine lover! This region produces 68% of New Zealand's wine and a bike your is the best way to see it; the area is beautiful, and the vineyards offer delicious wine tastings.

Jump on a bike and cycle from vineyard to vineyard tasting the range of delicious wines on offer. Each cellar door costs about $5 (NZD) and you will be able to try 5 or 6 different wines from their wine list. Our favourite vineyards were Giesen and Bladen but Framingham, Saint Claire and Whitehaven are all definitely worth a visit.

Even if you are not a wine lover, the area also has some great breweries, shops and most of the vineyards have restaurants so you can even get stuck into a cheese board or some local seafood.

6. Natural Hot Springs

Similarly to Hot Water Beach, underground geothermal activity creates hot springs and natural hot pools across the central part of the North Island. There are lots you can visit around Taupo, Rotorua or Tauranga, some paid and some free, but here are a couple of free ones we loved visiting and would recommend checking them out.

Located on the edge of Tauapo is Otumuheke Stream at Spa Park; just a short walk from the car park is a hot spring running in to the chilling Waikato River, creating incredible, natural hot tubs for you to enjoy. If you ever get too hot, you can take a dip in the river to cool off.

The second stop we would recommend is Kerosene Creek. It is located 20 miles south of Rotorua, at the end of a short gravel road off the highway, you will find a car park for this amazing, secluded spot. The hot spring runs through the forest, creating natural hot pools and waterfalls for you to sit in and enjoy.

7. Cathedral Cove

This has become one of our favourite beaches in the world; the iconic cove has a beautiful, white sandy shore, with crystal clear waters making it a perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing.

It is accessible only on foot, from the town of Hahei (which also happens to have a fantastic beach), taking around 1.5 hours each way, with spectacular views, small coves, as well as a snorkel trail in Gemstone Bay. The walk has a lot of elevation change but it is paved in its entirety and can be completed by most.

Not going to lie, it gets busy, especially in the summer, but you can still find a spot on the beach, or head under the archway to the neighbouring beach, which is just as beautiful but quieter.

8. Hot Water Beach

We have never experienced anything like Hot Water Beach. As a result of underground geothermal activity, you can simply dig a hole in the sand it will fill with warm water and you will have yourself a little hot pool.

We must let you know though, its not that 'simple'; there are a few things to bear in mind if you visit this spot. First of all, timing matters as it is best to dig these holes during low tide, which gives you plenty of time, but it is worth checking the tide times before you arrive. Secondly, you will need a good shovel and plenty of elbow grease. Depending on the size of the hot pool you want, you will have to do the digging (or if you lucky, you can 'inherit' someone else's pool when they leave). Finally, it matters where you dig as only certain areas on the beach have hot water, other will be rather chilly. Dig a little hole and test the water before you dig any further.

It can be busy, it can be hard work, but it is very rewarding, relaxing with a great sense of accomplishment when you finish your hot pool and submerge in the hot water.

9. Bay of Islands

This area of New Zealand is a water lovers paradise; over 140 island for you to explore by kayak, jet-ski or sailing boat, visit beautiful beaches or try your hand at big game fishing.

Located in the Northland region of the North Island, it is one of our favourite regions of the country. Come to Paihia and hire a kayak or a paddle board to explore the series of islands and untouched beaches of the area. You can grab either a passenger or a car ferry over to Russel, which is the well preserved first European settlement of the country, featuring amazing independent shops, fantastic hiking trails as well as the historic Duke of Marlborough hotel. For some culture, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Maori tribes and the British signed their first treaty.

The area is truly beautiful and has something for everyone, we can't recommend visiting it enough when you are in New Zealand.

10. Hiking

If you are into hiking, New Zealand will have you spoilt for choice; whether it's short walks, day hikes or multi-day trekking you're after, there is something here for every outdoor enthusiast.

When it comes to short walks, these are in abundance and often start from roadside car parks, tourist attractions or camp sites. Our favourites were The Chasm (around 20 minutes round trip) on the road to Milford Sound (where you can spot Keas if you're lucky) and the Karangahake Gorge walks (ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours round trip). For something slightly longer, we loved the hike to Cathedral Cove (3 hours round trip), with its many beaches, coves and snorkelling trail or the Hooker Valley Track at Mount Cook (3.5 hours round trip) for amazing alpine views.

We didn't get around to doing longer, multi-day hikes on our trip, but we have heard that the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (1 day) is beautiful, even if somewhat busy in the summer, and that the Abel Tasman Coastal Track (3-5 days) is one of the most beautiful great walks in the country and is on our list for when we return.

Whilst we barely scratched the surface when it comes to hiking in New Zealand, you will be able to find a walk that suits your physical ability, interests, time or budget constraints.

If you think we missed any 'must do' places of this beautiful country, please let us know in the comments.

Happy Wandering!