Anyone who has been to New Zealand will tell you it’s a majestic place, with spectacular scenery, a fascinating culture, welcoming locals, and a pervasive sense of adventure. It’s also a place full of experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else in the world — like these:
1. Visit Hobbiton
New Zealand is the destination of choice for many filmmakers, and with good reason: it looks spectacular on camera. One of the most popular places for film buffs to visit is Hobbiton, near Waikato, where Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films were brought to life. Hobbiton is very much a Tolkien-lover’s dream experience: There are tours, plenty of photo opportunities, and even a banquet-style feast that’s fit for the hungriest Hobbit. hobbitontours.com
2. Feast on a Fergburger
There’s a reason people line up at this Queenstown burger joint. It’s not a chain, so you’ll only find it on Shotover Street — and with more than 30 burgers to choose from, you’d be forgiven for visiting more than once. Luckily, Fergburger is open 7 days a week until 4:30 a.m. ferburger.com
3. Go for a swing
While you’re in Queenstown, check out the Nevis Swing, which sits 160m (525 ft) above ground. Swingers attached to a bungee swing and released to fall — and fly — at speeds of up to 120km/h (75 mph) in a 300m (984 ft) arc. Swing it solo or go tandem with a friend — in case you need a little support. (Can't make it to the Nevis Swing? Some of our tours to New Zealand offer optional skydiving and bungee jumping opportunities elsewhere on the island.) bungy.co.nz
4. See the Haka
The Haka is tricky to describe to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It’s a traditional war dance that’s performed by the Indigenous Maori people of New Zealand, usually meant to challenge or intimidate an opponent. The dance is also sometimes performed at funerals, to welcome guests, and on other notable occasions. In New Zealand, you’ll find the haka performed at a variety of cultural centres — and if you’re lucky enough to be there for an All Blacks rubgy game — and able to buy tickets — you’ll see the team perform before the match. newzealand.com
5. Fly from the trees
New Zealand truly is the country of adventure. The Skywire at Cable Bay Adventure Park is the world’s longest flying fox, on which you can soar above the forest for just over 3km (1.9 m). The ride takes you both forward and backwards, and is the perfect choice for those keen on a thrill that still want to feel secure. Foxes seat four at a time, so you can take some friends and enjoy the flight. (Many of our G Adventures tours to New Zealand offer ziplining, for slightly more adventurous travellers.) cablebayadventurepark.com
Originally published September 21, 2017. Links and info updated on October 29, 2020.
Getting there
Ready to check out all New Zealand has to offer? G Adventures can get you there. Check out our small group tours to New Zealand!