New Zealand is one of those places that seems almost too beautiful to be real. It is known for its adventure, nature, culture, landscapes and mountains — and it is pretty picturesque. You will be wowed. You will not be disappointed. And honestly, you can't take a bad photograph.

I've been to New Zealand a couple of times now and it is definitely somewhere I could revisit many times. There is always another road to drive, another mountain to admire, another little town to explore or another spectacular view to stop for. There is just so much to see and do, and the two islands offer very different experiences.

So, where do you start?

You have options.

Fly into Christchurch and explore the South Island, taking a road trip and making your way around the spectacular scenery.
Head to Auckland on the North Island and explore the top half of the country.
Travel between the islands by catching the ferry from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, to Picton on the South Island. The journey itself is pretty spectacular.
Visit in winter and take the opportunity to get your snow fix, with skiing, mountains and beautiful winter scenery.
Visit in autumn, when the trees put on an incredible display of colour.

New Zealand is the perfect destination for a road trip. Hire a car and stay overnight in Airbnbs, or opt for a campervan and make your way around the islands at your own pace. There is something pretty special about being able to stop whenever you see a view that makes you want to pull over.

There are some pretty cool things to see and do along the way, so here are some of the places and experiences we enjoyed.

NORTH ISLAND

Rotorua – We loved the Gondola Restaurant and Luge, particularly for the views over the city and Lake Rotorua. Make sure you also allow time to wander through the Redwoods Forest — walking or cycling through the enormous trees is a completely different experience.
Auckland – Explore New Zealand's largest city and its surrounding bays and islands. It's known as the City of Sails, and there is plenty to see both in the city and further afield.
Waitomo – Head underground to see the famous Glowworm Caves. The glowworms create a pretty magical experience as you travel through the caves.
Taupō – Huka Falls is just outside Taupō and is well worth a stop. The water rushing through the narrow gorge is pretty impressive.
Cape Reinga – Head right to the top of the North Island to see Cape Reinga Lighthouse and the meeting point of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. While you're in the area, make time for the Bay of Islands too. Makes for a great day trip from Auckland.
Coromandel – Cathedral Cove is one of the area's highlights, with its dramatic coastline and turquoise water.
Hobbiton – The Hobbiton Movie Set is near Matamata in the Waikato. Even if you're not a huge Lord of the Rings fan, the setting is pretty spectacular.
Wellington – New Zealand's capital is home to Te Papa, the country's national museum. Wellington is also a great place to simply wander around, grab a coffee and enjoy the waterfront.
Putangirua Pinnacles – Down in the south of the North Island, these unusual rock formations are another great stop if you're exploring the area.

SOUTH ISLAND

The South Island is where New Zealand really shows off. There are mountains, lakes, beaches, wildlife, dramatic coastlines and some seriously beautiful roads to drive.

Christchurch – When in Christchurch, take a trip out to Banks Peninsula. Back in the city, check out Quake City to learn more about the earthquakes that changed Christchurch.
Lake Tekapo – The Church of the Good Shepherd sits right on the edge of the lake, with those incredibly blue waters behind it. If you have time, Tekapo Springs has hot pools where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
Dunedin – There is plenty to see around Dunedin, including Sutton Salt Lake, St Clair Beach, Larnach Castle, Moeraki Boulders and Carey’s Bay. Baldwin Street is also worth a visit. It is one of the world's steepest streets, so take a drive up if you're brave enough — and then why not walk it as well, just to say you did both? We then stopped in town at the Cadbury Factory for hot chocolate, which is sadly no longer open.
Otago Peninsula and the Catlins – South of Dunedin, head towards Nugget Point Lighthouse. Papatowai is a beautiful spot for sunrise, while the Royal Albatross Centre is a great place to finish the day. This part of the South Island is all about dramatic coastlines and wildlife.
Te Anau – Take a trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and explore this fascinating underground world.
Milford Sound – Catch a day cruise and take in the mountains, waterfalls and sheer cliffs surrounding the fiord. It is one of those places that photographs simply don't do justice.
Queenstown – If adventure is your thing, you won't be short of options here. Try a bungee jump or jet boat ride, or take the Skyline Gondola up for incredible views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. You can even toboggan back down.
If you're looking for something a little more relaxing, catch the double-decker bus out to Arrowtown or walk the Glenorchy Lagoon Track. The Routeburn Track is another beautiful option, including the famous wire bridge.
And if you're after something a little more indulgent, check out the very Instagrammable Onsen Hot Pools.
Wanaka – Roys Peak is a steep climb, but the views make it worth the effort. You'll also find the famous Lone Tree, Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. If you're looking for an easier walk, the Blue Pools Track doesn't take long and is well worth doing.
West Coast – In Westport, you'll find a black sand beach, a seal colony and the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. This is one of those stretches of road where the journey itself is part of the experience.
Hokitika – If you time it right, sunset from Hokitika Beach is stunning. You can also explore Hokitika Gorge and Te Waikoropupū Springs while travelling through the West Coast.
Motueka – Look for the Janie Seddon Shipwreck sitting on the beach and take a dip at the Motueka Saltwater Baths.
Kaikōura – Walk along the Kaikōura Peninsula, look for seals and, if you're lucky, head out whale watching. The combination of mountains and ocean here makes it a pretty special place.
Oamaru – Finish with a visit to Oamaru's historic harbour area and look for the little blue penguins that come ashore in the evening.

And that is probably the biggest problem with New Zealand — there is just too much to see!

The South Island is probably my favourite for the scenery, but the North Island has plenty to offer too. If you love road trips, spectacular scenery and having the freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye, New Zealand is hard to beat.

Have you been to New Zealand? Which place did you like best? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.

Or maybe a trip to New Zealand is on your bucket list. I've put together some of my favourite places and experiences below...

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