Things to Do

Auckland

Natalia VignollesMust See

Sky Tower

4.6 (21,175)

Southeast Asia's tallest tower with glass-floor views and optional bungy jump. Revolving restaurant spins. 360-degree panoramas.

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Nicolas LaffargueMust See

Auckland Domain

4.7 (12,985)

Oldest park with fern groves, ponds, and free museums. Wintergardens exotic plants. Green heart.

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Shelley DillonMust See

Waiheke Island

4.7 (522)

Ferry to vineyards, beaches, and olive groves for wine tasting tours. Half-day escapes. Scenic bays.

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NickSauPopular

Devonport

Ferry village with Victorian homes, ice cream, and volcano views. Beach picnics. Charming suburb.

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Patrick BrownPopular

Queen Street

Bustling shopping strip with harborside markets and cafes. Street art pops. Vibrant vibe.

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Alan ChenPopular

Auckland Art Gallery

4.6 (6,482)

NZ's largest collection from colonial to Maori contemporary. Light-filled spaces. Cultural immersion.

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Emerson SmithHidden Gem

Parnell Village

Heritage shops, rose gardens, and kava bars. Antique browsing. Upscale stroll.

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Tsung Chun HsiehHidden Gem

Cornwall Park

4.8 (10,974)

Obelisk-dotted lawns with ancient pohutukawa trees. Sheep grazing. Picnic idyll.

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Madhuranga VidanageHidden Gem

Mt Eden Volcano

4.7 (8,207)

Scenic crater rim walk with city skyline vistas. Maori pa site. Quick summit.

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Siloso Beach Resort - SentosaHidden Gem

Siloso Beach

4.1 (2,988)

Secluded urban beach for sunset paddles. Rainbow Warrior dive site nearby. Local secret.

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Bay of Islands

Clarke DesignMust See

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

4.7 (4,096)

Historic site where 1840 Maori-British treaty signed, with whare meeting house and war canoe. Cultural performances daily. Essential Maori history 20-min from port.

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BH ParkMust See

Hole in the Rock

4.7 (192)

Boat cruise through pierced island rock with dolphins possible. Iconic photo op in outer bay. Fun marine adventure.

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Simon VerhoevenPopular

Paihia Beach and Waterfront

4.6 (2,536)

Sheltered bay beach for kayaking or walk with cafes. Gateway activities hub. Relaxed base near ship.

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tintu babyPopular

Haruru Falls

4.3 (2,206)

Waterfall reached by kayak or glowworm cave combo tour. Short hike views. Scenic natural spot.

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Russell MuseumPopular

Russell Historic Village

4.4 (247)

New Zealand's first capital with pompallier house printery and pubs. Walk colonial streets. Charming ferry-accessible town.

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Simon BeusePopular

Maritime Building Museum

4.5 (15)

Vintage boats, scrimshaw, and bay history exhibits. Nautical tales. Compact portside museum.

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Jonathan SwiftHidden Gem

Urupukapuka Island

4.8 (63)

Bush trails, beaches, and birdwatching on largest bay island. Ferry hop for day. Peaceful wildlife gem.

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Andrew RiedererHidden Gem

Tawhiti Rahi Pa Site

4.7 (6)

Ancient Maori fortress ruins with earthworks and sea views. Interpretive signs on hike. Historical hidden pa.

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Tauranga

Michael ShawMust See

Mount Maunganui Beach

Epic surf beach with hot salt pools at base of mount. Summit hike.

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Kim KimMust See

Hobbiton Movie Set

4.8 (25,444)

Tour the lush Shire from Lord of the Rings. Shuttle tours book fast.

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Kaushal Rohit KumarMust See

Tauranga Waterfront

4.6 (124)

Scenic harbor walk with playgrounds, cafes, and arts. Easy port start.

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Mikyoung LeePopular

Te Puia Māori Village

4.5 (8,927)

Geysers, kiwi birds, and cultural haka shows in Rotorua (day trip).

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Daryl SmithPopular

Tauranga Domain

4.3 (479)

Lush park with redwoods, roses, and museum.

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Hidden Gem

Golden Sands Beach

Family-friendly sands in Papamoa with dunes.

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Aaron CornHidden Gem

Omanawa Falls

Picturesque cascade short drive away; picnic spot.

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Jase AffHidden Gem

Kaimai Camel Trekking

4.1 (8)

Unique bush walks with camels; quirky adventure.

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Wellington

Kidada TamarMust See

Te Papa Museum

4.7 (25,725)

New Zealand's 'Museum of New Zealand'—interactive Maori culture, earthquakes. Waterfront free entry, 2-3 hrs. Cable car link.

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Deborah JarvisPopular

Cuba Street

Eclectic street art, cafes, buskers—boho vibe. Street food variety, shopping quirky. Bucket Fountain.

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Felix Wohlmuth (nobasictraveler)Popular

Botanic Gardens

4.7 (10,205)

Lady Norwood Rose Garden, cable car lookout—picnic bliss. Easy paths, duck pond. Tree top walk.

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GrollPopular

Wellington Cable Car

4.5 (7,246)

Heritage funicular to Botanic Gardens—city views ascent. Roundtrip ticket, red cars cute. Kelburn terminus.

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Leonardo LinHidden Gem

Zealandia Ecosanctuary

4.7 (5,975)

Native birdsong paradise—kiwi night walks. Shuttle 10-min, predator-free. Glowworms.

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Weta Workshop ExperiencesHidden Gem

Weta Workshop Cave

4.6 (4,443)

Lord Rings prop tour—miniatures, armor. Airport area shuttle, geek heaven. Unseen designs.

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Trent SimonsenHidden Gem

Carter Observatory

4.6 (1,676)

Planetarium stars, Southern Cross—night shows. Bot Gardens edge, telescopes. Maori astronomy.

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Christchurch

Peter van kesselMust See

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

4.7 (14,596)

130 hectares of roses, exotics, river paths; tram tour option. Must-relax spot post-quake rebuild. Riverside picnic.

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KateMust See

Hagley Park

4.7 (6,500)

Vast green spaces for punting on Avon, sports, events. City lungs for jogs/walks. Adjacent to gardens.

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Sampath KumarMust See

Canterbury Museum

4.6 (5,180)

Natural history, Maori culture, Antarctic explorer artifacts. Free family exhibits. Central and quick.

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AdylMust See

Transitional Cardboard Cathedral

4.4 (2,051)

Post-quake icon from 800 cardboard tubes; services and concerts. Architectural wonder visit. Quick symbolic.

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Riverside MarketPopular

Riverside Market

4.7 (7,142)

Container mall with 60+ food stalls, shops. Buzzing lunch spot. Modern Kiwi eats.

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Ge WU (Gordon)Popular

Christchurch Gondola

4.5 (4,069)

Cable car to summit with 360 views, cafe, walks. Panoramic port photo op. 10min ride.

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ShonendoPopular

Quake City Exhibition

4.5 (2,358)

Interactive 2011 earthquake story and recovery. Moving memorial. Educational impact.

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Punting On The Avon (Antigua Boat Sheds)Popular

Avon River Punting

4.7 (1,597)

Flat-bottom boats with guides under willows. Lazy romantic float. Gardens back.

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Rafael SafaryanHidden Gem

Christchurch Art Gallery

4.5 (3,640)

Modern NZ art with outdoor sculptures. Free rotating exhibits. Cultural hit.

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Vishwa Nath PurohitHidden Gem

International Antarctic Centre

4.4 (3,607)

Penguins, 4D storm ride, huskies nearby. Polar adventure feel. Shuttle from port.

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Dunedin

Karan SharmaMust See

Larnach Castle

4.5 (5,118)

New Zealand's only castle, perched on the Otago Peninsula, offers guided tours of its opulent rooms and gardens. Cruise passengers love the panoramic views and historical stories—book a half-day tour from the port. Combine with wildlife spotting nearby.

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Royal Albatross CentreMust See

Royal Albatross Centre

4.4 (4,196)

World's only mainland royal albatross colony on Otago Peninsula. Observe these magnificent birds in their natural habitat via observation lounge; ideal for nature lovers on cruise stops. Short tours available from Dunedin.

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Monarch Wildlife Cruises & ToursMust See

Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise

4.8 (326)

Spot yellow-eyed penguins, seals, and seabirds on a boat cruise from the peninsula. A highlight for wildlife enthusiasts with stunning coastal scenery. Easily accessible as a popular cruise excursion.

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Wu FelixMust See

Dunedin Railway Station

4.7 (268)

This stunning Edwardian Flemish Renaissance building is one of New Zealand's most photographed landmarks and a must-see for cruise passengers. Take a quick photo stop or explore its grand interiors before your shore excursion. Perfect for a short visit right in the city center.

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Dennis DoetinchemPopular

Baldwin Street

Guinness World Record steepest street—walk or drive up for fun photos and views. Quick quirky stop on peninsula or city tours for cruise visitors. Steep fun without much time commitment.

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Toitū Otago Settlers MuseumPopular

Toitū Otago Settlers Museum

4.7 (2,807)

Explore NZ's early settler history with interactive exhibits and vintage cars. Great for history buffs on a rainy day port call. Free entry and central location.

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Speight's BreweryPopular

Speight's Brewery

4.7 (322)

Tour this iconic NZ brewery with tastings of fine ales. Perfect for beer enthusiasts wanting an authentic Kiwi experience. Short tour fits cruise schedules.

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OCHO Chocolate FactoryPopular

Cadbury World

4.5 (175)

Interactive chocolate factory tour with tastings and history of Cadbury in NZ. Fun and sweet stop for families and chocolate lovers during a city tour. Located conveniently in Dunedin.

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Olveston ManagerHidden Gem

Olveston Historic Home

4.7 (981)

Edwardian mansion with original furnishings and gardens; guided tours reveal opulent past. Hidden gem for architecture fans seeking quieter spots. Book ahead for small groups.

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Edmond YewHidden Gem

Tunnel Beach

4.6 (687)

Dramatic cliffs and sea tunnel carved by 19th-century settler; scenic walk with waves crashing. Offbeat nature spot for adventurous walkers from the city. Weather-dependent but rewarding.

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