In Queenstown you can do Bungy Jumps and a big 'Swing' over a gorge Link (Also as a side not, Kawarau and Queenstown are relatively close. Bungy jumps can also be done in Auckland off the 'Auckland Harbour Bridge'. But the original is down in Queenstown.
If you are more into hiking and stuff there are some really good trails around, some from 3-4 hrs and others longer at around 6-8 hrs, bring good hiking gear. Also look for guides if you're going to go REAL bush, or you might get lost and end up as local news for a month.... we have no news :( Link
West coast of the South Island is quieter, but really good scenery. You're away from civilisation, but it is good for camper vans.
Dunedin on the lower east coast of the South Island; relatively close to Queenstown (Inner city buses that run between there cheaply so you don't have to drive, etc).
In Dunedin there is some cool things to do like -
Albatross Centre - When I went with my family it was a bit expensive and didn't get 'too good of a picture' of an Albatross; but I think it is season dependent. (Also close enough Dunedin centre, but it would be best to hire a car here IMO).
Yellow Eyed Penguin Colony - An interesting tour to see Yellow Eyed Penguins. (About $50 NZD for 90 minutes New Zealand Time) - Look at this cutie
Speights Beer Factory tour - Good price, loads of fun. Right in the heart of Dunedin too, go for a nice tour of the old factory and than have a piss up at the end with FREE beer for a period of time. Perfect to do just before dusk, than go out for a nice dinner and if your feeling keen, partying with the local Otago University students (Season dependent too, like the animals....). (Book in advance if possible, a couple of days should do it, but if you know you want to, than book when you're planning).
Cadbury Chocolate Factory Tour - Cheap, plus you get loads of free chocolate!!!! I did when I went on it a second time last year! Good fun, free chocolate for lowish price. (Once again, book in advance if possible, a couple of days should do it, but if you know you want to, than book when you're planning).
Check out 'Baldwin Street' too (Dunedin) while you're at it, it is really steep. Depending on when you go, they do an annual Jaffa race down the street hosted by the Cadbury Factory. Here
There are some other cool things to see like the local gardens, the old Railway Station where you can catch a train along the Taieri Gorge - The Taieri Gorge is expensive, nearly $100 NZD. I did it when I went down with my friend who is a train enthusiast. It is expensive, but unless you're absolutely dying to go on it....worst of all....no free food :( It is something you don't have to see, but it is there.
Lastly for Dunedin, you can go look at the Moeraki boulders - I'm pretty sure it's free. A gift shop near by and a cafe to visit so a nice day trip. Another instance in which you might want to hire a car.
Further up from Dunedin (more than a day trip, I think). You can do some {whale watching in Kaikoura] (http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/your-experience/our-tours-and-kaikoura-day-tours/) - Book in advance if possible. Never done, so I do not know the odds of seeing whales, however between March and November there is an extra, (a 4th tour), so there may be more whales here??? Which is weird as it is our winter...Not sure.
Christchurch - A lovely place to go. As of roughly 5 years ago was hit by an earthquake, the second major one which wrecked the city. Has gone through a lot of rebuilding, I went last year during the cricket world cup, it was amazing, I would go there if you're keen.
You can check out the Container City/Mall - Photo's - I went through the Container City/Mall which was so much fun, there were so many little stalls set up for food, clothing, 'knick knacks' and had a lot of fun exploring.
There is also a cool tram which you can ride on (pay for it; not sure about booking). Link - It is a cool way to see some sights, but you can walk if you're keen. I only went on the tram because of my friend who likes trains.
I have never been to the top of the South Island, but I hear it is pretty cool, some great scenery there through Marlborough Sound, Nelson, and some great winery's. (If you like wine, check out where ever you are going for wine tours, I hear they're pretty good....according to my mum.
North Island -
Wellington is at the bottom, our capital. You can get there by flying from Christchurch, Auckland, Dunedin, or'Interislander Ferry' from Picton to Wellington or vice versa. It takes vehicles, kinda long, can be rough sailing in and out of Wellington as it is a really windy city as well as Cook Strait being rough too.
Wellington has some good things to do like Weta Workshop - Really cool!! There is also Hobbiton - However that is closer to Auckland than it is Wellington, so don't book it if you're in Wellington haha.
Te Papa Museum - Also in Wellington, I have been and it is really awesome to go check out, a lot of interactive sets and pieces. I really enjoyed it.
Pro Tip for the North Island - It is a good idea if you're in the North Island to hire a car and do exploring (Personal experience; just make sure you have a good map and co-pilot).
Taupo -
A place in the centre of the North Island; previously was a super volcano, but is now a lake. It is a good hotspot to go for some fishing, hiking, and water skiing. I could go on for the rest of the North Island to give you some idea's if you're keen.
Hiking -
Hardcore hikers - Mt Ruapehu Hike - Roughly $100 NZD - Essential to book before hand - Good for experienced hikers - Info on what to bring for the hikers. - Bring camera for memories and the View's from the top.
Less hardcore - Tongariro Crossing - A good day trip for the less experienced hiker, but still want to see some stunning views.
What to bring
Additional information about Tongariro
Nearby things to explore are the Huka Falls (pronounced like hook - ah).
Rotorua -
A geothermal hotspot of New Zealand. A lot of indigneous Maori there. Sites to see are the gysers, mudpools; especially the Puhutu gyser which sprays boiling water many metres into the air.
Rotorua gysers, hot pools and mud pools - Requires booking. Average day pass for an adult is about $50 NZD.
If you are interested in Maori culture this is a really good place to go - You will be involved for 3.5 (3 and a half) hour in Maori culture and experience. In the Maori village linked you will also get a buffet feast (kai - Maori word for food) and free transport to and from. It is very pricey however, $115 NZD pp Adult. But heavily involved experience if you are interested in immersion. Link
There are activities such as mountain biking, luge (also available in Queenstown too), gondola too (also available in Queenstown).
Bay of Plenty (Also known as BOP) -
White Island - Helicopter or boat trip to an 'active' volcano island off the coast. (Not active in the sense that it is spewing lava, however there are steam vents pits of hot mud, volcanic streams and a lake of boiling acid). It is $200 NZD pp Adult for 6hrs. (Most time might be trip there and back, but if you're interested, probably worth it).
Coromandel and the Coromandel Peninsula -
Great place to come fish, especially during our summer. But if you do come during the summer beware of every 'Aucklanders' coming down, as it might over crowd. However the beaches here are something to behold, truly fascinating.
If you're here and want to fish there are so many charters who will take you out, best to pre-book and look at the newspaper for the days ahead where it is expected to be 'good fishing days' to ensure you get a nice juicy snaper to take home and powder in a little flour and fry in a pan with a knob of butter, a freshly squeezed lemon and $2 worth of piping hot chips and tomato sauce (tomato sauce = ketchup here). ($2 dollars worth of chips per person is about the norm here haha, damn fatties haha). Honestly nothing better than eating that meal on a deck watching the sun set in summer. Christmas time summer ;)
Also not going to link a charter, you can find 10 million charters in the Coromandel Town Centre or somwhere further a long the coast.
An amazing place to check out is Cathedral Cove A classic screen saver. It is free to explore and is only a small walk about 30 minutes, but most of that time you are gawking at the little islands out in the bay. Potential to hire kayaks too.
Other cool places are hot water beach. Lots of places to go on small hour walks too, all these are available in the nearest town centre with the i.
Matamata/Hobbiton -
Keen to visit Middle Earth, Hobbiton is for you - It is a really cool place to visit! When I did I had an absolute ball of a time. Hobbiton - It is linked above, but I decided to link it again in case.
Auckland and day trips you can do out of Auckland -
Waitomo
Waitomo Glow Worm caves -
Really cool place to see glow worms. Even I was like, "nah not really my thing," went a long anyway with the family....best thing ever. I was in awe. In total it is relatively cheap; Adult ticket is $50 NZD pp, a Family Pass is $121 (2 Adults and 2 Children). (Best to book in advance as well, just in case).
Adding on to the Glow Worm caves; You can also go 'Black Water Rafting', caving as well as a bunch of other really awesome activities for those who want more of a adrenaline rush (You can see the glow worms when rafting as well).
Waitomo is a great place to visit! You can do Hobbiton through here if I remember correctly.
Tip - Be on the look out for special deals with Waitomo Glow Worms, Rafting and caving, you can sometimes get a good deal that saves you money...which is good for a trip ;) - Deals for Waitomo
This ended up being too long....
Other good day trips from Auckland -
Piha beach and lion rock -
Lion rock is the rock in the picture. Piha is a favourite tourist spot and spot for locals as well, its black sands make it piping hot in the summer. It really is a place to be hold. However, HUGE WARNING, beware of the rips a Piha and other surround West coast beaches outside of Auckland, they are strong and if you are not wearing the correct swim gear you will struggle. If you're not confident, don't go out too deep. Also as a side note, I think Lifeguards are only there during the summer holiday months (Mid November - Mid March) <- Don't quote me on that time frame. Also if you are going to do some fishing off the rocks....maybe don't, huge swells come in and have swept people off the rocks never to be seen again. We have a T.V show called Piha rescue, if you don't want to end up on it being dragged into a life boat in a less than glamorous state....take precautions. (Also wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses so you don't get sunburn in summer).
There are really good other things to do in Auckland like all the 'ex' volcanic mountains you can climb for free for really good panoramic photos. Idea's - Mt Eden, One Tree Hill (Chose this photo cause sheep.... Also One Tree Hill might not have a tree at all on top cause some (cough) kept chopping it down :( )
Rangitoto Island -
A really good walk where you can take photos of nature, and at the summit where you can 360 no scope the city, the harbor, or the ocean behind. You will need to take a ferry - Link - At the moment it is about $30 NZD for the 30 min trip (Return) Early bird tickets are available. It is a hike to the top a couple of hours; wear hiking shoes or really good 'runners' (aka running shoes). ALSO Don't miss the ferry back.... or you will be left behind on the island.....all alone with other people sleeping over, and poisonous rocks that will eat you. You don't want to be left behind....you wont die....you'll just end up on the news....we have no news.
There are other cool places to go to such as Tiritrii Matangi Island - Another great walk - 75 minute boat ride. However the island differs from Rangitoto as it is a sanctuary for birds. If you like walking, taking photos os scenery and bird life....you're in for a treat. One of the birds that they have there is the Kakapo - If it ain't the cutest thing you have seen....
Waiheke Island is another great place to go for some excellent beaches. It also has a great wine and beer tour. Tours - It is great fun, you basically get driven around the island trying wine and beer and stuffing your face....what more can you want :D
There are lots of other good things to do in Auckland, but part of the fun is exploring yourself.
Whangarei and Kaitaia -
Up north of Auckland there are plenty of great adventures in nature, both walking and in the sea.
A great walk and attraction is seeing the great northern Kauri trees which tower over the surrounding land. What was once a booming industry in the 19th century are now protected trees ( I actually wrote that, no copy and paste here haha).
Along the same vein; the Kauri Museum which look at the history of Kauri logging in the North and the old technology in the logging industry.
If you enjoy fishing.... OH BOY are you in for a treat -
Bay of Islands -
The Bay of Islands is just of the east coast of Russel and Kerikeri, it is well known for it's great fishing spots, especially big game like Kingfish. - Just leaving a general link for Bay of Islands, but it has links to accomodation, fishing, and Maori culture - Link
Poor Knights Island
Although not fishing; Poor Knights Island is just below the tip and on the east coast of the North Island and is a marine reserve where you can go to dive and snorkle. It has some amazing scenery both above and under the water. As it is a marine reserve altering the underwater landscape is highly prohibited....we also have a show about protecting our marine life so don't get on that either haha. - Link.
90 Mile Beach (Not actually 90 Miles, its actually 88 Miles) -
Another cool place to go is 90 Mile Beach which has amazing scenery, beach and waves crashing. Almost seems like the beach never ends. Link
Some tips if you're coming -
Bring a good camera if some scenery and memories.
*Even if you're not hiking, some good sturdy trainers will help if you decide to get a bit rugged when exploring.
Pack according to the season, however that being said, New Zealand weather can be strange and be freezing cold and boiling hot too. Be prepared/keep an open mind. IDK TBH.
If swimming at places like Piha, be careful of rips and waves or you'll end up on T.V.
If it is summer - we have UV intense sun due to ozone destruction I think??? Either way, be careful about getting burned.
Driving!! - Key - We have had instances of tourists driving on the wrong side of the road and causing crashes, injury and death. Just so you know we drive on the Left. We have had some policy changes about letting tourists know what side we drive on.
Just to add to driving; if you're in Auckland....beware the road rage of drivers heading to the CBD around 7,8 and 9 am and coming home 3 (school rush) and 5 and 6 pm.
There may be others and stuff. But if you do come have fun and enjoy yourself :)
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