After our third visit to New Zealand in 2025—following earlier trips in 1997 and 2005—we’ve finally narrowed down our absolute top 10 moments and experiences.
This list comes from two travelers in our fifties, in average shape, with little interest in extreme sports—but a deep love for short hikes and long road trips.
1. Hooker Valley Track (South Island)
One of the world’s most accessible and spectacular half-day hikes.
Read about our epic hike here.
Top tip: Get there early!
2. Swimming with Dolphins, Kaikōura (South Island)
We’ve done this magical experience twice, and it will be our first booking if we ever return to the South Island.
Read about our swim here.
Top tip: Don’t pee in your wetsuit!
3. Mt. Sunday / Edoras (South Island)
At the end of a long gravel road lies Mt. Sunday—the filming location for Edoras in The Lord of the Rings. Pure awesomeness.
Read about our hike here.
Top tip: Look for Helm’s Deep!
4. Cape Reinga & Karikari Peninsula (North Island)
The stunning northern tip of New Zealand, where two oceans collide.
Read about the dunes, lakes, the cape, and Karikari Peninsula via the links.
Top tip: Close your mouth when sandboarding.
5. The Forgotten World Highway (North Island)
One of New Zealand’s “lost highways,” it feels like driving through the set of Jurassic Park.
Read about it here.
Top tip: Keep an eye out for the T-Rex!
6. West Coast, South Island
From the stunning Haast Pass via Hokitika to Westport, this stretch contains so much epic scenery it almost hurts.
Explore Hokitika Gorge, scenic detours, Pancake Rocks, Pororari River Track, and Cape Foulwind via our links.
Top tip: Keep your eyes on the road!
7. The Coromandel (North Island)
So close to Auckland, the Coromandel feels remote and almost off-grid. Expect wonderful roads, hidden sidetracks, and the fantastic Cathedral Cove.
Read more in the links.
Top tip: Some of the best beaches in the country are here.
8. Wellington (North Island)
A total surprise for us. Between The Lord of the Rings magic at Weta Workshop, the Zealandia sanctuary, and countless great bars and coffee shops, this became a new favorite city.
Top tip: Book early for Weta and Zealandia.
9. Milford Sound (South Island)
For Norwegians, a fjord might seem commonplace—but the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is spectacular, and the fjord itself is unforgettable.
Read about our trip here.
Top tip: Start early in the morning.
10. Meads Wall / Mt. Doom (North Island)
More LOTR magic at Meads Wall, Gollum’s Pool, and the road to Mt. Doom.
Read more in the links.
Top tip: Remember to bring lembas bread.
Honorable Mentions
Glenorchy, Ōhope Beach, hot pools, Hobbiton, and Hell’s Gate. One last thing, do not forget to visit the Elves in Rivendell.
Final Thoughts
It may not be entirely fair to rank a country so full of natural wonders, dramatic landscapes, and wild adventure—but this is our list.
New Zealand is best experienced firsthand, so go explore and create your own top 10.
Wremer Travels (yes, we do!) 
Gorgeous! New Zealand is definitely on my one-day list.
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It should be for sure, it is stunning!
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I’ve heard that from a lot of people. 🙂
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I worked for a travel agency once, their slogan was «Go, before its too late».
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Interesting, but I guess that can apply to a lot of places.
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It was general advice👍
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Thanks for the visit and Like, both blog and NZwise! You sound like a couple that travels the right way, not the high class hotels and personal guided tourist bus style. Far better to hire a car/boat/bike/jetboat and do it all yourself. But as seasoned travellers you’ve long worked that out, I suspect. On a quick note; as a Christchurch resident I wish they would either fix or demolish the cathedral. It sits there, fenced off, slowly deteriorating in a growing mess of crumbling plaster and pigeon droppings. After 15 years I just wish the Council would make up their mind and not vacillate! (PS, sorry, I don’t usually elbow my way into blogs to express myself, but it appears you guys have been here and seen things first hand.) Happy travels!
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Hey! Thank you for your kind words, we try and do things our own way and we like to get lost on our own accord. It is a shame that the cathedral is not done right by, it was a cool hub and square with the Wizard when we visited in 1997 and 2005. Hope somethinh will be done, if not the city looses a great space for culture and togetherness. My city took and old grain silo and bulit it into a world class museum, winning international design and architecture awards. Once this area was derelict, now a new part of town with museums and performing arts centre. All bulit in the last 10 years.
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No worries, as we say here. Re; the silo: That’s the way it should be done. Make the past part of the future.
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Absolutely, 100% agree. Hope to come back to NZ one more time, still have more stuff to do and places to see.
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