5 Fun Activities to Do in New Zealand: American-Friendly Entertainment Options

Written by Mark Dash |
Reviewed by Mark Dash
April 21, 2022
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Hobbiton

For adrenaline junkies, casual travelers, and all tourists of the world, New Zealand is calling you for your next big adventure and travel destination.

If it takes you a little more convincing than just a call from the void, look up some pictures of this country and you’ll see what we mean. New Zealand is blessed with natural beauty all around from the scenic landscapes to the exciting tourist-friendly activities you can take part in, the country is like a combination of all the things you have always wanted to see when traveling the world.

New Zealand feels like it’s been blessed with a touch of magic because the beauty here is unmatched! So if you’re finally ready to give this a shot, here are 5 of the top places to visit in the country.

Take A Trip To Hobbiton

Fans of The Lord Of The Rings will probably already know the existence of Hobbiton or at least, it will sound familiar to you. As the name gives it away, Hobbiton is a place in NZ that was created to replicate the same Hobbit place that the movies are based on. Right from the hobbit holes to the Green Dragon Inn, every single display at Hobbiton is made to make you feel like you’re in Middle Earth.

Much care has been taken to make visitors feel like they have entered the magical realm of the Hobbits and it’s such a treat for super fans of the LOTR books and movies.  The Shire’s Rest Café, the Mill Bush, Bilbo Baggin’s home, the Dragon Inn, everything is exactly as what you’ve already seen on TV so it’s an unreal experience to be at Hobbiton.

5 Fun Activities to Do in New Zealand

Even if you’re not a super fan or have never seen or heard of the movie, you’ll still have a good time walking through this replica of the Hobbit habitat because of all the beautiful displays and structures.

And the best part? It’s fully functional! You can book tours in Hobbiton that will take you through the whole venue, visiting all the places just like in the movies, and maybe even have a drink and a bite to eat at the inn.

The gardens and the little houses are the perfect backdrop for the most interesting and unique pictures as well. You can even choose to go on a banquet tour and have a feast at the end of your tour with people who share the same love for LOTR.

Explore the land of Rotorua

Rotorua is a place where you get the chance to experience and enjoy some of the most significant highlights that the country has to offer. It has a little bit of everything for all kinds of travelers.

Need a spa day? Or a therapeutic sip in the mud pool? Or do you just want to see beautiful lakes and enjoy the landscape? Perhaps you’re more into nature walking at a park. There’s no need to choose anymore because, at Rotorua, you can enjoy all of these in just one place.

The place is a natural wonder with a volcanic landscape like no other, mountain tops with mesmerizing panoramic views, and surrounded by the most beautiful lakes all around.

When you get here, don’t miss out on visiting Skyline Gondola. It is one of the first things you want to do after reaching this location because it will give you a perfect view of how the whole place is laid out. Its breathtaking view is a moment that you’ll forever treasure in your memory.

Not only that, there are tons of things you can do, such as exploring the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, dipping your feet in the Polynesian Spa, and taking a walk through Kuirau Park. If you want, you can even go boating in Lakeland Queen, which is a combination of both paddle boating and dining while on the water. But if you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, you can go white water rafting in the rivers of Rotorua. It’s one of the most popular group activities that has gained global recognition as another thing to check off your bucket list if you ever visit NZ.

Take A Ride Up The Sky Tower In Auckland.

This is for those who don’t have a crippling fear of heights because the Auckland Sky Tower stands an astounding 328 meters in height. Inarguably, this is one of the tallest in the southern hemisphere, which is also a freestanding structure.

This is the only place you want to be if you want a full 360-degree view of the entire island. You can book a ticket, take the elevator ride to the top, and visit all the floors that are open to the public.

If you’re looking for something even more exhilarating than taking a trip 328 meters above the ground, you can dare to into the Sky Walk or Sky Jump. As the name suggests, it is not an activity for the faint-hearted!

The Sky Tower is open for visitors throughout the year, so you can visit it anytime you want. However, the best time to go here is either early in the morning or in the evening if you want to avoid the crowd. Other than this, the tower may only close due to unfavorable weather conditions from time to time. If this is the case when you visit it, don’t worry; there are still plenty of things you can do in the vicinity of the SkyCity complex, such as going to casinos, bars, and restaurants, and they even have a theatre.

Look Through The Exhibits Of Te Papa

If your trip to New Zealand is more about learning the Māori culture and the country’s rich history, the Te Papa Museum is one of the most interesting places to be.

Te Papa is the National Museum of New Zealand, and it is full of treasures, historical relics, and exhibitions that will put you in awe of the extraordinary history of the country.

Te Papa houses some of the most magnificent exhibitions of its unique flora and fauna, the transformation of the land from its origins to today, and has so many fun and interactive displays that are a far cry away from your boring old museums that are almost usually old and dusty.

You will probably have a good history lesson about their indigenous tribe in this museum because it is filled with colorful displays and holograms that can show you an accurate depiction of the Māori culture.

They tell you the story of their journey and their origins so there’s so much insight into the culture’s history which can make you appreciate it even more.

What makes this museum stand out from others is that there’s so much to do. Unlike traditional museums where you just watch displays, you get to enjoy the experience of digging through fossils or walking on a swing bridge.

They even have a lava flow display that you can walk through. All these activities are free. You don’t have to pay a single penny for entering and experiencing the museum. So it’s a great deal for anyone traveling on a budget.

Experience Fiordland’s Milford Sound

Milford Sound is arguably one of the most well-known and iconic sights in New Zealand. Almost everyone who has a bucket list for travel puts New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park which is where Milford Sound is located.

This park is situated quite a distance from the main city area so it’s a good option for some peaceful and quiet-loving tourists. What makes this place so intriguing is that it has a little bit of everything- from waterfalls to mountains to rainforests, you get the best of everything here.

Plus, because it is located at a secluded area, it is comparatively untouched by humans, making it a destination for natural exploration.

The moment you step foot into this land, you’ll understand why it was once called the top destination for travelers. The towering mountains are picturesque, the lush rainforests are a scene to behold and the waterfalls are just majestic. But just because this place is far away from the human population does not mean that you can’t enjoy some man-made fun!

There are tons of activities you can engage in here, from boating and kayaking to hiking the mountains and taking a cruise with a luxurious buffet laid out just for you! They also have your packages which are mapped out in the waters so you get to view the cascading waterfalls of Milford Sound from a close distance.

If you’re more of a physical activity kind of person, you can also book hiking trips where you can take a trail that leads up to the top of the mountains from where you see the whole park. There are many trails you can choose from but the most popular one is called the Milford Sound Lookout Track. Its popularity stems from the fact that it’s not a very demanding track and anyone can take a walk up these trails without having any prior hiking experience. Maybe you do need to stop and catch your breath every once in a while but that’s not a dealbreaker because every step of the way, you can enjoy beautiful scenery until you reach the top for the most rewarding feast for your eyes.

The quaintness and the tranquility of this place is what makes it so special. For anyone who is looking for the perfect getaway to rejuvenate and revive your mind, soul, and spirit, Milford Sound is where you should plan your next journey.

Bottomline

New Zealand surely has so much to offer to all its visitors as you might have realised if you’ve reached the end of this article. There are so many fun activities to do and places to visit which makes it an ideal place for all kinds of travelers to enjoy their vacation to the fullest.

From the culture to the rich history, nature, and beautiful landscapes, New Zealand is a wonderland with so much to offer, you’ll have endless things to talk about after leaving this place.

Mark Dash

Founder & Lead Statistician 16 years experience A former professional poker player turned data guru, Mark Dash has devoted the past 16 years to decoding the numbers behind New Zealand’s online-casino scene. A PGDipJ graduate of Massey University, he now heads our analytics team, where he rates NZ casino sites, audits bonus conditions and models RTP performance. Mark’s expertise is reinforced by advanced training in gambling statistics and responsible-gaming practices. About Mark Dash | Twitter | Facebook Expert on: poker RTP statistics responsible gaming

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