Things to Do in New Zealand: 13 Picks with Costs

Quick answer

The essential things to do in New Zealand are a Milford Sound cruise, Queenstown's gondola, jet boats and bungy, Hobbiton, the Waitomo glowworm caves, Rotorua's geysers and Maori culture, and the Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo area. Ten days covers the North Island highlights and Queenstown; two weeks lets you add the glaciers.

13 things worth your time in New Zealand

01
Milford Sound cruise
Nature
Sheer cliffs, waterfalls and seals in a fiord in Fiordland National Park, reached by a dramatic mountain road.
12–13 hours from QueenstownCoach and cruise about ₹10,500–15,500 (NZD 200–300); scenic flights ₹26,000–42,000
Stay a night in Te Anau to cut the drive to about two hours each way, or fly in and cruise to save a long day.
02
Skyline Gondola and Luge, Queenstown
Experience
A steep gondola to views over Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables, then gravity-powered luge karts back down a track.
2 hoursAbout ₹4,200–5,200 (NZD 80–100) with luge rides
Go near sunset. Children love the luge; buy three or five rides rather than one.
03
Shotover Jet
Adventure
A jet boat spins at speed through a narrow canyon, a few centimetres from the rock walls.
1 hour (25-minute ride)About ₹7,800–9,100 (NZD 150–175)
Suitable for most ages and fitness levels; you will get splashed, so keep phones in a zipped pocket.
04
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
Adventure
The world's first commercial bungy site, a 43 m jump with an optional dip in the river.
1–2 hoursAbout ₹13,000–15,600 (NZD 250–300)
Non-jumpers can watch free from the viewing deck. The 134 m Nevis is the step up.
05
Arrowtown
Culture
A preserved gold-rush town 20 minutes from Queenstown, with a restored Chinese miners' settlement.
Half dayFree
Late April is peak autumn colour; the town is also good for a quiet dinner away from Queenstown crowds.
06
Hobbiton Movie Set
Experience
The Shire from The Lord of the Rings, with 44 hobbit holes in farmland near Matamata.
2–2.5 hoursAbout ₹6,200–7,000 (NZD 120–135)
Tours sell out in summer; book a timed slot weeks ahead and combine it with Rotorua.
07
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Nature
A silent boat ride under thousands of glowworms lighting a cave ceiling like stars.
45 minutesAbout ₹3,100–3,900 (NZD 60–75)
Photography is not allowed in the glowworm grotto. Adventurous travellers can try black-water rafting instead.
08
Rotorua geysers and Maori culture
Culture
Pohutu geyser, boiling mud and a carving school at Te Puia, with a hangi feast and haka in the evening.
Full dayDay entry about ₹4,200–5,200 (NZD 80–100); evening cultural dinner ₹6,800–8,300
The sulphur smell is strong. Ask for vegetarian hangi dishes when booking the dinner.
09
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Hike
A 19.4 km volcanic trek past the Emerald Lakes, often called New Zealand's best day walk.
6–8 hoursFree; shuttle about ₹2,100–3,100 (NZD 40–60)
Only for fit walkers in good weather. In winter it needs a guide and alpine gear.
10
Lake Tekapo and stargazing
Nature
A turquoise lake, the stone Church of the Good Shepherd and some of the darkest skies on earth in a dark-sky reserve.
1 nightStargazing tours about ₹5,200–8,800 (NZD 100–170)
Lupins bloom from late November to December. Check the moon phase; a new moon gives the best stars.
11
Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki/Mount Cook
Hike
A gentle 10 km return walk over three swing bridges to a glacier lake below New Zealand's highest mountain.
3 hoursFree
Suitable for most fitness levels, including active seniors; start early to beat the crowds.
12
Franz Josef or Fox Glacier heli-hike
Adventure
A helicopter lands you on the ice for a guided walk among blue crevasses and ice caves.
3–4 hoursAbout ₹26,000–34,000 (NZD 500–650)
Cancellations for weather are common on the West Coast; keep a spare day in your plan.
13
Auckland Sky Tower and Waiheke Island
City
City views from 220 m, then a 40-minute ferry to an island of beaches and olive groves.
Full daySky Tower about ₹1,800–2,100 (NZD 35–40); Waiheke ferry about ₹2,600–3,100 return
Good for the arrival or departure day when you are not ready for a long drive.

How many days do you need in New Zealand?

Ten days is enough for a well-paced first trip: two or three days in the North Island for Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo, then a flight to Queenstown for Milford Sound, adventure activities and a drive to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. Fourteen days lets you add the West Coast glaciers or the Bay of Islands.

Most Indian travellers fly into Auckland and out of Christchurch or Queenstown, with an internal flight in between, to avoid backtracking.

Self-drive or tour?

New Zealand is made for road trips, but distances look shorter on the map than they drive. Queenstown to Milford Sound is about four hours each way on mountain roads, and Queenstown to Lake Tekapo about three. You can drive on a valid Indian licence in English for up to 12 months. Traffic keeps left, as in India, but roads are narrow, winding and often single-lane over bridges.

Families with seniors often prefer a private driver or coach tours, which also let everyone enjoy the views.

Things to know

Biosecurity: New Zealand fines travellers on the spot for undeclared food. Declare everything, including spices, pickles and dry snacks.
Weather: it changes fast. Carry a waterproof jacket every day, even in summer.
Bookings: Hobbiton, Milford Sound cruises and Queenstown activities sell out from December to March.

Queenstown activity companies sell combo passes covering a jet boat, gondola and helicopter flight. They save money only if you would book all three anyway.

Plan the rest of your trip

Read the New Zealand visa guide and the best time to visit New Zealand. Choose a base from where to stay in Queenstown, budget with the New Zealand trip cost, and see the vegetarian food guide.

Frequently asked questions

Should I visit the North Island or the South Island?

For a first trip of ten days, do both, flying between them. The North Island has Hobbiton, Rotorua and Waitomo; the South Island has Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook and the glaciers. If you only have a week, focus on the South Island, which has most of the dramatic mountain scenery.

Can I drive in New Zealand with an Indian licence?

Yes. You can drive for up to 12 months on a current Indian licence if it is in English; otherwise you need an approved translation or an International Driving Permit. New Zealanders drive on the left, but roads are narrow and winding, so allow more time than map apps suggest.

Is Milford Sound worth the long day from Queenstown?

Yes, but the coach day is 12–13 hours. To make it easier, stay a night in Te Anau, two hours from Milford, or take a fly-cruise-fly option from Queenstown. Rain does not spoil it; hundreds of temporary waterfalls appear after heavy rain.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.