Top 10 Must-Do
Experiences in New Zealand
Discover the real New Zealand with our Top 10 must-do experiences, carefully selected by local experts who live and travel here. These are the experiences that show you Aotearoa beyond the standard tourist route, the ones that truly leave an impression.
At New Zealand Private Tours, we’ve gone a step further than the usual travel lists. This is our personal collection of the best experiences in New Zealand, chosen because we’ve done them ourselves and genuinely loved them. They’re not just popular photo stops or box-ticking attractions, they’re experiences that connect you to the landscape, the culture, and the relaxed Kiwi way of travel.
From scenic rail journeys and glacier adventures to Māori cultural experiences, easy walks, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, each one has been personally tested and recommended by our team. If you’re planning a New Zealand holiday and want experiences that feel authentic, memorable, and well paced, this list is a great place to start.
1. Overnight in Milford Sound: A Special Kiwi Experience
An overnight stay in Milford Sound is a real highlight and something not many people get to do. Staying on the Fiordland Jewel lets you experience the fiord once the day boats have headed home and everything slows right down.
The boat is comfortable and easy-going, with ensuite cabins, good food, and plenty of time to sit back and take it all in. You’ll see the fiord at its best in the evening and again first thing in the morning, when it’s calm and quiet.
We’ve done this experience ourselves at New Zealand Private Tours, and it’s one we genuinely loved. It’s a great way to enjoy Fiordland at a relaxed pace, Kiwi-style.
2. Earnslaw Burn: A Proper Hidden Gem
Earnslaw Burn is one of those places that really does feel a bit special. A scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown takes you over rugged alpine country and old gold-mining areas before landing in this remote valley.
You’ll touch down near the Earnslaw Glacier, with time to wander the valley floor and take in the waterfalls pouring off the cliffs. It’s quiet, raw, and very much classic New Zealand.
This spot featured in The Hobbit films, and as we like to say, if it’s good enough for a hobbit, it’s good enough for you. It’s a brilliant add-on to a Queenstown stay and something that not many visitors get to experience.
3. Arrowtown & Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure: A Local Favourite
This is a great way to see two very different sides of Queenstown in one day. You’ll start in Arrowtown, with time to explore its historic streets and hear a bit about the gold rush days, before heading out towards Skippers Canyon.
The road into Skippers is a bit hairy in places, narrow, winding, and not one we’d suggest tackling yourself, but don’t worry, we know how to drive it. With a local guide behind the wheel, you can just sit back and enjoy the views, the stories, and the sense of getting well off the beaten track.
It’s a classic Queenstown experience and one that’s always a hit with guests who like a mix of scenery, history, and a bit of adventure. thrilling off-road journey offers dramatic views, rugged gorges, and fascinating tales of early pioneers. Perfect for photography, history lovers, and adventure seekers alike.
4. TE PĀ TŪ Evening Cultural Experience: A Rotorua Highlight
This is a really special evening and one we often talk about afterwards. The TE PĀ TŪ experience in Rotorua offers a genuine introduction to Māori culture through storytelling, haka, song, and shared moments that feel meaningful rather than staged.
One of the most moving parts of the evening is the fire pit experience. Gathered around the open fire, guests listen to stories and reflections that focus on whakapapa (connection), whenua (land), and the importance of coming together. Fire holds deep meaning in Māori culture , it represents warmth, protection, life, and the passing on of knowledge. Sitting quietly by the flames, with the forest around you, creates a powerful sense of connection.
We’ve experienced this ourselves at New Zealand Private Tours, and Kathy found the fire pit moment especially moving. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you, simple, honest, and very Aotearoa, and is followed by a shared hāngī meal to round out the evening.
5. Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike: A Mount Cook Highlight
This is a great way to experience Aoraki / Mount Cook and get out onto the ice without needing to be super fit or experienced. You’ll take a scenic helicopter flight over the Southern Alps before landing on the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier.
The Tasman Glacier has been slowly carving its way down the valley for around 20,000 years, which makes it a fair bit older than any of us, and it’s not in a hurry either. Once on the ice, you’re looked after by experienced Alpine Guides who keep things relaxed and easy, pointing out crevasses, ice formations, and sharing a few good stories along the way.
Despite how impressive it looks, it’s not physically that hard, and everything is well supported with proper gear and guidance. Just take your time, enjoy the views, and try not to feel too young next to the glacier, it’s seen a few things.Perfect for adventurers of all levels, this guided heli-hike combines scenic flightseeing with unforgettable glacier exploration.
6. Funyaks: A Brilliant Adventure for All Ages
Funyaks is one of those activities that manages to be fun, scenic, and relaxed all at once. It starts with a jet boat ride up the Dart River, which gets the adrenaline going, before things slow right down as you hop into your own inflatable Funyak and paddle downstream.
The river is calm and clear, with plenty of time to take in the scenery, drift through quiet side streams, and explore spots like the Rockburn Chasm. It’s easy-going and well guided, so you never feel rushed or out of your depth.
If you’re looking at the photo, that’s our daughter when she was a late teenager, and it really shows how this is a great activity for a wide range of ages. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the Glenorchy area and works just as well for families as it does for couples or multi-generation travellers.
7. Nocturnal Glowworm Tour: A Special After-Dark Experience
This is a really memorable way to see New Zealand’s native forest at night. You head out after dark, following the sound of running water as you move through the canyon with your guide. When the torches are switched off, the walls light up with thousands of glowworms, like a night sky tucked away in the bush.
The tour is run by Steven, who has created some really thoughtful touches that make the experience feel personal rather than touristy. It’s clear he genuinely cares about the place and the people coming through it, which adds a lot to the evening.
It’s quiet, unhurried, and finishes with time to look up at the southern sky. A simple, special experience that stays with you.
This unique tour offers a rare glimpse into New Zealand’s nocturnal wildlife, topped off with stargazing beneath the southern skies.
8. Big Sky Stargazing: A Relaxed Night Under the Stars
This is a lovely way to spend an evening, especially if you’re curious about the night sky but don’t want anything too technical. You’ll head out to a dark-sky location with experienced guides who make the whole experience easy to follow and genuinely interesting.
One of the things people enjoy most is that the stars here are completely different from the Northern Hemisphere. Instead of the Big Dipper, you’ll be spotting the Southern Cross, the Milky Way stretching right across the sky, and stars you simply don’t see up north.
Using telescopes, astro-binoculars, and just your own eyes, there’s plenty of time to look, ask questions, and take it all in. It’s calm, unhurried, and a great reminder of just how big and clear the southern sky is here in New Zealand.
9. TranzAlpine Scenic Plus: A South Island Classic
The TranzAlpine is one of those journeys that really lives up to the hype. Travelling from Christchurch to Greymouth, the train crosses the Southern Alps and gives you a front-row seat to some of the South Island’s best scenery, rivers, mountains, forests, and wide open plains, all without having to drive.
The Scenic Plus upgrade makes the trip even more enjoyable, with comfortable seating, attentive service, and good food and drinks along the way. If you’re looking at the photo, that’s Kathy enjoying a glass of wine, which sums it up nicely, relaxed, scenic, and a great way to travel.
It’s an easy, laid-back experience and a brilliant way to see a lot of the country while sitting back and letting the landscape roll past.
10. Hokitika Gorge Walk – An Easy South Island Favourite
The Hokitika Gorge Walk is one of those spots that really surprises people. Just a short drive from Hokitika, the track takes you through native bush and out to lookout points over the bright blue water of the gorge.
The walk itself is nice and easy, making it suitable for all ages. You can take your time, cross the suspension bridge, snap a few photos, and simply enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed or worn out.
It’s a great stop on the West Coast, simple, scenic, and proof that you don’t need a long hike to see something pretty special.