Stellar Sights: New Zealand's Most Breathtaking Ever-Changing Vistas
The natural masterpieces of New Zealand are always in-season.
Flick the switch to choose your season.
Stellar Sights: New Zealand's Most Breathtaking Ever-Changing Vistas
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The natural masterpieces of New Zealand are always in-season.
From towering mountains and serene fiords shrouded in mist, to black sand beaches and forests housing some of the world's oldest trees, Aotearoa New Zealand's natural landscapes truly are something else.
No matter when you visit, you'll feel the wairua (spirit) of New Zealand's landscapes drawing you in as you're immersed in them and they envelop you. This is scenery you'll feel, rather than merely 'view'.
Winter transforms vistas as the skies darken, mountains rising from the horizon are dusted in snow and the seasonal passing by of wildlife occurs. During autumn and spring, you'll be bathed in warmer temperatures and lingering sunlight that casts a different light over the landscapes.
We teamed up with 100% Pure New Zealand to unveil some of the most awe-inspiring scenery New Zealand has to offer each season, so you can plan a trip that's made all the more memorable by these breathtaking encounters.
Flick the switch for our top picks of experiences to have in autumn, winter and spring and see how New Zealand changes with the seasons.
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In New Zealand’s Northland, where there are an infinite number of postcard-worthy beaches, the climate skews subtropical. Revel in the autumnal warmth of the region, where the days are sunny but not scorching. The only difficult decision is settling on where to explore first.
A seven-day adventure along the Twin Coast Discovery touring route will put you in good stead to explore the region’s standout beaches, hiking tracks and cultural encounters. Some of the highlights on this abundant adventure include Ninety Mile Beach, Poor Knights Islands and Waipoua Forest, where you’ll find Tāne Mahuta — New Zealand’s largest known living kauri tree.
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Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, the pristine surrounds of Waiheke Island make for the ultimate day trip.
If you consider yourself something of a wine aficionado, the island is teeming with world-class vineyards. Head to top-notch destinations like Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant, Man O’War Vineyards and the Tantalus Estate to sip exceptional vino with a view to match.
Then, roam picturesque white-sand beaches with azure blue waters including Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi. More than just sights of natural beauty to marvel at, discover the walking tracks, hikes, paddle boarding and kayaking that can be enjoyed either at the beaches or in their surrounds.
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No trip to the Taranaki region is complete without a jaunt in Egmont National Park to check out the Pouākai Crossing on Taranaki Maunga — a soaring dormant stratovolcano rising to over 2,500 metres.
Considered the premier hike amid this monumental landscape, the daylong adventure covers an assortment of natural wonders throughout its 19-kilometre track.
With vistas stretching out to the coastline, you can gaze out as far as the eye can see, while the inland perspective sees Mount Ruapehu rising in the distance. Along the way, the towering lava columns of the Dieffenbach Cliffs make for a fascinating focal point, while the waters of the Kokowai Stream — a distinctive red caused by manganese oxide oozing from the earth — are a must-see.
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Hot Water Beach isn’t your everyday picturesque, sandy coastline. This surreal destination embodies the healing power of nature with heated mineral water rising visibly through the sand.
For an all-in, immersive experience, head to the southern end of the beach and start digging a hole in the sand. Soon, you’ll be rewarded with your own personal spa. Then, it’s just a matter of climbing inside for something resembling a jacuzzi powered by the earth. For the best experience, plan your visit for two hours on either side of low tide, when the water level is low enough to expose this natural warming phenomenon.
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Filled to the brim with picturesque scenery, Central Otago is a dream destination for an elongated bike ride — and the Lake Dunstan Trail is one of the most rewarding, having become the newest of the 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides.
Stretching over 55-kilometres, the intermediate trail offers a confection of points of interest, winding around bodies of water ranging from lakes to rivers, and passing through wineries and heritage towns like Cromwell or Clyde that are perfect for a feast and a rest.
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New Zealand’s South Island is renowned for idyllic scenery — it boasts glacial lakes, towering mountains and sweeping fiords, to name just a few — and Wānaka is a stop well-suited to sampling the best of the region’s nature. It’s also ideal as a base, serving as a gateway to even more vantage points that will grant views of the distinctive lake.
You’ll find a myriad of hikes that offer varying perspectives on the namesake lake. The Outlet Track is an easy one-hour stroll starting at Beacon Point and making its way along the Clutha River toward Albert Town. The Rob Roy Glacier Track is slightly trickier, stretching 10-kilometres through Mount Aspiring National Park.
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With a claim to fame as the world’s youngest geothermal site, the striking Waimangu Volcanic Valley hydrothermal system bubbled to life as recently as 1886 after the eruption of Mount Tarawera.
Explore the landscape with a self-guided stroll through this volcanic valley, where natural wonders await around every corner. Hikes range from 1.5 to 4.5-kilometres, with most featuring exceptional views of the Inferno Crater Lake. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife encounters and relish in the enormous hot water springs.
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Formed millions of years ago by ancient glacial waters, the Ōmarama Clay Cliffs are a hiking destination unlike any other in New Zealand.
Separated by narrow ravines, towering pinnacles of gravel and silt rise 30 metres into the sky, providing a surreal view worth craning your neck for. Situated only 10-kilometres west of Ōmarama, there’s a good chance you’re already journeying within touching distance of these exceptional rock formations.
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Renowned for its natural beauty and being the starting point for some of the most picturesque and exhilarating adventure activities in the Pacific, Queenstown’s reputation precedes itself.
However, for a different, off-the-beaten track experience of Queenstown, head to the Queenstown Hill Time Walk. Rising 500 metres through pine forest, the 4.2-kilometre track is adorned with the famous ‘Basket of Dreams’ sculpture alongside six plates that explain how different time periods shaped the region. While the walk is lightly demanding, your exertion will be rewarded with panoramic views stretching back to town and across the picturesque landscape.
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Venture deep into Fiordland National Park to reach the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track – a 3-day loop traversing subalpine mountains, deserted beaches and pristine forests.
Less than a year old, this exceptional multi-day hike (New Zealanders call it tramping) is the newest of New Zealand’s 11 Great Walks, and it delivers a more memorable experience than most. While autumn is a beautiful time to visit, this trek isn’t for the faint-hearted, so make sure your fitness level and equipment are up to the test.
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Tucked into Tongariro National Park, the Taranaki Falls Track is a laid-back loop offering more than a few spectacular vistas, with the most impressive being the namesake falls.
They rise to an majestic 20 metres and cascade down over the lava flow from a volcanic eruption that occurred over 15,000 years ago.
With the track divided into upper and lower sections and the falls in the middle, this six-kilometre journey makes for an easygoing trek rich in natural beauty.
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Just a 20 minute ferry ride and only six-kilometres from the coast of the southern end of North Island, Kāpiti Island is a crucial nature reserve home to some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds.
With a limited number of visitors allowed on the island each day, there are options to go on either guided or self-guided adventures. Either way, exploring the landscape promises a special experience alongside wildlife that is once again beginning to thrive. Complete scenic treks like the one-hour Rangatira Loop and the two-hour Wilkinson Track to get immersed in rare flora and fauna.
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Perched at the edge of the North Island, Cape Reinga is as far north as most people can go in New Zealand. Unflappable in the face of a blustering winds, it’s a destination steeped in history, tradition and scenic wonders.
The cape is the meeting point between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, with most days bringing churning swells that make for a breathtaking experience. An easy stroll out to the lighthouse completes the journey with panoramic views as far as the eye can see.
This spot is also renowned among Māori and a site of particular cultural significance. According to oral history, the spirits of deceased Māori leap from an 800-year-old pōhutukawa tree to return to their ancestral homeland.
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Kaikōura, approximately a two-hour drive north of Christchurch, is the place to be for whale watching in New Zealand. In winter, humpback whales are particularly active, with travellers in prime position on the water to catch a glimpse.
If you’re keen to test your luck, Whale Watch Kaikōura is the country’s only vessel-based operation bringing would-be sailors up close to these magnificent creatures. Along the way, there’s also the strong possibility you’ll see fur seals, dusky dolphins and endangered wandering albatross soaring the skies.
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Beaches don’t need sparkling white shorelines to take your breath away. Auckland’s rugged west coast makes this case better than anywhere else.
Take a trip to Piha Beach to get up close and personal with its fascinating black sand. Originating from Mount Taranaki’s volcanic rocks, the sand gets its dark tones due to its especially high iron content. Once you’re done admiring the shore, zip into a wetsuit and tackle Piha’s popular waves on a surfboard.
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Linking the Mackenzie Basin with Central Otago, the Lindis Pass is one of New Zealand’s most scenic thoroughfares granting anyone who passes breathtaking views of towering hills in all directions.
Humbled by the size and scale of the surrounding mountains, cruising the roads in wintery conditions ensures each snow-covered peak is as stunning as the last. With the pass set between Cromwell and Ōmarama, whichever path you’re taking means arriving at a charming destination perfect for warming up.
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Few locations in the world have skies as dark as those in Lake Tekapo. So much so, it’s part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, which is a seal of assurance that the skies are light pollution-free.
The town of Tekapo is located between the intensely turquoise, still waters of Lake Tekapo and the towering Southern Alps, and there are few spots in the world to see stars like this.
Winter is peak stargazing time, with the longest stretches of night to maximise time spent in the moonlight.
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For a view that’s a little out of the ordinary, head down south to Ōamaru to catch a glimpse of the littlest of all the penguins — the little blue penguin, also known as kororā.
With the penguin species at risk Ōamaru’s colony is a conservation site too, so your visit will contribute to ongoing scientific research to help maintain the colony.
Although the little blue penguins have a mating schedule that’s best described as unpredictable, the stretch of months over winter is your best bet for catching them on land as they return to nest from May to June.
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Take the coast road to Cape Palliser to discover what makes the bottom edge of New Zealand’s North Island so unmissable.
Renowned for its dramatic vistas, the Putangirua Pinnacles are a series of awe-inspiring formations – “a collection of hoo-doos” — while the Ngawi fishing village is a prime spot for fish and chips. Once you reach Cape Palliser, climb the 250 steps to the top of the lighthouse to experience awesome views and the chance to spot local seal colonies.
For any Lord of the Rings enthusiasts, the other-worldly formations were one of the filming locations on Return of the King.
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Fiordland National Park on New Zealand’s South Island is a pristine landscape of incredible contrasts. Still fiords, carved by glaciers over millions of years, are abutted by soaring mountains that astonish in their scale and steepness.
When you venture into the wilderness of Fiordland, there are a few options on hand to experience the region. A cruise on the fiords is one of the most popular ways to quite literally soak in the landscape, as the region is one of the wettest places in the world. Floating down the inlet at sea level will transport you to touching distance of the precipitous cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
However, an aerial view might be the only way to truly appreciate the sheer scale of the landscape. Any tour with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters over the fiords, including glorious Milford Sound, is the flight of a lifetime, with even the most basic offering unbeatable views and alpine landings.
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Set amid the Bay of Plenty about nine-kilometres from the mainland, Moutohorā Island Sanctuary is an exceptional destination for encountering rare and endangered plants, birds and reptiles.
Also known as Whale Island, this speck of an oasis is home to tūturiwhatu/New Zealand dotterel, boisterous tīeke/North Island saddleback and kākāriki/red-crowned parakeet. Spring is one of the liveliest times to visit the pristine island, as the season ushers in a flurry of wildlife activity.
If the idea of a more hands-on trip appeals to you, there’s also the chance to dig your own geothermal pool in the secluded sands of Onepū Bay, as well as the option to kayak in the waters around the island.
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Between the Auckland region and Great Barrier Island, the Hauraki Gulf offers 1.2 million-hectares of blissful waters, with boundless adventures offering a different vantage point from which to soak in the views. There’s everything from sea kayaking to mountain trekking.
More than 50 islands adorn the landscape, with urbanised and untamed experiences alike on hand. Head to popular Waiheke Island and sip on an award-winning drop and absorb the island’s immense wine culture.
For something a little different, plan a trip to Rangitoto Island to encounter the country’s youngest, yet largest, dormant volcano.
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Inside the Wairēinga Scenic Reserve in Raglan, the towering Wairēinga/Bridal Veil Falls rise 55 metres above forest dominated by tawa trees.
While this location might look like something from Jurassic Park, it’s actually only a 15 minute drive from the surfy coastal town of Raglan. Once you arrive, you’ll stroll through native bush along the Pakoka River for 10 minutes before encountering two stunning viewing platforms. Navigate the steep stairs to find an enchanting perspective looking directly at the base of the falls.
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Spring is the perfect time to make the trip to Hawke’s Bay, which is best known as wine country, but is in fact where wineries and incredible scenery go hand-in-hand.
For an especially scenic experience, spend 90 minutes hiking to the Te Mata Peak at almost 400 metres, for an elevated vantage point that is a sweet spot for gazing across the sweeping landscape below.
Following your return, it’s just a short trek to world-class winemakers like Craggy Range Winery and Te Mata Estate.
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Take a historic two-wheel adventure with an easygoing bike ride along the Ohakune Old Coach Road.
The rail trail follows a cobblestone road built to link up two distinct North Island railheads in the early 1900s, with many of its fascinating features remaining for your sightseeing pleasure. Pedal along cobbled roads, through steel viaducts and across an old bridge, all the while soaking in impressive views of the nearby Tongariro National Park.
Not only is the trail a picturesque journey in its own right, it’s also a section of one of the 23 Great Rides of New Zealand, the Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono ride.
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Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson Tasman region is a veritable paradise, with turquoise waters, white sand beaches and native forests making for an Eden-like experience.
One of the most remarkable ways to enjoy its abundance involves embarking on a spectacular journey in a waka (Māori canoes) that also pays homage to living Māori history with Waka Abel Tasman. For thousands of years, Māori people sailed the Pacific Ocean in waka as they were the only form of transport across oceans and waterways and were vital for trade and travel.
In addition to this inimitable cultural experience, you’ll paddle along the shoreline to see natural landmarks like Split Apple Rock too.
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Forging a dramatic spot on New Zealand’s west coast, Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks see powerful sea bursts rise through eroded limestone formations that serve as mighty blowholes.
Emerging as a refreshing spray, the warmer springtime weather should offer the ideal conditions for a visit. While you’re there, take the easy Pancake Rocks Track to explore a 20 minute loop culminating in a stunning lookout point perched on the craggy cliffside.
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Amid the river valleys of Whanganui National Park, the Bridge to Nowhere is a curious concrete structure with no connecting roads or surrounding landmarks.
Despite appearing like the work of an ancient civilisation, the bridge was in fact built by the government to improve access to potential farmland for soldiers returning from World War I. When this plan didn’t quite pan out, the bridge was abandoned, left to re-wild.
Nowadays, it serves as an engineered marvel amid the lush forest home to fascinating birdlife and is part of the Bridge to Nowhere Mountain Biking Trail, one of New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides, which are trails filled with world-class scenery and sights, exciting activities and stops for delectable food and drink.
The rest of the national park is an explorer’s delight, too — it’s home to New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway and its position at the centre of a large sedimentary basin means the rocks are mostly pliable mudstones.
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What is the size of Singapore and closer in size to a sea than to a lake? It’s not a riddle, it’s Lake Taupō in New Zealand’s North Island.
Given the lake’s vast size, a memorable way to take in the the scenic surrounds of Lake Taupō is on a cosy Doughboat.
These nifty doughnut-shaped boats are designed with a table in the middle, so you and your travel companions can comfortably sit together and admire the springtime vistas. Bring all the drinks and snacks you could need to feast on between swim sessions in the lake.
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Milford Sound/Piopiotahi might be Fiordland’s best known fiord, but the second largest in Fiordland National Park, Doubtful Sound, is just as spectacular. A remote and unscathed slice of paradise, Doubtful Sound invites you to put aside your phones, cameras and busy lives and bask in raw wilderness.
Relish in the day trip into Doubtful Sound, accessible via boat and coach. There are a number of cruise options available, from day trips to overnight stays, you can even book a kayaking adventure and camp overnight in Doubtful Sound.
Due to its isolation, the native flora and fauna remain relatively undisturbed. That means you can expect to see abundant wildlife, like bottlenose dolphins and fur seals, at play. While cruising, keep an eye out for the rare Fiordland crested penguin.
With extraordinary experiences year-round, discover when New Zealand is best for you. Find your very own Aotearoa New Zealand here.
