New Zealand’s Most Instagrammable Locations

If there’s one thing you need to know about New Zealand, it’s that the entire country is unbelievably beautiful. In such a small amount of land, there are so many different landscapes—each one more beautiful than the last. Whether you’re a beach person, a mountain person, are looking for rolling hills or jagged peaks, the landscapes around every turn will take your breath away. If you only have a limited amount of time to explore the country, here are 10 of New Zealand’s most Instagrammable locations. If you can’t make it to all of them in your time there, don’t fret! Get on the road and go any direction; New Zealand won’t disappoint. 

New Zealand’s most Instagrammable locations: North Island

When you think of New Zealand, you probably imagine the adrenaline rush of Queenstown, the iconic peak of Mount Cook, and the unworldly blue of Lake Tekapo. While we will definitely be talking about all of these locations, the North Island of New Zealand also has a lot of hidden gems. If you take a trip to New Zealand and you don’t visit at least a few of these spots, you’re missing out on a lot that this country has to offer. 

Rotorua

Rotorua sits right within one of the world’s most active volcanic regions, and evidence of this is everywhere. Its impressive thermal landscape includes natural hot springs, geysers, bubbling mud pools, and even a hot creek! Aside from its thermal activity, Rotorua is one of the best cities in New Zealand to dive deep into Maori culture. Spend your time here soaking your worries away in a natural hot spring, and then spend the evening watching a cultural performance while eating a traditional hangi meal! 

Waiheke Island

You’ll be surprised to find that the idyllic island of Waiheke is only a 45-minute ferry ride away from the city of Auckland. Waiheke Island is well-known for its wine, and is covered in beautiful vineyards as far as the eye can see. Enjoy a culinary tour of the island as you sip on local wine, taste the local seafood, and admire your surroundings. 

Hobbiton

Even if you have never watched Lord of the Rings, I’m sure you know about hobbit houses. One of the most instagrammable spots in New Zealand is Hobbiton; one look at the rolling hills surrounding it, and you’ll understand why! Take your photo in front of Bilbo Baggins house, enjoy a pint at the Green Dragon Inn, and sit down for lunch at the Shire’s Rest. 

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Imagine this: you’re on a boat deep inside a cave, filled with stalagmites and stalactites. As you marvel at these wonders, the boat keeps moving until you find yourself in a dark cave filled with thousands and thousands of small glowworms. Everything is dark, and as you look around you feel as though you are looking at thousands of tiny stars. This is the reality at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves! It’s an incredible experience that no one should miss. 

Tongariro National Park

Tongariro National Park is known for its otherworldly landscape that looks as though it is straight out of Middle Earth. If you’re up for a challenge, take a day to do the Tongariro Crossing—one of the most popular day hikes in the entire country. This hike takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete, and is a total of 19.4km (~12 miles) long. It’s accessible to anyone, but if you’re going in the winter, you'll need to have some mountaineering experience. 

New Zealand’s most Instagrammable locations: South Island

If you have a taste for adventure, New Zealand’s South Island is made for you. It’s home to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, and has stunning landscapes as far as the eye can see. If you’re not up for going white water rafting or bungee jumping, you can spend your time on easy day hikes or enjoying a meal next to a picturesque lake. 

Mount Cook

Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand, and I guarantee you’ve seen Instagram photos of its grandeur. You don’t need mountaineering skills to enjoy the beauty of this iconic mountain. The Hooker Valley Track is one of the most popular walking trails in Mount Cook National Park, and one of the most accessible. It’s only 5km (~3 miles) long and fairly flat, and gives incredible views of Mount Cook and the surrounding scenery. If you’re not up for a walk, simply driving around the park will leave you breathless! 

Lake Tekapo

If you visit the South Island towards the end of November, you’re in for a treat. At the end of New Zealand’s winter/beginning of New Zealand’s summer, the beautiful purple and pink flowers of lupines are blooming all over Lake Tekapo. If you visit at any other time of the year, the lack of flowers doesn’t take away from the beauty of this lake. Have a picnic, read a good book, or just snap some photos of yourself in front of this stunning landscape. 

Roy’s Peak

I’m sure you’ve seen images of Roy’s Peak! Located just outside of Wanaka, The Roy’s Peak Track is popular for Instagrammers, adventurers, and beauty-seekers alike. This track is less than two hours away from Queenstown and takes about 5-6 hours to complete. It’s 16km (~10 miles) round trip, and the best time to go is before sunrise so that you catch the first light at the peak. 

Milford Sound

Only one road will take you to and from Milford Sound, and the entire drive is incredible. Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a cruise through Milford Sound and marvel at dolphins, waterfalls, crystal-clear water, and tall, looming mountains. 

Queenstown

Last but certainly not least is Queenstown! This city is a must-see for any visitor to New Zealand. Nestled between Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range, Queenstown is stunningly beautiful at any month of the year. Head here to ski or snowboard in the winter, or visit in the summer for white water rafting and paragliding. Those who prefer a more low-key visit can relax at the edge of the lake or take a leisurely walk through one of many nature trails. 

Let Acanela help you plan your trip!

Are you ready to have the adventure of a lifetime? We offer 7-10 day trips through both the North and South Island with the perfect mix of leisure and exploration. If you’d like to extend your trip to include Australia or even Indonesia, we can help! If you’re not traveling this year, start planning your future dream trip today. Even visiting a few of New Zealand’s most Instagrammable locations will be a trip to remember. 

This post was written by Kiri Rowan

Check out more of her adventures on Instagram at @kirirowan