New Zealand · best-of list
The 7 Best Outdoor Spots in New Zealand
All 7 outdoor spots our route editors picked in New Zealand, across 4 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect trails, beaches, parks and viewpoints, with Milford Sound contributing the most (3).
Our curated picks
7 outdoor spots in New Zealand, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Milford Sound 3 picks
Lake Gunn Nature Walk
Milford Sound · On our South Island Alps & Fiords route
Easy loop through moss-covered red beech forest to the lake shore.
Photo: John McCarthy · Google
Mirror Lakes
Milford Sound · On our South Island Alps & Fiords route
Short boardwalk to still ponds reflecting the Earl Mountains.
Photo: Jenny from Taipei · CC BY 2.0
The Chasm
Milford Sound · On our South Island Alps & Fiords route
Short forest walk to where the Cleddau River carves holes in the rock.
Photo: Willtron · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aoraki / Mount Cook 2 picks
Kea Point Track
Aoraki / Mount Cook · On our South Island Alps & Fiords route
Easy walk from the village to a viewing platform over the Mueller Glacier moraine lake.
Photo: 林政錡 · Google
Tasman Glacier View
Aoraki / Mount Cook · On our South Island Alps & Fiords route
Short climb to a lookout over the Tasman Glacier's terminal lake and moraine.
Photo: Yuri C · Google
Christchurch 1 pick
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch · On our South Island Alps & Fiords route
Riverside gardens in Hagley Park with rose gardens and conservatories.
Photo: Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0
Queenstown 1 pick
Queenstown Gardens
Queenstown · On our South Island Alps & Fiords route
Peninsula park with lakeside paths and a frisbee golf course.
Photo: fr:Utilisateur:FRED The original uploader was FRED at French Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the outdoor spots in New Zealand?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 7 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of New Zealand has the most outdoor spots on this list?
Milford Sound has the most (3 of 7), followed by Aoraki / Mount Cook (2) and Christchurch (1).
Are any of these free?
7 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Lake Gunn Nature Walk, Kea Point Track, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Queenstown Gardens, Mirror Lakes, and more. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for New Zealand
Best outdoor spots nearby
Destinations on this list
- Milford Sound 3 on this list
- Aoraki / Mount Cook 2 on this list
- Christchurch 1 on this list
- Queenstown 1 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.