Best Places to Visit in New Zealand While Studying

From Queenstown to your town

New Zealand contains lots of natural beauty due to its towering mountains, open and lush plains, volcanic plateaus and incredible glaciers. 

Places you might like to visit during your study breaks

On the North Island

Bay of Islands

Home to more than 144 islands, Bay of Islands is a three-hour drive north of Auckland and is the perfect location for sailing and yachting as well as fishing and whale watching. Here you can find penguins, dolphins, whales and marlin in their natural habitat. 

Rotorua

Rotorua, located on the tumultuous Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the most active geothermal regions in the world. Here you can witness a ‘living country’ where boiling mud pools, hissing geysers, volcanic craters, and steaming thermal springs are common. In this region, you’ll find sky-diving, luging, and mountain biking are some of the activities on offer.

Hobbiton Movie Set, Hamilton – Waikato region

The Hamilton-Waikato region is home to one of the world’s most famous movies sets, which was used for filming The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy. International visitors looking to experience the ‘Home of Middle-earth’ can wander through the heart of the Shire and see the unique hobbit holes including Bag End (Bilbo’s house).

On the South Island

Queenstown

Located between the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the snowy peaks of the Remarkables, lies Queenstown – New Zealand’s adventure capital. Home to various ‘adrenaline-fueled’ sports, Queenstown has a lot to offer, including bungee jumping, jet boarding, white-water rafting, paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking and downhill skiing, as well as stunning alpine scenery and hiking trails. 

Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound

Listed as a World Heritage site, Fiordland National Park protects some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, sculpted by glaciers which have carved the magnificent fjords of Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds. Here you can explore offshore islands, mountain peaks and rainforests as well as hike on some of the country’s best walks, including the famous Milford Track. Kayaking is also another popular way to experience the fjords or if you’d like to view these from above, you can enjoy a scenic flight over the park.