Top 12 long weekend destinations in New Zealand
Top 12 long weekend destinations in New Zealand
Nothing beats a long weekend in New Zealand summer & spring. This year, with two public holidays landing just before the start of the 2022/23 summer, it's the perfect excuse to spend some time with family and friends. If you’re planning to make a weekend of it, we’ve created a list of the most popular destinations across New Zealand that are guaranteed to deliver an epic short break away. Put together your dream itinerary via the Everything New Zealand website, or contact our travel-loving team for a carefully curated package deal.
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Waitomo
- Poor Knights Islands
- Abel Tasman
- Marlborough Sounds
- Milford Sound & Doubtful Sound
- Kaikoura
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
Find out more about our team's top picks for each destination below!
3 hours south of Auckland in central North Island, Taupo is a popular lakefront town with plenty of things to do for families and friends. The bustling shops & eateries in Taupo’s town centre are sure to keep you busy and you can also fill your days with adrenaline activities. The Hukafalls Jet gets you up close to the mighty Huka Falls Taupo, one of the top Taupo attractions to tick off your bucket list. You can even combine your jet boat experience with a white water rafting trip - the H2OHH Combo - or a helicopter flight - the Huka Falls Above & Below.
For the adventure lovers among you, Rotorua is the place to be in New Zealand's North Island. This geothermal paradise, home to hot springs and fascinating Maori culture, is also known for its epic white water rafting, ziplining and adrenaline options. We recommend getting the best of both worlds with Kaituna Cascades’ rafting Rotorua thrills, followed by a relaxing mud spa Rotorua experience at Hell’s Gate Geothermal Reserve. If this leaves you wanting more, head over to Velocity Valley for the infamous Rotorua bungy & Rotorua swoop.
Looking for a city break? Auckland is a fantastic destination for a long weekend in New Zealand. With restaurants and bars to suit all tastes, you can easily fill your time enjoying delicious food and drinks on the waterfront. For a little more excitement, there is also a whole range of day trips from Auckland to choose from. Our Auckland top pick is to cruise out to the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and experience Auckland’s diverse marine wildlife on the whale and dolphin safari. Start planning fun things to do in Auckland with the help of our team’s expert knowledge - get in touch here!
An easy 3 hour drive north of Auckland, Bay of Islands is a subtropical escape in New Zealand’s North Island. It’s easy to get lost in the natural beauty and history of this region, with golden beaches and clear waters just waiting to be explored. One of the top things to do in Bay of Islands is the Hole in the Rock cruise, viewing bottlenose dolphins and learning the Maori legend behind this exquisite rock formation. If you are staying in Paihia for a couple of days, we also recommend checking out the magical Haruru Falls walk.
Surrounded by rolling hills, Waitomo has an underground network of limestone caves which have become one of New Zealand’s top attractions. There are a number of Waitomo caves tours to choose from, including the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Ruakuri Cave and secret Aranui Cave. For the best Waitomo caves deals, our top tip is to book a multi cave package, such as the Discover Waitomo Most Popular Combo. For those wanting to delve deeper into the caves, you can also opt for the black water rafting Waitomo, a legendary underground tubing experience.
Did you know the Poor Knights Islands are an international diving icon? This group of islands in the Northland of New Zealand mark a marine reserve with clear waters, beautiful marine life, coral reefs and sea caves. You can discover the extraordinary underwater world of Poor Knights Islands on a scuba diving trip, whether you are a first-timer or certified diver. Or if Poor Knights diving doesn’t float your boat, you can also experience the Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve by snorkelling, kayaking or just cruising on the Perfect Day trip.
At the top of the South Island, Abel Tasman promises sunny beach days, tramping in the wilderness and spectacular scenery. In between exploring the Abel Tasman track or popular Anchorage Abel Tasman beach near Marahau, there are plenty of ways to see New Zealand’s smallest national park. Kayaking Abel Tasman is a must do experience, with options ranging from half day guided tours to a 3 Day Length of Abel Tasman excursion. Another favourite activity amongst the Everything New Zealand team is Abel Tasman canyoning, which takes you right into the heart of Abel Tasman National Park.
For equally breathtaking natural beauty, but with a little wine and food tasting on the side, Marlborough Sounds is a key location to tick off your New Zealand bucket list. With Blenheim as your base, you can spend a long weekend indulging in Blenheim wine tours such as the self-guided Hop On Hop Off bus or guided wine tasting Marlborough tour. The quaint village of Picton is only 20 minutes up the road, which provides the perfect gateway to the awe inspiring Marlborough Sounds. Discover the many Marlborough things to do on a day trip to Picton, where you can embark on a Marlborough Sounds cruise or Queen Charlotte Sound walk.
Milford Sound & Doubtful Sound
Fiordland National Park attracts visitors from far and wide with its dramatic mountains, cascading waterfalls and captivating wilderness. In fact, Milford Sound is often nicknamed the Eighth Wonder of the World. While you’re here, the best Milford Sound Cruise to really experience the sheer scale of the surrounding peaks is the Mitre Peak cruise. Nothing gets you closer to the waterfalls than this Milford Sound day cruise, including a visit to the mighty Stirling Falls where you can opt-in for a quick cold shower! But to experience a feeling of true wilderness, Doubtful Sound, aka the Sound of Silence, offers memorable Fiordland activities away from the crowds. You can even wake up on the fiord on the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise. How good!
With so much to see and do in New Zealand’s adventure capital, you might not know where to start when organising a long weekend in Queenstown. The local experts at Everything New Zealand have tried and tested every activity in town so that we can put together a customised Queenstown itinerary just for you! Two of our all-time favourite tours have to be the Pilot’s Choice helicopter flight and Altitude Tours Wine Sampler. Both epic trips are also made sweeter by having some of the best Queenstown deals available. Whatever you're interested in, contact us to start planning today!
To find yourself surrounded by glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains and endless stars, Lake Tekapo is a must visit. This vibrant town in the Mackenzie Country has everything you could possibly want for a long weekend away, from Lake Tekapo hot springs to skydiving over Mt Cook. As Tekapo township is located in the middle of the International Dark Sky Reserve, one activity you cannot miss out on is stargazing Tekapo. The Dark Sky Project offers a breathtaking tour of the skies using state of the art telescopes from the Mt John Observatory.
Where will you be heading for your next long weekend in New Zealand? Compare & book activities with Everything New Zealand and don't forget to check out the hottest deals on our Specials Board. If you're looking for something a little more customised, contact our team to organise a package deal and make the next long weekend one to remember!
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