What NOT to Do in New Zealand (And What to Do Instead)

New Zealand is packed full of beautiful, unique, exciting attractions and even after living there for 6 months, I feel like I barely scratched the surface. Like most places though, a few of the typical tourist traps didn’t quite live up to the hype. If you’ve got limited time in Aotearoa, check out these tips on what to skip and what do instead to maximize your holiday!

DON’T… GO UP THE AUCKLAND SKYTOWER

The SkyTower is an icon symbol of the Auckland skyline – which is exactly why you shouldn’t go up in it. I’ll admit it was cool to see the traffic under my feet as I walked around, but I don’t think it’s worth the $28 admission. Plus, when you’re inside it, you can’t get good photos of the whole cityscape, which, to me, defeats the purpose.

INSTEAD… CLIMB MOUNT EDEN

Just a quick five-minute bus ride or thirty-minute walk from the CBD, Mount Eden is the tallest natural point in Auckland. The hike to the top is a bit tough, but very quick. The views are much better than the SkyTower, since you can get a 360-degree view of the iconic Auckland skyline, INCLUDING the SkyTower.

Pro tip: make sure you enter from the Mt. Eden Road side, unlike me who attempted on the Mountain Road side and climbed halfway up 3 times just to realize I was at a dead end every time.

View from the top of the SkyTower

View from Mt. Eden

DON’T… VISIT HOT WATER BEACH

I had seen Hot Water Beach on Pinterest – “Dig your own hot spring at the beach!” – and was immediately drawn to it. Combining the relaxation of the beach and waves with the cleansing therapy of a hot spring? Who could pass that up? But it wasn’t nearly as glamorous as I expected. When I arrived, there were already holes dug so I jumped in a few. Cold, cold, cold. “Am I missing something?” asked the man next to me. I shrugged, feeling the same way.

I eventually did find the area with the hot water. It was a very tiny square with tourists packed in. It was indeed hot – so hot, in fact, that it made it very uncomfortable. I actually burnt the bottom of my feet. I wiggled my way into the mass of people, laid for about 15 minutes, then gave up and left feeling burnt, sandy, and gross.

Hot Water Beach—not as glamorous as it seems on Pinterest.

INSTEAD… VISIT HAHEI OR NEW CHUMS (OR JUST ANY OTHER BEACH) AND/OR TAUPO HOT SPRINGS

I stayed the night at a campground alongside Hahei beach – the embarkation point for the Cathedral Cove Kayak tour I was taking (so worth it, by the way!).

Though Hahei didn’t have much to offer in the tiny town, the beach had beautiful white sand and wasn’t crowded at all. I would’ve much rather spent a day relaxing here than packed into HWB. I’ve also heard locals and tourists alike rave about New Chums Beach, but I haven’t had a chance to get there yet.

For those looking for hot springs, the ones in Taupo are unmatched. Hop in the river – swim up and down until you find your preferred temperature.

Digging “hot springs” at Hot Water Beach

Cathedral Cove

DON’T… GET ALL OF YOUR MAORI CULTURE FIX IN ROTORUA

I’m transfixed by Maori culture. I love everything about it. It’s so unique and their people are so proud; it’s definitely something that has to be experienced. Most people visit Tamaki Village or Te Puia in Rotorua. I went to the Tamaki Village evening event and had a blast. It was very interactive – the men are taught the haka, the women the poi, and we all learned about the games, the language, the music, and most importantly: the food – we were served a traditional hangi (Maori feast). But don’t stop there…

VISIT WAITANGI TREATY GROUNDS IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS

If you get a chance to go up north (I mean way up north), a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a must. This is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840, granting the British equal access to the country. (Actual terms of the treaty were a little foggy, but they’ll tell you all about that on the tour!) The tour is a fantastic history lesson culminating in a culture show that is unmatched in New Zealand. It was a very intimate setting, up close and personal, and was the most informative and well done that I saw in New Zealand.

Learning a Poi dance in Rotorua

Maori Culture Show at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

It’s hard to go wrong in a country with so much to offer, but a little help along the way never hurt. Ready to book your New Zealand adventure? Contact me today!