New Zealand is filled with an abundance of natural endowments, most of which are protected in national parks that cover seemingly countless acres. These top New Zealand national parks are worth visiting when in the country, as there are plenty of things to see and do in them, and their beauty is pretty much unmatched.
Overall, there are 13 national parks in New Zealand, and of course, they are all worth visiting. However, these are the most beautiful ones to add to the bucket list.
10 Mount Aspiring National Park
A crystal clear Mount Aspiring with mountains and a blue sky in the background, New Zealand
Mount Aspiring National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks New Zealand has to offer its nature enthusiast visitors. It appeals to the eye because of the beautiful glaciers, mountains, and valleys it hosts. This park is home to the 3,033 m Mount Aspiring – one the highest peaks in New Zealand, named after the mountain.
Besides Mount Aspiring, the park is also home to several other prominent peaks, most of which are more than 2,500 meters in height. The abundance of tall mountains in this park has made it a haven for mountaineers and generally hikers who love the mountain landscape.
Mount Aspiring National Park is not just home to mountains. It also has beautiful waterbodies, accommodations, and dense forest, so adventures can always get refreshed and relaxed after hours of exploring the mountainous trails.
9 Kahurangi National Park
A shoreline and a water body under a cloudy sky in Kahurangi National Park New Zealand
The 4,529 square kilometers area of Kahurangi National Park makes it the second-largest national park in New Zealand. This park is located on the South Island, and it is home to beautiful coastlines and enchanting rainforests. Several stunning rock formations, as well as some rare birds and plants, can also be found in this park.
This park is unbelievably old and has many parts that have been untouched for thousands of years. It is pretty much an undisturbed fantasyland with several marked trails that allow visitors to explore its riches. In addition, Kahurangi National Park is home to the Oparara Basin, an area filled with limestone arches, caves, and canyons where rare species like the blue duck and the great spotted kiwi can be seen.
8 Arthur’s Pass National Park
Arthur’s Pass in New Zealand under a cloudy sky
Arthur’s Pass National Park in New Zealand’s South Island (which is great for hiking) protects a mountain pass that goes through the Southern Alps. Here, the scenery is otherworldly, and while trekking on the pass, visitors will get to witness steep gorges, charming rivers, snow-covered peaks, and green valleys. Other activities like sunbathing and mountain climbing can be done here as well, and the views are gorgeous all year round.
7 Nelson Lakes National Park
Mountains’ reflection in Lake Rotoiti at Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand
Nelson Lakes National Park is a 1,018 square kilometer area in New Zealand’s South Island that hosts jagged mountains, charming lakes, and several endangered plants and animals. Although it has other natural endowments, the park’s main features are its lakes, some of which have been named the clearest in the world.
Nelson Lakes National Park has several trails that are great for hiking and biking, and it also offers opportunities for exciting water sports like kayaking, fishing, and swimming.
6 Whanganui National Park
Whanganui National Park, North Island
Whanganui National Park counts itself among the best and most beautiful New Zealand national parks. It covers an area in central North Island that comes with beautiful green scenery due to its hosting of dense forests and green mountains. The park also hosts a long part of the Whanganui River which offers opportunities for some of the most exciting kayaking and canoeing adventures in the world.
Outdoor enthusiasts, as much as lovers of natural scenery, will adore this park because it is so enchanting and full of opportunities for adventures from hiking to biking. In addition, the park is home to a variety of bird species, but what makes people love it so much is the enchanting greenery. Overall, this is easily one of the best national parks in New Zealand that offers it all in terms of natural beauty and activities.
5 Fiordland National Park
Milford Sound Fiordland National Park in New Zealand
Fiordland National Park is among the most popular park in New Zealand and one that should be at the top of any New Zealand bucket list. The park covers an area of about 1.2 million hectares on the South Island, and within it are plenty of natural gems, including lakes, fjords, and forests.
Fiordland National Park is home to some of the most impressive fjords in the world, like Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. A visit to this park is also an opportunity to enjoy adventures like hiking, biking, cruising, and camping, and those who love nature photography will also have plenty of scenes to capture.
4 Abel Tasman National Park
Magnificent view of Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand
Abel Tasman National Park is a 237.1 square kilometer area on the South Island of New Zealand that hosts golden sand beaches, turquoise lakes, dense forests, and interesting wildlife. These natural endowments do not just make the park beautiful but adventurous.
At Abel Tasman National Park, there are opportunities for exciting activities like kayaking, cruising, hiking, and camping. It is also worth knowing that this park is the most visited in New Zealand despite being the smallest national park in the country.
3 Tongariro National Park
Emerald lakes in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Located on the North Island, there are many reasons to visit Tongariro National Park, a volcanic park with volcanoes, alpine landscapes, and the popular 19.4-kilometer Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike. By adventuring along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing hike, visitors will get to see some of the park’s beautiful natural wonders, from emerald lakes to towering volcanoes and stunning craters.
Whakapapa Ski Area, one of New Zealand’s largest ski resorts, is also located in Tongariro National Park, and it is one more reason this park should be on every traveler’s New Zealand bucket list.
2 Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
The beautiful Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is home to the highest mountain in New Zealand and was named after it. The mountain rises to 3,724 m and has now become a haven for climbers and hikers from all over the world, as it also has hiking trails.
Besides the tallest mountain in New Zealand, the park is also home to beautiful glaciers, crystal clear lakes, alpine landscapes, and hundreds of other mountains, most of which are covered in snow almost year-round. These combine to make the entire park one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
1 Paparoa National Park
Rock formations with a water body and a cloudy sky in the background in Paparoa National Park New Zealand
Underground streams, stunning rock formations, soft sandy beaches, and dense forests are some of the incredible natural wonders that can be found in Paparoa National Park. This park feels like both a workshop and a playground of immortals. It’s easy to imagine the immortals spending the day carving out the jagged rocks, then in the evenings, they relax on the sandy shores and spend the nights resting in the forests.
The park’s magical landscapes just look so unique and divine that it inspires a lot of imaginary thoughts. It’s truly one of the special natural wonders that only exist in New Zealand. Words do little justice to this place; only a visit explains it all. Hiking is the main activity in this park, and travelers can make it even more exciting by bringing their cameras.