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While tourists crowd Hobbiton and queue for hours at Milford Sound, you could be sipping flat whites with locals in a hidden mountain hut or picking fresh mussels on a beach that doesn’t even have a name on Google Maps. Discover 10 hidden gems in New Zealand that go beyond the usual tourist spots, offering unique adventures and off-the-beaten-path experiences!
After six months of zigzagging across both islands, I’ve uncovered New Zealand’s best-kept secrets you won’t find in any guidebook.
1. The Secret Hot Springs of Lake Rotopounamu
Forget the commercial hot pools of Rotorua. Hidden in the dense forest near Lake Rotopounamu, locals have kept a series of natural thermal pools under wraps for generations. While Rotorua’s geothermal attractions are a popular draw, the hidden hot springs near Lake Rotopounamu offer a more tranquil experience. Tucked away in the dense forest, these natural thermal pools are scattered across a peaceful clearing, with temperatures ranging from pleasantly warm to perfectly hot. Visitors can enjoy a quiet soak surrounded by nature, far from the bustling tourist spots.
How to Get There: Head toward Lake Rotopounamu and look for the unmarked track beside the third cattle gate. If you see any tour buses, you’ve gone too far.
2. The Underground Markets of Wellington’s Old Bank Arcade
Every Sunday morning, while tourists browse the famous Wellington Harbor Market, something magical happens in the basement of the Old Bank Arcade. Local artisans gather in this underground space, converting old bank vaults into pop-up shops selling everything from hand-forged knives to secret-recipe hot sauces, unique homeware, and locally made gourmet treats.
Pro tip: Bring cash and arrive before 7 AM. The best stuff sells fast, and most vendors don’t take cards. The entrance is through the coffee shop with the blue door.
3. The Sheep Station Observatory
In the heart of the Mackenzie Country, where most tourists stop for a quick photo of the Church of the Good Shepherd, there’s a working sheep station that doubles as one of the clearest stargazing spots in the world. The elderly couple who own it have converted their wool shed into a basic observatory, complete with massive telescopes and endless stories about the southern sky.
The best part? They only take one family per night, and you have to book by leaving a note at the local general store.
4. The Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail Bakehouse
About 20 minutes off the main tourist route between Queenstown and Wanaka, there’s a small bakehouse built into the side of a cliff. Run by a former French pastry chef, it’s only accessible by bike or foot via the Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail. The almond croissants are legendary among locals, who make the trek just for breakfast. If you time it right around sunrise, you might catch sight of local climbers tackling the nearby crags while enjoying your coffee with a spectacular lake view.
The spot isn’t advertised and won’t show up on Google Maps – ask for “Pierre’s Place” at the Cromwell bike rental shop, and they’ll mark it on your trail map.
5. The Secret Penguin Hospital
Everyone knows about the penguin colonies in Oamaru, but few visitors ever hear about the “penguin hospital” run by a retired veterinarian in her backyard. This unique sanctuary rehabilitates injured blue penguins, providing them the care they need to return to the wild.
She doesn’t advertise, and you won’t find any signs pointing to her place. The only way to visit is to ask at the local fish and chip shop (the one with the green door) about “Maria’s penguins.” If she’s not too busy, she’ll invite you over to help feed the penguins their afternoon fish.
6. The Mountain Hut Book Club
High in the Southern Alps, is a basic DOC (Department of Conservation) hut that hosts what might be the world’s most remote book club. Every first Saturday of the month, locals trek up with books, homemade baking, and thermoses of tea or coffee. They spend the afternoon discussing literature while overlooking some of New Zealand’s most spectacular peaks.
What to Know: Bring a book to leave behind and take one to read. It’s a wonderful way to meet locals and share stories.
7. The Coastal Foraging Route
The stretch of coastline between Kaikoura and Blenheim is a hidden paradise for seafood lovers. Locals know where to find an abundance of mussels, paua (abalone), and edible seaweed. The experience of gathering kai moana (seafood) along the shore is both rewarding and educational.
The real treasure here isn’t just the seafood – it’s the knowledge shared by local families who’ve been gathering kai moana (seafood) here for generations.
8. The Secret Glow Worm Dell
Hidden in suburban Wellington is an unexpected glow worm colony living in a former railway tunnel. Unlike the famous Waitomo Caves, this spot is completely free and rarely visited by tourists. The 100-meter tunnel comes alive at night with thousands of glow worms, creating a natural light show that rivals its commercial counterparts.
Local families often bring visitors here after dinner – park at the end of Pembroke Road and follow the old rail line for five minutes. Bring a red flashlight to avoid disturbing the glow worms, and keep voices low to protect this urban sanctuary.
9. The Pāua Shell Beach
Located just south of Kaikōura, Blue Beach is a hidden cove where polished pāua shells are washed ashore after storms. Local artists collect them for their work, but few tourists know this spot exists. Time your visit at low tide and early morning for the best shell hunting. Ask for “Blue Beach” at the Kaikōura information center – they’ll share the unmarked path that leads there, a 15-minute walk through coastal bush.
10. The Marae Cooking School
For a truly authentic cultural experience, visit a marae (Māori meeting house) near Whanganui, where local grandmothers host informal cooking classes. Learn traditional Māori cooking techniques, such as preparing a hangi, while hearing stories passed down through generations.
How to Join: Attend a local church service and express your interest in learning about Māori food culture. This is an experience centered on community and storytelling as much as it is about food.
Your New Zealand Adventure Awaits
These hidden gems aren’t just places – they’re gateways to authentic experiences and connections with real New Zealanders. While the tourist trails offer their own kind of magic, these secret spots reveal the heart and soul of Aotearoa.
Pack your sense of adventure, be ready to take the road less traveled, and remember – sometimes the best experiences are the ones you can’t plan for.
Hi, I’m Becca J, a social media manager, English teacher, and writer, as well as a mum of three boys. I’ve travelled through North and South America, Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and a few countries in the Middle East—learning so much along the way and loving every moment of it.
After living in Brazil and learning a new language, I truly understand the challenge of not being able to communicate in another language. That experience inspired me to share my love of travel and tips for learning a new language, especially my first language English, to help you communicate more confidently.
For me, travel is an incredible way to open our eyes to new ways of thinking, new people, customs, and ideas—it brings us all together. It’s a journey of learning and soul-enriching experiences, and I’m excited to share my tips for communicating in English, as well as my favourite places and travel insights, inspired by my mother tongue and the countries that use English as their main language.
