Hiding in the ancient rainforests of the Kahurangi National Park on South Island’s west coast, are a honeycomb of caves that include the soaring arches found in the limestone Oparara Basin. The 2 kilometre trail to find these geological wonders is an easy amble that’s suitable for all fitness levels.

The highest point in the Marlborough Sounds – 1,203 metres above sea level – offers an unbeatable view of the sea-drowned valleys and verdant hills that make up this epic landscape on South Island. Rising up above the treeline, the alpine forests on Mount Stokes give way to less dense vegetation, allowing for 360-degree panoramas in some locations. These less forested spots on Mount Stokes are also home to powelliphanta – giant carnivorous snails found exclusively in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s oldest national park boasts some of its most otherworldly landscapes. Shaped by the rumblings of the three volcanoes at its heart – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu – the region is dotted with turquoise lakes, silica plateaus and the steaming vents Peter Jackson put to cinematic use as the setting of Mount Doom in his The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to dine at Knoll Ridge Chalet, the country’s highest café, 2,020-metres above sea level, which is only accessible by gondola.

South-east of Christchurch, on a peninsula comprising two volcanic cones, New Zealand’s only French settlement retains touches of Gallic flair: Colonial architecture, galleries, cafés and charming B&Bs. Dolphins frequent the harbour and hiking trails link the region’s many secluded bays.

The Matapouri Mermaid Pool on Northland’s south-east coast is as still as a bath at low tide but erupts into a frothy conniption when the waves roll in. It’s a steep trek through dense forest to get there but you won’t find hordes of people spoiling the view.

Take the unbeaten path to Hokianga Harbour, a deep inlet on Northland’s west coast and one of the first landing places for early Māori migration. Their creation story is told in the Waipoua Forest – soaring with kauri trees – and coexists with modern pursuits such as sandboarding, swimming and feasting on fish and chips.

Like many of the world’s bizarre boulder formations, North Otago’s Elephant Rocks seem to spring unbidden from the ground in an otherwise unremarkable spot. The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail takes you on a path past this natural exhibition so be sure to stop and question whether they are really just leftover limestone deposits, or an otherworldly feature that can’t be explained.

It’s not a secret to Kiwis – particularly those that are keen to catch salmon or rainbow trout – but this town in the Mackenzie region of the South Island often gets skipped as people make their way between Queenstown and Christchurch. Stop for a snap, at least: there are five gorgeous lakes nearby and a full complement of cafés.

On the ground, Omarama is known for the Clay Cliffs, a series of million-year-old rock shards that tell the story of the earth in their striations. But in the air, Omarama (around two hours from Queenstown) is known as prime gliding country thanks to its deep valleys.

The waters off Motueka’s coast are far balmier than other South Island locales thanks to its position at the tippy top of the isle. Good thing, too, as its saltwater baths are worth a dip, particularly following a recent refurbishment.

This Northland cape is a popular hike but you’re unlikely to encounter too many other travellers during your eight-hour excursion – after all, the 33 kilometres are definitely challenging. But if you can handle the hills, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly preserved Maori villages and the possibility of spotting dolphins in the water down below.

Be sure to pack your wetsuit. This white-sand beach may look balmy but the waves swell to this spot, just north of Dunedin, straight from the Southern Ocean. Once you’re on the water, there are no houses in sight – but you might spot a yellow-eyed penguin nest, if you’re lucky.

The best way to get to this nature reserve in the Coromandel Peninsula is to embrace your sense of adventure from the get go. Book a kayak tour with a local guide and paddle for around two hours across the channel before entering the island’s sparkling lagoon through a mystical cave.

To see this spectacle properly you’re going to have to get wet – and plunge deep beneath the islands themselves to experience one of the world’s most incredible dive spots. Charter tours leave regularly from Whangarei, two hours north of Auckland, and some even include stops at Rikoriko Cave – the largest sea cave on the planet.

It’s made it onto must-do and best beaches lists the world over but this golden arc of sand still remains relatively untouched – mainly because it’s an hour’s walk, return, down a rocky track if you want to experience the stunning spot.

Three hours north of Wellington, this pristine district offers almost every quintessential New Zealand landscape you can think of: rolling hills, soaring mountains, rugged coastline and black sand beaches. And if you’re partial to golf, there are several quality courses dotted around the region.

Less than an hour from Queenstown, Cromwell is a quieter hamlet that still offers the best of the South Island: snow-capped mountain ranges, a pristine (albeit man-made) lake and some of Central Otago’s best wineries.

Six hours after you leave Auckland you’ll find yourself in this surfy, chardonnay-swilling city. It’s also a region steeped in history: Tairāwhiti, as this area is referred to in Maori, was the spot of the first interaction between the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand and Europeans.

There’s a little slice of Victorian England on the South Island’s south coast. While the whole of Oamaru isn’t given over to the design style, a significant slice of the seaside town is ornate, sandstone buildings that are these days home to cafes, galleries and boutiques. Visit in November and you can twirl your parasol at the annual Victorian Heritage Celebrations.

If you’re a regular visitor across the ditch, you’ve probably caught the ferry from Auckland to Waiheke Island for a day of wine tasting. Next time, mix it up and hop on a boat to Tiritiri Matangi Island, a wildlife sanctuary in the same gulf that’s a haven for native birds. Take a guided walk or book a spot in the bunkhouse if you’re up for an overnight adventure.

Four hours by ferry from Auckland and decades back in time; on Great Barrier Island there are no streetlights or ATMs and the majority of the land is managed by the Department of Conservation, which makes it the perfect place to do nothing but wander through untouched nature and gaze at the stars.

You wouldn’t expect to find pyramids in New Zealand, and while these formations near Dunedin were naturally created rather than man-made, their geometric shape is still a wonder. The region was once a hive of volcanic activity; these mounds, of particular importance to the Maori, are leftovers of the geological hubbub.

It’s difficult for smaller towns to attract attention in a country world-renowned for its wines but Waitaki, just north of Dunedin on the South Island, encompasses a valley of great vineyards, a incredible lake, an art scene and, most adorably, little blue penguins that waddle ashore every night.

If it wasn’t for the chill coming off the water, you might think you’d been transported back to Gatsby-era New York. A large portion of the town centre, on the North Island’s south-east coast, was rebuilt in Art Deco style following an earthquake in the 1930s and the architecture has been preserved, making it one of the most comprehensive examples of the movement in the world.

It’s the jumping-off point to explore Abel Tasman National Park (by foot, bike or kayak) but the town itself is worth spending a few days in. There are more craft breweries than you can raise a beer glass at; there are galleries and markets galore; and, if you want to stretch your legs, you can walk up to “The Centre of New Zealand”, an easy climb close to the heart of town that offers epic views.