National Parks
From volcanic plateaus to alpine peaks and coastal tracks, New Zealand’s national parks reveal the country at its most varied and untouched.
Discover itinerariesWhere the landscape feels bigger
New Zealand’s national parks are where the landscape opens up and stretches out. Travelling between them, the contrasts are immediate, from volcanic terrain and geothermal valleys in the North Island to glacier carved mountains, fiords and alpine lakes in the South.
Each park offers a different way to experience the country, whether that’s walking through quiet valleys, standing beneath snow covered peaks or following tracks that wind along the coastline. These are the moments where you slow down, pause and take in the scale of it all.
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Contact usPopular national parks
Fiordland National Park
Tongariro National Park
Abel Tasman National Park
Mount Cook National Park
Ways to experience New Zealand’s national parks
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Abel Tasman Cruise & Walk
Alpine Vista 25min Heli Flight
Stewart island Kiwi spotting
Time in the right places
National parks aren’t somewhere you pass through quickly. The more time you spend, the more you notice, from changing light to the scale of the landscape.
We shape your journey so you have time where it matters, with a natural flow that lets you explore without feeling rushed.
Your itinerary, planned entirely around you
We plan your itinerary around the parks and landscapes you want to experience, from well known national parks to quieter, less visited areas. With the right timing and flow, everything fits naturally into your journey, giving you the freedom to explore it your way.
Get in touchPopular national parks to explore in New Zealand
Fiordland National Park
Fiordland is one of New Zealand’s most dramatic natural regions, with deep fiords, rainforest covered mountains and remote wilderness that feels untouched. Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound offer access to this landscape, where waterfalls, shifting light and vast scale define the experience.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 9 - 14 ℃ / 48 - 57 ℉
Summer
December - February
Avg Temp: 15 - 17 ℃ / 59 - 63 ℉
Autum
March - May
Avg Temp: 11 - 16 ℃ / 52 - 61 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: 4 - 9 ℃ / 39 - 48 ℉
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park is one of New Zealand’s most unique landscapes, shaped by volcanic activity and alpine terrain. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the country’s best known walks, with crater lakes, lava fields and wide open views across the central plateau.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 9 - 15 ℃ / 48 - 59 ℉
Summer
December - Februrary
Avg Temp: 15 - 21 ℃ / 59 - 70 ℉
Autumn
March - May
Avg Temp: 11 - 17 ℃ / 52 - 63 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: 1 - 9 ℃ / 34 - 48 ℉
Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home to New Zealand’s highest peak and some of the country’s most striking alpine scenery. Glaciers, braided rivers and wide open valleys create a landscape that feels both expansive and still. Walking tracks and viewpoints make it accessible while retaining a strong sense of scale.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 8 - 13 ℃ / 46 - 55 ℉
Summer
December - February
Avg Temp: 13 - 19 ℃ / 55 - 66 ℉
Autumn
March - May
Avg Temp: 9 - 15 ℃ / 48 - 59 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: 1 - 7 ℃ / 34 - 45 ℉
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman is known for its golden beaches, clear water and coastal walking tracks. The landscape feels lighter and more relaxed, with opportunities to explore by foot, kayak or boat. It offers a different perspective on New Zealand’s natural environment, where forest meets the sea.
Best time to visit
Spring
September - November
Avg Temp: 14 - 19 ℃ / 57 - 66 ℉
Summer
December - February
Avg Temp: 21 - 24 ℃ / 70 - 75 ℉
Autumn
March - May
Avg Temp: 16 - 21 ℃ / 61 - 70 ℉
Winter
June - August
Avg Temp: 10 - 14 ℃ / 50 - 57 ℉
Popular national park tours
National Parks FAQs
New Zealand has a range of national parks, each offering a different landscape and experience. Fiordland is known for its fiords and remote wilderness, Tongariro for its volcanic terrain, Aoraki Mount Cook for alpine scenery and Abel Tasman for its coastal environment. Parks like Mount Aspiring offer a quieter, less visited alternative, with expansive alpine landscapes and a strong sense of space.
National parks can be visited year round, with each season offering a different perspective. Summer brings longer days for walking, autumn often offers settled conditions and fewer visitors, winter highlights alpine scenery with snow covered peaks, and spring brings fresh growth and flowing waterfalls and rivers.
No. Many parks offer a mix of accessible short walks and more challenging hikes, but there are also a range of experiences that don’t involve walking. Scenic cruises through Fiordland, glacier boat trips and stargazing in Aoraki Mount Cook, as well as sailing, cruising and kayaking in Abel Tasman, all offer different ways to experience these landscapes. We can plan your itinerary around your comfort level, including options like helicopter flights or guided experiences, so you can explore in a way that suits you.
Yes. Guided walks, cruises, kayaking and local experiences provide deeper insight into the landscape, including its geology, wildlife and cultural significance.
Yes. Guided walks, scenic cruises and local experiences offer a deeper understanding of the landscape, including its geology, wildlife and cultural significance. These can be included where they best fit within your itinerary.
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Talk to our local travel specialists
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