The Best Swimming in New Zealand
Looking for the best swimming in New Zealand? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Zealand. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top swimming spots in and near New Zealand
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Hahei, New Zealand
Hike to Cathedral Cove
4.73.1 miCathedral Cove is an isolated beach on the Coromandel Peninsula in the small coastal town of Hahei. Being that this is one of the most beautiful places in all of New Zealand, you can expect some crowds. You can take your chances at finding a spot in the small lot, or there is a shuttle option tha...Read more -
Te Anga, New Zealand
Explore the Mangapohue Natural Bridge
4.71 mi / 0 ft gainMangapohue Natural Bridge is about 30 kilometers past the infamous Glow Worm Caves in Waitomo. Continue on Te Anga Rd and you'll run into the beginning of the trail on the right. It's only about a 10 min walk out to the cavern so no need to worry about bringing a day pack.You walk through a tree ...Read more -
Piha, New Zealand
Evening at Piha Beach
4.8The beautiful black sand stretches as far as the eye can see at Piha Beach. Just a short hour drive from nearby Auckland, Piha Beach makes for the perfect evening getaway.Hike to the top of Lion Rock (well almost the top...the last portion of the trail is closed due to loose rock and hazardous co...Read more -
Taupo, New Zealand
Hike to Huka Falls
5.03.7 miThis hike begins in the Spa Thermal Park and there is one clear path to follow. After a couple minutes there is a bridge that crosses over a small section of the lake. This section of the lake is formed by several hot pools and is a great place to swim for a bit. From here the trail continues ...Read more -
Waiotapu, New Zealand
Swim in Kerosene Creek
4.0Located amidst New Zealand's vibrant volcanic zone, this favourite local gem lies approximately 29.5km (25 minutes) South of Rotorua, only a short distance before the renowned Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland. Driving South towards Lake Taupo Kerosene Creek is situated 2km down gravel forestry trac...Read more -
Auckland, New Zealand
Hike the Summit Track on Rangitoto Island
4.32.4 mi / 850 ft gainStarting from the Auckland Ferry Terminal (-36.842505, 174.767258), jump on the Fullers Ferry to Rangitoto Island (-36.786279, 174.858345). A short, beautiful 30-minute ride through the city's harbor will end at the island's wharf. Rangitoto is a volcano, the youngest and largest in the Auckland...Read more -
Dunedin, New Zealand
Hike to Tunnel Beach
5.02 miDunedin is a small city on the Southeastern coast of the south island of New Zealand. The coastlines are stunning, and spending an afternoon exploring one of the beaches is never a bad idea. Tunnel Beach, just south of the city, is one of my favorites because of the natural tunnel that one of the...Read more -
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Hike to Lake Marian
4.73 mi / 1312.3 ft gainThe track starts soon after the turnoff onto Hollyford Rd off the Milford Highway. The track begins with a bridge crossing over a river and then soon reached Marian Falls. From the falls the trail climbs steeply through forest until the lake. The lake is a beautiful place to spend several hour...Read more -
Cattle Flat, New Zealand
Climb the Buchanan Peaks above Lake Wanaka
5.018.6 mi / 8202.1 ft gainFrom Wanaka-Mt. Aspiring Road, head west out of town and past Glendhu Bay (and Roy's Peak). Go right on West Wanaka Station Road and follow it until the obvious split towards the Homestead Bay / Minaret Burn Track parking area to the right.Take the Minaret Burn / Homestead Bay track approximately...Read more -
Ben Lomond, New Zealand
Camp at Moke Lake
5.04.3 miThe drive to Moke Lake from Queenstown is only 14km but it takes about 30 minutes since you're on a dirt road for a good portion of it. You'll pass Lake Kirkpatrick and lots of sheep on your way to Moke Lake, but keep driving until you get to the campground that's on the southeast end of the lake...Read more -
Lake Okareka, New Zealand
Hike around Lake Tikitapu
4.53.4 mi / 0 ft gainLake Tikitapu is the smallest of the mountain lakes in the Rotorua area. Take Tarawera Rd about 9 kilometers and you'll run right into it. There is a huge lawn to the right that you can park on if the lot at the shore is full.The beginning of the 5.5 kilometer trail starts on the right hand side ...Read more -
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Kayak to Lady Bowen Falls in Milford Sound
4.5There are multiple options for getting to Milford Sound. If you have a car and can drive, then just take the Milford Sound Highway from Te Anau, and once you get to the end of the road and see all the big boats, just park your car and get ready for some fun in the water. If you don't have your ...Read more -
Thames, New Zealand
Hike the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles Track)
8.7 miThe Kauaeranga Kauri Trail is a 1-2 day hike. The hike itself spreads over a number of tracks that range from approximately 6-10 hours. The track can be summited in a out-and-back track in a day or as a circuit (loop). There is a serviced hut (80 bunks - bookings required) available as well as m...Read more -
Marahau, New Zealand
Kayak Camp Abel Tasman NP
23 mi / 328 ft gainThis beautiful national park can be explored by boat and/or by foot, so we decided to incorporate both before catching a jet boat back to Marahau. The entire coastal track is almost 50 km one-way without side trips, and the coastline can also be done entirely by kayak. Before arriving in Marahau,...Read more -
Motutere, New Zealand
Paddle and Camp at Lake Taupō!
It lacks salt, but Lake Taupō is quickly becoming one of the favorite places to visit on the weekends. An easy 3.5-hour drive south from Auckland, Lake Taupō is Australasia's largest lake and roughly the same size as Singapore. The Romans and Chinese both wrote of seeing an immense fire in the sk...Read more -
Makarora, New Zealand
Backpack the Gillespie Pass Circuit, New Zealand
5.044.7 mi / 4266 ft gainThe small township of Makarora West is the kickoff point for this 3-5 day circuit that guides you through a strikingly beautiful and wild corner of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. My tramping companion and I decided to hike the route anticlockwise, although the trail can be traveled in both dir...Read more