This hot tub spa in Queenstown provides stunning views over the Shotover River.
Kiwis are increasingly keen to explore our own backyard, but new research shows most have yet to tick off these destinations on our New Zealand bucket lists.
The survey, commissioned by Jetstar, asked 1005 New Zealanders for their must-see local destinations and experiences. The South Island topped the list of places Kiwis wanted to visited, but hadn't yet.
Adventure capital Queenstown was found to be as popular with Kiwis as it is with international tourists – 28 per cent of those surveyed named it on their bucket list.
Queenstown's Instagram hot spot Onsen Hot Pools was highly ranked with millennials, with 49 per cent fantasising about soaking in a spa amongst beautiful mountain scenery.
The most desired experience in the Deep South was found to be the the Southern Lights, which 66 per cent were eager to view. Also known as Aurora Australis, the natural phenomenon can be observed from Stewart Island, Lake Tekapo, Invercargill and Dunedin – or for the ultimate experience, chartered "Flight to the Lights" trips have brought aurora hunters closer to the action.
Another desired destination in the Deep South was the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, which 34 per cent of Kiwis aged 60+ and more than 50 per cent of millennials were keen to tick off.
The iconic giant corrugated iron gumboot in Taihape. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A couple of Kiwi icons also made the list – 25 per cent of men were particularly keen to see the Taihape Gumboot, compared to 18 per cent of women.
And as the home of Middle-Earth, it seems many of us have already paid a visit to Hobbiton – 45 per cent of those surveyed had already ticked it off the list.
While 38 per cent of Millennials said they wanted to visit the geothermal mud pools of Rotorua, it seems Baby Boomers have already been there and done that - only 11 per cent still had this on their bucket list.
Most Baby Boomers have ticked Rotorua's geothermal mud pools off already. Photo / Alex Robertson
Nelson, Dunedin and New Plymouth followed Queenstown as the most popular bucket list destination, with Napier, Christchurch, Wellington and Rotorua completing the list.
However, over 80 per cent of Kiwis have yet to tick off all these popular spots – only 13 per cent said they had seen them all. And despite the clear interest in the South Island, 48 per cent of Kiwis aged 50-59 were still yet to travel there.
Perhaps it's time to get exploring.
TOP EIGHT NZ DESTINATIONS KIWIS WANT TO VISIT BUT HAVEN'T YET
1. Queenstown - 28 per cent 2. Nelson - 19 per cent 3. Dunedin - 17 per cent 4. New Plymouth - 14 per cent 5. Napier - 13 per cent 6. Christchurch - 10 per cent 7. Wellington - 7 per cent 8. Rotorua - 4 per cent
The survey was conducted as a part of by ConsumerLink's fortnightly Omnijet online survey in which 1005 people aged 18 years and above were interviewed throughout New Zealand.
