Hong Kong: 10 Must-See Attractions for Travellers This Year
Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most exciting destinations — a city where glittering skylines, traditional temples, harbour views, world-class dining, island escapes and family-friendly attractions all sit within easy reach of each other.
For New Zealand travellers, Hong Kong is also wonderfully accessible. Both Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand offer convenient services between Auckland and Hong Kong, making it an excellent choice for a short break, a longer holiday, or a stopover on the way to Europe or Asia. Cathay Pacific lists direct Auckland–Hong Kong flights taking around 11 hours 30 minutes, while Air New Zealand notes non-stop Auckland–Hong Kong services up to seven times a week.
Here are ten of the top attractions to include in your Hong Kong itinerary this year.
1. Victoria Peak
No first visit to Hong Kong is complete without a trip to Victoria Peak. From the top, travellers can take in sweeping views over Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the surrounding hills. It is especially memorable around sunset, when the city begins to light up.
The Peak is one of Hong Kong’s classic vantage points and is featured by the Hong Kong Tourism Board as a must-visit location for admiring the city’s skyline and harbour views.
Best for: first-time visitors, photographers, couples, skyline views
Tip: Go late afternoon and stay for the evening lights.
2. Victoria Harbour & the Star Ferry
Victoria Harbour remains one of Hong Kong’s great icons. The skyline is spectacular from both sides of the water, but one of the simplest and most enjoyable ways to experience it is aboard the Star Ferry.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board highlights several ways to enjoy Victoria Harbour, including the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the Star Ferry, The Peak, rooftop bars and harbour viewpoints.
Best for: classic Hong Kong atmosphere, harbour views, budget-friendly sightseeing
Tip: Take the ferry in the early evening for a beautiful view of the city lights.
3. Hong Kong Disneyland
For families, couples and Disney fans, Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the city’s major drawcards. It is compact, easy to navigate and ideal for travellers wanting a full day of entertainment without feeling overwhelmed.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board includes Hong Kong Disneyland among its must-try attractions and activities, making it a strong choice for families and multi-generational travellers.
Best for: families, Disney fans, multi-generational holidays
Tip: Allow a full day, especially if travelling with children.
4. Ocean Park Hong Kong & Water World Ocean Park
Ocean Park Hong Kong combines thrill rides, marine life, animal encounters and coastal views, while Water World Ocean Park adds a waterpark experience for warmer months. It is a great option for families and travellers who want a mix of rides and nature.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board describes Ocean Park as a long-running homegrown theme park with rides and animal encounters, and highlights Water World Ocean Park for water slides and aquatic fun.
Best for: families, theme park lovers, active travellers
Tip: Check opening times and ride availability before visiting.
5. Ngong Ping 360, Big Buddha & Lantau Island
Lantau Island offers a different side of Hong Kong. The Ngong Ping 360 cable car gives travellers panoramic views across mountains, sea and airport approaches before arriving near the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board lists Ngong Ping 360, the Big Buddha, Wisdom Path, Tai O Fishing Village, beaches and Lantau Trail among the best things to do on Lantau Island.
Best for: culture, scenery, day trips, spiritual landmarks
Tip: Combine the Big Buddha with Tai O Fishing Village for a fuller Lantau day.
6. Tai O Fishing Village
Also on Lantau Island, Tai O offers a slower, more traditional side of Hong Kong. Known for its stilt houses, seafood stalls and waterside setting, it is a lovely contrast to the city’s towers and shopping districts.
Tai O is included in the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Lantau Island recommendations, alongside beaches, trails and cultural landmarks.
Best for: culture, photography, food, slower-paced exploring
Tip: Visit after Ngong Ping for a rewarding full-day itinerary.
7. Tai Kwun
Located in Central, Tai Kwun is one of Hong Kong’s most interesting heritage and arts precincts. Set within the restored former Central Police Station compound, it combines history, architecture, exhibitions, dining and cultural events.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board includes Tai Kwun among its must-try attractions and activities, making it a great stop for travellers interested in Hong Kong’s cultural side.
Best for: culture, architecture, history, galleries, dining
Tip: Pair it with nearby Central, SoHo or PMQ.
8. Central Market
Central Market is a revitalised heritage building that now blends food, retail, design and local culture. It is easy to include while exploring Central and works well for travellers who enjoy browsing, snacking and discovering local brands.
Central Market is listed by the Hong Kong Tourism Board among Hong Kong’s must-try attractions and activities.
Best for: food, design, local shopping, easy city exploring
Tip: Visit around lunch or late afternoon when the surrounding Central area is lively.
9. Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade & Avenue of Stars
The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront is one of the best places to admire Hong Kong Island’s skyline. The promenade is ideal for a relaxed walk, with harbour views, public art, museums nearby and access to the Star Ferry.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board highlights the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront as one of the top spots to marvel at Victoria Harbour.
Best for: skyline views, walking, photography, first-time visitors
Tip: Visit in the evening and combine it with dinner in Tsim Sha Tsui.
10. Hong Kong’s Neighbourhoods, Food & Street Culture
Some of Hong Kong’s best experiences are not single attractions, but neighbourhoods. Areas such as Central, Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon City and Tsim Sha Tsui offer markets, temples, cafés, heritage buildings, street food, shopping and local life.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s e-guidebooks highlight neighbourhoods including Kowloon City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, Lei Yue Mun and The Peak, each with its own history, food, culture and walking routes.
Best for: food lovers, repeat visitors, culture, walking itineraries
Tip: Build in time to wander. Hong Kong rewards curiosity.
Getting There from New Zealand
Hong Kong is one of the easiest Asian cities to reach from New Zealand, particularly from Auckland.
Cathay Pacific offers direct flights from Auckland to Hong Kong, with the airline noting a flight time of around 11 hours 30 minutes. As Hong Kong’s home carrier, Cathay Pacific is a natural fit for travellers wanting strong onward connections through Asia, Europe and beyond.
Air New Zealand also offers non-stop flights to Hong Kong from Auckland, with services listed up to seven times a week. Air New Zealand also notes its alliance with Cathay Pacific on the route, offering travellers benefits such as frequency, reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and wider network connectivity.
For Target Travel clients, this means Hong Kong can be:
a short city break
a family holiday
a luxury shopping and dining escape
a stopover en route to Europe
a gateway to Asia
a cruise or multi-city itinerary add-on
Whether you are planning a first visit to Hong Kong, a family holiday, or a stopover on the way to Europe, Target Travel can help design an itinerary that makes the most of your time.
With excellent airline options through Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand, Hong Kong is closer and easier than many travellers realise.
Talk to Target Travel about flights, accommodation, stopovers and tailored Hong Kong holiday ideas.
America — The Beautiful Game
Brand USA Trade Expo, Auckland · 18 February 2026
Auckland turned a little more star-spangled on 18 February as tourism partners, airlines and travel sellers gathered for the Brand USA Trade Expo — and the theme couldn’t have been more fitting: “America – The Beautiful Game.” With the USA’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and the FIFA World Cup 2026 fast approaching, the message was clear — the United States isn’t just open to New Zealanders… it’s rolling out the welcome mat.
For many Kiwis, the US can still feel distant or complicated. But the expo emphasised the opposite: travel is easier, friendlier and more accessible than ever. Visa processes are straightforward, connections are plentiful, and regional destinations are actively courting visitors from Aotearoa.
Destinations that stole the show
California dazzled with its contrast — surf mornings in Santa Monica, wine afternoons in Napa, and desert sunsets in Palm Springs.
Utah showcased its “Mighty Five” national parks — otherworldly red rock landscapes that feel closer to Mars than Earth.
Arizona leaned into iconic Americana — Route 66 diners, Monument Valley horizons, and the Grand Canyon at sunrise.
Louisiana offered rhythm and soul — New Orleans jazz, Creole food and festivals that make every night feel like a celebration.
Texas promised scale and personality — Austin’s music scene, Dallas sophistication and wide-open ranch country.
Easy to get there
Air connectivity has never been stronger.
Air New Zealand and United Airlines continue seamless trans-Pacific connections.
Qantas expands options via Australia.
Delta Air Lines grows its network through major US hubs, opening the South and East Coast.
The takeaway from the expo was simple: the US isn’t a place to be cautious about — it’s a place to be curious about. In 2026, America will be celebrating, hosting the world’s biggest sporting event, and inviting Kiwis to be part of it.
From deserts to jazz bars to national parks — this is the year to go.
Explore the Wild Heart of Australia: Northern Territory in 2026
If you’re craving wide open spaces, ancient culture, dramatic landscapes and unforgettable adventure — Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) should be at the top of your 2026 travel list. This is where the Outback breathes, where sunsets turn the sky into fire, and where every day feels like discovery.
Here’s what you can experience.
Witness the Magic of Uluru
At the spiritual heart of Australia lies Uluru in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Watching the rock shift colours at sunrise or sunset is unforgettable.
In 2026, visitors can:
Walk the full Uluru Base Walk
Explore the domes of Kata Tjuta
Experience the stunning Field of Light
Join guided cultural tours led by the local Anangu people
This isn’t just sightseeing — it’s connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures.
Cruise Through Kakadu
The World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park is a wildlife lover’s paradise.
In 2026 you can:
Cruise Yellow Water Billabong spotting saltwater crocodiles
Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie
Swim in crystal-clear plunge pools during the dry season
Birdwatch across vast wetlands teeming with life
Kakadu delivers raw, untamed beauty at every turn.
Swim Beneath Litchfield’s Waterfalls
Just a short drive from Darwin, Litchfield National Park offers postcard-perfect waterfalls and safe swimming holes.
Highlights include:
Floating beneath Florence Falls
Relaxing at Wangi Falls
Cooling off in the tiered pools of Buley Rockhole
Exploring towering magnetic termite mounds
It’s tropical Outback bliss.
Discover Darwin’s Tropical Energy
The capital city Darwin blends laid-back charm with vibrant culture.
In 2026 you can:
Feast at the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Market
Watch the sun dip into the Timor Sea
Dive with crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove
Explore WWII history and Indigenous galleries
Darwin is relaxed, welcoming, and full of flavour.
Road Trip the Red Centre
No Northern Territory visit is complete without a classic Outback road trip.
Drive through the West MacDonnell Ranges, hike Kings Canyon, explore remote gorges, and sleep under vast star-filled skies. The NT offers space — real space — to unplug and reset.
Festivals & Cultural Events in 2026
Plan your trip around iconic events like:
Parrtjima – A Festival in Light
Darwin Festival
Camel Cup in Alice Springs
These celebrations showcase Indigenous art, music, food, and the Territory’s uniquely adventurous spirit.
Why 2026 is the Year to Go
With upgraded visitor facilities, expanded cultural experiences, and growing eco-tourism options, 2026 is an ideal time to explore the NT responsibly and authentically.
The Northern Territory isn’t just a destination — it’s an experience that stays with you long after the red dust has settled on your boots.
Ready to explore Australia’s wild heart? Call us.
Check out our partners:
Sri Lanka - You’ll come back for more!
Image courtesy of our friends at LSR.
OK. Have you ever considered Sri Lanka as your next destination?
We recently attended an expo with many vendors and tour operators from Sri Lanka, showcasing their wonderful island.
TLDR: https://www.srilanka.travel/
Sri Lanka offers so much. History and deep culture, outdoor ‘in the wild’ experiences. Amazing festivals to get amongst. Do you just want to chill? Yep, Sri Lanka can provide this.
Amazing sceneries and culinary experiences await.
Target Travel can organise your personalised tour with the connections we have. Give us a call or email info@targettravel.co.nz today!
Discover Korea
We were fortunate to be able to attend Discover Korea in association with the Korea Tourism Organization.
South Korea is located between China and Japan. About a 12 hour direct flight from Auckland, New Zealand. It has a population of ~51 million people.
As a destination, it’s growing in popularity with Kiwi tourists. 42,000 visited in 2024.
We work with the in-country tour operators to tailor the perfect South Korea experience trip for you. There are so many options. Talk to us about what you want to get out of your trip and we’ll make it happen. History and Culture, Cherry Blossoms (Mid-March to early April), Skiing (in the NZ Summertime!), K-Pop and food!! South Korea has it all.
Some of the companies we work with:
Golden Tour Korea - check them out for Medical Tourism!
G Adventures - small group tours
Jane Tour Korea - based in Seoul but touring the country.
Pack Ya Bags - destinations across the globe.
Exotic Holidays - Have amazing options across the Far East. Japan, China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and Taiwan. Many other destinations to think about too.
World Journeys - NZ owned and operated with specialist knowledge
Airlines:
Korean Air - Boeing 787-9 between Auckland and Seoul/Incheon
Malaysia Airlines - launching the new Airbus A330neo on the route. Don’t forget the opportunity to stopover in Kuala Lumpur!
China Airlines - two stopovers - Brisbane and Taipei.
Singapore Airlines - via Singapore.
Contact us at info@targettravel.co.nz for more information
Why Should You Use a Travel Agent?
Our planning and booking service is provided free of charge. We take the time to research and narrow down choices based on your preferences, which makes coordinating arrangements worry-free and mitigate the risk of leaving out crucial elements. We know all the questions to ask initially to simplify the process and we book everything correctly from the beginning. We are skilled at calculating travel times and logistics – how it will all fit together and allowing enough time so it’s not too stressful but not too long a wait either.
We have access to most of the product you can access through an online entity and we can match deals 99% of the time. We also have excellent relationships with suppliers which can lead to value-added savings like free breakfasts and free room upgrades.
We can coordinate all components of your trip into one booking and give you a full itinerary incorporating all the arrangements from departure to arrival back in your home town. We can also arrange Travel Insurance as part of the package.
You have 24/7 access to us if something goes wrong – we are there for you any time in an emergency. One call to us and we can adjust all facets of your entire trip if you have booked through us. We are real humans not “chat bots”. Getting through to an Online booking agency and getting assistance can be a nightmare.
You can simplify your payments – just one or two payments needed to cover your whole trip and we can usually reserve any land arrangements with only a small (or no) deposit and hold them until one month prior to departure (depending on the Suppliers’ terms and conditions).
We are a BONDED Travel Agency through TAANZ (Travel Agents’ Association of NZ) and our client funds are held separately and securely through their Bonding Scheme. Booking through us means you are protected by New Zealand Law. If you book through an Online booking agent based overseas, there is no guarantee you can get your money back, should something go wrong or you are unable to travel.
It's time to plan for the future!
I don’t know about you but I am really looking forward to being able to get on to an aircraft and fly again.
Traveling around New Zealand and supporting local in the short-term is definitely important, and we can help you put together a fun Kiwi escape, but the call of overseas travel is as strong as ever.
So, where are you planning to go?
If Australia opens up first (likely), Tasmania would be really interesting as a destination. Also think about WA - you can have many different experiences in that State.
Personally? I’m keen to get to South-East Asia. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Or Thailand. So many choices.
Let us know what you’re thinking. What are your dreams?
Covid-19 Update
Hello valued clients and friends of Target Travel
We want to thank you for your continued support during this challenging time that we in the Travel Industry are facing with COVID-19.
We do appreciate at that there is a lot of uncertainty and confusion around what to do next with regards to your travel plans.
We would like to reassure you that we work closely with our travel industry partners and as such we are processing the information they are sending to us daily, so that we can advise you as accurately as possible. This is a very fluid situation and the industry is working together in an unprecedented way.
As you can appreciate the call and email volumes are significantly higher at present and so we ask that if your travel is within 72 hours do call us. If your travel plans are further than 72hrs away, we ask you to email us and we will respond as promptly as we can.
Again, we thank you for your patience during this time and we look forward to continuing to give you professional and dependable service.
Your Target Team.
American Airlines announcement
American Airlines has announced plans to launch seasonal services between Christchurch and Los Angeles, and between Auckland Dallas-Fort Worth from 2020.
The long-rumoured CHC-LAX service, the only non-stop flights between the city pair, is set to take off Oct 2020, with three flights weekly, Oct-Mar, operated by a 787-8.
The AKL-DFW flights, also thrice-weekly over the Oct-Mar peak, will be operated by a 787-9.
Big Changes from Air New Zealand!!
Air New Zealand has announced that from October 2020 they will launch a year round, non-stop 3 x weekly service between Auckland and New York (EWR) operated by their 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
At a flight time of 15hr 40m northbound and 17hr 40m southbound, the 14,178 kilometre route will be Air New Zealand’s longest and the fifth longest in the world by distance.
London Heathrow
To direct capacity to faster-growing markets, Air New Zealand has made the difficult decision to withdraw from their daily Los Angeles-London (NZ1/2) service from October 2020.
Los Angeles-London will operate as scheduled until October 2020.
The withdrawal on the Los Angles-London service will have minimal impact on their Auckland to Los Angeles services post October 2020, with up to 12 services per week continuing to operate.
From October 2020, Air New Zealand customers will be able to travel year-round between Auckland and London with partner airlines via 12 gateways in Asia and the Americas, including New York.
Check back often for updates