12 Best Tourist Attractions Destination in New Zealand - New Zealand Travel Guide
There are plenty of outdoor activities in New
Zealand, including hiking, skiing, and climbing on the ground; swimming,
rafting, kayaking, and surfing in the water, and jumping, parachuting, or
skydiving in the air. Wellington is New Zealand's lively capital, with
festivals to be enjoyed throughout the year in almost every month.
Nature made New Zealand with a film set's surreal
beauty. There are few destinations with so many amazing natural wonders packed
into such a small area. Some of the treasures travelers can explore are
snow-capped peaks, sparkling coves, coastal glaciers, rainforests, fjords, and
fish-filled rivers. In Rotorua, one of the largest geothermal areas in the
world, visitors can witness the powerful forces in the bubbling mud ponds and
hissing springs that gave birth to these landscapes.
New Zealand is a hotspot for adrenaline-fueled
sports due to its dramatic topography. White water rafting, lugging, jet
boating, heli-skiing, skydiving, and mountain biking complete the list of
outdoor adventures and one of the highest bungee jumps in the world is home to
the country. Strategically, traveling around New Zealand is a breeze.
Self-drive vacations are popular, ranging from quaint bed and breakfast inns
and eco-lodges to some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, the country's
varied accommodations.
01. Fiordland
National Park and Milford Sound, South Island
Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Site,
protects some of the country's most spectacular scenery. This dramatic
landscape was sculpted by Glaciers carving the famous Milford, Dusky and
Doubtful Sounds fjords. Visitors can explore gushing waterfalls, offshore
islands, untouched rainforests, vast lakes, and mountain peaks. Not
surprisingly, with some of the best walks in the country, including the famous
Milford Track, the park is a haven for hikers. Sea kayaking is a popular way to
explore the fjords, and visitors can also enjoy a scenic flight over the park
to see the beauty of a bird's eye.
02. Bay of Islands,
North Island
A three-hour drive north of Auckland, one of the
country's most popular holiday destinations is the beautiful Bay of Islands.
The glittering bay is dotted by over 144 islands making it a haven for sailing
and yachting. In these fertile waters live penguins, dolphins, whales, and
marlin, and the region is a popular fishing spot for sport. Visitors can enjoy
sea kayaking along the coast, walking the many island trails, basking in
isolated coves, touring Cape Brett and the famous rock formation called Hole in
the Rock, and exploring subtropical forests where Kauri trees grow. The quaint
cities in the area like Russell, Opua, Paihia, and Kerikeri are great bases to
explore this picturesque bay.
03. Queenstown,
South Island
Snuggled between the shimmering shores of Lake
Wakatipu and the snowy peaks of the Remarkables, Queenstown is the adventure
capital of New Zealand and one of the country's top international visitor
destinations. Bungee jumping, jet boating, white-water rafting, paragliding,
rock climbing, mountain biking and downhill skiing are just some of the
adrenaline-fuelled sports on offer, and visitors can explore the amazing alpine
scenery on the excellent hiking trail network. Queenstown offers all the
creature comforts with first-class hotels, spas, restaurants, galleries, and
shops in addition to adventure sports. It's also a great base for trips to the
Central Otago region, where visitors can explore gold mining towns and the
Middle Earth scenery from the popular "Lord of the Rings" movies.
04. Lake Taupo and
Tongariro National Park, North Island
Tongariro National Park is a dual World Heritage
Site in the center of the North Island, a few kilometers from the glittering
Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, due to its spectacular volcanic
characteristics and its importance to Maori culture. Maori chief Te Heuheu
Tukino IV gave to the people of New Zealand in 1887 the volcanic peaks of
Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and part of Ruapehu to preserve this sacred land.
Tongariro is one of the world's oldest national parks, a land of dramatic
beauty with stunning volcanoes, turquoise lakes, arid plateaus, alpine meadows
and hot springs. A highlight of the park is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one
of the most popular day walks in the country.
05. Rotorua, North
Island
Rotorua is one of the most active geothermal regions
in the world on the tumultuous Pacific Ring of Fire. This is a land the earth
is talking about. Boiling mud pools, hissing geysers, volcanic craters, and
steaming thermal springs betray the forces that gave birth to the dramatic
topography of New Zealand. Visitors can walk through these geothermal wonders,
immerse themselves in steaming mineral springs, and learn about the rich
history and culture of Maori in the region. Adventure seekers are also going to
find plenty to do. Some of the activities on offer include sky diving, lugging,
and mountain biking. Trout fishing is also popular, and Rotorua is the gateway
to the ski fields of Mt. Ruapehu. Nearby Wai-O-Tapu is also a popular tourist
attraction with colorful hot springs and the famous Champagne Pool and Lady
Knox Geyser.
06. Fox and Franz
Josef Glaciers, South Island
The main tourist attractions in the spectacular
Westland Tai Poutini National Park are among the most accessible glaciers in
the world. Both of these ice rivers flow from some of the highest peaks in the
Southern Alps to near sea level where visitors can easily explore them on foot
due to the gentle coastal climate. Guided hikes at the foot of the glaciers
lead to the contorted frozen landscape of ice caves and pinnacles. Seaplanes
and helicopters fly to the top of these vast ice languages for an aerial view.
07. Abel Tasman
National Park and the Abel Tasman Coast Track, South Island
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of the Great
Walks of New Zealand in Abel Tasman National Park. Winding along sparkling
Tasman Bay from Marahau to Separation Point, this picturesque 51-kilometer hike
is located in one of South Island's sunniest regions. In secluded coves, hikers
can snorkel along the way; spot fur seals, dolphins, penguins, and a variety of
birds; walk through cool forests; and enjoy panoramic views from the rough
coastal cliffs. Photographers will also enjoy the many weathered rock
formations, especially the giant granite boulder Split Apple Rock, sliced in
two. The hike takes around three days, and accommodation ranges from
campgrounds, to rustic huts, and plush private lodges. Sea kayaks are also a
popular way to explore this beautiful coast.
08. Aoraki / Mount
Cook National Park, South Island
New Zealand's highest peaks rise above the Aoraki
National Park's alpine landscapes, also called Mount Cook National Park, in the
heart of the Southern Alps. More than 40% of the park is covered by glaciers,
and the country's tallest Aoraki/Mount Cook mountain and longest glacier, the
Tasman Glacier, lies within its boundaries making it a top mountaineering
destination. For his legendary Mount Everest ascent, Sir Edmund Hillary trained
here. With over 300 species of alpine plants and 40 species of birds, nature
lovers will appreciate the diversity of flora and fauna. Mount Cook Village is
a great base for exploring the park and organizing activities such as scenic
flights, ski touring, heli-skiing, hunting, hiking, and stargazing trips.
09. Napier, Hawke's
Bay, North Island
Napier is famous for its gourmet food and art deco
architecture in the sunny Hawke's Bay region. It was rebuilt in the Spanish
Mission style and Art Deco design after a powerful earthquake destroyed the
city in 1931, for which Miami Beach is also famous. Visitors today can take
self-guided tours to see these buildings, some of which are adorned with Maori
motifs. The famous statue of Maori mythology called Pania of the Reef lies
along the seafront promenade of the Marine Parade. Napier is a haven for
foodies as well. Gourmet restaurants here are specialized in using the region's
fresh produce, and the city is hosting popular farmers ' markets. Nearby
attractions include hiking trails and the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.
10. Auckland, North
Island
Auckland, the "City of Sails," blessed
with two sparkling harbors, is New Zealand's largest city and the world's most
populous Polynesian city. The city is surrounded by blond and black sand
beaches, rainforest hiking trails, picturesque coves, islands and volcanoes,
making it a perfect base for day trips and wildlife adventures. To appreciate
the amazing location of Auckland, visitors can zoom in on the 328-meter Sky
Tower for spectacular city and hinterland views. Auckland also has top-notch
dining, a vibrant arts scene, and a revamped waterfront district packed with
restaurants and boutiques.
11. Coromandel
Peninsula, North Island
Just across from Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, the rough
Coromandel Peninsula looks like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the
city. Craggy mountains cloaked in native forest form a spine along the
peninsula offering great walking and birding opportunities. Visitors can also
relax on the golden beaches, offshore island sea kayak, sky dive, and visit the
many galleries and art studios. A dip in the bubbling hot pools at Hot Water
Beach is a great way to end a busy sightseeing day.
12. Kaikoura, South
Island
The charming coastal village of Kaikoura will love
birders, wildlife enthusiasts and seafood enthusiasts. Tucked between the
Kaikoura Seaward Range and the Pacific Ocean, Kaikoura offers great coastal
hikes as well as popular whale watching tours. Passengers can spot fur seals,
dolphins, and a wide variety of birds, including the graceful albatross, in
addition to sperm whales and humpbacks. Kaikoura is also known for its freshly
caught crayfish, moulds and other delights in seafood.
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