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New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries, which is a complex of islands in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. These regions are known for their amazingly picturesque nature, which is why New Zealand's natural attractions are so diverse. Another characteristic feature of this land is a very diverse climate, including several climatic zones, as well as the cleanest beaches with crystal sea water. Numerous waterfalls, geysers, fjords, bays, lakes, glaciers and other natural treasures. Even the most avid traveler will find something to see in New Zealand: just get out of the airport terminal, and you will be greeted by luxurious landscapes of a hospitable land.
First things to see in New Zealand
Traveling to New Zealand is a real adventure for those who are passionate about nature, who are interested in studying artifacts that testify to the unique history of this region. But the time frame makes its own adjustments, and you have to make a choice of what to see in New Zealand for 1 day, week or other period planned for the trip.
1. Sky Tower
Sky Tower with Observation Deck in Downtown Auckland
In the largest and most prosperous New Zealand city of Auckland, one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Sky Tower, was built. This is not just a huge 326-meter TV tower, it is also the main landmark for travelers – no matter where in the country you are, from everywhere you can see the top of the monumental structure, pointing to the center of Auckland. The building itself has 3 viewing platforms. At a height of 190 meters, there is a revolving restaurant with panoramic windows, and the highest of the sites is equipped at a height of 220 meters, from where you can see the surroundings within a radius of more than 80 kilometers.
Official website: https ://www.skycityauckland.
2. Waimangu Geyser Valley
Waimangu Geyser Valley Lake
“The Land of Hot Water” is what the Maori tribes called the Waimangu valley. In this valley, nature itself has created a hydrothermal system of geysers that shoot straight out of the ground to a height of up to 30 meters. Hot water from the springs, spraying, creates clouds that envelop the surroundings of the valley. Geysers either together or alternately emit hot steam and water. Reviews of those who visited this place for the first time indicate that the steam clubs from afar create a very impressive picture. Even on the streets of the town of Rotorua, located at the very epicenter of geothermal activity, wisps of white steam make their way right through the cracks in the sidewalks.
Official website: http://www.waimangu.co.nz /
3. Waitomo Caves
Fantastic green-blue glow on the vaults of grottoes in Waitomo Caves
A truly fabulous landmark of New Zealand is located on the North Island of the country. These are the famous karst caves – a real masterpiece that nature itself has created over millions of years. Once upon a time there was an ocean on the site of the caves, at the bottom of which large limestone formations “grew up”, creating whole labyrinths of passages. Later, when the water receded, a system of caves formed, of which there are about 150 here. But the most important feature of the caves is that their arches are inhabited by amazing organisms – small fireflies that create a gentle blue glow, reminiscent of the arch of the night sky.
4. Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier in Westland National Park
In Westland National Park, on one of the two main islands of New Zealand – the South, there is a glacier with a beautiful bluish tint, which got its name from the name of the Austro-Hungarian emperor. Every year, about 250 thousand visitors flock here, who climb the glacier in full gear or fly directly to the center of the glacier by helicopter. There are small walking tours in New Zealand to the Franz Josef Glacier, and complex multi-day tours accompanied by experienced guides, including travel through the tunnels and grottoes of the glacier.
Official site: https: //www.doc.govt.nz/parks
5. Milford Sound Fjord
1692m Miter Peak over Milford Bay
As a result of the melting of huge glaciers, steep depressions, or fjords, gradually form in rocks over the course of millennia. The picturesque New Zealand fjord Milford Sound, located on the South Island in the Fiordland Park, was formed as a result of the melting of a glacier moving from the mountains towards the Tasman Sea. The maximum depth of the fjord, which stretches for 19 kilometers, reaches a dizzying mark of 512 meters. The area surrounding the fjord has a mountainous and wooded landscape, the air humidity is always high – this creates comfortable conditions for the habitat of many endemic bird species.
Official website: https://www. southerndiscoveries
Check out the beautiful places in New Zealand in this great video!
6. Hobbiton Village
Miniature house – Hobbiton village exhibit
The lands of New Zealand are also associated with the works of the writer J. Tolkien. Fans of the famous film trilogies “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” surely know what to visit in New Zealand. This is Hobbiton – this is an artificially created village that has become the habitat of a fictional people in the films. Its main feature is that it was created not as a temporary decoration made of plywood and cardboard, but rebuilt as a real settlement. Just think how much effort was put into creating this fabulous corner: masterfully made houses, well-groomed gardens, fragrant gardens delight the eyes of visitors, allowing you to plunge into the recognizable atmosphere of your favorite fantasy.
Official website: https://www.hobbitontours.com/en/
7. Bay of Islands
Small lagoons in the Bay of Islands
The following recommendations apply to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the North Island, the Bay of Islands. This is an amazingly beautiful bay, over the entire territory of which a scattering of small islands, abundantly covered with vegetation, is “scattered”. The coastline of the island in the place of the bay is a lot of very cozy lagoons, where a mild subtropical climate reigns, it is always warm and sunny. The Bay of Islands is a favorite destination for many divers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts.
8. City of Rotorua
Panorama of the picturesque resort town of Rotorua Pseudopanax
When choosing where to go in New Zealand, in order not only to recharge with a portion of vivid impressions, but also to improve your health, be sure to choose an excursion to the city of Rotorua. The place where this city is located is a large geothermal zone in the Waimangu Valley, which has already been mentioned earlier. There are a number of mud baths, spa hotels, a lot of mineral springs and geysers, and a well-developed tourist infrastructure. In Rotorua, you can also watch the show of the indigenous Maori tribes with stories about the life of the tribe, national songs and dances.
Official website:http://www.rotoruanz.com/
9. White Island Volcano
Top view of the White Island Volcano, most of which is hidden underwater
This volcano forms the only active volcanic island in the country called “White”. The entire island, over 300 meters high, is made entirely of volcanic rocks, the appearance of which creates a landscape similar to the surface of the moon. Here and there, hissing streams of steam rush straight up from the ground – such a restless atmosphere makes the island practically uninhabited, with the exception of a small colony of birds of the gannet family. But research work is constantly being carried out here, volcanologists are working. New Zealand guides arrange trips to the White Volcano together with companies that regularly organize helicopter flights.
10. Tongariro National Park
Blue and Emerald lakes near Tongariro and Ngauruhoe volcanoes
Fans of the famous film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings are probably familiar with this name, because it was here, on the territory of the Tongariro National Park, that episodes of the fantasy trilogy were filmed. The country of elves is quite a real corner of the Earth, the oldest national park in the country. It is located in the very center of the North Island, and on its lands there are 3 active volcanoes, which also fell into the footage of the famous fantasy. Lakes Izumrudnoe and Goluboe are peacefully located near two volcanoes – reservoirs sacred to the Maori tribes.
11. Lake Taupo
The perfect water surface of Lake Taupo
In the center of the North Island is located the most valuable fresh water reservoir in New Zealand, the country's largest lake – Taupo. The waters of the lake are fed by about 30 rivers, and only one river flows out, the largest and full-flowing – Waikato. Once the lake was formed on the site of a volcanic crater, the depth of which is more than 180 meters. The waters of the lake are inhabited by trout, whose individuals here reach large sizes – more than 10 kilograms. Therefore, in coastal restaurants you can taste a variety of dishes with trout, and you can relax in one of the New Zealand hotels located on the shores of Waikato.
12. Huka Falls
Huka Falls – a series of cascades on the Waikato River in Wairakei Park
The Waikato River mentioned above is known not only for its size and full flow, but also for a series of picturesque waterfalls located on the territory of the Wairakei Nature Reserve. Narrowing in this area, the river turns into a swift stream and provides excellent conditions for extreme rafting, which is very common here. Later, rushing through a narrow gorge, a turbulent stream rushes over several rapids – these are the most interesting places for observation, where observation platforms and small bridges crossing the river are equipped. The waters of Waikato are crystal clear and an incredible emerald blue hue.
Official website: https://www.newzealand.com
13. Agrodome )
Sheep Show at Agrodom Robert Linsdell
Not far from the city of Rotorua is an unusual theme park Agrodom, which has become a habitat for many animals, mostly domestic species. On a very spacious area of 160 hectares, you can walk on foot or ride an off-road vehicle, look at the llamas and deer serenely walking around here, goats, cows and sheep grazing in the meadows, and watch the ostriches. One of the favorite events for visitors is the “Sheep Show”, which is a spectacular performance during which the audience will be shown different breeds of sheep, examples of virtuoso shearing skills, milking cows, feeding newborn lambs, while each of the actions takes place with the participation of the audience.< /p>
Official site: https://www.agrodome.
14. Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety Mile Beach Sand Dunes
At the very tip of the North Island there is a very long 88-kilometer coastline with the cleanest sea and perfect sand. In fact, this is a deserted beach for lovers of wild recreation and water sports – surfing, windsurfing and boating are especially popular here. Any tourist who arrives here will be surprised by the desert landscapes, which are not at all typical for the nature of New Zealand. An interesting feature of the beach is the unusual sand dunes that change the relief with every breath of wind.
15. Sutherland Falls
Sutherland Falls – a fantastic creation of New Zealand's nature < p>A real miracle of nature, a waterfall of a fantastic height of about 600 meters, is located on the South Island, in the large Fiordland National Park. The waters of one of the mountain lakes, located in a mountain hollow, break down from the dizzying heights of the Southern Alps and fall down with a powerful roar, forming the Sutherland Falls, and then flow into the Arthur River. You can get to this place from the nearest town of Queenstown by renting a car there or by joining a general tour group by bus. The waterfall is most beautiful in winter, when its flow is especially full.
16. City of Napier. Art Deco Architecture
Square with a fountain in front of the Cathedral in Art Deco style
The main attractions of New Zealand are briefly continued by the city of the South Island of Napier. This city has a difficult past – at the beginning of the 20th century it was seriously damaged by an earthquake, after which it was rebuilt almost from scratch. Taking a look at its superb panorama, parks and gardens of amazing beauty, buildings decorated in the same architectural style of art deco, it is hard to believe that less than a century ago, before the devastating earthquake, everything looked completely different here. Today, the city has rightfully acquired the status of the world capital of art deco and is a landmark in itself.
17. Auckland Art Gallery
View of Toi-o-Tamaki Art Gallery or Auckland Art Gallery ChewyPineapple
In the heart of Auckland, next to Albert Park, is the first permanent art gallery in the country. The gallery's collection was born from the moment of donation to the institution of several dozen rare works, and today it already has a grandiose collection of works – more than 12 thousand creations of artists of antiquity and modernity, famous classics and new authors. In addition to demonstrating permanent exhibitions, various festive events and lectures are often held here for those who are interested in New Zealand art history.
Official website: https://www.aucklandartgallery
New Zealand attractions: what else to visit in New Zealand
These were the main attractions of New Zealand, photos with names and descriptions, but not all. Even inexperienced travelers, fascinated by these lands, after the first acquaintance with the country, begin to understand that they are again attracted by this magical land. And for this there is always something else to see in New Zealand.
18. Underwater world of Kelly Tarleton
Visit the Shark Tunnel at the Aquarium Kelly Tarleton's Underwater World Researchassistent102
A huge and unusual aquarium is located near Auckland. It is called “Kelly Tarleton's Underwater World” and is a long and curved tunnel with transparent walls through which you can observe various marine life. This oceanarium was created from large waste tanks by a famous deep sea explorer and scuba diver. The 110-meter arch aquarium was thought out by him to the smallest detail and built in just 10 months. Today, this building accommodates about 2 thousand marine inhabitants, including even several species of large predators – sharks.
Official website: https://www.kellytarltons.
19. Cape Reing
Automatic lighthouse at Cape Reinga
Reinga is a cape in the very north of New Zealand, on the Aupouri Peninsula. The indigenous New Zealand Maori people endow this place with a special spiritual significance – it was the Maori who gave it such a name, which means “Underworld” in their language. According to their beliefs, Cape Reinga is a kind of portal to the other world – it is here that the souls of dead people descend into the underworld. The lighthouse powered by solar energy is very popular here. And also on the cape you can observe one amazing natural phenomenon – how the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet, and the border becomes especially distinct in clear weather.
20. Wai-O-Tapu
Picturesque hot spring “Champagne pool”
Territories of hydrothermal zones have always aroused increased interest, especially among tourists. New Zealand's Wai-O-Tapu Valley, located on the North Island, is no exception. It seems that the entire surface of the earth in this place is like a cauldron in which everything boils, gurgles and sizzles. There are several interesting places on the territory of the valley – geysers and lakes, from where steam and hot sprays burst out every now and then. This valley is one of the few places on earth where you can observe the volcanic element so closely. However, you should remain vigilant, the crater can form anywhere, so it's better not to take risks and walk along the path strictly designated for the excursion.
Official website: https://www. waiotapu.co.nz/
21. Mount Cook National Park
Mount Cook National Park Natural Landscape
The real treasure of New Zealand and the pride of its inhabitants is Mount Cook National Park, located in the vicinity of the highest mountain peak in the country – Aoraki. The territory of the park is a real expanse for climbers and travelers who want to see the most beautiful and impressive natural creations. For example, here is the most gigantic glacier – Tasmanian, and its melt waters form one of the largest New Zealand lakes – Pukaki. Another find is the frozen Gohschretter waterfall, called the “ice Niagara”. During hiking, everyone will discover all the splendor of this place – high-altitude meadows, pristine reservoirs and a unique mountain landscape.
Official website: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks
22. Kawarau Bridge
Kawarau suspension bridge for bungee jumpers
The best sights of New Zealand are completed by a place popular among fans of extreme sports. This is a high bridge from where you can jump: jumping on a long rubber rope from dizzying heights is not fun for the faint of heart. Kawarau Bridge became the ancestor of extreme sports, because it was on it that the first jumps on a special bungee were made. The bridge itself was built by Chinese gold miners about a century ago, and only in the late 80s of the last century, thrill-seekers opened the first school of bungee jumping here.
23. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Museum (Wellington)
Facade of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand Museum in Wellington Kaihsu Tai
The capital of New Zealand, the city of Wellington, has a small but very interesting Reserve Bank Museum. This government body, founded in 1929, is responsible for the country's monetary system. A number of unique exhibits, computer systems and machine guns from different times are concentrated on the museum square. Here visitors learn in detail about the New Zealand banking system and gold reserves, which form the basis of the state economy, receive information about printing new banknotes and methods for destroying old ones. Guests are introduced to printing presses and the first econometric computer, created in 1940 and providing a rapid breakthrough in the field of computer technology. Most surprising is the fact that all the calculations of this computer are based on ordinary water, which imitates the money supply in the economy.
Official website: https://www.rbnz
24. Japanese Meditation Garden (Hamilton)
A corner of the Japanese Garden is permeated with harmony and idyll in the traditions of the XIV-XVI centuries in Hamilton Bit2spam
Japanese gardens have long become one of the symbols of the Land of the Rising Sun, and the very first of them appeared on the Japanese Islands about 1.5 thousand years ago. In the USA and Europe, the passion for this art appeared relatively recently, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. And today, beautiful Japanese gardens can be found on almost every continent. However, the New Zealand gardens in the southern part of the city of Hamilton distinguished themselves not only by the techniques of Japanese art, but also by the features of the park design of Italy and England. Hamilton's unique Japanese garden is a beautiful garden and park complex with an area of more than 54 hectares, built in the 1960s on the site of a former city dump. The main concept of the Japanese garden is that being in it should bring peace and tranquility, as after meditation. Once here, anyone can see and experience with their own eyes the differences between Eastern and Western approaches to landscape art.
25. Fiordland National Park
Gorgeous scenery Milford Bay in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand
If you choose the best natural attractions in New Zealand, the presentation cannot ignore the fjords – stunningly beautiful places where the water of the sea bays crashes into the rocks and cuts through them, creating fantastic landscapes and landscapes. Such places can be seen in the Fiordland National Park, located in the southwestern part of the country. Here, New Zealand has retained its virgin beauty – on these lands you can see not only fjords, but also waterfalls, mountain peaks, and rivers. Human activity has hardly touched the nature of the Fiordland, so almost the entire terrestrial part of the park is covered with evergreen rainforests, myrtle trees, laurels, ferns and other rare plants – about 7 thousand species in total. The fauna of the park is just as rich – sperm whales, killer whales, whales and fur seals swim in the coastal waters. Visitors come to this place not only to contemplate the natural beauties, but also for outdoor activities, because here you can swim in a boat, fly an airplane, dive into the waters, and ride an all-terrain jeep.
< em>Official website: https://www.doc.govt.
26. Hot Water Beach (Coromandel Peninsula)
Vacationers on a hot beach on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula Steve & Jem Copley
In New Zealand, everyone will find a vacation to their liking, but the real find for the traveler will be the “hot” beaches of Hot Water Beach on the coast of Coromandel Island. These interesting places are formed as a result of the rise of thermal waters from underground springs, which seep right through the sand at low tide. Vacationers take advantage of the excellent opportunities of these places, digging small holes in the sand, in which warm mini-lakes form over time. Lying down in such a natural “jacuzzi”, you can spend several hours here, saturating the body with beneficial moisture. Such a home-made font is in no way inferior to elite thermal baths in elite spa complexes. After enjoying the rest at the thermal springs, you can go deep into the northern island to the town of Matamata, near which the village of Hobbiton, New Zealand is located. Here you can get into the fairy-tale world of hobbits — an atmospheric park with interesting decorations.
27. Whales and dolphins in Kaikoura
A giant sea creature on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island
New Zealand has concentrated many interesting historical and natural attractions, fjord parks, protected areas, mirror lakes on its lands. The South Island, whose sights are famous for wildlife, is the only place on the planet where you can see accumulations of huge sperm whales during their migration. While traveling in coastal waters, vacationers can also see colonies of fur seals and dolphins, with whom you can even swim in the ocean. Such a number of whales and dolphins is due to the large amount of nutrients and ideal conditions for the growth of plankton, which serves as food for these inhabitants. In addition to whale watching, Kaikoura has a number of equally interesting activities such as golfing, diving, walking through lavender fields, hiking, exploring karst caves and much, much more.
28. Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
View of the city of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula from Mount Cargill in New Zealand
The best attractions of New Zealand are, of course, its nature, and one of the great places where you can enjoy the pristine nature is the Otago Peninsula – a small piece of land that protrudes far into the expanses of the ocean. Once this land was a volcano that was active millions of years ago and died out long ago. And today Otago is a hilly land, separated from the South Island by a small isthmus. Its main part is covered by forest, and the coast is a strip of rocky shores and small sandy beaches. The real treasure of Otago is its rich flora and fauna: rare species of penguins, lizards, the smallest blue penguins, countless species of wading birds – plover, herons, royal spoonbills live here. In the coastal waters there is a huge white shark, a big turtle, populations of sea lions and seals. And in the center of Otago, climbing a picturesque hill, you can visit the only castle in the country – Larnaca.
29. Thiri Island Thiri Matangi (Hauraki Bay)
Tiri Matangi Wildlife Sanctuary in Hauraki Bay, New Zealand Claire Gribbin
Another corner of the natural uniqueness of New Zealand is the island of Tiri Tiri Matangi, located at some distance from the coast of Auckland, about 30 kilometers. Since the 14th century, the island was inhabited by Maori tribes, and in the 19th century, Europeans came to the island, settled here, ennobling the territory and founding a small village. Around the middle of the last century, the island acquired the status of a recreational reserve and began to be used for tourism and scientific purposes. Birds have become a real living attraction of the island, which are distinguished by their bright colors and a huge variety – many of the local species are not found anywhere else. In terms of tourism, Tiri Tiri Matangi is an ideal place for hiking and beautiful photos. A real delight for visitors is the beautiful beaches of the island, where you can sit for a long time, enjoying unity with wildlife and the sound of waves beating against the coastal cliffs.
30. Fox Glacier (Westland Park)
Hiking on Fox Glacier is very popular with Westland Park tourists Flying Kiwi Tours
The New Zealand Islands, which were once discovered by the outstanding navigator Abel Tasman, are a real treasury of natural treasures, which include the Westland National Park. It is here that you can see the Fox Glacier – one of the most amazing and beautiful sights of this region. The glacier got its name in the late 19th century in honor of Prime Minister William Fox. Sliding down from mountains about 2.6 kilometers high, it forms 4 giant ice descents that stretch for as much as 13 kilometers along the gentle surface of the Southern Alps. The glacier is fed by snowfalls, which form a thick layer of snow and ice in its upper reaches. Walks to the glacier are organized by the tourist center located in the nearby town of Wuhek. It is worth noting that over the past century the glacier has gradually receded, and its outflow formed the Fox River, which is quite full-flowing today, as well as many hollow valleys. In one of these valleys, the mountain lake Matheson was formed.
Official website: https://www.doc.govt.
Holidays in New Zealand – an invaluable breath of the purest fresh air in the bosom of pristine nature, an opportunity to feel the contrast with the usual everyday life. Acquaintance with the local cultural and hospitable people, who highly honor traditions and appreciate their native lands, leaves the brightest impressions, causing a desire to repeat the journey to this fabulous land again and again.