New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries, representing a complex of islands in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. These regions are known for their amazingly picturesque nature, which is why the natural attractions of New Zealand 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 clear 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 terminal and you will be greeted by the magnificent landscapes of the hospitable land.
What to see in New Zealand first
A trip 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 about what to see in New Zealand in 1 day, a week or another period planned for the trip.
1. Sky Tower
Sky Tower radio tower with observation deck in downtown Auckland
One of the tallest structures in the world, the Sky Tower, has been built in the largest and most prosperous New Zealand city of Auckland. 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 find yourself, from everywhere you can see the top of a monumental structure pointing to the center of Auckland. This building itself has 3 observation decks. A rotating restaurant with panoramic windows is located at an altitude of 190 meters, and the highest of the platforms is equipped at an altitude of 220 meters, from where you can see the surroundings within a radius of more than 80 kilometers.
Official website: https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz
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2. Waimangu Valley of Geysers
Lake in the valley of the Waimangu geysers
“The land of hot water” was the name given by the Maori tribes to the Waimang Valley. In this valley, nature itself has created a hydrothermal system of geysers, gushing directly from the ground to a height of up to 30 meters. Hot water from the springs, sprayed, creates clouds that envelop the surroundings of the valley. Geysers sometimes together, then alternately emit hot steam and water. Reviews from first-time visitors to this place suggest that steam clubs from afar create a very impressive picture. Even on the streets of the town of Rotorua, located in the epicenter of geothermal activity, trickles of white steam make their way right through the cracks of the sidewalks.
Official website: https://www.waimangu.co.nz
3. Waitomo Caves
Fantastic green-blue glow on the vaults of the grottoes in the Waitomo caves
A truly fabulous attraction of New Zealand is located on the North Island of the country. These famous karst caves are a real masterpiece created by nature itself 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”, creating whole labyrinths of passages. Later, when the water receded, a system of caves was formed, of which there are about 150. But the most important feature of the caves is that their vaults are inhabited by amazing organisms — small fireflies that create a delicate blue glow resembling the vault 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 hue, which received its name from 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 also small walking tours in New Zealand to the Franz Josef Glacier, and complex multi-day tours accompanied by experienced guides, including trips through the tunnels and grottoes of the glacier.
Official website: https://www.doc.govt.nz
5. Milford Sound Fjord
1,692-meter Mitre Peak above Milford Bay
As a result of the melting of huge glaciers, steep depressions, or fjords, have gradually formed in the rocks over the millennia. The picturesque New Zealand Milford Sound Fjord, 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 512 meters. The area surrounding the fjord has a mountainous and wooded landscape, the humidity is always high – this creates comfortable conditions for the habitat of many endemic bird species.
Official website: https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz
See the beautiful places of New Zealand in this wonderful video!
6. Hobbiton Village
A miniature house is an exhibit of the village of Hobbiton
Many people also associate the lands of New Zealand with the works of the writer J. Tolkien. Fans of the famous film trilogies “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” probably know what to visit in New Zealand. This is Hobbiton — this is an artificially created village, which has become the habitat of a fictional people in the movies. Its main feature is that it was not created as a temporary decoration made of plywood and cardboard, but rebuilt as a real settlement. Just think how much effort was invested in creating this fabulous corner: masterfully executed houses, well-kept vegetable gardens, fragrant gardens delight the eyes of visitors, allowing them to plunge into the recognizable atmosphere of their favorite fantasy.
Official website: https://www.hobbitontours.com
7. The Bay of Islands
Small lagoons in the Bay of Islands
The following recommendations relate to one of the most popular tourist destinations of the North Island — the Bay of Islands. This is an amazing bay, with a scattering of small islands, abundantly covered with vegetation, scattered throughout its territory. The coastline of the island in the place of the bay is a set of very cozy lagoons, where a mild subtropical climate reigns, it is always warm and sunny. The Bay of Islands is a favorite place for many divers, fishermen and water sports enthusiasts.
8. The 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 shows of indigenous Maori tribes with stories about the life of the tribe, national songs and dances.
Official website: https://www.rotoruanz.com
9. White Island Volcano
Top view of the White Island volcano, most of which is hidden under water
This volcano forms the only active volcanic island in the country called “Bely”. The entire island is more than 300 meters high and consists entirely of volcanic rocks, the appearance of which creates a landscape similar to the surface of the Moon. Here and there, hissing jets 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 is constantly underway here, and volcanologists are working. New Zealand guides arrange trips to the Bely 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, in the Tongariro National Park, that episodes of the fantasy trilogy were filmed. The land of the 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 got into the frames of the famous fantasy. Lakes Emerald and Blue, reservoirs sacred to the Maori tribes, are peacefully located near two volcanoes.
11. Lake Taupo
The perfect water surface of Lake Taupo
In the center of the North Island there is the most valuable freshwater storage in New Zealand, the largest lake in the country — Taupo. The waters of the lake are fed by about 30 rivers, and only one river flows out, the largest and deepest — the 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, individuals of which 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 hotels in New Zealand, located on the shores of Waikato.
12. Hook Waterfalls
Huka Falls – a series of cascades on the Waikato River in Wairakei Park
The above-mentioned Waikato River is known not only for its size and fullness, 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 rapid stream and provides excellent conditions for extreme rafting, which is very common here. Later, rushing through a narrow gorge, a stormy stream descends through several rapids — these are the most interesting places to observe, where observation decks and small bridges crossing the river are equipped. The waters of Waikato are crystal clear and have an incredible emerald blue hue.
Official website: https://www.newzealand.com
13. Agrodome
“Sheep Show” at the Robert Linsdell Agrodom Theme Park
Not far from the city of Rotorua there is an unusual Agrodom theme park, which has become a habitat for many animals, mainly domestic species. On a very spacious territory of 160 hectares, you can walk or ride an SUV, look at llamas and deer serenely walking here, goats, cows and sheep grazing in meadows, and watch ostriches. One of the events loved by visitors is the “Sheep Show”, which is an exciting performance during which the audience will be shown different breeds of sheep, examples of their virtuoso shearing, milking cows, feeding newborn lambs, while each of the actions takes place with the participation of the audience.
Official website: https://www.agrodome.co.nz
14. Ninety Mile Beach
The sand dunes of the Nine Mile Beach
At the very tip of the North Island there is a very long 88-kilometer coastal zone with the purest 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 of the nature of New Zealand. An interesting feature of the beach is the extraordinary sand dunes that change the terrain with every breath of wind.
15. Sutherland Falls
Sutherland Falls is a fantastic creation of New Zealand nature
A real miracle of nature, a waterfall with a fantastic height of about 600 meters, is located on the South Island, in the large Fjordland National Park. The waters of one of the mountain lakes, located in a mountain hollow, break from the dizzying height of the Southern Alps and fall down with a powerful roar, forming the Sutherland Waterfall, 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 joining a general tour group by bus. The waterfall is most beautiful in winter, when its flow is especially full.
16. The city of Napier. Art Deco architecture
The square with a fountain in front of the cathedral in the 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. Looking at its excellent panorama, parks and gardens of amazing beauty, buildings decorated in the same architectural Art Deco style, it is difficult 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 ChewyPineapple Art Gallery
In the heart of Auckland, next to Albert Park, there is the first permanent art gallery in the country. The gallery’s collection originated from the moment of donation of several dozen rare works to the institution, and today it already has a grandiose collection of works – more than 12 thousand works by artists of antiquity and modernity, famous classics and new authors. In addition to displaying permanent exhibitions, various festive events and lectures are often held here for those who are interested in the history of New Zealand art.
Official website: https://www.aucklandartgallery.com
New Zealand Attractions: what else to visit in New Zealand
These were the main sights 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 realize that this magical land attracts them again. And for this, there is always something else to see in New Zealand.
18. The underwater world of Kelly Tarleton
Visiting the Shark Tunnel in the aquarium The Underwater World of Kelly Tarleton Researchassistent102
A huge and unusual aquarium is located near Auckland. It is called the “Underwater World of Kelly Tarleton” and is a long and curved tunnel with transparent walls through which you can observe various marine life. This aquarium was created from large waste tanks by a famous deep sea explorer and scuba diver. The 110-meter aquarium arch was thought out by him to the smallest detail and erected in just 10 months. Today, this structure accommodates about 2 thousand marine inhabitants, including even several species of large predators – sharks.
Official website: https://www.kellytarltons.co.nz
19. Cape Reinga
An automatically operating lighthouse at Cape Reinga
Reinga is a cape in the northernmost part of New Zealand, on the Aupouri Peninsula. The indigenous New Zealand Maori people give this place a special spiritual significance — it was the Maori who gave it such a name, which means “Underworld” in their language. According to their belief, Cape Reinga is a kind of portal to the other world — it is here that the souls of deceased people descend into the underworld. A 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”
The 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 in the valley — geysers and lakes, from where steam and hot splashes come 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, it is worth staying vigilant, a crater can form anywhere, so it is better not to take risks and walk along a path strictly allocated for excursions.
Official website: https://www.waiotapu.co.nz
21. Mount Cook National Park
The natural landscape of Mount Cook National Park
The real treasure of New Zealand and the pride of its inhabitants is Mount Cook National Park, located in the vicinity of the country’s highest mountain peak, 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, the Tasmanian glacier is located here, and its meltwater forms one of the largest New Zealand lakes — Pukaki. Another find is the frozen Gokhshretter waterfall, called the “ice Niagara”. During hiking, everyone will discover all the splendor of this place — high-altitude meadows, the purest reservoirs and a unique mountain landscape.
Official website: https://www.doc.govt.nz
22. Kavarau Bridge
Kawarau Suspension Bridge for bungee jumping enthusiasts
The best sights of New Zealand are rounded out by a place popular with extreme sports fans. This is a high bridge from where you can jump: jumping on a long rubber rope from a dizzying height is not entertainment for the faint of heart. The Kavarau Bridge became the ancestor of the extreme sport, because it was on it that the first bungee jumps were made. The bridge itself was built by Chinese gold prospectors about a century ago, and it was only in the late 80s of the last century that thrill seekers opened the first bungee jumping school 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, Wellington, has a small but very interesting Reserve Bank Museum. This state body, founded in 1929, is responsible for the country’s monetary system. A number of unique exhibits, computer systems and automata of different times are concentrated on the museum square. Here, visitors will learn in detail about the New Zealand banking system and the gold reserves that form the basis of the state economy, receive information about printing new banknotes and ways to destroy expired ones. The guests are introduced to printing presses and the first econometric computer, created in 1940 and provided a rapid breakthrough in the field of computer technology. The most surprising fact is that all calculations of this computer are based on ordinary water, which simulates the money supply in the economy.
Official website: https://www.rbnz.govt.nz
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 fascination with this art appeared relatively recently, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. And today, beautiful Japanese gardens can be found on almost any continent. However, the New Zealand gardens in the southern part of the city of Hamilton were distinguished 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 over 54 hectares, built in the 1960s on the site of a former municipal landfill. 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 feel with their own eyes the differences between the eastern and Western approaches to landscape art.
25. Fiordland National Park
The magnificent landscape of Milford Bay in the Fiordland National Park in New Zealand
If you choose the best natural attractions of New Zealand, the presentation cannot ignore the fjords — stunningly beautiful places where the water of the sea bays cuts into the rocks and penetrates them through, creating fantastic landscapes and landscapes. These are the places you can see in the Fiordland National Park, located in the southwestern part of the country. Here New Zealand has preserved its pristine beauty – in these lands you can see not only fjords, but also waterfalls, mountain peaks, and rivers. Human activity has hardly touched the nature of the Fjordland, so almost the entire land part of the park is covered with evergreen rain forests, myrtle trees, laurels, ferns and other rare plants – only about 7 thousand species. The fauna of the park is equally 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 active recreation, because here you can swim by boat, fly by plane, dive into the waters, and ride an all-terrain jeep.
Official website: https://www.doc.govt.nz
26. Hot Water Beach (Coromandel Peninsula)
Vacationers on the hot beach on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula Steve & Jem Copley
In New Zealand, anyone 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 sources, which seep directly through the sand during low tide. Vacationers take advantage of the excellent opportunities of these places by 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 homemade font is in no way inferior to elite thermal baths in elite spa complexes. After enjoying a vacation at the thermal springs, you can go deep into the north island to the town of Matamata, near which the village of Hobbiton, New Zealand is located. Here you can get into the fabulous world of hobbits — an atmospheric park with interesting decorations.
27. Whales and dolphins in Kaikoura
A giant marine life on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island
New Zealand has concentrated many interesting historical and natural attractions, fjord parks, protected areas, and mirror lakes on its lands. The southern Island, whose sights are famous for wildlife, is the only place on the planet where you can see clusters of huge sperm whales during their migration. While traveling in coastal waters, vacationers can also see colonies of fur seals and dolphins, with which you can even swim in the ocean. Such a large number of whales and dolphins is explained by 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 golf, diving, walking through lavender fields, hiking in the mountains, exploring karst caves and much, much more.
28. Otago Peninsula (New Zealand)
View of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula from Mount Cargill in New Zealand
The best sights of New Zealand are, of course, its nature, and one of the wonderful places where you can enjoy the pristine nature is the Otago Peninsula — a small piece of land that stands out far into the ocean. Once upon a time, this earth was a volcano that operated millions of years ago and has long since gone out. And today Otago is a hilly landmass separated from the South Island by a small isthmus. The main part of it 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 – plovers, herons, royal spoonbills live here. The coastal waters are home to a huge white shark, a large 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. Tiri Tiri Matangi Island (Hauraki Bay)
Wildlife Sanctuary on Tiri Tiri Matangi Island in Hauraki Bay in New Zealand Claire Gribbin
Another corner of the natural uniqueness of New Zealand is the island of Tiri Tiri Matangi, located some distance from the coast of Auckland, about 30 kilometers away. Since the 14th century, the island has been inhabited by Maori tribes, and in the 19th century, Europeans came to the island, settled here, gentrifying the territory and founding a small village. Since about the middle of the last century, the island has acquired the status of a recreational reserve and has been used for tourist and scientific purposes. The real living attraction of the island is the birds, which are distinguished by their bright colors and a huge variety – many of the local species are not found anywhere else. From the point of view of tourism, Tiri Tiri Matangi is an ideal place for hiking and beautiful photos. The real delight of visitors is caused by the beautiful beaches of the island, where you can sit for a long time, enjoying the unity with the wild nature and the sound of waves hitting the coastal cliffs.
30. Fox Glacier (Westland Park)
Hiking on Fox Glacier is very popular among Westland Park tourists Flying Kiwi Tours
The New Zealand Islands, which were once discovered by the outstanding navigator Abel Tasman, are a real piggy bank 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 received its name at the end of the 19th century in honor of Prime Minister William Fox. Sliding down from mountains about 2.6 kilometers high, it forms 4 giant ice slides that stretch for as much as 13 kilometers along the gentle surface of the Southern Alps. The glacier is fed by snowfall, which forms a thick layer of snow and ice in its upper reaches. Walks to the glacier are organized by a tourist center located in the nearby town of Uehek. It is worth noting that during the last century the glacier gradually retreated, and its outflow formed the Fox River, which is quite full-flowing nowadays, as well as many washout valleys. In one of these valleys, the mountain lake Matheson was formed.
Official website: https://www.doc.govt.nz
A vacation in New Zealand is 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. Getting to know 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.
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