New Zealand, of course, is too far from us to be called the most popular destination for our tourists. However, this country is so beautiful and interesting that for the sake of visiting it it is worth to overcome several thousand kilometers and pay for the flight!
Today, in light of the growing popularity of "green" tourism, New Zealand is actively developing this field of activity, as it has surprisingly wide opportunities for just this type of recreation.
This state, which is distinguished by its special atmosphere and color, is located on two large (and almost 700 small) islands located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. What must be done in New Zealand? Visit local beaches with clear waters and beautiful landscapes.
See New Zealand geysers, waterfalls, hills, glaciers, coves and headlands to appreciate all the natural beauty of the country. Engage in active recreation, which does not involve lying on the beach, but getting to know new activities, hiking and an interesting pastime. Extremists in New Zealand will love it too, so welcome!
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What to see in New Zealand?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
Fjord Milford Sound
This is one of the most beautiful places on our planet - a bay with amazingly clear water, which is surrounded by green mountains up to 1.2 thousand meters high. The fjord is located in the Fiordland National Park, on the territory of the South Island. Thousands of tourists come here every year to admire the picturesque creation of nature.
Hobbiton village
If you have seen at least one movie from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, then there is no need to describe this attraction, where the shooting took place. You will be familiar with every corner of this village where the hobbits lived. But even if you are not a fan of fantasy, it is still worth visiting Hobbiton, because the village was built with great love.
Franz Josef glacier
This glacier is located in the west of the South Island, in the Westland National Park. This unique miracle of nature is visited every year by more than 250 thousand people who try to conquer the Franz Josef Glacier, accompanied by a guide. This will require special shoes and equipment, but the ice tunnels themselves will leave an unforgettable impression.
Tower Sky Tower
It is the tallest building in the entire Southern Hemisphere. The height of the Sky Tower in Auckland is 328 meters; you can get to the top by a unique high-speed elevator. There are three observation platforms on the upper floors, and the amazing view is simply breathtaking. In addition, the Sky Tower houses several restaurants, hotels and casinos.
Waitomo caves
Nature has worked to create this masterpiece for millions of years, so that now tourists can descend into the interweaving of tunnels and about 150 caves! There are unique fireflies that illuminate the caves with an amazing blue-green light. Extremists can go for a rafting trip, while choir fans can listen to acapello in the Cathedral Hall on the night before Christmas.
Valley of Geysers Waimangu
This hydrothermal system was formed in 1886 and since then has attracted tourists with the opportunity to see two of the largest geysers in New Zealand - "The Prince of Wales' Feathers" and Pochta. They erupt every twenty minutes, so you won't have to wait long for an amazing sight. The height of these geysers reaches 30 meters.
Bay of Islands
One of the most popular tourist routes on the North Island. The main port is Peyhia, where you can sail on a cruise from Auckland. Numerous islands and islets are scattered throughout the bay, where you can go diving, relax on local beaches and wander around the surroundings, historical sites.
Tongariro National Park
The oldest National Park in the country, which is often called the "Three Smoking Mountains" because of the volcanoes located here. It was in Tongariro that the shooting of individual scenes of the Lord of the Rings trilogy took place, so the area here is really fabulously beautiful and fantastic. Subtropical forests, untouched by man, do not look at all like the usual European groves.
Rotorua city
This city, three hours from Auckland, is a unique geothermal area with numerous mud baths. Rotorua is very popular among tourists who come here not only to improve their health, but also to get acquainted with the life of the Maori in the Tamaki village, see the performance given twice a day and taste the original cuisine.
Volcano white island
This "amazing volcano", as the Maori themselves call it, seems to have been transferred to our planet from a fairy tale or space. Now White Island has become a landscape reserve, no one lives here permanently. The volcano is visited only by tourists attracted by the unusual landscape, and scientists who are interested in this object.
Lake taupo
The largest lake in the country is up to 160 meters deep. Tourists come here to ride a boat, visit a shrimp farm and an observatory, and go rafting down a mountain river. Taupo is also famous for its fishing - trout is found in abundance here. Near the lake there are resorts with hot mineral springs.
Hook Falls
A number of waterfalls have become one of the main natural attractions in New Zealand. Huka Falls are located near Lake Taupo, so you can combine visiting them with relaxing in local resorts. Every second, the Hook waterfalls throw up to 220 thousand liters of water! The sight is amazing, especially if you get closer on the boat.
Agrodome
This is a theme park located near the city of Rotorua. A wide variety of animals live here, but Agrod became famous for his "Sheep Show", in which tourists can also take part. Excursions by off-road vehicles are organized around the vast territory of Agrodom, where you can taste kiwi juice and local honey.
Ninety Mile Beach
This beach stretches at the northern tip of the North Island and features amazing sand dunes that change with the slightest breeze. Nighty Mile Beach offers excellent conditions for windsurfing, boating and other outdoor activities. The area is sparsely populated and has preserved its natural charm.
Sutherland Falls
The highest waterfall in Oceania, falling from 580 meters. Sutherland Falls is located on the South Island, on the Arthur River, in the Fiordland National Park, and simply shakes with its power and strength. The rumble of the waterfall can be heard from several kilometers away, and the many colorful rainbows make the spectacle even more unique.
Auckland Art Gallery
In the heart of Auckland is the Art Gallery, established back in 1888. This is the first and most extensive gallery of paintings in the country, located in the building of the former city telephone exchange. Today, both classical examples of painting and works of contemporary artists are presented here, lectures are held.
The city of Napier. Art Deco architecture
On the coast of the North Island lies the city of Napier, which in the first half of the last century was seriously damaged by an earthquake and was almost completely rebuilt in a surprisingly attractive Art Deco style. The city, due to its architecture, is one big attraction with many hotels and tourist attractions.
Cape Reinga
You can only visit this sparsely populated area by off-road vehicle.Despite this, Cape Reinga is a popular tourist destination, where up to 120 thousand people come a year. This place plays an important role in the religious beliefs of the Maori, it is a sacred place for them. There is a modern, automatic lighthouse on the cape.
Kelly Tarlton's underwater world
This is both a museum and an aquarium, which is located in the suburbs of Auckland. The Underwater World of Kelly Tarlton is a complex of exhibitions of the most amazing marine life, divided into five parts by theme. Here you can see the longest underwater tunnel on the planet, swim with sharks and watch rays.
Wai-O-Tapu
This is a volcanic zone, one of those that, in fact, gave rise to the islands of New Zealand. Wai-O-Tapu means Sacred Waters. The Maori called this place so for a reason - there are numerous hot springs here. Now in Wai-O-Tapu there is an amusement park called "The Land of Thermal Wonders", which is very popular among tourists.
Kawarau bridge
This is the very first place on the planet where bungee jumping was organized. You can jump off the Kawaru Bridge for a thrill. This is why extreme sportsmen from all over the world come here. If you are afraid, you can just stand on the platform and see the jump with video and sound. The Kawaru Bridge is the only place from where you can jump together, in tandem.
Mount Cook National Park
In the middle of the South Island there is a corner of nature with snow-capped peaks, including Mount Cook with a height of 3754 meters, glaciers, including Tasman - the largest in New Zealand, forests and fast mountain rivers. In Mount Cook, you can go mountaineering, fishing, just take a family walk to the nearest lake.
Hot Water Beach
People come to this beach not with towels and umbrellas, but with shovels! There are two hot springs hidden under the sand of Hot Water Beach, so you can dig yourself a real bath, which will quickly fill with warm water. The deeper such a "sand bath", the hotter the water will be, so in some cases vacationers dig whole canals to connect it to the sea.
Whales and dolphins at Kaikoura
Huge blue whales, minke whales and humpback whales are constantly sailing to the east coast of the South Island, on which this pretty New Zealand town is located. There are also many dolphins here. Excursions are held at Kaikoura all year round, where you can see giant marine life in their natural environment.
Kiwi bird (symbol of New Zealand)
It is an unofficial but very popular symbol for the country. It is in honor of the kiwi bird that the local fruit, known all over the world, was named. In addition, New Zealanders themselves often refer to themselves as "kiwi". It has become a real international nickname. Images of the kiwi bird can be found here literally everywhere, there is simply no better souvenir.
