New Zealand is known for its mesmerizing sun-drenched beaches, tropical flora, islands, national parks, skywalk, skiing, and attractive culture. A visit to New Zealand is a dream that makes an amazing backdrop of fairy tale stories with snowy peaks, cascading waterfalls, hot springs, uncanny natural landscapes, dazzling glaciers, primeval forests, and exciting sports hubs. Fresh blue waters, golden beaches, and delightful seafood have won the heart of the tourists for years and if you have a New Zealand bucket list, you should wait no more.
Listed below are the top places that you should not miss.
Bay Of Islands
Known for its anomalous and queer natural beauty, Bay of Islands encircles 144 islands and beautiful small towns. The unending and mystic adventure at the islands is a home to exotic attractions such as Mission House, Dolphin Cruise, Cape Brett Lighthouse, Otehei Bay, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Hole in the Rock, etc. A visit to the historical islands promises a great experience of exhilaration at amazing ocean adventures and beautiful towns such as Opua, Russell, Kerikeri, Paihia, Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Visiting this place is a full-day experience to Te Kōngahu museum, Maori cultural performances, the Treaty house, a carving studio, lush green forests, motivating art gallery, stunning scenic beauty, uncanny gardens, etc. Create wonderful memories by exploring this place on a passenger ferry between Paihia and Russell, a visit to ‘Hole in the Rock’, splendid Cape Brett, seaside walking tracks, and giant Kauri tree in subtropical forests.
Queenstown
Queenstown is one of the most electrifying and thrilling destinations of New Zealand. Located on the shores of clear and shinning Lake of Wakatipu in the Alpine ranges, Queenstown is an ultimate place to be in your adventure New Zealand bucket list. It is a place that would boost up the adrenaline rush as being one of the hotspots for thrilling activities such as bungy jumping, canyon swinging, jet boating, river rafting, horse trekking, etc.
The city captivates with its majestic beauty of mountains, rivers, and sparkling beaches. The adventure sports lovers enjoy the experience of leisurely bike rides, mountain biking, to heli-biking, and road rides in the Southern Hemisphere. In Queenstown, get rejuvenated with the exotic spas, enjoy the sumptuous lakeside Segway tour and mesmerizing flavors of wines and food.
Tongariro National Park
A World Heritage site, Tongariro National Park is the home to three breathtaking volcanic peaks, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu. One of the oldest National Parks of New Zealand, it attracts travelers with its versatile beauty of volcanic craters, snowfields, desert, volcanic rocks, beech forests, splendid landscapes. The amazing things to do that you can’t afford to miss are a day hike of 8 hours to Tongariro Crossing that starts from the Mangatepopo Road, visiting the thrilling Ski fields on Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano, mountain biking from Matapuna Road to Ohakune, Tawhai Falls, Tama Lakes, Taranaki Falls, and Whakapapa village and the most sought after shooting location of the Lord of the Rings movie at the Mangawhero Falls.
Rotorua, North Island
Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the city of Rotorua has been six times awarded as the most beautiful city of New Zealand. The splendid lake of Rotura is the hub of attraction famous for its recreational activities and beautiful lakes nearby such as Lake Tarawera, Lake Tikitapu, and the Frying Pan Lake. One of the most geothermal active regions of the world, Rotorua attracts travelers for its boiling mud pools, geysers, thermal springs, volcanic craters, and many geothermal wonders known as the “The Big Eight”. It should be in your New Zealand bucket list. Amazing food, sumptuous spa centers, cycling trails, adrenaline push activities, stunning scenic locations, and shopping are the best things to do in Rotorua.
Auckland
The most populous city of New Zealand, Auckland attracts thousands of tourists round the year. It is famous for its museums, breathtaking landscapes, cultural centers, wine and food, and compelling city attractions. The city has thrilling locations such as Rangitoto volcanic Island, Cornwall Park, Mount Eden, WaitomoGlooworm Caves, Waiheke Island, Auckland Zoo, War Memorial, Sky Tower, Wine Trail Tours, and Auckland Art Gallery.
Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, South Island
Franz Josef Glacier is a World Heritage Area that was first discovered in the year 1865. The glacier is located five kilometers from the town named Franz Josef. The unexplored beauty of the glaciers, rainforests, lakes, and waterfalls can freeze your mind. The exotic locations can give you goosebumps and leave you astounded. The travelers enjoy the helicopter flights from Franz Josef and FoxGlacier village, the Air Safaris, and glacier hot pools in the rainforests.
The Coromandel Peninsula
Blessed with the most natural beauty and picturesque locations, the Coromandel is a place not to miss. Here you can spend quality “Coromandel time” with your family. The tourists love to explore the world-famous Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, the Pinnacles, Karangahake Gorge, the Hauraki Rail Trail, Whenuakura Island, and Coromandel Coastal Walkway and create unforgettable memories. The Coromandel Peninsula is a hub of exotic beaches, Oputere Beach, Pauanui Beach, Waimama beach, New Chum Beach, Long Bay beach, Kennedy Bay, Orokawa Bay walk, etc. The travelers can also enjoy amazing air and space tours with helicopter scenic flights, and astronomy tours. It’s the best place to be with your family and enjoy activities such as Kayaking, Boat tours, Surfing and Paddle Boarding, Fishing and Diving.
Fiordland National Park
It is the largest national park in New Zealand covering 12607kms. Here, visitors explore the best trip to Doubtful Sound from the shores of Lake Manapouri. The wilderness of the National Park blows your mind at the Hollyford Track. A 4-6 day hiking experience from Te Anau and Milford Sound Road offers an unforgettable experience. The National Park can be a wonderful tour for hikers; a day hike to the Key Summit, Kelper Track Great Walk, Milford Sound, and the Hump Ridge track are hubs of adventure.
Abel Tasman National Park
A 60 kilometer Abel Tasman Coastline has a lot of offer to its travelers with golden pristine beaches, water sports, hiking tours, boat trips, sky diving, scuba diving, and mountain biking. Popularly known as New Zealand’s Great Walks, from Marahau to Separation Point, the tourists can enjoy a wonderful stay in raw huts and lavish lodges.
Kaikoura
The unseen and picturesque beauty of the islands attracts thousands of tourists from around the world. Located three hours from the city of Christchurch, the weather here is warm that makes it a popular destination around the year for fishing, water sports to kayaking, and parasailing. The ocean world takes you to a roller-coaster ride experience of the marine life of penguins, dolphins, whales, fishes, gannets, and marlins. The best time to visit this place is from April to October.
