Top 25 Attractions in New Zealand

New Zealand is, of course, too far away from us to call it 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 traveling several thousand kilometers and paying for the flight!

Today, in light of the growing popularity of "green" tourism, New Zealand is actively developing this area of ​​activity, as it has surprisingly wide opportunities for this type of recreation.

This state, which is distinguished by a special atmosphere and color, is located on two large (and almost 700 small) islands located in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. What are the must-dos in New Zealand? Visit the local beaches, which are distinguished by the clearest water and beautiful scenery.

See New Zealand's geysers, waterfalls, hills, glaciers, bays and headlands to appreciate all the country's natural beauties. Engage in active recreation, which involves not imposing lying on the beach, but acquaintance with new activities, hiking and interesting pastime. Thrill-seekers in New Zealand will also like it, so welcome!

What to see in New Zealand?

The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.

Milford Sound Fjord

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. Every year thousands of tourists come here to admire the picturesque creation of nature.

Hobbiton Village

If you have seen at least one film from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, then you do not 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 Westland National Park. The 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.

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 climb to the top on a unique high-speed elevator. There are three viewing 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 been working on the creation of this masterpiece for millions of years, so that now tourists can descend into the interweaving of tunnels and about 150 caves! Unique fireflies are found here, which illuminate the caves with an amazing blue-green light. Thrill-seekers can go down the water, and lovers of choral singing can listen to a cappello in the Cathedral Hall on the night before Christmas.

Waimangu Valley of Geysers

This hydrothermal system was formed in 1886 and has since attracted tourists with the opportunity to see two of the largest geysers in New Zealand - the Prince of Wales's Feathers and Pohta. They erupt every twenty minutes, so you won't have to wait long for an amazing spectacle. The height of these geysers reaches 30 meters.

Bay of Islands

One of the most popular tourist routes in the North Island. The main port is Paihia, where you can sail during 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 and historical places.

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 filming 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, look completely different from the usual European groves.

City of Rotorua

This city, three hours drive from Auckland, is a unique geothermal area where numerous mud baths operate. 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 village of Tamaki, see the performance given twice a day and try the original cuisine.

White Island Volcano

This "striking 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 with a depth of up to 160 meters. Tourists come here to ride a boat, visit a shrimp farm and an observatory, go rafting on a mountain river. Taupo is also famous for its fishing - trout is found in abundance here. Near the lake there are resort complexes with hot mineral springs.

Huka waterfalls

A number of waterfalls have become one of the main natural attractions of New Zealand. Huka Falls are located near Lake Taupo, so you can combine their visit with a vacation at local resorts. Every second, Huka waterfalls overthrow up to 220 thousand liters of water! The spectacle is amazing, especially if you sail closer on a 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 its “Sheep Show”, in which tourists can also take part. On the vast territory of the Agrodom, excursions on off-road vehicles are conducted, here you can taste kiwi juice and local honey.

Ninety Mile Beach

This beach stretches on the northern tip of the North Island and features amazing sand dunes that change with the slightest breath of wind. Ninety Mile Beach offers excellent conditions for windsurfing, boating and other outdoor activities. The area is sparsely populated and has retained its natural charm.

Sutherland Falls

The highest waterfall in Oceania, falling from 580 meters. The Sutherland Falls is located on the South Island, on the Arthur River, on the territory of the Fiordland National Park, and simply amazes with its power and strength. The rumble of the waterfall can be heard for several kilometers, and the many colorful rainbows make the spectacle even more unique.

Auckland Art Gallery

In the heart of Auckland is the Art Gallery, created back in 1888. This is the first and most extensive art gallery in the country, located in the building of the former city telephone exchange. Today, both classical examples of painting and works by contemporary artists are presented here, lectures are held.

City of Napier. art deco architecture

On the coast of the North Island is 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 sites.

Cape Reinga

You can visit this sparsely populated area only by off-road vehicle. Despite this, Cape Reinga is a popular tourist destination with up to 120,000 visitors a year. This place plays a big role in the religious beliefs of the Maori, is a sacred place for them. There is a modern, automatic lighthouse on the cape.

The underwater world of Kelly Tarleton

This is both a museum and an aquarium, which is located in the suburbs of Auckland. "The Underwater World of Kelly Tarleton" is a whole complex of exhibitions of the most amazing marine life, divided into five parts by topic. Here you can see the longest underwater tunnel on the planet, swim with sharks and watch stingrays.

Wai-O-Tapu

This is a volcanic zone, one of those thanks to which, in fact, the islands of New Zealand arose. Wai-O-Tapu means "Holy Waters". Maori named this place so not in vain - there are numerous hot springs here. Now in Wai-O-Tapu there is an amusement park "Thermal Wonderland", 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 to experience the thrill. It is for this that adventurers from all over the world come here. If you are afraid, you can just stand on the platform and watch the jump with video and sound. Kawaru Bridge is the only place 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 mountain climbing, 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! Two hot springs are 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 this "sand bath", the hotter the water will be, so in some cases vacationers dig entire channels to connect it to the sea.

Whales and dolphins in Kaikoura

Huge blue whales, minke whales and humpback whales constantly come to the east coast of the South Island, on which this pretty New Zealand town is located. There are also many dolphins here. There are guided tours throughout the year in Kaikoura where you can see giant marine life in their natural environment.

Kiwi bird (symbol of New Zealand)

This is an unofficial, but very popular symbol of the country. It was in honor of the kiwi bird that the local fruit, known throughout 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 literally everywhere here; you simply cannot find a better souvenir.