New Zealand is the place where you can experience pristine natural landscapes, fascinating artificial landmarks, and epic adventures. With so many choices, it can be difficult to decide where to check out first. We’re here to help you. Just check out our selection of the top 10 landmarks in the country that you need to visit.
- Abel Tasman National Park
This Park is one of our favourite places in the summer. This area experiences a large amount of sunshine in a day, and the summer months are usually very hot. If you are looking for heat and action, you can rent a kayak for the day and discover the wonderful bays of the park. For the super active, try the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which is one of the nine Great Walks in New Zealand. It’s a stunning 51-kilometre tramp with amazing views. If you’re lucky, you can even spot dolphins and swim with them side by side.
- Milford Sound
Milford Sound is a breathtaking natural fjord on the South Island of New Zealand. It stretches 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea. It’s part of the vast, remote wasteland of white snowy mountains, glacial lakes, valleys, waterfalls, and thick forests. This beautiful place attracts millions of visitors every year, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. There are many ways to discover the fjord and surrounding areas. You can try hiking or kayaking along the coast to experience some adventurous routes. When it rains, you can admire the spectacular waterfalls.
- Fiordland National Park, South Island
Fiordland National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It protects some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. Over time, glaciers shaped this dramatic landscape and carved the famous Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds fjords. Visitors can discover bubbling cascades, coastal islands, virgin forests, huge lakes, and uneven mountain peaks.
- Queenstown
Queenstown is a special spot on the South Island of New Zealand; it’s one of the most popular places in the country. This city attracts tourists with its action-packed adventures and unforgettable opportunities to explore. However, it is also known for its vineyards, historic mining towns, and beautiful views along Lake Wakatipu and the southern Alps. In the summer, visitors can go bungee jumping. In the winter, they can spend time on the slopes, which makes Queenstown a destination for visitors all year round. Remember, to employ safety measures during this adventure-packed holiday, you should consider investing in insurance from State to get the necessary protection while scaling new heights and breaking personal records.
- Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is one of the best places for sailing, fishing, and other water sports in New Zealand. The region is about three hours’ drive from Auckland. The name of this region was given to this place because it consists of 144 islands, between the Cape Brett and Purerua Peninsula.
- Wanaka
If you’re looking for the best places in New Zealand to get away from the crowds of Queenstown, you can plunge into the slower mountain town and find the perfect place to go. You can visit the famous Puzzling World, kayak on the lake, and discover the most amazing hiking trails. Nearby, you can hit the world-class slopes of the Cardrona ski and Treble Cone resorts. Even if you are not a skier, you can benefit from a trip here and enjoy the views; it’s enough for you to decide not to go home. It is a great place to visit throughout the year because activities such as hiking and cycling are perfect for the summer and spring; snowboarding and skiing are ideal for the winter. There are also many activities for the most serious adventure junkies, such as paragliding from the Treble Cone Mountain, skydiving, rock climbing, and horse riding.
- Tongariro National Park
High volcanoes, virgin forests, hot springs, herb fields, dry plateaus, lush meadows, and turquoise lakes create a melodramatic landscape in Tongariro National Park. Tongariro is one of the oldest national parks in the world and one of the best places in New Zealand to visit. It is a stunning region of beauty and natural wonders. By visiting Lake Taupo, found in one of the most profound areas of the park, you’ll experience one of the most profound days of your visit.
- Christchurch
Although four major earthquakes occurred in Christchurch between September 2010 and December 2011, the town has made a real comeback for tourists. Christchurch visitors will see evidence of the city’s revival everywhere, including new buildings made of old transport containers and other unique structures such as Cardboard Cathedral. Of course, many of Christchurch’s original attractions still exist. One of the best places to visit is the Christchurch Botanic Garden, which is an extensive network of conservatories, hiking trails, and plant exhibitions. The gardens also boast some of the tallest, largest, and oldest trees in the country.
- Hokitika Gorge
Located on the South Island’s west coast, the Hokitika Gorge is one of those beautiful places that look as good as, if not better than, they do in pictures. A 20.5 miles walking track outside the town of Hokitika will bring you to the shimmering turquoise waters and thick wooded surroundings of the gorge. A beautiful swing bridge comes into view as you enter the viewing platform; this is the perfect location for a photo opportunity.
- Bonus!
Napier is the haven for wine-lovers. Based in the Hawke’s Bay, the grapes only flourish down there, with the red varietals flourishing there in particular. It is a great place to go and do some wine sampling. If wine isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other things to keep you busy, from world-class golf to spectacular wildlife. You can also explore the beautiful Napier and nearby Hastings art deco houses. With plenty of summer weather, this spot should be on this year’s list of places to visit.