The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world. Let’s look at the most beautiful places in New Zealand worth seeing and falling in love for all tourists.
New Zealand is famous among travelers for its magnificent nature. It is a combination of mountains, green hills, clear lakes, and fjords. That is why hundreds of thousands of tourists come here every year to the national parks of New Zealand — Fiordland or Tongariro. Nature inspires you to practice extreme sports: paragliding, kayaking, kiting, rafting, and cave speleo diving. The country is also visited for the sake of Maori culture adventure, the indigenous population of New Zealand.
Of course, movies are one of the main reasons why more movie fans come here. It was in the territory of the country that many scenes from the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” franchises were filmed.
Here are the top 15 most beautiful places in New Zealand worth visiting for everyone!
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1. Milford Sound
The Milford Sound Fjord extends 15 kilometers inland from the Tasman Sea. Its steep rocky cliffs rise directly from the water to a height of 1,200 meters. Among the most famous peaks is Mitre Peak. The fjord is surrounded by dense rainforests. The contrast with the blue water is simply amazing!
According to legend, the first Polynesian explorer, Queen Mogu, sailed through the fjord on his way from Hawaii. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
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2. Hobbiton
This is one of the most recognizable and magical places on Earth, especially for fans of books and films about the adventures of Tolkien’s Hobbits. Hobbiton is located on the North Island of New Zealand, near the city of Matamata. The village became a tourist attraction because it was here that the sets for the filming of famous Peter Jackson films were located.
On the territory of this place, you can see many beautiful hobbit holes carved into the hills. These little houses with round doors and windows look like Bilbo or Frodo Baggins is about to come out of them.
3. Fiordland National Park
The landmark covers an area of more than 12,500 square kilometers and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Te Wahipounamu.
Fjordland is known for majestic fjords such as Milford Sound, Dauftool Sound, and Dussegen Sound. These fjords were carved by glaciers millions of years ago and are surrounded by steep rocky cliffs that rise hundreds of meters above the water. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
4. Mount Cook National Park
Mount Cook National Park is the place where the country’s highest mountain, Aoraki, is located/Mount Cook. Its height is 3,724 meters. The park covers an area of about 700 square kilometers.
Aoraki/Mount Cook is sacred to the Maori and a symbol of the country. The mountain and its surrounding peaks are covered with glaciers, the most famous of which is the Tasmanian Glacier, the largest glacier in New Zealand. Its length is 27 kilometers. Some of the best mountaineering routes in the Southern Hemisphere are located on the territory of this place.
5. Huka Falls
The Hook Falls are located on the Waikato River, the longest in New Zealand, which flows out of Lake Taupo. The water collects in a narrow gorge and falls down from a height of about 11 meters. At the same time, about 220 thousand liters of water per second passes through the waterfalls.
The main feature of this place is the bright turquoise color of the water. The water in the Waikato River and Lake Taupo has a pure blue hue due to the minerals dissolved in the water and the reflection of light. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
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6. Sutherland Falls
Sutherland is located in the Fiordland National Park. It is a waterfall with a height of 580 meters, consisting of three cascades. The place is the main attraction of the Milford Track trekking route.
Sutherland originates from Lake Quills, located on a high plateau. The water from the lake flows down the steep cliffs, creating three cascades. The first falls from a height of 229 meters, the second — 248 meters, and the third — 103 meters. The waterfall is surrounded by forests, which look especially beautiful.
7. Tongariro National Park
It is the country’s oldest national park and the fourth oldest in the world. The natural landmark is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tongariro Park is known for its active volcanoes, among which the popular ones are the eponymous Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, also known as the “Mountain of Destiny”, and Ruapehu, the highest volcano of this New Zealand landmark, which reaches a height of 2,797 meters. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
8. White Island Volcano
The White Island Volcano, or Wakaari, is located in the Gulf of Plenty. It is New Zealand’s most active stratovolcano. The landmark rises 321 meters above sea level, but most of it is hidden underwater. The volcano is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
You can come to White Island by boat or helicopter. Boat tours depart from nearby ports, such as Wakatan. The island offers guided tours of the crater, which allow travelers to walk near active craters, boiling mud pools, and acid lakes, accompanied by experienced guides.
9. Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula is popular with locals and tourists for its beaches, dense forests, and landscapes.
An iconic location on the peninsula is the Pulpit Limestone Arch, which was formed on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Here you can go swimming and snorkeling. Another popular location is the Hot Water Beach, where tourists can dig themselves into a spa pool right on the beach. Outdoor enthusiasts climb Coromandel Mountain, covered with dense forests, with Pinnacles Peak, which offers a cool view of the entire peninsula. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
10. Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety Mile Beach is one of the longest coastal zones in New Zealand: almost 88 kilometers. Along the beach, you can see dunes up to 100 meters high.
The beach has excellent waves, which allow you to surf. On the high dunes, you can try sandboarding (riding a board on the sand), and near the shore, you can go fishing and try your luck in catching cod or mullet.
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11. Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga is a place in New Zealand where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, creating spectacular waves and whirlpools. On clear days, you can see the vast expanses of the ocean and magnificent sunsets from here.
The landmark is sacred to the Maori. They call it “Te Rerenga Wairua”. According to Maori mythology, this is the point where the souls of the dead go to the afterlife. The sacred Powakaukawa tree grows on the cape, the roots of which are believed to serve as a bridge for souls leaving this world. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
12. Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a picturesque coastal town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The name means “crayfish food” in Maori.
The town is surrounded by impressive mountain ranges and the ocean. On clear days, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the mountains towering over the blue waters of the ocean. The city is known for its coastal cliffs, beaches, and picturesque coves.
13. Tiritiri Matangi Island
Tiritiri Matangi is an island reserve created to restore the ecosystem and shelter for many rare and endemic species of birds and plants.
Previously, the place was used as agricultural land, which led to significant destruction of its natural environment. In 1984, a restoration program began, in which volunteers and scientists planted more than 280 thousand trees and shrubs to restore the island’s natural ecosystem. The island is home to kiwi, northern royal albatross, and other birds. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
14. Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley
It is one of the youngest and most active geothermal zones in the world, located south of Rotorua. It was formed as a result of the eruption of the Tarawera volcano in 1886. It destroyed the famous Pink and White Terraces and formed a new geothermal landscape, including the Waimangu Valley.
Frying Pan Lake is located in this valley. It is the largest hot lake in the world, filled with boiling water. The water temperature reaches 55℃, and clouds of steam are constantly rising on its surface.
15. Waitomo Caves
These New Zealand landmarks are known for glowing worms and complex limestone formations. The worms are officially called Arachnocampa luminosa. They emit a bluish light and attract tourists from all over the world.
The most famous of the Waitomo caves is the Gloorm, where you can enjoy the amazing sight of glowing worms. Guided tours of the site usually include a walk through the cave and a boat trip along the underground river. This is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand.
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FAQ
How to stay connected with the world during your trip to New Zealand?
The best way to stay connected all the time and not look for free Wi-Fi in an unfamiliar country is to use eSIM. This is a convenient built-in SIM card, by activating which you can use the internet in the selected country.
What is the indigenous population of New Zealand?
The indigenous people of New Zealand who lived here before the Europeans, the Maori, had their own name for this area. They named the islands Aotearoa, which means “land of the long white cloud”.
What is the national language in New Zealand?
New Zealand has three official languages — English, New Zealand Sign Language, and the Maori language.
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