Split in two, New Zealand is full of some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, from the dramatic and rugged South Island to the tropical beaches and modern cities of the North Island. You could easily spend many months trying to see every single gorgeous vista and natural wonder. Rich with so many different kinds of natural beauty, just with driving a short distance in New Zealand will uncover dramatically different, breath-taking scenery from lush, verdant rainforests to stunning sandy beaches, snow-capped mountain peaks to rolling green meadows, rugged volcanic craters to freezing glacial landscapes.
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South Island
Milford and Doubtful Sounds
Most people who have visited the South Island of New Zealand can't decide whether Milford Sound the most stunning place in the South Island, or whether it's the Doubtful Sound. You wouldn't be able to cover the two sounds in the same day but both places can be accessed from a small town called Te Anau. The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful drives in the world; cruising along the fjord where gorgeous mountains plunge straight down to the water, waterfalls cascade down and fur seals play all around.
Fox and Franz Josef Glacier
Both Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are stunning and easy to access. There are various ways to approach the glacier, from helicopter rides, walking yourself to the mouth of the glaciers or joining one of the glacier expeditions where you can clamber on to it with an experienced guide. This will obviously require some specialist equipment. The helicopter rides usually have an option to visit Mount Cook too, which is the highest peak in New Zealand in the setting of gorgeous Southern Alps. Go on, treat yourself!
Queenstown, the Southern Alps and the Lakes
Queenstown is a charming city in the middle of the Southern Alps. It is home to many adventure activities. The drive between Queensland to Glenorchy shows off the river and snow-capped mountains and is a lovely place to stop for a picnic lunch. If you have the time, check out Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo as well. Following the road along the Lake Pukaki, you can reach Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand! On one edge of Lake Tekapo, there's a little charming stone-walled Church against a backdrop of turquoise lake water and the beautiful alps that surround it.. There is awesome white water rafting to be done in Queenstown, some would say the best in the world!
Punakaiki Pancake Rock Formation
Located in the western beaches of the island, the Punakaiki rocks is an intriguing gigantic pancake pile-like rock formation. If you are lucky to be there in the high tide, you can witness giant water sprays from the big blow hole among the rocks!
Oamaru Penguins
You don't have to go all the way to the Arctic to observe penguins in their natural habitat. New Zealand is far enough! Oamaru is home to two kinds of penguins; the rare yellow eyed penguins that look like they're wearing yellow eye masks, and the little blue penguins that are only a foot tall. Both very cute indeed! The best time to observe them is around dusk, when they are on their way back to their nests after feeding from the ocean.
Moeraki Boulders
Moeraki beach on the East Coast, not far south of Oamaru, is home to a natural oddity; the Moeraki Boulders. The Moeraki Boulders are naturally-formed, unusually large and almost perfectly spherical boulders with diameters up to 2 meters. They are scattered around the beach therefore best observed at low tide.
Kaikoura Whale Watch
Just two and a half hours north of Christchurch is Kaikoura, a very popular location for whale-watching. The ocean around Kaikoura is a natural habitat for giant sperm whales. There are many of them in the area, so many in fact that Kaikoura's Whale Watching tours guarantee 80% of your money back if you don't see one! You may also see many fur seals, dusky dolphins and lots of varieties of sea birds, including the endangered albatross. When the sky is clear, enjoy the views of the snow-capped Southern Alps in the background.
North Island
Waitomo Glow-worm Caves
The Waitomo region is home to many underground caves. Inside these 30 million year old limestone caves, you will find gorgeous stalactites, stalagmites and limestone pillars. But perhaps, the most famous feature of the Waitomo caves is the glow-worms! Brilliant blue radiating creatures cling beneath the cave ceilings, looking like a gorgeous starry night sky. There are many guided tours available, including guided walks, boat ride tours and cave tubing expeditions!
Pohutu Geyser in Whakarewarewa Geothermal Area
The Whakarewarewa Geothermal Park in Rotorua is a home to spectacular geysers. Pohutu Geyser is the most famous one, erupting approximately every hour, as high as 30 meters. Tickets to the park also include a Maori cultural experience where you can learn more about their history and enjoy a traditional meal cooked in fire pits in the ground.
Orakei Korako Geyserland
Orakei Korako, also called the Hidden Valley, is a large and highly active geothermal area between Rotorua and Taupo. This gorgeous land of silica terraces has numerous active geysers, boiling hot crystal clear pools, bubbling mud pools, and colourful algae layers. The Lonely Planet Guide describes this area as 'possibly the best thermal area left in New Zealand and one of the finest in the world'.
Huka Falls
These picturesque falls are not far from Lake Taupo and can be viewed from different points along the road. The rapid and torrential falls look stunning as they pass through a beautiful with lush green verges. Adventurers can take jet boat rides around the base of the falls or a much more dramatic experience!
Aratiatia Dam and Rapids
Several times a day, the gates of Aratiatia Power Station Dam in the Waikato River are opened to release water back into the river downstream. At low tide, the view of the Rocky River gorge below the dam is breath-taking, with big boulders, lush forests and calm water trickling over the rocks. When the dam gate is opened, a torrent of water floods the river bed making one enormous rapid. The power of this sudden surge is astonishing to watch.
Craters of the Moon
The face of this geothermal area is uncanny and eerie. The land is bare, with several large dusky, pink craters, some as deep as 20 meters, which were formed by hydrothermal eruptions. Steam clouds are regularly released from the ground, enhancing the unusual look and strong sulphuric smells. Definitely an 'out of this world' experience.
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand. This magnificent body of water was formed approximately 26 millennia ago, in a super volcanic eruption. There are many exciting water activities you can do here including trout fishing, sailing, jet skiing, water skiing or just kicking back and watching the beautiful sunset.
Tongariro National Park
This national park is marked with 3 active volcanoes; Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngaurohe, and Mount Tongariro. In the winter, the area is transformed into ski hills. In the summer you can hike and trek some excellent trails. You can get right up close to the volcano. You can walk or go up with the ski lift, then take some walking trails to enjoy the scenery. The more experience trekker can hike to the crater for magnificent views of the park and the eerie lava outcrops.
Rangitikei River
Rangitikei River is one of the most photogenic rivers in New Zealand. So beautiful that Peter Jackson filmed the Lord of the Rings' Anduin River there. If you want to try bungee jumping or a flying fox this is the best place to do it! The river canyon makes a spectacular backdrop for jet boat rides, kayaks and fantastic white water rafting.
Otaki Forks
The scenic forest drive along Highway 1 to the Waiotauru River will bring you to the Boielle Flat picnic spot. Enjoy a lovely lunch surrounded by lush green forest and the famous giant fern trees. From here, cross the river over a swinging rope bridge (not for the feint hearted) and enjoy walking the various tracks available. The view to the River Fork Gorge is just astounding.
Book flights to New Zealand [http://www.skyscanner.net/flights/uk/nz/cheapest-flights-from-united-kingdom-to-new-zealand.html] for the sightseeing opportunity of a lifetime!
South Island
Milford and Doubtful Sounds
Most people who have visited the South Island of New Zealand can't decide whether Milford Sound the most stunning place in the South Island, or whether it's the Doubtful Sound. You wouldn't be able to cover the two sounds in the same day but both places can be accessed from a small town called Te Anau. The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful drives in the world; cruising along the fjord where gorgeous mountains plunge straight down to the water, waterfalls cascade down and fur seals play all around.
Fox and Franz Josef Glacier
Both Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are stunning and easy to access. There are various ways to approach the glacier, from helicopter rides, walking yourself to the mouth of the glaciers or joining one of the glacier expeditions where you can clamber on to it with an experienced guide. This will obviously require some specialist equipment. The helicopter rides usually have an option to visit Mount Cook too, which is the highest peak in New Zealand in the setting of gorgeous Southern Alps. Go on, treat yourself!
Queenstown, the Southern Alps and the Lakes
Queenstown is a charming city in the middle of the Southern Alps. It is home to many adventure activities. The drive between Queensland to Glenorchy shows off the river and snow-capped mountains and is a lovely place to stop for a picnic lunch. If you have the time, check out Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo as well. Following the road along the Lake Pukaki, you can reach Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand! On one edge of Lake Tekapo, there's a little charming stone-walled Church against a backdrop of turquoise lake water and the beautiful alps that surround it.. There is awesome white water rafting to be done in Queenstown, some would say the best in the world!
Punakaiki Pancake Rock Formation
Located in the western beaches of the island, the Punakaiki rocks is an intriguing gigantic pancake pile-like rock formation. If you are lucky to be there in the high tide, you can witness giant water sprays from the big blow hole among the rocks!
Oamaru Penguins
You don't have to go all the way to the Arctic to observe penguins in their natural habitat. New Zealand is far enough! Oamaru is home to two kinds of penguins; the rare yellow eyed penguins that look like they're wearing yellow eye masks, and the little blue penguins that are only a foot tall. Both very cute indeed! The best time to observe them is around dusk, when they are on their way back to their nests after feeding from the ocean.
Moeraki Boulders
Moeraki beach on the East Coast, not far south of Oamaru, is home to a natural oddity; the Moeraki Boulders. The Moeraki Boulders are naturally-formed, unusually large and almost perfectly spherical boulders with diameters up to 2 meters. They are scattered around the beach therefore best observed at low tide.
Kaikoura Whale Watch
Just two and a half hours north of Christchurch is Kaikoura, a very popular location for whale-watching. The ocean around Kaikoura is a natural habitat for giant sperm whales. There are many of them in the area, so many in fact that Kaikoura's Whale Watching tours guarantee 80% of your money back if you don't see one! You may also see many fur seals, dusky dolphins and lots of varieties of sea birds, including the endangered albatross. When the sky is clear, enjoy the views of the snow-capped Southern Alps in the background.
North Island
Waitomo Glow-worm Caves
The Waitomo region is home to many underground caves. Inside these 30 million year old limestone caves, you will find gorgeous stalactites, stalagmites and limestone pillars. But perhaps, the most famous feature of the Waitomo caves is the glow-worms! Brilliant blue radiating creatures cling beneath the cave ceilings, looking like a gorgeous starry night sky. There are many guided tours available, including guided walks, boat ride tours and cave tubing expeditions!
Pohutu Geyser in Whakarewarewa Geothermal Area
The Whakarewarewa Geothermal Park in Rotorua is a home to spectacular geysers. Pohutu Geyser is the most famous one, erupting approximately every hour, as high as 30 meters. Tickets to the park also include a Maori cultural experience where you can learn more about their history and enjoy a traditional meal cooked in fire pits in the ground.
Orakei Korako Geyserland
Orakei Korako, also called the Hidden Valley, is a large and highly active geothermal area between Rotorua and Taupo. This gorgeous land of silica terraces has numerous active geysers, boiling hot crystal clear pools, bubbling mud pools, and colourful algae layers. The Lonely Planet Guide describes this area as 'possibly the best thermal area left in New Zealand and one of the finest in the world'.
Huka Falls
These picturesque falls are not far from Lake Taupo and can be viewed from different points along the road. The rapid and torrential falls look stunning as they pass through a beautiful with lush green verges. Adventurers can take jet boat rides around the base of the falls or a much more dramatic experience!
Aratiatia Dam and Rapids
Several times a day, the gates of Aratiatia Power Station Dam in the Waikato River are opened to release water back into the river downstream. At low tide, the view of the Rocky River gorge below the dam is breath-taking, with big boulders, lush forests and calm water trickling over the rocks. When the dam gate is opened, a torrent of water floods the river bed making one enormous rapid. The power of this sudden surge is astonishing to watch.
Craters of the Moon
The face of this geothermal area is uncanny and eerie. The land is bare, with several large dusky, pink craters, some as deep as 20 meters, which were formed by hydrothermal eruptions. Steam clouds are regularly released from the ground, enhancing the unusual look and strong sulphuric smells. Definitely an 'out of this world' experience.
Lake Taupo
Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand. This magnificent body of water was formed approximately 26 millennia ago, in a super volcanic eruption. There are many exciting water activities you can do here including trout fishing, sailing, jet skiing, water skiing or just kicking back and watching the beautiful sunset.
Tongariro National Park
This national park is marked with 3 active volcanoes; Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngaurohe, and Mount Tongariro. In the winter, the area is transformed into ski hills. In the summer you can hike and trek some excellent trails. You can get right up close to the volcano. You can walk or go up with the ski lift, then take some walking trails to enjoy the scenery. The more experience trekker can hike to the crater for magnificent views of the park and the eerie lava outcrops.
Rangitikei River
Rangitikei River is one of the most photogenic rivers in New Zealand. So beautiful that Peter Jackson filmed the Lord of the Rings' Anduin River there. If you want to try bungee jumping or a flying fox this is the best place to do it! The river canyon makes a spectacular backdrop for jet boat rides, kayaks and fantastic white water rafting.
Otaki Forks
The scenic forest drive along Highway 1 to the Waiotauru River will bring you to the Boielle Flat picnic spot. Enjoy a lovely lunch surrounded by lush green forest and the famous giant fern trees. From here, cross the river over a swinging rope bridge (not for the feint hearted) and enjoy walking the various tracks available. The view to the River Fork Gorge is just astounding.