Top New Zealand destinations and highlights

Volcanoes:

• the numerous volcanic cones in Auckland and coastal volcanoes in Northland,
• the active volcanoe White Island and Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty,
• the geothermal attractions of Rotorua with the volcano Tarawera,
• the active volcanoes in the Tongariro National Park,
• the perfectly shaped Taranaki volcano.

Forests:

• Waipoua Forest and other Kauri forests in Northland and Coromandel,
• Redwood Forest in Rotorua,
• remote Te Urewera National Park near East Cape,
• the protected forests in the Waikato and Whanganui National Park,
• the mystical cloud forests on the shoulders of the Taranaki volcano,
• the tea trees in Abel Tasman National Park near Nelson,
• the overgrown rainforests of the West Coast,
• beech forests of Fiordland and other alpine areas.

Rock formations and caves:

• Hole in the Rock in the Bay of Islands in Northland,
• Cathedral Cove and the abandoned mines of Coromandel,
• Waitomo glowworm caves in the Waikato,
• karst areas and caves near Takaka in Nelson,
• the Oparara Basin, the Pancake Rocks and abandoned mines of the West Coast,
• the Moeraki Boulders of Otago,
• the spectular alpine landscapes of Christchurch, Wanaka, Queenstown and Fiordland.

Rivers and lakes:

• the long Waikato River in the Waikato region,
• the many coloured and geothermal lakes and rafting rivers of Rotorua,
• idyllic secluded Lake Waikaremoana near East Cape,
• Huka Falls and Lake Taupo, the result of a large volcanic eruption,
• the multi-day ‘walk’ on the Whanganui River in Whanganui,
• crystal clear Pupu Springs in Nelson,
• the milky alpine Tekapo and Pukaki lakes in the Christchurch area,
• the clear and odd-shaped Wanaka and Hawea lakes in Wanaka,
• beautiful blue Lake Wakatipu and the breathtaking rafting rivers in Queenstown,
• many quiet bush lakes and wild rivers on the West Coast,
• pristine lakes and high waterfalls of Fiordland.

Coastal adventures and beach destinations:

• the wild endless beaches on the west coast and magical coves and islands of the east coast of Northland,
• black volcanic surf beaches and peaceful regional parks around Auckland,
• the beautiful bays of the Coromandel peninsula,
• the popular surf beaches of the Bay of Plenty and the secluded beaches around East Cape,
• spectacular remote coasts and lighthouses of Wairarapa,
• the Marlborough Sounds,
• the golden beaches of Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay in the Nelson Region,
• famous wild driftwood beaches of the West Coast,
• dangerous cold east coast beaches near Christchurch and Dunedin and the bays of Banks and Otago Peninsula,
• the epic fjords of Fiordland,
• the Catlins Coast and other beautiful wild beaches in Southland,
• Half Moon Bay, Ulva Island and other coastal landscapes in Stewart Island.

Wildlife tour destinations:

• diving, Kiwi sanctuaries and swimming with dolphins in Northland,
• the Muriwai gannet colony, the Tiritiri Matangi Island bird sanctuary and whale watching in Auckland,
• the sea birds of Miranda in Coromandel,
• glowworms in the Waitomo Caves in Waikato,
• trout in and around Lake Taupo,
• the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony in Hawke's Bay,
• Little Blue Penguins in the bays of Wellington,
• sea birds along Farewell Spit in Nelson,
• marine mammals of Kaikoura and the Hector's Dolphins of Akaroa in the Christchurch region,
• the penguins of Oamaru and the albatrosses of the Otago Peninsula,
• Kea in the Fiordland alps,
• fur seals, sea lions and penguins on the Catlins Coast in Southland,
• the bird paradise Stewart Island.
• See our New Zealand animals ebook for more information.

Hiking:

• the rewarding coastal walks of Northland and Coromandel,
• the regional parks of Auckland,
• the forests around Lake Waikaremoana near East Cape,
• many lakeshore and forest walks of Rotorua,
• famous Tongariro Crossing of Tongariro National Park,
• Taranaki volcano ascent,
• Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds,
• coastal walks of Abel Tasman National Park in Nelson,
• countless beautiful bush walks of the West Coast including glacier walks,
• the alpine walks of the Christchurch, Wanaka and Queenstown regions,
• Milford Track and other wonderful walks of Fiordland,
• Hump Ridge Track and shorter walks in Southland,
• Rakiura Track on Stewart Island.

Cities and culture:

• Auckland, the gigantic multicultural with its modern skyline, harbour and volcanoes,
• Wellington, the cultural capital in its hilly harbour setting,
• the creative Christchurch which reinvents itself,
• the well-preserved heritage precinct of Oamaru, built of white stone,
• Dunedin, the former gold rush town with its Scottish origins.

Maori culture:

• the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the home of the biggest tribe (Ngapuhi) in Northland,
• Te Urewera and other traditional areas of the East Cape,
• Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture and home of successful Maori tribes with numerous tourist attractions,
• Marae style accommodation in Whanganui National Park,
• Te Papa National Museum in Wellington,
• impressive Okains Bay Museum near Christchurch and many other regional museums focusing on Maori culture.
• See our separate page about Maori culture.

Activities and sports:

• diving, kayaking and sailing in Northland and Coromandel,
• jumping from the Skytower and America's Cup sailing in Auckland,
• boogie boarding in the Bay of Plenty,
• surfing and jetboating in Waikato,
• river rafting and mountain biking in Rotorua,
• horse riding in the East Cape region,
• tandem skydiving and trout fishing in Taupo,
• wine tasting in Hawke's Bay and Marlborough,
• skiing in Tongariro,
• canoeing in Whanganui,
• kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park near Nelson and in the Marlborough Sounds,
• jetboating and much more in Queenstown,
• bike tours and much more in Wanaka,
• historic train rides and cycle trails in Otago and Christchurch,
• helicopter flights to the glaciers on the West Coast and over the alps.

Remote destinations for adventurers:

• Cape Reinga in Northland, the northernmost point on the North Island,
• Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf, north of Auckland,
• the volcanically active White Island in the Bay of Plenty,
• the Te Urewera Forest and East Cape,
• the Forgotten World Highway near Taranaki with the independent Republic of Whangamomona,
• the lighthouses at Castle Point and Cape Palliser in Wairarapa,
• Farewell Spit in the Nelson region,
• the magical spots Karamea, Kohaihai and Jackson Bay on the West Coast,
• Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound in Fiordland,
• highland stations of Central Otago and in the Christchurch area,
• Bluff with the famous signpost and the Catlins Coast in Southland,
• of course Stewart Island south of the South Island,
• also the Chatham Islands to the east of New Zealand are inhabited.