There are very few places as exciting or beautiful as New Zealand. The entire country is full of exquisite sites with rich history, aesthetics and beautiful scenery. Everyone deserves to have a fill of this beautiful view at least once in their lifetime. If you are visiting New Zealand for the first time or are trying to take in more of the beautiful landscape, here is a list of five places you have to visit.
Culture and Adventure in One Trip
New Zealand is rich in history and is enough to give you more fill of the several cultures and beautiful landscapes than you can get in other places. The country is also very receptive to tourists, and the cost of living here is cheaper when compared to other notable locations. Explore the wonders of nature and the cultures of different Iwi on this Island of Islands without spending all your earnings.
Auckland
Auckland is one of the perfect depictions of New Zealand’s beauty. This North Island City has every scenery and fun site you can imagine; two large shimmering harbours, exciting beaches, waterfalls, natural parks, and an exciting zoo for New Zealand animals. The city also has blossoming city life, with museums, city parks, sea life aquariums, botanical gardens, and even towers with unbeatable views. Visiting Auckland is almost like visiting a different world; you get to experience the cultures of at least six different Tamaki tribes (or Iwi as we call them).
Your trip to this exciting land will not be complete until you have seen the six large volcanoes within the city. About fifty volcanoes fortify Auckland, and you see most of their dormant cones from anywhere in the city. Still, your trip would be more exciting when you explore Mount Victoria or any other five volcanoes within the Auckland city borders.
Milford Sound
Coming to Piopiotahi is one of the rare opportunities you will get to see nature at its best. Milford Sound combines large cliffs, breathtaking waterfalls, and beautiful dark waters. The unusual landscape has been a tourist attraction site for ages, with visitors exploring the wonders of the Fiordland beauty as they go kayaking, hiking, or even bungee jumping for the extreme sports enthusiasts. Like most parts of New Zealand, Milford Sound is famous for its terrain, but its wildlife is equally exciting. The terrain is home to whales, seals, bottlenose dolphins, dusky dolphins, little blue penguins, Fiordland crested penguins, dusks, and native birds like the Kea, Kakapo, Mohua (yellowhead), and the Takahe. You can explore the rich landscape in our hikes to the Key Summit, Milford Sound Lookout rack, visit the underwater observatory, scuba diving, or even take the famous Milford Sound scenic flight.
Christchurch
If you are interested in resurrections and rebirth, Christchurch is your best destination. The city has survived about four earthquakes and managed to come back even stronger. Since its rebirth, Christchurch has added new buildings and better attractions. Newer structures like the shopping mall have added a more modern appeal to the old city without losing its age-worn beauty. One of the best tourist attractions in Christchurch is the Botanical Garden. The Garden is home to some of the oldest trees in New Zealand, which is a testament to the city’s ability to survive even the worst events. Other attractive features of this city that came back to life are conservatories, walking tracks, and gondolas that can view the entire city. While you are in our resurrected city, you should take in the rich art in The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora and the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, explore the history at the Canterbury Museum and the Air Force Museum of New Zealand and try the scientific angle of the International Antarctic Centre. Sites like the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and the Orana-Mcleans-Waimakariri Zoo are lovely places to take in the beauties of nature in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand, is one of the best places to explore your adventurous side. This historic mining city has one of the most popular bungee jumping sites globally, the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge. You can also take a skydive from the Southern Alps and enjoy thrilling jet boat rides on the Shotover River. Lake Wakatipu is one of Queenstown’s most impressive sites. There is a coal-fired steamship, TSS Earnslaw, to take you across the lake and give you a view of the clear waters and adjoining lands. You can also enjoy the only floating bar in New Zealand, Perky’s Floating Bar, and exciting seafood options on the lakeside. Other attractive features of this city include the Queenstown’s Trail, a 130km wide cycling trail for you to explore your wheeling prowess and enjoy the best of nature. The sky view of Queenstown and her neighbours, Arrowtown and Glenorchy, is also sure to take your breath away.
Bay of Islands
This list would not be complete without the hallmark of New Zealand’s wonders; Islands. The entire country is one big Island with about 600 islands, and the Bay of Islands describes the intersection of these islands. The Bay of Islands contains over 140 islands and offers ranges of water and land-based attractions. The wildlife on the islands includes gannets, marlins, dolphins, whales, and penguins. You can enjoy the beauties of these islands during boat (or yacht) cruises, kayak or ferry rides, and helicopter rides. In the Bay of Islands, you get to enjoy the beautiful sights and explore the rich history of the tribes inhabiting the Islands. Places like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Pompallier Mission and Printery, the Stone Store, and the Flagstaff Hill Historic reserve have thrived for several decades. They are bustling with tribal histories and colonial records. They are also exciting places to camp out and have thrilling vacation experiences.