Spectacular New Zealand

New Zealand is located in the south western Pacific Ocean and consists of two main islands, North Island and South Island, and multiple smaller islands. It is about the size of Great Britain or Japan but only has a population of about 4 million people, making it one of the world’s most least crowded countries. Whether you are seeking adventure or seeking a peaceful place to rejuvenate, New Zealand has something to offer. The climate is temperate and does not vary much throughout the year, making it a great place to visit year round.

The Islands: Beside the North and South Islands, there are many smaller islands to explore while in New Zealand. If your into hiking, bird or wildlife watching, consider Stewart Island, Kapiti Island or Tiritiri Island. Looking for adventure? Check out Great Barrier Island. Want to check out some vineyards or just kick back on the beach? Check out Waiheke Island.

Nature at its best: New Zealand has a vast array of natural landscape. In one vacation, you can see glaciers, rugged mountains, subtropical forests, volcanoes, beautiful lakes cut by glaciers, miles and miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches to rolling hillsides and planes as far as the eye can see. I will outline a few of these below.

Awesome Lakes: New Zealand has the most beautiful lakes, clean and easily accessible for fishing, canoeing or any other activities you can dream of. Here are a few lakes to consider”
Lake Manapouri – located in Fiordland Region. This lake was formed by glacial activity during the last ice age. It is a bit secluded but absolutely gorgeious.
Lake Taupo – located in Lake Taupo Region. This lake is surrounded by forrests, geothermal activity and volcanic landscapes. The view is breathtaking.
Crater Lakes – located Rotorua Region. There are 11 lakes surrounded by the geothermal town of Rotorua. Great for fishing, hiking, biking or kayaking.

Driving the coast: This is a beautiful and amazing adventure in and of itself! There is 15,000 kilometers of coastline in New Zealand. On the east coast is the Pacific Ocean which brings beaches with it white sand and calm waters which allow you to participate in all sorts of water activities. On the west coast is the Tasman Sea which brings with it black sand and a very rugged cliffs which make for wild breaks – not so great for water sports but wonderful for your viewing pleasure. There are several highways which take you along the coast. The Twin Coast Discovery Highway in Northland takes you from east to west coast. The Catlins Coast in the far south is breathtakingly beautiful.

Natural Phenomenons: Want to check out a glacier? Well, New Zealand has them. On the West coast is the Fox Glacier. Want to see explore a cratered valley that is full of steam from the heat of the earth that actually make the mud boil? Well you can at the Craters of the Moon in the Lake Taupo Region. Why not explore some caves while you’re at it? The Waitomo Caves are subterranean caves carved out of the limestone by underground streams. You can walk through the caves. Or if you are feeling adventurous, there are places where you can swim or float through the caves (known as “black water rafting”). In Auckland Region, you can climb up and peer into deep craters or climb to see from one side of New Zealand to the other side.

Parks and Reserves: 1/3 of New Zealand is contained within a park or a reserve. Some are wild and adventurous and some are not. Want to get close to the flora and fauna of New Zealand? Check out Maungatautari Ecological Reserve in the Waikato Region. Kaitoke Regional Park offers pristine rain forests and clear rivers and was a location used for filming of the Lord of the Rings movie. Kaimanawa Forest Park offers overnight hikes.

There are also wondrous marine reserves to take in during your visit. There are more than 25 marine reserves to visit. One of the best is the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. It has huge caves and has been named a top ten dive site in the world as the subtropical currents support a huge range of sea life.