New Zealand's Natural Attractions
New Zealand is the opera house of the gods. A spectacular set with diverse scenery and perfectly unbelievable ecology, it has been designed to delight movie directors, hobbits and moviegoers.
Fourteen National Parks in a country that can fit into Colorado, with room to spare, is pretty impressive. The North Island looks towards the sun with heartbreakingly perfect beaches, prehistoric forests and active volcanoes. The South Island plays neighbour to the Antarctic with snowy mountain peaks embedded with glaciers dramatically cutting into fiords and lakes. Stewart Island is otherworldly and remains almost entirely untouched by humans, while the delicately coloured lights of Aurora Australis dance to its own music across its horizons.
Although it was one of the last land masses to appear on modern maps, you can expect every high tech activity known to man to help you appreciate and explore the natural attractions of New Zealand in all five dimensions. The country is also famous for plain old fashioned walking trails, wonderful hospitality and award winning accommodation.
NORTH ISLAND
Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga
At the top of the North Island the Maoris believe the spirit of the dead sets final sail. The living can turn their back on the north and look down a beach that does not quit (even though it is actually only 55 miles long). Sand surfing the big dunes is entirely dependant on gravity and requires almost no skill.
8000 marine species
The easiest way to experience the wealth of natural sea life in and around New Zealand is to head to the underground Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World including Stingray’s, Broadnose Sevengill sharks and Sub Antarctic penguins (they make 3 tonne of snow for them every day).
Waitomo
Literally translating as the “waterhole”, these caves have been explored by visitors for the last 100 years. With subterranean rivers, a unique lighting system comprised of millions of tiny glow worms and architecture of stalagmites, stalactites and helicti that has been eons in the making these caves present a nether world that can be explored by traditional caving, walking or black water rafting excursions.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Get ready to use all your senses as you wander around this surreal place where the earth displays some of its hidden wonders. Geysers, rainbows, mud pools bubbling lakes present colours, odours and visions that will haunt your dreams.
Mt Egmont / Mt Taranaki
This perfectly shaped volcanic cone is active and officially overdue for a major eruption. Never mind – it is so beautiful you will soon forget that uncomfortable little fact. It is a superb destination and many come here to walk, ski (June to August) and climb (it only takes five hours in summer!).
The Whanganui National Park
The Whanganui River reigns supreme in this wonderfully wild region. Rich in Maori and European history it has large areas that are completely trackless and is the perfect place to discover yourself. The country’s longest navigable river is often the only way from a to b, offering a ride through its splendid river gorges surrounded by sheer cliffs decorated with moss, forest and waterfalls. Paddleboats, kayak’s, canoes and jet boats all operate here.
Tongariro National Park
This was the first National park officially declared in New Zealand and today is also a World Heritage site. With three major active volcanoes (Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro) dominating the skyline the landscape is full of surprises with barren lava flows, hot springs, low growing shrubs and tall forests. It offers wonderful skiing and snowboarding in winter and many walks ranging from easy to physically challenging in summer.
SOUTH ISLAND
Harwood’s Hole
This is a through cave and the deepest daylight drop shaft in the Southern Hemisphere. You can see all the way to the bottom just before you descend 183 m to Starlight Cave (it has an overall depth of 357 m). Luckily you do not have to climb up again!
Kahurangi National Park
Almost 50% of New Zealand’s plant species (including 80% of the alpine plants) can be found in this park that means ‘treasured possession’ in Maori. It has stones dating back 550 million years, cave spiders with 12 centimeter leg spans and giant carnivorous snails who eat worms that grow up to one meters long. Over 4000 walkers attempt the parks famous Heaphy track each year.
Kaikoura
Nowhere else in New Zealand can you get this close to one of the world’s most magnificent mammals – the Giant Sperm Whale. It is also possible to snorkel with fur seals and dolphins. Afterwards eat enjoy dining on the local crayfish with some great regional wines.
Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
Rainforests and fields of ice in an ancient dance, this area is quite unique because it is moving at a rate that is ten times faster than any other valley glaciers. You can walk high on the alpine snow and into blue ice glacier caves, fly over this spectacular relic of the last ice age, and race a jet boat on a glacial rive. The scenery and activities are awe inspiring and endless.
Mount Cook
Sir Edmund Hillary trained here for his Everest ascent and many aspiring climbers set out to conquer Mount Cook every year. Luckily it is not only for the daring. The rare birds, wonderful daisies and buttercups of the alpine tussock fields will delight any soul and there is a large range of activities including fishing in summer, heli-skiing in winter and great dining all year round.
Mt Aspiring National Park
The unique pyramid topping Mt Aspiring at a touch over three thousand meters quietly stands guard over this wonderful park that manages to exceed expectations in a country where extremes are the norm. From the bush birds of the beech forest down in the valleys, to the limestone sculptures and ice encrusted peaks, it is a wonderland best explored on foot.
The Catlins Coast
This is wild, natural New Zealand at its unspoiled best. From unique fossil forests to all manner of seabirds and mammals, native bush, waterfalls, wild beaches, unforgettable tangles of driftwood, and a frustratingly changeable climate – the area takes a lot of beating, but the resulting dramatic impact is unforgettable.
Fiordland
This is the ultimate visual feast and the Milford sound has just won the 2008 Travelers Choice Destination award. Gaze in awe at the world’s highest sheer sea cliffs, which rise out of the deep, silent waters of Milford Sound. Ten thousand years ago an ancient glacier retreated 40 km inland allowing the sea to flood through the fiord it had carved. The fiords of this area are up to 650 meters deep. The area is also one of the largest national parks in the world and has world heritage status. There are many activities designed to bring you closer to the various attractions that include 700 plants found only here, penguins, dolphins, New Zealand Fur seals and the flightless takahe moorhens.
Ulva Island
The glowing skies of Stewart Island harbouring this tiny inlet island refer both to spectacular sunsets and the Aurora Australis. The land is truly wild and decorated with an astounding array of native bird life. It is the southernmost bird sanctuary in the world. The 266 hectare island has many wonderful walking tracks.
If you cannot visit New Zealand in the near future, hire one or more of the following movies to get a feel for the place and a taste for what lies in wait: The Lord of the Rings, The Piano, Whale Rider, Heavenly Creatures, River Queen, The Vertical Limit, and Without a Paddle.
