5 Awesome Places to Visit During Your New Zealand Vacation
Just this past year, New Zealand was voted “greatest country on earth” for the seventh straight year. New Zealand is known for its innovation and beautiful scenery. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful country.
The first organized commercial bungee jump was conducted in New Zealand. And the first person to climb Mt Everest, Sir Edmund Hilary in 1953, was from New Zealand! If you are planning your next New Zealand vacation, make sure to check out these five places to get the most out of your experience.
When you’re next in Auckland make sure to check out this great list of things to do in Auckland.
New Zealand Vacation: Sky Tower
The Sky Tower in Auckland is a must-see on your next trip to New Zealand. Standing tall at 328 meters for 20 years, this attraction cannot be missed. While in the sky tower, you can view the entire city with a full 360-degree view at 220 meters above the ground level.
Visitors enjoy the breathtaking views year-round and can expect to see key landmarks, volcanoes, and historical buildings located within the city. Sitting at the base of the tower is the SkyCity Auckland entertainment complex. Offering over 20 bars and restaurants, two world-class hotels, a casino, and a 700 seat theater as well.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is located about three hours away from Auckland. It is made up of 144 islands and is a great place to visit for fishing, surfing, and any other water sport you can think of. Some of the wildlife you can expect to see include:
- Penguins
- Dolphins
- Whales
- Marlins
- Gannets
- Seals
- Exotic fish and more
They offer many tourist excursions, including kayak rentals, dolphin watches, scuba diving, and much more.
Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley
Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley is another must-see when visiting New Zealand. The valley is an active geothermal area featuring hot pools, boiling mud, and geysers. There is so much to do here. You can learn more about the geology of the area and how the local Maori villagers have survived here for hundreds of years.
You can also check out what ongoing research they are discovering in the earth science facility. And if you would like to get up close and personal, you can take a stroll through one of the nature walks. The trails range from a 5-minute walk to about an hour. It is recommended to bring comfortable shoes when walking the nature trails.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
The Waitomo glowworm caves are an experience unlike no other. You take a boat ride through caves that are naturally illuminated by the glowworms. The glowworm is unique to New Zealand and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Many of the guides that work on the tour are direct descendants of the Maori chief, making this experience unforgettable.
Franz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef glacier is an actual glacier that you can hike in New Zealand. The glacier is 6.8 miles long that you can walk, take guided tours, and even ice climb. When you are through with the hike, check out one of the glacier hot pools. The hot pools are naturally occurring waters coming from the Franz Josef Glacier.
Find More Things to Do on Your New Zealand Vacation
You can see why New Zealand is one of the most visited places on earth. It has beautiful scenery and so many cool attractions to see. When planning your next New Zealand vacation, don’t forget your adventure and curiosity! If you would like more information on things to do in New Zealand or other travel destinations, check out our blog!
