New Zealand is an island country located in the Pacific Ocean, and it’s rich with beautiful and scenic places to explore. From the Northland Region to the Southland Region, there are many unique and inspiring places to visit in New Zealand. Here are 8 of the most beautiful and scenic places in New Zealand that should be on your radar if you plan on visiting this wonderful island nation.
1) Christchurch
Christchurch is an amazing city to visit with marvellous mountains and beaches, as well as a host of beautiful parks. One of the best things about this city is that it has a thriving café culture and some of the best bakeries in the world. Christchurch’s cafés are open all day long and offer a range of great quality food options, from sandwiches to cupcakes, with something for everyone! A great way to explore this city is on two wheels – bike rental shops are available throughout the inner city, so you can explore at your own pace. Or go horse riding through the Port Hills or along one of Christchurch’s many beaches.
2) Hokitika Gorge
Hokitika Gorge is a beautiful, marvellous place to visit. It’s a must see for those travelling through the West Coast! Hokitika Gorge is located within the Hokitika Gorge Historic Area. There are two walking trails, one of which is wheelchair accessible. The trail goes along the gorge taking you past some amazing views of the river below, if you’re lucky you may spot some native birds.
This gorge offers something for everyone, you can enjoy your day in solitude or take a picnic basket with some food and wine down to one of many tables. If you want to get away from it all, bring a book or a journal and make yourself comfortable amongst nature. It’s an amazing place to unwind if you’re feeling stressed from travelling around so much during your trip. The river also provides an excellent spot for fishing as I found out! Just be careful where you step.
3) Lake Pukaki
Lake Pukaki is located on the edge of the Southern Alps, a mountain range that runs through the center of New Zealand. Lake Pukaki has a surface area of over 320 square kilometers and is one of the clearest lakes in the world. The color comes from minerals leaching out into the water from ancient rocks below. It’s also an important breeding ground for salmon, trout, eels, and whitebait.
This lake is popular for boating, kayaking, fishing, and other water sports. It’s also a nesting ground for many native birds, including tui. The surrounding area is home to many different species of alpine plants, deer, and other wildlife.
4) Kaikoura (Dolphin, whale watching tour and seal colonies)
There are dolphin, whale watching tours and seal colonies among other things. It also offers restaurants, cafes, and great views. Kaikoura is one destination you should visit while you’re in New Zealand.
Kaikoura also has some of New Zealand’s best surf spots, so you can bring your board if you like to ride waves. However, when it comes to seal colonies, these are mostly found on Stewart Island. Here, pups are born and live for two years before making their way back out into open water. So if seals aren’t your thing then that’s something to keep in mind!
5) Queenstown
Queenstown is a small town on the southern island of New Zealand. It’s known for its serene views of Lake Wakatipu and access to skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, bungy jumping, jet boating, and white water rafting. Queenstown is also the gateway to many other incredible spots in the area like Glenorchy, Arrowtown, and Kingston.
The town itself is beautiful. On a clear day, look out from Mt. Earnslaw to see Mount Aspiring National Park, one of its most famous destinations. The dramatic sight also attracts many hikers from all over, who start their trips at either Edith Cavell Road or Arrowtown. In addition to great sights like that, you can also find plenty of lovely dining options and relaxing accommodations right there in
6) Rainbow Mountain – Arrowtown, Wanaka, Central Otago
Rainbow Mountain is a mountainous area near Wanaka, Central Otago. It is a short (1 hour) drive from Queenstown to the base of the mountain. The trail to the summit takes two hours. The view from the top of Rainbow Mountain is stunning; as you climb up into the alpine zone, you can see all of Central Otago with Lake Wanaka in front of you. Rainbow Mountain offers spectacular views that are not usually seen by travellers on their way through to or from Queenstown or Milford Sound.
7) The Bay Of Islands – Northland, North Island
The Bay of Islands is a beautiful bay off Northland’s coast, the country’s northernmost part. The Bay is home to an abundance of natural beauty, with golden beaches backed by high green hills and a large variety of wildlife. It’s also been called the place where time began due to its rich Maori history; this area was originally inhabited by indigenous people, who have lived here for centuries. You can explore the bay’s many islands on a kayak or take a ferry from Paihia to Russell or Kororareka (also known as Russell).
8) Whanganui National Park
Whanganui National Park is a beautiful and scenic place to visit, with an abundance of natural beauty. The park is located in the northwest corner of the North Island. It covers an area of 1,600 sq km, making it one of the largest parks in New Zealand. The park is known for its natural beauty, which includes native bush areas and mountains. Birdlife is diverse here with some rare species, including takahe.
