After spending 15 months at visit new zealand, I'm talking to you today about the essential things to do in New Zealand.
New Zealand has wonderful places to discover, but above all fun and sporting activities to do. Unfortunately, I couldn't test everything, I somewhat regret not having been able to parachute or bungee jump in the country where, let's remember, bungee jumping was born!
There is no shortage of thrilling activities in this country but we will mainly talk about things to do and see in New Zealand.
Summary:
> Some tips for visiting New Zealand
> Visit Hobbiton, a must-do in New Zealand
> Discover the geothermal park of Wai-O-Tapu
> A cruise to meet dolphins in the Bay of Islands
> Take a walk in the Waitomo Glowwroms Caves
> What to see in New Zealand: Milford Sound
> Skiing in Tongariro National Park
> Kayaking in Abel Tasman, a must in New Zealand
> Walk on the glaciers of the West Coast
> Take a hot water bath at Hot Water Beach
> Climb to the top of Auckland's Sky Tower
> Queenstown, paradise for thrill seekers
Tips for visiting New Zealand
A few tips may be useful if you decide to visit New Zealand. Having covered the things to do and see in New Zealand, let's now move on to the practical side. If you want to know more, I invite you to read my article on preparing a road trip in New Zealand.
We are going to try to answer 3 questions that will help you prepare for your trip to New Zealand.
When to visit New Zealand?
The best time to visit New Zealand is undoubtedly summer (in New Zealand), ie winter here. The period from December to February will be by far the best period even if it can extend from November to March or even April.
How to visit New Zealand?
New Zealand is quite a large country with a multitude of things to see. The easiest way to visit New Zealand is by location de van ou de camping-car. This mode of travel will allow you to move around easily and discover the country at your own pace. There are many places to spend the night in your van or motorhome in New Zealand. For the choice of your vehicle, do not hesitate to compare the different models that may exist (there are many).
How long to visit New Zealand?
It all depends on your itinerary, how many things you want to see in New Zealand. The country is divided into two islands, two weeks to visit an island can be a good time. 3 to 4 weeks for both islands. I do not recommend trips of less than two weeks. Two weeks being the minimum. It is possible to opt for journeys via domestic flights to reach the main places to see, but this will take away the undeniable charm of the real road trip in New Zealand.
Visit Hobbiton, a must-do in New Zealand
Who says New Zealand, says "Lord of the Rings". Impossible to visit New Zealand without discovering some of the legendary filming locations of the trilogy. Visiting Hobbiton will undoubtedly be the number one things to do in new zealand for all fans of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This Hobbit village which served as the setting for the filming of the trilogy was actually dismantled after the filming of this one. It was rebuilt for the new trilogy: The Hobbit and left as is to be visited by fans.
A pleasant visit, but do not expect to walk alone in the village since it can only be visited via guided tours. Count 2 hours of visit with a drink offered in the famous inn of the green dragon.
> Book your Hobbiton tour
Hobbiton – The Hobbit Village
Discover the geothermal park of Wai-O-Tapu
Geothermal parks are must-sees in New Zealand, its most famous being the Geothermal Park of Wai-O-Tapu. Located near the city of Rotorua on the North Island, in one of the most active regions of the country from a geothermal point of view, the park of Wai-O-Tapu is particularly famous for its "Champagne Pool" a swimming pool of bubbling water with extraordinary colors. This swimming pool has recently made the cover of a famous travel guide.
This park has many lakes and geysers, each more surprising than the next.
There are other geothermal parks that are worth a look, such as Waimangu Geothermal Park, not far from Wai-O-Tapu, which also offers incredible landscapes of steaming lakes and surprisingly colored pools. .
If you take a tour in this region, stop at Kerosen Creek, a river with warm water that is good for swimming.
Champagne Pool-Wai-O-Tapu
A cruise to meet dolphins in the Bay of Islands
Visiting New Zealand also means discovering its fauna and flora, very rich in places and often unique in the world. Indeed the country lists a large number of marine mammals such as whales, killer whales, seals or dolphins.
When I arrived in New Zealand, I very quickly wanted to discover these mammals. Finding myself in the Northland region, north of the city of Auckland, I decided to take a cruise to meet the dolphins of Bay of Islands, the bay of islands. An exceptional place in New Zealand which has no less than 140 islands, most of which are uninhabited.
The climate of this region being particularly mild, it offers fine sandy beaches very popular with the inhabitants of Auckland.
The marine fauna is very present there since it is in this place that many dolphins and seals live, but it is also the place of passage for migrating whales.
An unforgettable memory for me to see all these dolphins swimming around us. Small disappointment, no whale in sight at this time of year.
Bay of Islands Dolphins
Take a walk in the Waitomo Glowwroms Caves
To answer the question: "What to do in New Zealand?" » it is imperative that I tell you about the famous Glowworm Caves. For those unfamiliar with English, 'glowworm' means 'glow worm' and 'cave' means 'cave'. You will have understood that it is indeed glow worm caves that I am going to talk to you about now. These glowworms like to live in total darkness. It lights up in the dark to attract insects that venture into the area to make their meal.
Glow worms don't only live in New Zealand, you'll tell me, you can even find them in France. It's true but in New Zealand, in these caves, there are millions of them! The entire ceiling of the cave is literally covered with it and the spectacle is grandiose.
The Waitomo Caves are the most famous in New Zealand. There is a charge for entry but this has the advantage of walking through the cave in a dry place, on a landscaped path, enjoying a short boat trip but also explanations from a guide.
There are several places in New Zealand where it is possible to see these famous glowworms for free, especially in the Northland region in the Waipu Caves.
Here is a photo of what you can see in these caves, a must-see sight in New Zealand.
Since photos are prohibited in the Waitomo Caves, this superb photo is, unfortunately, not mine.
Glowworms in the Waitomo Caves
What to see in New Zealand: Milford Sound
It is time that I tell you about one of the most extraordinary landscapes in New Zealand, a place that I will classify as the number 1 must-see of things to see during a visit to New Zealand, both the landscapes offered by this place are stunning: Milford Sound.
Milford Sound is none other than one of the most beautiful fjords in the world, these dimensions are impressive with a summit that culminates at nearly 1700 meters. A cruise in this fjord is truly a must on any trip to New Zealand. The fauna of this place is also surprising with the presence of dolphins, sea lions but also sometimes whales or killer whales.
A cruise in Milford Sound remains one of the most popular ways to visit this unique place, but kayaking or flying over planes are among the flagship activities of this place.
Milford Sound
Skiing in Tongariro National Park: An Unforgettable Thing to Do in New Zealand
Now let's talk about one of New Zealand's oldest national parks. Its visit is essential. This park is known around the world for many reasons. First of all, it is one of the most beautiful in New Zealand with its three volcanoes, its amazingly colored lakes and its plains.
The number one activity of the park is of course its day hike: the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. A 19 km hike that will make you discover the most beautiful places in the park.
But we are not going to talk about hiking but rather about skiing. Indeed I had the chance, at the beginning of my stay in New Zealand to go to the national park at the end of winter. Surprise, its highest volcano, Mount Ruapehu was still snow-capped. On this volcano, which culminates at 2 meters, was built a ski resort.
It is therefore an unexpected experience that I was able to live in this national park: skiing on a volcano in the middle of extraordinary landscapes. An original way to visit New Zealand.
I was about to forget ! This location was used for the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Indeed, one of the park's three volcanoes, Mount Ngauruhoe is none other than the mountain of destiny!
Skiing on a volcano
Kayaking in Abel Tasman, a must do in New Zealand
Now let's move on to the South Island towards another very famous national park, the Abel Tasman National Park. It is renowned for its white sand beaches and crystal clear water. The most famous hike in this park is the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, a 3 to 5 day hike through the dense forest of the park to discover many small beaches, each prettier than the next.
This hike can be done in two different ways. It is customary to carry out the first day in Kayak or simply to come and discover the park, not on foot but in Kayak in order to reach certain hidden beaches inaccessible from the hiking trail.
Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
Walk on the glaciers of the West Coast
Let's stay a few more moments on the South Island of New Zealand for one of the must-see places on this island: the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers.
On the west coast of the South Island are two low altitude glaciers easily accessible via a short hike, but the number 1 attraction of this region is the helicopter flight over the glaciers and then the hike on one of these glaciers.
Fox Glacier
Take a hot water bath at Hot Water Beach and discover Cathedral Cove
Let's now return to the North Island, in the Coromandel region in the northeast of the island. This region is famous for its beaches, in particular that of Cathedral Cove, one of the most beautiful but also the most famous in New Zealand. Indeed it is on this beach that one of the scenes of the second part of the trilogy of the "World of Narnia" was shot. A place to see without hesitation.
Not far from this beach is another beach, also very famous and very touristy: Hot Water Beach.
This beach has the particularity of being located above a hot spring. It is customary to dig a hole with a shovel, a few tens of centimeters to access the hot water of the beach. This is definitely one of the things to do in New Zealand, an essential stop on any New Zealand road trip.
Dig a hole on the beach at Hot Water Beach
Mount in the height of the Sky Tower of Auckland
Another must-do activity in New Zealand: climb to the top of Auckland's Sky Tower.
This tower, the highest in the Southern Hemisphere, offers breathtaking views of Auckland and its bay from its summit.
At the top of this tower is a café, a restaurant and an observation platform.
It is also possible to perform a bungee jump from the top of the tower, thrills guaranteed!
Sky Tower d’Auckland
Queenstown, paradise for thrill seekers
Keeping the thrill theme going with Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Before reviewing the countless things to do in Queenstown, let me tell you a few words about this city. It is quite simply one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand, nestled between the mountains of the Southern Alps and bordered by Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has the appearance of an alpine resort.
Let's move on to the countless activities to do in and around Queenstown. First of all its mountains which surround the city will allow you, during the winter, to take advantage of the snow with its ski resorts. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, the choice is wide.
Its lake is also a pleasure in summer, with jet boating, parasailing, cruising or even fishing.
Queenstown is famous for its spots for bungee jumping, parachuting or even paragliding. The city is a real must in New Zealand!
Queenstown
