New Zealand, an exquisite island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is perhaps the most romantic script written by nature with rolling pasture land, lovely beaches and serene trout-filled lakes. As though it wasn’t enough to create an impressive narrative, nature added elements of compelling drama with steep fiords, sublime forests, jagged mountains, thundering rivers, and active volcanic zones. Result? Earth’s most peculiar bioregions and one of the most spectacular travel destinations in the world. New Zealand has everything picture-perfect, the sparsely populated islands, culture, food, wild life and people too. The land of Kiwis (birds and people both) is where the best thing to do is ‘Relax’ but if you still insist on some experiences there’s so much to do in New Zealand that even a month-long vacation may seem like a short break. However, some New Zealand attractions and activities just cannot be missed. Here are 7 awesome things to do in New Zealand.
1. Experience the grandeur of Milford Sound
Rudyard Kipling called it the eighth Wonder of the World and he wasn’t wrong. Milford Sound, a stunning fjord in the south west of South Island was chosen as the world’s top travel destination for the 2008 Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor. Spread over an area of 15 kilometers from the Tasman Sea, this exquisite fjord has two permanent waterfalls Stirling Falls and Lady Bowen Falls lending a storybook feel to one of the most loved and visited New Zealand attractions with about 50,000 to 1 million visitors coming here every year. Visiting and experiencing the surreal surroundings of Milford Sound is one of the most awesome things to do in New Zealand.
2. Explore White Island
Although the island is privately owned and you need a licensed tour operator to take you there, you just cannot miss exploring Whakaari or White Island— New Zealand’s most active volcano. Imagine the temperature hovering between 600 to 800 degrees C, boiling hot water and steam hissing and emerging from vents over the crater floor and you on a flight or boat witnessing this drama from a distance. Located 49km off the Whakatane coast, White Island originally had three volcanic cones, however, the two older ones have been eroded and the youngest in the group continues to stand tall against the test of time.
3. Don’t Miss a Sight of Moeraki Boulders
Geological studies explain them as natural phenomena however as per Maori legends, the Moeraki Boulders lying along a stretch of Koekohe Beach between Moeraki and Hampden are the remains of eel baskets, bottle gourds, and sweet potatoes washed ashore from the wreck of a large traditional sailing canoe called Arai-te-uru. You may take your pick from the two but don’t miss taking a stroll along the beach to witness these huge but perfectly round natural spheres with a honeycomb midpoint. Often pictured in tourist booklets and guides, Moeraki Boulders have gained immense popularity in recent years as one the most amazing sights in New Zealand.
4. Explore the glaciers
Whether you are an adventure junkie or an easy-going traveler, you must explore the dramatic and sharp Fox and Franz Josef glaciers in New Zealand. If glacier hiking or ice climbing is not your thing, take a helicopter flight to reach the spectacular snowfield on the top. One of the most awesome things to do in New Zealand a walk up to and onto the glaciers attracts around 2700 visitors every day to the glacier duo and the annual number of visitors has gone up to a whopping 250,000 people. The area surrounding Fox and Franz Josef glaciers is part of a World Heritage Site park called Te Wahipounamu.
5. Witness the grandeur of Nature at Wai-O-Tapu (Scared Water)
Colorful hot springs, Champagne Pool, Lady Knox Geyser, Artist’s Palette, boiling mud pools and Primrose Terrace all located within the area of 18 square kilometers (known as Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland) are New Zealand’s most dramatic geothermal attractions. Spell-binding sights with gorgeous natural color palates, these geothermal features have been major tourist attractions in New Zealand for more than three decades.
6. Experience the Taieri Gorge Railway Ride
Taieri Gorge Railway line established in 1859 traverses through several tunnels, crosses over a dozen viaducts and travels through an inaccessible mountain landscapes along the banks of the Taieri River offering you a dramatic and exhilarating train ride that’s hard to forget. One of the most awesome things to do in New Zealand, Taieri Gorge Railway is an experience to remember.
7. Bungy jumping
Visiting New Zealand and not trying its trademark adventure sport is like going to Paris and not seeing Eiffel Tower. Yes, you got it right, Bungy Jumping is what we are talking about. A life-changing experience Bungy jumping in New Zealand can be tried at Kawarau Bridge and several other spots around the country. Arguably, Bungy jumping the most awesome thing to do in New Zealand Country in Oceania.
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