The most beautiful places in New Zealand. Resorts and attractions of New Zealand for travelers. Mountains in Arthur's Pass National Park
It is generally accepted that New Zealand is interesting exclusively for its natural landscapes. This is not entirely true. A Russian tourist brings from this distant country a lot of varied impressions about culture, local residents, interesting modern and ancient architecture. There are many different museums there, ranging from unique ethnographic ones to art galleries.
Wellington
Capital of the islands. A very beautiful and interesting city. It combines modern buildings with old wooden houses. There are many bridges, monuments, large green areas: squares, parks.
The most famous attractions of Wellington: the Botanical Gardens with a cable car, the coastline of the city with the royal parks and the national museum located on it, the wooden church of St. Paul, the house of Katherine Mansfield and Mount Victoria with an observation deck located on it, which offers stunning views of the city and its neighborhood.
Auckland
Located on the North Island. It is home to more than a quarter of the population of the entire country. A very well-groomed and clean city with unique architecture. The business center of Auckland City is built up with skyscrapers.
There are many parks, bridges, squares, beautiful unique buildings. It is worth visiting the Sky tower (TV tower), the Port of Auckland (an abundance of luxury yachts), the Kelly Tarlton water world (a glass corridor for people, surrounded by ocean waters in which huge sharks and rays swim), Muriwai beach (a beach with unique black volcanic sand), a museum Auckland Domain.
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city
Coasts covered with fine black sand of volcanic origin
Dunedin
Dunedin
Built by the Scots and it shows. Just look at the station building, erected at the beginning of the 20th century in the spirit of the Flemish Renaissance. It is decorated with colonnades, frescoes, and mosaics. You should definitely look at it. As well as visiting the Otago Museum, which presents the culture of the Maori and the peoples of Oceania.
On the coast of the peninsula on which the city is located, you can see colonies of albatrosses, endangered yellow-eyed penguins and fur seals. Near Dunedin is the Maori village of Otaku Marae. This is a tourist site. There are several of them in the country and they are always popular among travelers. Special performances are given there, and when it gets dark, Maoris invite guests for a walk through the forest at night. Eyewitnesses claim that the area is very similar to the jungle from the movie Avatar.
Natural attractions
New Zealand is located at the junction of two oceans: the Pacific and Indian. There are many extinct volcanoes, mountains, pine forests and tropical palm trees. In some places the landscape resembles a cosmic one, in others it resembles paradise. Emerald meadows stretch to the very horizon, mysterious haze, beautiful waterfalls, beaches with white and black volcanic sand.
Must-sees
Glowwarms Cave
Such a spectacle cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Traveling in complete darkness and silence along an underground lake, when a myriad of bright lights sparkle overhead with a mysterious flickering light, makes an indelible impression on tourists.
The place where the oceans meet
The extreme point of Severny Island is famous for the fact that it is washed by the waters of two oceans at once: the Pacific and the Indian. The watershed line is very clearly visible. Water differs in color and direction of wave movement. The Indian Ocean is greenish, and the Pacific waters have a purple tint.
The town of Rotorua and its amazing lakes
Lake Champagne, Devil's Baths, Artist's Palette - these are the names of lakes in the valley of volcanic geysers. Yellow, red, greenish, dirty gray, they spread a persistent aroma of hydrogen sulfide around them. All this splendor is surrounded by a pristine forest of giant ferns and conifers, where you can take a walk along specially equipped tracks.
Kauri Tree Reserve
Giant coniferous trees that grow only in New Zealand. They are so big that you could build a house inside them. The height is up to 50 m, and the width is about 13 m. In past centuries they were almost cut down, but now they have come to their senses and are jealously guarded.
Cantebury Valley, Mount Cook
The area is quite deserted, but well-groomed. Famous for lakes Tekapo, Pukaki and Ohao. They are filled with glaciers and therefore the color of the water is bright turquoise. One of the best observatories in the world, Mount Jones, is located here.
Church of the Heavenly Shepherd, built near Lake Tekapo, is the only one of its kind. It does not have an iconostasis. Instead there is a window overlooking the lake. This is how the beauty of God’s creations is revered. The church is popular among local lovers. People come here from all over the country to get married.
Fiordland National Park
Blue Tasmanian Sea, towering cliffs and breathtaking coastal views. The Fjords are one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. Unique flora and fauna.
Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers
They go straight out into the rainforest. You can take a helicopter directly to the glacier and even walk on it.
Hobbit Village
Especially for fans of The Lord of the Rings, the scenery of the famous film has been preserved in the vicinity of the town of Matamatu. It is here that the village from which Frodo set off is located and where you can find the huge tree where he and his friends celebrated his 111th birthday.
New Zealand remains one of the lesser-explored corners of the planet. The geographical location of the state does not add to its popularity among tourists. Those wishing to visit here from anywhere in the world will face a long flight, which, of course, affects the cost of the ticket. Therefore, many have never been able to visit New Zealand in their lives. The human imagination fills with unprecedented facts about this remote country. And we will tell you 10 of the most interesting facts about this country.
Two Islands
New Zealand consists of two islands: North and South. The North Island is the largest island; the capital Wellington and most of the major cities (Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth) are concentrated here. The only large city in the South Island is Christchurch with a population of 360 thousand people. The virginity of nature is characteristic of these places; filmmakers from different countries have chosen local landscapes for location filming. Huge pastures create excellent conditions for agriculture. Statistically, there are more sheep in New Zealand than people.
There is a misconception that Australia and New Zealand are not fundamentally different from each other. The first distinctive feature of the flags of the states is the British cross, reminiscent of the colonial past of these states. It is also a mistake to assume that these countries are nearby. The actual distance between the countries is at least 1700 km. By Russian standards, it can be compared to the distance between Moscow and Novosibirsk. There are also differences in fauna; in New Zealand you will not find marsupial bears.
Climate Features
Summer in New Zealand usually begins in November and ends in April. During this period of the year the temperature is 18-25 degrees Celsius. The rest of the time it rains frequently. Frosts are regular. Sometimes the temperature drops to +3+5 during the day, even lower at night, creating serious discomfort. Most houses do not have central heating. Local residents solve this problem with the help of radiators and other electric heating devices.
Education
The desire to obtain higher education is not typical for New Zealanders. No more than 11% of the country's citizens receive a bachelor's degree. But foreigners are happy to study in New Zealand. This is facilitated by the high level of universities and inexpensive (by European standards) education. Students study four subjects per semester. Theses are not written; instead, the graduate submits a report on his six-month internship in writing. Salaries of people with higher education are usually twice as high as those of school graduates.
Seismic activity
In terms of the number of tremors, New Zealand can easily compete with Japan. Seismologists count more than 14 thousand earthquakes a year. The most seismically vulnerable is Christchurch, the country's second most populous city. A magnitude 6.3 earthquake was recorded in February 2011, killing 166 people and seriously injuring more than 600. The city experienced strong earthquakes in 2010 (magnitude 7) and a magnitude 6 earthquake in June 2011.
In the city of Hamilton on the North Island there is an amazing monument of landscape art, the Hamilton Garden. The park occupies a fairly large area (more than 54 hectares). The most interesting compositions are “Italian Renaissance Gardens”, “Chinese Gardens”, “Tudor Gardens”, “Parapara Garden” and others.
The tallest building in the country, the Sky Tower, is located in Auckland; its height reaches 328 meters. Visitors are offered a significant range of services. There are numerous restaurants, two hotels, and excellent viewing platforms. Extreme sports enthusiasts have the opportunity to jump from a height of 192 meters.
For lovers of wild, untouched nature, we can recommend the Abel Tasman National Park Reserve, located in the north of the South Island. There are beautiful beaches with golden sand and lagoons with crystal clear turquoise water.
The amazingly beautiful landscapes of the South Island, located far from large populated areas, have attracted the liking of filmmakers. New Zealand landscapes can often be seen in fantasy films. The most famous of them was the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The director of the best-selling book, Peter Jackson, is from here, so he constantly uses local nature in his films. Once, even for the famous “King Kong” in New Zealand, they made scenery like New York.
New Zealand is very unusual, and anyone who appreciates everything new, interesting and extraordinarily beautiful should definitely visit this country for at least a week or two - and you will have enough memories to last a lifetime. If you are lucky enough to fly to the other side of the world, you will, of course, rush to enjoy the neighbors of our heroine of the article.
In a country with such a variety of landscapes and vibrant seasons, there are always a few strange and unusual places worth visiting. New Zealand is rich in amazing sights, but today's list contains the strangest, most unusual and mysterious, so join us as we go on an exciting tour of the Kiwi country!
10. Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World
Yes, this is the strange and crazy kingdom of the Mysterious World! There is a large maze, illusion rooms, a leaning tower and even a Puzzle Center! This attraction should definitely be included in your New Zealand travel itinerary!
9. Cardrona Bra Fence
It may look like an art installation of a political statement, but no one really knows who created it.
The strange fence appeared in 1999, when one night between Christmas and New Year, someone hung four bras on a wire fence near the road. After receiving widespread coverage in the New Zealand media, the fence attracted the attention of tourists, and soon new pieces of women's underwear began to appear on it.
In October 2000, about 200 bras were already hanging on the fence, making it popular outside the country, making it a famous attraction among tourists from other countries. By the beginning of 2006, the number of bras was already close to 800.
Today, thousands of women's underwear tops can be seen hanging here, and every day new visitors to this strange place hang more and more bras on this mysterious fence. You can see more photos of this unique place.
8. Te Waikoropupū Springs
Waikoropupu Springs are one of the world's largest freshwater springs, as well as the largest cold springs in the Southern Hemisphere.
The fresh spring contains the purest water you may have ever seen! The visibility depth in the lake is 63 meters. To give you an idea, let's say that the depth of visibility in distilled water is almost 80 meters.
In any case, the Vaikopupu springs are definitely worth seeing! Such places are a real dream for any photographer!
7. Mrs. Chippy Monument
This cat monument was erected in Wellington as a tribute to all those who were tested and braved the harsh polar conditions.
A statue of a lying cat was installed on the grave of his owner, Harry McNeish, who died in 2004, who was a carpenter on Ernest Shackleton's Arctic expedition in 1914-1917. The cat got its feminine name because it was initially mistaken for a cat.
The cat, whom Harry McNish took with him on the Arctic expedition, brightened up the difficult life of the ship's travelers, caught rats and became friends with almost all members of the crew.
When the ship became trapped in ice in late October 1915, Shackleton decided that Mrs. Chippy and the five sled dogs would not survive and shot them.
If you ever take a trip to the Arctic Circle, be sure to pay your respects to Mrs. Chippy before you go!
6. Hobbit Houses (Hobbiton)
No Lord of the Rings fan can miss a trip to Matamata to see the hobbit houses! After all, the famous trilogy!
The Shire was created on the territory of a private farm, whose owners decided not to dismantle the set after filming, turning it into a popular New Zealand attraction.
Immediately after the release of the first film on the big screen, tourists from all over the world began to come to Matamata, and the city itself received the unofficial name “Hobbiton”.
5. Elephant Rock
New Zealand has its fair share of amazing rock formations, but none is more unusual than the elephant-shaped rock formation.
The unusual rock is set among huge weathered limestone cliffs on a private farm 5km south of Duntroon in North Otago.
The area around Duntroon is known for its interesting geology and intricately preserved fossils. One of them is the amazing elephant-shaped rock, which is one of the most unusual attractions in New Zealand that is worth visiting.
By the way, the film “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was filmed on the territory of these rock formations in 2005, turning it into Aslan’s camp. True fans of the Chronicles of Narnia simply must include this place on their list of visits!
4. "Devil's Bath" in Wai-o-Tapu (Wai-O-Tapu)
Wai-o-Tapu is a region of high geothermal activity whose name translates to "Sacred Waters" in the Maori language. The area is in the Taupo Volcanic Zone on the North Island.
There are many colorful hot springs to be seen in Wai o Tapu. One of them is a bright green pool called (“Devil’s Bath”), which you are unlikely to dare to plunge into (and rightly so!).
The bright, unnaturally green color of the lake is explained by its location on sulfur deposits that rise to the surface and concentrate in the upper layers. In addition to its poisonous green color, the “Devil’s Bath” is also distinguished by a rich, nasty smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs.
3. Clutha River
In the sun's rays, the crystal blue water of the Klutha River becomes almost transparent, mainly because it flows through ancient glacial terraces, filling with glacial water.
The Clutha River is the South Island's longest river, flowing 338 kilometers through the beautiful Otago region before emptying into the Pacific Ocean.
2. Waitomo Glowworm Caves
One of the most popular (if not the strangest) tourist attractions in New Zealand is the world famous Firefly Caves, the existence of which can only be believed by seeing it in person.
The main feature of the caves is a huge population of tiny bioluminescent fireflies, which in complete darkness “illuminate” the vaults, creating the effect of a starry sky. This species of firefly (Arachnocampa luminosa), about the size of a regular mosquito, is endemic to New Zealand.
The Waitomo cave complex, which includes, is located on the North Island, in the Waikato region, 12 kilometers from the city of Te Kuiti.
At the entrance to the caves there is a modern visitor center, decorated in wood. Excursion tours of the caves are also organized here, including by boat, so that you can appreciate the beauty of the luminous vaults.
1. Moeraki Boulders
These unusually huge spherical boulders lie along Koekohe Beach on the Otago breakwater coast between Moeraki and Hampden on the South Island.
They can be seen one by one or in the form of clusters scattered along the coastal strip for almost 300 meters - on the sandy shore or in the water. In total there are several hundred boulders, two thirds of which measure 1.5-2.2 meters in diameter and one third - 0.5-1 meter.
During the research, it was found that the boulders consist of silt, clay and sand, which were cemented with calcite, and the degree of cementation increases closer to the surface. Scientists suggest that the Moeraki boulders were formed about 60 million years ago, during the Cenozoic era, and the formation of each boulder took 4.5-5 million years. However, these hypotheses have not yet been proven.
Local residents have their own hypotheses about the formation of spherical boulders. Some believe that these are actually fossilized dinosaur eggs, while others attribute their appearance on the coast to aliens who landed on our planet but left due to the harsh climate, leaving behind huge round eggs that petrified over time. The Maori people have their own legend: the large fishing canoe Arai-te-uru that was passing by was in disaster, and the boulders are nothing more than petrified food supplies (baskets of food, pumpkin, potatoes) left after the wreck ships and washed ashore.
Either way, it's definitely worth seeing! If only to see with your own eyes and form your own opinion about the origin of the mysterious Moeraki boulders.
The island states of the tropical zone have an amazing attraction for tourists. There is summer all year round, luxurious natural landscapes, golden beaches and a huge amount of impressions. It is generally accepted that the attractions of New Zealand lie only in its natural beauty. This misconception disappears immediately, you just have to look at a guidebook or tourist brochure. The country has many interesting places that were created by man; they attract travelers with their originality and original appearance.
New Zealand impresses with its natural beauty and variety of tourist attractions. Nature beckons with cloud-covered mountain peaks, blue lakes, rivers and volcanic plains.
In addition to enjoying the natural beauty, here you can explore the culture and life of the Maori tribe or take advantage of more active forms of recreation, such as skiing and underwater fishing.
A country you want to return to
New Zealand is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean and is recognized as the most environmentally friendly territory on the planet. Consists of 2 large islands and 700 small ones, the capital of the state is Wellington. The peculiarity of the country is its isolation from its closest neighbors. This is probably why numerous animals and birds thrive on the islands that are not found anywhere else, for example, the flightless kiwi bird.
You should know! Despite its distance from the mainland, New Zealand is included in the list of developed countries in the world.
The first European to arrive on the islands for research purposes was the Briton James Cook. He created a map of the coastline and established natural exchanges with the indigenous people. Later, potatoes were brought to the islands and quickly became part of the diet. The islands became a British colony, and in 1856 they received the right of self-government. The dual system of power is beautifully expressed in the mottos, which have equal meaning for the inhabitants: “God Save the Queen” and “God Defend New Zealand”. On the territory of the state they communicate in Maori and English.
Nature and features of the relief
The main area of the state is concentrated on 2 large islands: South and North. Climatic conditions range from subtropical to temperate. In the highlands, the climate is alpine, snow falls, and the thermometer drops below zero. Most of the islands are located at an altitude of 200 m above sea level, and they also have high seismic activity. The South Island is especially distinguished, on which 5 of the 6 large volcanoes are located, one of them is active.
They say that here you can see 4 seasons in a day, when suddenly a downpour comes, the wind rises and again the rays of the sun brightly illuminate the rain-washed nature. Because of this feature, the air is fresh and humid, and the sky is decorated with snow-white figured clouds. The warmest months of the year are January and February, while July is considered cold.
Rare species of birds have been preserved on the islands, including moas, kiwis, and New Zealand plumes. Unique representatives of the plant world are found in the reserves:
- southern beech;
- agathis;
- cowries;
- radiata pine.
Important! There are no snakes in the country at all. It is forbidden to bring them with you; this will result in a heavy fine.
The most interesting sights of New Zealand
Photos and descriptions of New Zealand attractions in guidebooks help you navigate and plan travel routes in advance. Excursions have been developed for tourists, including visits to the most interesting buildings, natural parks and historical monuments.
Christchurch is the second largest city in New Zealand. Currently, it is not only a place of pilgrimage for tourists, but also a rapidly developing business center. New Zealand's second largest port is located here. The beautiful beaches of the Pacific Coast and magnificent mountains leave no one indifferent. The city itself has a ton of museums, world-class shopping, and other entertainment options.
The capital is located on the North Island of New Zealand, and today it is the most populous city in the country. It is estimated that this place in the New Zealand Islands has the largest number of sunny days a year - 223. You are unlikely to find as many attractions as in Auckland anywhere else. Tourists can return here again and again. A lot of sports facilities, its own tennis tournament and much more leave unforgettable memories.
Rotorua is one of the tourist areas in New Zealand that has absorbed all the unique culture called “Maori”. This city is located three hours' drive from Auckland. The constant flow of tourists increases the local population by 10 times. Friendly locals with a special sense of humor and artistic skills undoubtedly make this city one of New Zealand's most iconic destinations.
4. Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula is famous for its beach, which is never empty, both from locals and tourists. And all this is due to geyser springs with a water temperature of about 60 degrees Celsius, which comes out of underground hot springs while filtering through sand. When the tide goes out, visitors begin to dig the sand, thereby creating their own unique natural baths.
The founding date of the national park is 1952. It is located on the South Island and its area currently amounts to more than 1.2 million hectares. Fiordland is famous for New Zealand's deepest lake, Lake Manopauri, the highest mountain range and the Nothofagus plant, which is up to 800 years old. There are also real jungles and rare animal species found nowhere else in the world.
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. And very diverse in climatic zones: unique forests, snow-white glaciers, crystal fjords, pristine beaches - all this beckons to visit this island state. “The Lord of the Rings” was also filmed here, and it is simply impossible to deny yourself the pleasure of seeing the majestic landscapes from this film in real life.
New Zealanders are calm and friendly people, everything here is created for a comfortable stay. But in this country they treat natural resources very carefully, which tourists should remember and not violate the rules established in national parks and other protected areas.
Must-sees in New Zealand:
One of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand. At first glance, you will be captivated by the beautiful Southern Alps surrounding the lake. There is a ski resort next to the lake. Boat trips are offered on the lake, allowing you to fully enjoy the surrounding views. There are several comfortable hotels around.
This longest lake in New Zealand (as much as 84 km) is of glacial origin. And, yes, yes, it was filmed in the notorious “Lord of the Rings”. The lake is interesting for its beautiful views and crystal clear water, as well as its curved shape, reminiscent of a river.
For tourists, in addition to boat trips, surfing, fishing, skiing, canyoning and other entertainment are offered.
Waimangu (“Black Water” in Maori) is a valley of geothermal springs formed after the eruption of Mount Tarawera. There is a convenient walking route along the valley, allowing you to see all its beauty.
One of the interesting places in the valley is Hell's Crater Lake, which is bright blue due to silicon dioxide. The beautiful marble terraces also leave an unforgettable impression.
The lake bed is the caldera of one of the five supervolcanoes - Taupo. The eruption of this giant can destroy the Earth. There are three more volcanoes near the reservoir. But Lake Taupo is not only famous for this. There is just a ton of entertainment here - yachting, kayaking, fishing, other extreme sports, visiting geothermal springs. To fish you need to buy a license. A local restaurant can prepare you a delicious dish from the catch.
Kiwi House is a small sanctuary near Kaitaia, where all conditions are created for the endangered kiwi birds. Since kiwis are active at night, in order for visitors to see them, the reserve maintains an artificial darkness, creating the effect of night for the birds. Photography and loud noises are prohibited in the park.
The water area of the bay contains a lot of interesting small islands, which gave the name to this bay - Bay of Islands, Bay of Islands. This is one of New Zealand's most visited resorts. Year-round beach holidays, the colorful cities of Paihia and Russell, inhabited by hospitable Maori, amazing seascapes - all this cannot but interest vacationers.
In addition to passively lying on the beach and swimming in the bright turquoise water, diving, yachting, fishing and other water activities are possible in the bay. There are many hotels built on the coast for different budgets.
The Shotover River is notable for its extreme sport – jetboating, which involves overcoming the rapids of a fast river in special boats. The boats bounce on the waves and turn 360º, delighting extreme sports enthusiasts.
Abel Tasman is completely adapted for tourists. Travelers are attracted by the beautiful golden sandy beaches, as well as the unique nature that you can get to know while following the “Great Route” along the coast. This route is accessible to all tourists, regardless of physical fitness.
Another route, which runs through the forest and is more interesting, requires great physical endurance and special training. On the territory of the park there are cottages, each of which has cold water, a sink and a toilet (no electricity!), as well as campsites with toilets and sites for tents.
You can also go kayaking and sailing along the coast and get to the nearest islands with almost untouched flora and fauna.
Egmont National Park is located near New Plymouth. The center of the park is the Taranaki volcano, similar in appearance to the Japanese Mount Fuji. Tourists are attracted to Egmont by its rich flora. The park has areas for rock climbing enthusiasts. A mini-tour bus runs around the reserve.
This peninsula is home to yellow-eyed and blue penguins, herons, royal spoonbills, albatrosses, and sea lions. On the peninsula is the beautiful Larnaca Castle, which is accessible for visiting. Photography is not allowed in the castle.
The path to these waterfalls is quite difficult, but it is worth it. The waterfall consists of two parts. The upper part includes three tiers, and the lower part - two. Silver-white water falling among emerald green greenery is a beautiful natural backdrop for any fantasy film.
The lighthouse is located on the top of a headland on the South Island. There is a convenient road leading to the lighthouse, which any vacationer can overcome without getting tired. From the platform near the lighthouse you can admire the breathtaking sea panorama, as well as observe the life of various coastal inhabitants - fur seals, cormorants, leopard seals, sea lions and penguins.
The lighthouse, built in 1870, is still in use today. It is better to visit it either at sunset or early in the morning to see the amazing sea sunrise.
The cave is closed to permanent access and permission from the authorities is required to visit it. This cave is home to a colony of fireflies, turning its arches into a real night sky with cold greenish-blue stars.
The shots come out simply amazing, like from a fairy tale. But you need to take pictures without a flash, it ruins the photo and scares the fireflies. Smoking and touching fireflies with your hands is also prohibited. A permit is required to visit Ruakokoputuna. Warm, waterproof clothing and shoes are required to visit Ruakokoputuna because the floor is covered in water.
Reptile lovers will definitely visit Stevens Island, the only habitat in the world for the hatteria lizard. This type of lizard is the same age and closest relatives of dinosaurs.
Once upon a time, the island was home to rare New Zealand wrens, which, according to local legend, were hunted to death by a cat that lived in the lighthouse. However, most likely, she did not try to do this alone; people helped her.
Fiordland is New Zealand's largest national park. It is simply huge, occupying an area of almost 12,000 km². The western part of the park is represented by narrow bays winding between the rocks; in the east there are many lakes; the central part is occupied by the jungle. It rains here two thirds of the year and because of this the fjords seem to have “two layers”. On top of the layer of sea water lies a layer of fresh water 35-40 meters thick.
The reserve has a huge variety of birds, including the kiwi, one of the symbols of New Zealand, as well as the owl and emerald parrots. In the bays you can find the most beautiful black corals, as well as thick-beaked penguins and fur seals.
You can only move around the park on foot; there are simply no roads there. And be sure to take a guide with you, otherwise you may get lost.
Penguin Place is a small sanctuary home to the rare yellow-eyed Hoiho penguins. The penguins let visitors get close enough to take good photos. Near the reserve there is a cozy hotel of the same name.
A favorite place for windsurfers and boating enthusiasts. The beach itself is deserted and wild, but swimming there is not prohibited. True, the waves are strong and quite cool. The relentless wind constantly changes the configuration of the dunes on the coast, so its appearance is constantly changing.
This is the set of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Since the scenery (hobbit holes, gardens and inn) was completely rebuilt, and not made of cardboard, it is now a New Zealand landmark and a place of pilgrimage for fans of Tolkien’s works.
An amazing man-made attraction is the Hamilton Gardens. There are 21 gardens in total: Chinese, modernist Italian of the Renaissance, English of the Victorian era, tropical, ancient Egyptian, etc. For every taste. They are all different and it is simply breathtaking. But not only the art of creating gardens in different eras is presented here, but also the way of life and beliefs of different peoples. Fairs and festivals are often held on the territory of the garden complex. The collection of gardens is constantly updated.
Another miracle of New Zealand nature is Cathedral Cave. This is a beautiful arch, carved by the winds, through which an amazing view of the bay with a bizarre rock opens up. The view is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset
What else to see in New Zealand?
One can talk endlessly about this country. And, of course, all its attractions cannot be included in one article. There are many more interesting and noteworthy places, such as: the city of Napier, the Wai-O-Tapu Valley, the Franz Josef Glacier, the Sky Tower, Huka Falls, Eden Park Stadium, Christchurch Cathedral, the Whanganui River, Mount Cook Nature Reserve, Hagley City Park, God of the Forest Tree, Kelly Tarlton Underwater World and much more.