5 Experiences Not to Miss in New Zealand
Up next my blog is being taken over by the wonderful Laura of Wander with Laura, an amazing travel blogger, who will take you across the world, visiting some amazing sights. She today shares some of her favourite experiences from the beautiful country of New Zealand.
I was lucky enough to spend three weeks in New Zealand at the start of 2017 and it immediately captured my heart. The lush hills, the snow topped mountains and unbelievable views around every corner. It’s the most beautiful country to road trip around and honestly, I’d recommend that everybody visits once in their lifetime. While there are an almost infinite number of amazing things to do in New Zealand, I’ve rounded up (with difficulty) my favourites for you today!
Hike the Tongariro Crossing
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing has been named as one of the world’s greatest day hikes and for good reason. It’s a tough 19.4 km walk with plenty of steep uphill ascents that will have your legs aching afterwards but it’s so worth it. The higher you go, the more incredible the views get and crossing the highest point to see the Emerald Lake in the background is unbelievable. If you’re visiting New Zealand, you don’t want to miss out on this incredible hike through Mordor. Read more on my blog – what’s it like to hike the Tongariro Crossing?
Stay in the Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve
Did you know that there’s only one Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s in New Zealand? As there is barely any light pollution in this area, it makes for unbelievable stargazing and if you have time, you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity. If you want to stargaze with expert guidance, Earth & Sky do tours including at Mount John Observatory. I camped in the area on a cloudy night but on waking up at 3am, the skies had cleared to reveal the most incredible stars.
Explore the hip capital Wellington
The largest cities in New Zealand all have really different things to offer but while many backpackers flock to Queenstown, Welllington is known of the culture hub of New Zealand. It’s a creative hub – the world famous Weta Workshop is based here – with a gorgeous waterfront location. Te Papua Museum is well worth a visit and despite the notoriously bad weather, Cuba Street is a great indie haunt to explore.
See majestic Aoraki / Mount Cook on the horizon
If you take a road trip around the South Island of New Zealand, it’s pretty hard to miss seeing Mount Cook. New Zealand’s highest mountain dominates the landscape of the National Park and there are some stunning walks that you can do in the area. Whether you decide to walk the Hooker Valley track or take on a spectacular heli-hike, it’ll be an experience that you’ll never forget.
Enjoy all Wanaka has to offer
Wanaka is one of the most beautiful, laid back towns in New Zealand and honestly, I could have spent weeks here. It’s the kind of place where you can make it exactly what you want. You can relax, check out the cafes and shops surrounding the lake and head to the cutest cinema that sells homemade cookies in the interval. Or, you can go in the opposite with an adventure packed itinerary of hikes, kayaking and even skydiving! Either way, Wanaka is an unforgettable town that has embedded itself in the hearts of many – including me!
If you’ve ever been to New Zealand, what was your most unforgettable experience?
Laura x
New Zealand is where I would love to visit one day. It is so varied in terrain. I used to play cards with a lady from here and we go quite close, she lived in an area that looked like here I live.
I really want to go New Zealand and I’m thinking of trying for my 30th birthday, who knows maybe I’ll make it x
Good read I would love to travel
I’d love to visit New Zealand. I live hiking holidays and the Tongariro Crossing looks incredible.
My friend lives in NZ and is constantly inviting me over – I am already keen due to the LOTR connection but seeing this post has made me want it even more!
Katja xxx
I’ve always wanted to visit NZ but only considered LOTR type activities (lame I know). Thank you for the awesome list!
I won a holiday that was partly in New Zealand, and we were based in Wellington, ever since then, I’ve wanted to go back, it truly is a magnificient place
These are all amazing sights to see in New Zealand. I have only heard about the beauty in New Zealand and would love to see it some day. The hike to Emerald Lake may be rough but the lake is just beautiful and would so be worth seeing. Dark Sky Reserve would also amazing to camp at because of all the beauty. Thanks for sharing these amazing experiences.
Sounds Great. I would love to see where LOTR was filmed.
It’s looks so beautiful but is a place I’ve never really thought about visiting, the flight is so long.
Would love to go to new Zealand
Oh my! Those are very lovely photos and I am in love the relaxing view! I am convinced that I need to visit New Zealand soon!
I have always wanted to visit New Zealand. I think staying at the Dark Sky Reserve sounds so interesting!
Oh my to visit New Zealand is one of my dreams! Such a beautiful pictures (I’m jealous:P)
My husband wants to go to New Zealand and I always have been postponing it. You have a great post on New Zealand and may be we should take that trip.
I can’t wait to see New Zealand. It is one of my dreams!
I have always heard great things about New Zealand, I’d love to visit someday. Your experiences look amazing! Beautiful photos as well
I have never been to New Zealand before. But I have wanted to go since at least the Lord of the Rings movies. I just loved the views and vistas. I do hope to make it there sometime soon.
thank you so much for this list !! I am heading to New Zealand next year and i cannot wait to tic these off 🙂
Looks lovely but it’s just so far!
I’d love to visit New Zealand. I have some family and a friend out there.
Oh my! I would love to see the emerald lake in person! I have never been to New Zealand but would love to go there. What amazes me is that it has absolutely everything to offer nature-wise.
This place is really Awesome! Mount Cook is my favorite!I wish I could travel this place soon..:)
Now that’s an adventure. The more you struggle hiking the better the views. I would love to go for a few days hiking to New Zealand. In fact we had met a young israeli boy who had just come from New Zealand to the Himalayas and he had mentioned some cool spots too in new Zealand. Informative post!
I’ve never been to NZ but it is something that I really should do soon, especially since I live in Australia! The scenery looks amazing and everyone who has visited has always had a ball. Some of those views are absolutely spectacular!
I haven’t been to New Zealand before, You must have had an awesome experience judging by this pictures.
This sounds great. I would love to visit New Zealand as well. Your pictures look captivating as well. Makes me feel like I’m right there!
I really want to go there sometime soon. It is just so beautiful, as you show here so well! Lovely pictures!
I would love to see that low pollution area. I have no doubt it’s gorgeous at night.
On my list to must travel to! I want to have my second honeymoon there, I heard that it’s a romantic place, and no matter where you look you see beauty.
What gorgeous photos! I’ve always wanted to visit here because I always hear how spectacular it is. Emerald Lake looks incredible!
New Zealand looks like such a beautiful place to visit! I would absolutely love to see Mount Cook on the horizon, those scenes look so breathtaking.
I live in Australia and the only visit I’ve had to NZ is Auckland airport!!! I’m dying to visit and your photos are amazing!
The reserve looks BEAUTIFUL!!! New Zealand is a bucket list country for me!
I have just recently returned from a trip to London and Cornwall and I’m currently on a cruise in the Bahamas. However, you have now given me yet another place I want to travel! I’ve never really thought about New Zealand, and I’m blown away by all of the wonderful things to see and do there. Emerald Lake is gorgeous and hiking the Tongariro Crossing would be amazing!
Have never been to New Zealand but would love to!
All those photos are great. The landscape is amazing there!
oh my goodness this a beautiful place to visit. Thank you for capturing the breathtaking beauty!
I’ve been planning a trip to New Zealand and I have to admit that some of these locations were not on my list of places to visit. I pulled out my notebook and promptly wrote them down, they look great!
I would absolutely LOVE to visit New Zealand! Everything I have ever seen about it is gorgeous. Plus, it automatically makes me think of The Hobbit 😉
I’ve wanted to visit New Zealand for a long time. But it’s so far away! So I really appreciated this post and the breathtakingly beautiful photos! I hope I can visit New Zealand soon 🙂
I d love to see this beautiful country
It’s on my bucket list
One day I will
Great review thanks
I wish to travel to New Zealand and more on meeting the locals and learning their story. And also to visit the famous farms.
After that I would enjoy these 3 listed 🙂
I have lived and studied in New Zealand for a year and it was amazing! I was always on a roadtrip somewhere! I have not done all these things tough xx corinne
Sounds amazing, I’ve never been to New Zealand, but it’s on my list of places I want to visit.
I would love to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing! All those natural wonders would also be amazing to see.