Thinking about visiting New Zealand? You are in for a treat! Although New Zealand is small in size, it packs a punch when compared with its neighbor Australia.
New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most mind blowingly beautiful locations, that you may not get a chance to read about in a guide book. Below we have listed 11 of New Zealand’s Best Kept Secrets that you must visit.
Have we missed your favorite spot? Please tell us about your favorite place in the comments below…
1 Castle Hill
Named a “Spiritual Centre of the Universe” by the Dalai Lama and is widely considered to be the pinnacle of New Zealand’s rock climbing scene. On any given day one can find rock climbers climbing the unique limestone outcroppings.
2 Crucible Lake
This beautiful little iceberg-studded lake lies in the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park, in the south-west of New Zealand’s South Island and can only be accessed during a 3-4 day hike. Crucible Lake is set in a scaling valley under peaks decorated with glaciers, this blissful water you will see flat blocks of ice that have been formed from the adjacent glaciers above.
3 Farewell Spit
The northernmost point of the South Island, the stunning coastal cliffs are sliced through with fault-lines with vertically walled slashes where streams run inland rather than to sea. It forms the northern side of Golden Bay and is the longest sandspit in New Zealand, stretching for about 26 km above sea and 6 km underwater.
4 Lake Marian
This beautiful piece of New Zealand Heaven is located in the mountain ranges of the Fiordlands National Park in the south island. These beautiful Fiordlands are lucky enough to be a UNESCO World Heritage Listed area and is the largest of New Zealand’s national parks.
5 New Chum Beach
Hidden away from the masses and rarely explored has ironically been voted as one of the world’s top 10 beaches! This stretch of pristine golden sand is fringed by native forest and is deserted of people for most of the year. There are no buildings, no roads, no infrastructure or camping, this is a gem in New Zealand’s crown.
6 Pancake Rocks
Located at Dolomite Point, near the little settlement of Punakaiki. The Pancake Rocks are most spectacular in area and were formed 30 million years ago from dead marine creatures and plants landed on the seabed about 2 km below the surface. The area is explorable by a number of walkways winding through the rock formations, with parts of the area being wheelchair-accessible!
7 Putangirua Pinnacles
A geological formation and one of New Zealand’s best examples of badlands erosion. They consist of a large number of earth pillars located at the head of a valley in the Aorangi Ranges, on the North Island of New Zealand. Parts of The Lord of the Rings film: The Return of the King were filmed here.
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8 The Blue Pools
Just a short distance from Makarora, this gorgeous walk that’s you through New Zealand beech forest. Swingbridges and glacial blue water are what this place is all about; there are little information signs that explain what you’re seeing and hearing along this pristine walking track.
9 Tiritiri Matangi Island
Most visitors to Auckland should go to Rangitoto and Waiheke Islands, and if you’re keen to explore past the common tourist trail, Tiritiri Matangi Island is just a short ferry ride from the heart of Auckland. This place is amazing, it has a secret little Tunnel with freshwater running through and a handmade Sea Shell path that takes you up to a lookout. The island is frequented by birdwatchers and is well worth a day trip.
10 Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Rotorua’s most popular attraction and is a must do for your eco-experience. This area’s unique ecology showcases rare botany and fascinating geothermal features like steaming volcanic crater lakes. This is a protected scenic reserve and wildlife refuge and is right next to the beautiful Lake Rotomahana which sits in pristine New Zealand bush.
11 Napier
A small coastal town on the east coast of the North Island, sits in the world renowned wine-producing Hawke’s Bay. This town has must more to offer than natural beauty, it was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1931 and is known for art deco landmarks. You will find some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, including some of the best beaches NZ has to offer.
Did we miss something? Tell us in the comments below 🙂
