There are many good reasons to visit the island of New Zealand: the beautiful scenery, the South Pacific culture, Hobbiton – you name it! Furthermore, the island has experiences for you no matter the season: glaciers, volcanos, bike trails and hot springs. In this article we will list some experiences and adventures that you definitely should not miss out on during your stay.
A fine wine experience
New Zealand is home to quite a few wineries, and home to a range of wine regions due to its geographical structure. Its most popular wine is the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but there are plenty of others to try while you’re enjoying the South Pacific environment. Why not rent a car and drive through the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail to get a little taste of everything? You can find non-alcoholic wines of high quality, too.
Quick cash casinos
Any international trip is immediately elevated with some classic casino games. You can either visit one of New Zealand’s six physical casinos, or you can set the adventurer-mood for the trip with online casinos. Make sure you get the best experience by using the fastest payout casinos in NZ so that you can use your potential winnings during the rest of your vacation. Remember to play safe, and that winnings are not guaranteed.
Get nerdy at Hobbiton
Are you a fan of fantasy? One of the largest island attractions is of course the life size town of Hobbiton from the fantasy land of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. Take a stroll through Bag End, the home of the Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, and let a guide take you through the beautiful surrounding scenery. Finish the visit with a trip to the Green Dragon Inn.
Sunbathe and swim at world class beaches
As a South Pacific Island, New Zealand is bound to give you the best of the best beaches. There are beaches for every occasion. Enjoy a stunning variety of waters in the Abel Tasman National Park, take social media worthy pictures at Cathedral Cove, and walk along various installations at the Driftwood and Sand Festival at Hokitika. Climb Mt Maunganui to get a view of two beaches at once.
“Brrr” away at a glacier …
New Zealand is not all summer and heat, it also provides plenty of good winter adventures. With the help of a guide, you can track the Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier and experience a modern day ice age.
If you’re not feeling quite that adventurous, you can visit the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. Here you can explore the wildlife of Antarctica, including befriending animals and persevering storms, and experiment with tons of interactive knowledge stations. This family friendly adventure will leave you an expert in Antarctic studies.
… Or burn through active volcano landscapes
Brave the fate of mankind by hiking through Tongariro National Park. Take your time in this active volcano region to walk past emerald-colored lakes, volcanic craters, and plenty of panoramic views on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The climate here can change quickly, so please consult a guided trip if you’re going in the wintertime.
Bring your bike
If you want a more down-to-earth travel experience, New Zealand offers loads of beautiful bike trails and regions for both cycling and mountain biking. Whichever form of biking you prefer, a good place to start is the New Zealand Cycle Trail from which you can find 22 Great Rides that showcase New Zealand’s best scenery. The trails range in difficulty and can be toured with or without a guide.
Get sporty at the stadium
Take a break from the world of football to witness the national sport of New Zealand: rugby. Take some time to watch world class rugby – and World Cup winners – in the country that BBC Sport calls ”the spiritual home of rugby”. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see the teams perform the native Māori haka before the game – a traditional ceremonial dance to honor the opponents.
A nightlight party you won’t forget
If you are a night owl, New Zealand offers the ultimate nighttime exhibitions for studying the sky. Experience the darkest skies in the world at Aoraki/Mount Cook, which has been classified as an International Dark Sky Reserve. If you’re visiting in June or July, you can combine your stargazing with the Māori New Year celebrations during which the Matariki star cluster appears.
If you want to learn more about stars you can visit the Carter Observatory which is famous for its interactive planetarium and space gallery. Or if you want to feel extra special you can try to look for the aurora australis, the Southern Lights.
Published on Holr Magazine