New Zealand is a state spread over 700 small islands. Due to its remoteness, it cannot be called a popular destination among tourists, which is very sad, because New Zealand is an incredible country that amazes with its color and natural beauty in the style of “green” eco-tourism, which is popular today. SMAPSE experts offer you the TOP-10 most popular sights of the country, which - you will definitely visit!
Hobbiton
Can you talk about New Zealand without mentioning the Lord of the Rings saga? Hobbiton Village was created specifically for the filming of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and probably most tourists come to New Zealand just for this location. Previously, this area was just a farm, but after the filming of the film, tourists poured into the village, which the owners did not like, and it was decided to turn it into a fully tourist facility.
The village is equipped with:
- Hobbit burrows
- Tavern "Green Dragon"
- Landscapes
- Small houses
- Well maintained gardens
- Forest, mountains, plains.
You cannot enter the hobbits' holes, but you can enter the tavern. The sheep that live here and allow themselves to be stroked and fed add a special flavor.
Milford Sound Bay
The bay is located on the southern part of the island, where the sea cuts into the land, forming fjords of extraordinary beauty. The bay is striking in its grandeur and purity. Despite the fact that getting here is not easy, about half a million people visit Milford Sound every year. The author of the story about Mowgli - John Rudyard Kipling - was a man who had seen a lot in his life and was not surprised at anything, but after visiting Milford Sound he called it "The Eighth Wonder of the World."
Franz Josef glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier is located in the Westland National Park. There is an interesting legend connected with it: a girl named Hinekuhatare loved mountains very much. Once she decided to share her passion with her lover - a young man Tave. A misfortune happened - a landslide came down, and Tava could not escape. Hinekuhatare cried so much and so much that her tears were reborn into a glacier - from the Maori language its name is translated as "tears of Hinekuhatare".
It is the fastest glacier in the world, moving at a speed of 2 meters per hour. Not far from the area is a small tourist town offering food, lodging and excursion options for Franz Joseph.
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo - unique caves where you can literally touch the stars with your hands. The caves are located on the North Island. What is special, how is the effect of the starry sky achieved? The secret is in "mushroom mosquitoes" - a special kind of insects. Both adults and larvae glow in the dark - they have a luminescent effect. Mosquitoes stop glowing when frightened, so visitors are asked not to make noise, otherwise the stars will go out
Tiree Island Tiree Matangi
New Zealand is a country whose authorities are making great efforts to preserve nature and its reserves. Maori mythology says that Tiri Tiri is the float of the ancestral fishing net. Tiri Tiri Matangi is an island famous for its bird population. It is home to: rare species of popocotea, kiwi and kokako, the Veta Cave insect, which has become the symbol of the film studio of the same name. At the end of the 20th century, the authorities granted the island the status of a National Reserve.
Sky Tower
The Sky Tower is the tallest in the southern hemisphere of our planet. Located in Auckland. The construction of the tower began in 1994 and ended in 1997. The height is 328 meters. Thanks to materials (glass and reinforced concrete) and special construction technologies, the tower is able to withstand many disasters, including earthquakes up to 8 points! There are observation platforms at the top, from which a view opens up to a distance of 80 kilometers. The Sky Tower employs:
- Casino
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Theater
- Attractions
- Entertainment center
- Conference rooms
- Bungee jumping station.
Tongariro National Park
The Lord of the Rings saga isn't just about Hobbiton. Thanks to the film adaptation, the whole world learned that the land of elves exists not only in books, but also in reality! Misty Mountains, Brown Plains and Mount Orudruin are part of Tongariro National Park, the oldest in New Zealand.
There are 3 smoking volcanoes in the park:
- Ruapehu
- Ngauruhoe
- Tongariro.
Interestingly, the tops of smoking volcanoes are periodically covered with snow that does not melt even in summer.
Hook Falls
Hooka Falls is a multitude of cascades on the Waikato River, the largest in New Zealand. Besides the fact that you can enjoy great views, Waikato is also suitable for rafting on rubber boats. The age of one of the mouths of the river, which arose as a result of a volcanic eruption, is 26 and a half thousand years! The waters of Waikato are renowned for their crystal clearness and transparent bubbles formed by strong currents. The water temperature in summer is 22 degrees, in winter - 10, but this is not a reason to swim even for experienced swimmers - the waters and currents are too rough.
Auckland Art Gallery
The Auckland Art Gallery was opened in the late 19th century in a building that used to be a city telephone exchange. In 1995, the building underwent a major restoration, and today it can be called a symbiosis of Victorian and modern styles.
The exposition includes:
- Works by New Zealand-born artists: Marty Friedlander, Alfred Henry Kiff, Gottfried Lindauer, Gretchen Albrecht and others
- Canvases by contemporary artists, including Colin McKeighon
- Temporary exhibitions dedicated to holidays and significant events.
Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga is the "end of the world" in New Zealand, the farthest point in the North. Reinga was a sacred place for the Maori: they believed that the souls of the departed go to another world right here. The cape is a landmark place not only for Maori, but also for geographers: it is here that the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet. Incredible views, the mesmerizing grandeur of nature, the most picturesque lighthouse in New Holland - all this will be enjoyed by visitors to Cape Reinga.
