{"id":42353,"date":"2021-08-13T02:18:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-12T16:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=42353"},"modified":"2022-03-17T13:41:19","modified_gmt":"2022-03-17T02:41:19","slug":"natural-wonders-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/natural-wonders-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"10 natural wonders you\u2019ll only find in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For a small country, New Zealand<\/a> has really made a name for itself on the world stage. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all know about the mighty All Blacks, Peter Jackson and excellent Sauvignon Blanc. But if there\u2019s one thing that keeps New Zealand on the tip of people\u2019s tongues and the top of their must-visit lists, it\u2019s the country\u2019s natural wonders. There\u2019s simply nowhere else on the planet that offers the diversity of landscapes, remarkable geological features or number of scenes to stop you in your tracks. From the tip to the toe of the land of the long white cloud, these are the places that will leave you in awe.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milford Sound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Milford<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In a land overflowing with jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, soul-stirring natural beauty, Milford Sound still manages to surprise you. Buried away in Fiordland National Park, the sound amazes visitors with its moody waters, sharp peaks and forest-covered cliffs. We can thank the glaciers that carved out this landscape during the ice age, leaving us with what\u2019s widely considered to be New Zealand\u2019s most spectacular natural attraction. And the best bit? You can spend the evening cruising on Milford Sound, falling asleep to the sound of waterfalls.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pancake rocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What does it take to create the perfect stack of pancakes? Eggs, flour, milk and butter? How about pieces of plant and marine life, seismic activity, erosion and 35 million years? Travel to the West Coast of the South Island and you\u2019ll find Punakaiki, home to 100 people and the mesmerising Pancake Rocks. These weathered limestone formations resemble layers of thin pancakes, and put on quite a show for those who visit during high tide. When the wind hits just right, the sea below is forced into caverns before erupting through vertical blowholes \u2013 what else stacks up to that?!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waiheke Island<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Waiheke<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Auckland\u2019s big city energy is offset by the relaxed atmosphere of nearby Waiheke Island. Just a short ferry ride away from the mainland lies a tranquil paradise of sandy beaches and world-class wineries \u2013 what a combo! Little white sailboats bob on sapphire blue waters as Auckland\u2019s skyscrapers enviously look on, while olive groves and vineyards colour the island a pleasing shade of green. Whether you fancy hiking to scope out the best photo ops or stretching out on the beach with a good book, this little slice of heaven will make it hard to believe you were in New Zealand\u2019s busiest city an hour ago!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Look beneath the surface and discover an underground world lit up by a dazzling canopy of bioluminescent creatures. The Waitomo Caves are an otherworldly labyrinth of stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls and limestone formations, but the real stars of the show are the thousands of glow worms illuminating the caverns. And forget about singing in the shower \u2013 the acoustics in the caves are so good that concerts are often given here, so perhaps take the chance to live out your opera singer fantasy to an audience of glow worms.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotorua<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Te<\/a>
Image by Damien Raggatt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rotorua is a literal hotbed for geothermal activity. Erupting geysers, simmering mud pools and geological oddities punctuate the landscape, and if you had any doubt you were in Rotorua, the town\u2019s distinctive sulphur smell will quickly remind you. If you want to experience Rotorua\u2019s geothermal wonders at their very best, Te Puia is the place for you. Here you\u2019ll find Pohutu, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. Exploding around 20 times a day, you won\u2019t have to wait around for long to watch this epic show \u2013 prepare to be blown away!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Wanaka<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Lake<\/a>
Image by Damien Raggatt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lake Wanaka has long wowed visitors with its calm waters and dramatic peaks, but it\u2019s got something special that makes it stand out from the rest. An Instagram-famous willow tree sits at the southern end of the lake, emerging from its reflective waters. That Wanaka Tree, as it\u2019s known, has become one of the world\u2019s most photographed trees, and rightfully so! The image of the sloping willow against a backdrop of the lake and its surrounding mountains is one worth capturing.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tongariro National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Tongariro<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Volcanoes? Yep. Lakes? Got \u2018em. Native forest? Check. The wonderland of Tongariro National Park has all the natural features that make New Zealand so special rolled into one. A day here will reward you with enough breathtaking sights to last a lifetime, from snow-dusted peaks to ethereal green pools. This World Heritage Site is spiritually significant to the Maori people, with its three mountains, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, symbolising the important spiritual connection between the community and environment.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Taupo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Big, blue and absolutely beautiful \u2013 Lake Taupo is certainly a treat for the eyes. Not only is the lake nice to look at, it also offers all manner of exciting activities.  Swimming, kayaking, standup paddleboarding and water skiing are all popular ways to enjoy the water, while sailing and cruise excursions give you a chance to sit back and take in the magnificent scenery. The cliffs around the lake feature an impressive 14-metre-tall carving by Maori artist Matahi Brightwell \u2013 a must-see while in the area.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Franz Josef Glacier<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"franz<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A stunning stretch of caves, tunnels, seracs and crevasses descending from the Southern Alps, the Franz Josef Glacier is undoubtedly one of New Zealand\u2019s most impressive sights. A walk will take you within viewing distance of this icy beauty, but if you want to actually come into contact with the glacier, you have to catch a helicopter in. Exploring the ever-changing landscapes of the glacier while surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery is an experience you won\u2019t soon forget.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Pools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s something we hear all the time \u2013 \u201cthe bluest water you\u2019ll ever see!\u201d. But when it comes to New Zealand\u2019s Blue Pools, this really might be the bluest water you\u2019ll ever see \u2013 promise! Tucked away deep within Mt Aspiring National Park, the pools are an offshoot of the Makarora River and are wreathed by shady forests of beech and podocarp. Cross one of two bridges strung over the pools and you\u2019ll see just how clear the glacial water is. Take a short but rewarding walk through the area to admire the pools from every angle \u2013 you\u2019re going to want to have your camera ready for this one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s nowhere else on the planet that offers the diversity of landscapes, remarkable geological features or number of scenes to stop you in your tracks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15098,"featured_media":45927,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1408,14],"tags":[59,2141,2775],"class_list":["post-42353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","tag-new-zealand","tag-north-island","tag-south-island","ipf_region-new-zealand"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 natural wonders you\u2019ll only find in New Zealand 10 natural wonders of New Zealand | Intrepid Travel Blog - 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