Tourist Attractions & Monuments New Zealand

This is a mythical den. Its name comes from the volcano, Mount Eden, on which it sits. It had the honor of hosting the first match in a Rugby World Cup in 1987, between the All Blacks and Italy. And it was at this match that the famous haka, previously reserved for overseas tours, was performed for the first time in a home match. A few weeks later, New Zealand lifted the inaugural World Cup at Eden Park.

The park is home to 72 glaciers, about 40% of its total surface area. The River Tasman, with its 29 km, is the longest of all.

This lake, 82 km long and 5 km long, is one of the deepest in the country and its 400 m depth is not its unique feature. Its temperature is also out of the ordinary. Indeed, it only varies very weakly from one season to another and the lake reaches only a low 15 ° C during the warmer months of the summer. Its last originality lies in the purity of its water. As a direct source from the mountains, it would reach a purity level of 98%. On the other hand, it is very strange that the lake level is rising and down.

It was in Bob's Cove, when the lake was very calm, that this phenomenon was best observed. Every 5 minutes, its level varies by 12 cm. The reasons for this variation remain mysterious at the moment. Maori legend tells us that the heart of a giant named Matau still lies at the bottom of the water and its beats would cause the phenomenon.

Located just over an hour's drive from downtown Auckland, Karekare beach is a wonderful place to watch the sun set. This very large black sand beach offers other advantages, including a daytime stroll to Kare Kare waterfalls and/or the dunes. You may not have noticed, but this beach became famous thanks to Jane Campion's film The Piano Lesson. There are public toilets and plenty of parking space. Watch out for the winding road to get there.

Cape Foulwind has a signposted trail that in 15 minutes from the car park takes you to a seal colony. The latter houses nearly two hundred individuals who have been observed from the cliff. By continuing the path (1 hour walk) you also reach the lighthouse overlooking Tauranga Bay. On the road or even on the parking lot, with a little luck, the hikers may encounter a weka, a bird unable to fly.

Also known as Pupu Springs, these springs are located after a short walk through a forest of kanuka and manuka trees. The clarity of the water and the colors that emanate from it are amazing, coming from a large underground network. It is the largest in the country and in Australasia in terms of volume. It gushes out 14,000 liters per second, which flow into the Takaka River. Because of problems of parasitic algae, access is now regulated and it is unfortunately no longer possible to dive there.

A 73.5 km hike from Anakiwa to Ship Cove between forests and coasts, it requires a good stamina and the most difficult passage is between Portage Saddle and Kenepuru Saddle, but what a magnificent view! It takes 3 to 5 days to complete and there are many accommodation options in each bay. It is recommended to begin the hike by Ship Cove, by being transported by water cab from Picton to the beginning of the trail. The entire route is also accessible to mountain bikers, with some sections closed in high season.

Nicknamed the Jewel of Mt Aspiring National Park, Glacier Rob Roy is at the feet of the top of the same name. A beautiful walk allows you to get closer and enjoy the splendid scenery of the surrounding mountains.

This travel agency site has a fairly active forum on many topics. Ideal to find the answer to a question or ask it if it does not yet appear.

Accessible by road despite its name (Aroha Island), this 5-hectare peninsula is a reserve home to over fifty species of birds. Forest and beach walks, kayaking and picnics are all on the agenda, and guided kiwi-watching tours are organized after dark. Camping, cottage and lodge accommodation is also available. There's a visitor center on site. This is a high-quality eco-center.

The centre is only accessible by boat. Note, however, that this visit can be combined with any classic cruise on Milford Sound. A 10 metres deep, a kind of aquarium that can admire the fauna and flora of the fjord.

Shakespear Regional Park covers the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, "Whale Bay" in Maori. Walkers and bikers can enjoy the beaches and trails, such as the Heritage Trail (2-hour round trip), which starts at Waterfall Gully and passes ancient Polynesian sites. The Lookout Track (90-minute round trip) offers 360-degree views of Auckland and the Gulf Islands. The Tiri Tiri Track (2.5 hours round trip) passes through an ancient pa and along the coastline from which Tiritiri Matangi is visible.

Frank Kitts Park is very pleasant. You will have the most beautiful views of the capital (night and day) from Tinakori Hill. The view will probably be better from Hawkins Hill to the south, near which a wind turbine was built as part of a "modern" experimental electricity plan (giant wind turbine). Finally, from Mount Victoria, the panorama on the city, the Hutt Valley and the Cook Strait is incoutournable.

It was here, 2 km from Paihia, that New Zealand was born as a nation, and this site is one of the most important in the country's history and culture. You should plan to spend half a day here to really enjoy it. On this hill overlooking the Bay of Islands and offering superb panoramic views of the surrounding area, between 43 and 46 Maori rangatira chiefsgathered on February 6, 1840 to sign the Te Tiriti o Waitangi with the British Crown and mark the beginning of a new era, which would then see Queen Victoria's sovereignty proclaimed over the country through Captain Hobson. Long and bitter debates ensued before over five hundred signatures were affixed across the two islands, with translation problems still raising questions today. The Treaty of Waitangi consists of three articles, the actual terms of which are still open to interpretation.

A visit to the Treaty Grounds will reveal everything you need to know about this major event, its protagonists, the many negotiations and misunderstandings it gave rise to, and its consequences. On site, in the heart of the green countryside, you'll discover a modern, well-informed museum, with objects and documents from the period, as well as an explanatory video.

The discovery continues with a fifty-minuteguided tour of the entire estate, from James Busby's Treaty House to the Carved Meeting House (Te Whare Rūnanga), via the gigantic Ngātokimatawhaorua, the longest waka (canoe) in the country at 35 meters long and with a maximum capacity of 130 people on board. This waka required three large kauris (a species of tree sacred and endemic to Te Ika-a-Maui). It was on a waka like this that the first Polynesians arrived. Equipped with an audioguide, you'll enjoy your guide's animations and anecdotes about Maori culture, the origin of the two national flags, relations between the first Europeans and the locals, a sharing of knowledge about Aotearoa's flora and fauna, and much more. You need to book for this guided tour at the following times: 10am, 12pm, 2pm or 3:30pm.

The other highlight of your visit to Waitangi Treaty Grounds will undoubtedly be the half-hour cultural performance, which includes an impressive traditional haka and a moment of dance, song and music. As with the guided tour, you'll need to book a slot between 11am, 1pm or 3pm.

Piha Beach offers such risky waves that it was even the setting for the reality show Piha Rescue, which chronicles the day-to-day life of lifeguards on this coastline. It's one of New Zealand's premier surfing spots and, if you follow the safety rules, there's nothing to stop you from enjoying it. As for the swimmers, it is more than widely advised to swim between the flags and in the slots of presence of the lifeguards. A little further on, you can access the Kitakita Falls, where a natural swimming pool awaits fresh water lovers.

Located halfway between Auckland and Raglan, the Nikau Caves (named after the palm tree) are well worth a visit, and surpass the famous Waitomo Caves further south, which are often very crowded. For over 30 years, Philip and Anne have been running their family business as well as their farm. They offer a fascinating guided tour of a kilometer-long cave full of glowworms. Fitness and appropriate clothing are recommended. You'll be required to crawl through the water. At the café, everything is homemade.

In cities overflowing with tourist opportunities, it's always good to stop by the Visitor Center to pick up some brochures and get advice on what to do with the time you have. The Rotorua i-Site is very comprehensive and will give you a great overview of what the area has to offer. The staff can even help you with reservations.

The fairly nice building is easy to spot with its bell tower, a good landmark to orient yourself in town.

A central axis of the city centre, Queen Street runs from the port and goes north to Karangahape Road, raindrops on its boutiques of souvenirs and beautiful facades of buildings. Explore the heart of Auckland and then concentrate on the streets and cross-lanes of the centre.

Like many other places in New Zealand, Te Anau has its glowworm caves, which can be visited with Real NZ, one of New Zealand's largest tour operators. The 12,000 year old caves in Te Anau are filled with glowworms which are quite spectacular and worth a visit if you are visiting the area. The tour lasts just over two hours (2:15) and includes a boat ride to Cavern House Cave and a boat ride across Lake Te Anau.

South of Auckland, the Botanic Gardens of the city of Auckland stretch over sixty-four hectares and are home to over 10,000 plants. This public garden, opened in 1982, contains a number of species that are endemic to the city, but there are also camellias, conifers, magnolias, edible species, palms, an African garden and many others. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, the focus is on garden and landscape design. Sustainable horticulture is a daily focus here.

The boulders are large, perfectly round stones, which are on the beach. There are two explanations for this phenomenon. According to Maori mythology, which calls them Te Kai-hinak of hinaki ("baskets") and kai ("food"), they would have come to fail here, following the sinking of the Arai-ti-uru canoe which had crossed the large ocean of Kiwa (Pacific) and the tormented waters of Raukawa (Cook Strait) in search of Te Wai Pounamu (jade). The rock near Shag Point represents canoe; spheres are baskets that contain kumaras (sweet potatoes). According to the scientific, less lyrical version, these rocks would consist of limestone, silica, aluminium and iron peroxide, with a crystal mass that would attract the elements of the soil and would be such a special form. The action of the sea would therefore not be responsible. Only a few boulders are still present on the beach, because they have long been the subject of gifts and «little Memories of New Zealand». Those who are still there owe it to their size! New rocks are still in training, they can be seen emerging from the surface of the cliffs facing the beach.

Iconic of Wellington, the cable car is a small funicular railway linking Lambton Quay to one of the entrances to the Botanic Gardens on Upland Road. It's part of the city's public transport fleet, and undeniably its most charming vehicle! It's also the quickest way to the top of the hill (5 minutes) and is used daily by many Wellingtonians. The view of the city from the terminus is unmissable, and the small museum dedicated to its history is well worth a visit!

Between Wairakei and Taupo, these falls attract visitors. They are crossed by a footbridge from where the view is fantastic, with the Waikato River below which plunges into a narrow hole of 24 m deep! A little further, a lookout allows you to see Huka Falls from another angle. There is a hiking path from the centre of Taupo, taking 45 minutes. 

This forest has many endemic plants in New Zealand and many walks are possible to discover it. From 5 minutes to more than 6 hours round-trip, there are for all tastes. The site is also very popular with cyclists.

The New Zealand National Parliament is one of the first monuments to see in Wellington. It is composed of several buildings: Parliament House, destroyed by fire in 1907 and rebuilt in 1918, Parliament Library, spared from the 1907 fire but not from the 1992 fire, and finally, The Executive Wing, more commonly known as The Beehive, completed in 1982. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. It is an interesting and enjoyable tour that lasts 60 minutes. Reservations are strongly recommended.

This is one of the country's 11 Great Walks. It takes three to five days to cover the entire route from Marahau to Separation Point. In many places, you have to wait for low tide before crossing. The DOC has set up some twenty campsites and four refuges along the way. The views along the way are fantastic. However, you can adapt your hike to a day or two by taking advantage of the water and road shuttles or renting a kayak.

Beautiful walks await walkers along the river or on the beach. At sunset, brightness guarantees extraordinary photos. An impressive amount of float wood lies on the beach.

Cut off from the world and eminently wild, Doubtful Sound is without a doubt one of the wonders of which Aotearoa has the secret. An unforgettable moment awaits those who come here. It must be said that accessing it is a real adventure. The visit requires a full day and is expensive, but the experience is unforgettable. Far from the busloads of people, tranquility and wild beauty are the key words here. Being 10 times larger than Milford, Patea has a richer fauna and will satisfy all nature lovers.

Located below the Sky Tower, this tourist office is a must if you're planning to stay in Auckland for a few days, but also if you're planning a trip around the country. Its staff can provide you with local, regional and national information. This I-Site is one of the country's largest tour operators, and you'll be able to book almost any activity you can think of. Access to the I-Site is via the building next to the tower.

Located about 30 km south of the town of Hokitika, the gorge of the same name was carved half a million years ago by glacial movements. The place is famous for its turquoise blue waters due to the "glacial flour". From the parking lot, a short walk awaits you reaching a suspension bridge from where the view of the gorge is superb. This forms a two kilometer loop that you can easily complete in one hour. When the weather is good, the color of the water is a sublime blue-green.

To help visitors get to know Napier, the Art Deco Trust has put together a range of guided tours on foot, by bus or in a vintage car. You can opt for a general tour presenting the city and its architecture, or tours focusing on a specific theme (architecture, the 1931 earthquake, building interiors - booking essential for the latter). You can also choose to do without a guide and buy a small descriptive brochure, then take your own tour.

This i-Site is very complete and well provided. Very good reception.

Napier's former prison is one of the few institutions to have survived the 1931 earthquake. An audioguide is available on site. To delve into the city's prison past, you can choose between two types of visit: historical, based on the facts, or "haunted", focusing on what people saw or felt within these walls... the stories are sometimes spine-chilling... And if you want to spend 60 minutes on the other side of the bars, you can try your hand at one of the 4 escape games on site! Thrills and adrenalin guaranteed.

The Department of Conservation - New Plymouth Office is an administrative office located in New Plymouth.

It's always a good idea to pop into the Visitor Center when you arrive in an area, not least to get the freshest and most reliable weather information possible if you've planned any weather-dependent activities. The visitor center in Taupō is well-stocked for the whole region, as well as for Tongariro Park. Handy if you're planning a trip there straight afterwards. The lovetaupo.com website is also very comprehensive.

It's also the bus stop.

The i-Site of Hamilton is very well provided and the reception is nice.

Despite its name, this beach is not more than 56 miles away, about 90 km from Ahipara to Cape Reinga on the west coast. It is therefore an error of measurement that was made, since it would have been more accurate to call it «90 km Beach». This correction, however, remains one of the most incredible and beautiful parts of the country, especially since no construction has been detrimental to its immense beauty. It is technically accessible to traffic and vehicles, which can drive on its sand as on a normal road, but it is very strongly discouraged to do so, especially if it is a rental. Only tours of the towers for Cape Reinga are able to venture there, as well as those with their 4 x 4. There are several small routes that can be transported there, before you can explore it on foot by having discovered the tides. At its north end, the Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes are famous for offering beautiful slips to people with a beach board. It is sometimes possible to rent them on site but the information centre in Kaitaia offers the same service for much cheaper. Only concern, they are difficult to access by car and, once again, the bus buses are the most likely to go there.

If you want to go for a walk, the Rainbow Falls are very pleasant for swimming (it takes about three quarters of an hour to walk from the center of Kerikeri). From the parking lot (access by car from Waipapa Road), Rainbow Falls is a few minutes away and Whakapore Falls a good ten minutes. On the way, you can stop at three observation platforms. For swimming, the Fairy Pools are natural pools filled with fresh water.

Whanganui-A-Hei Marine reserve has recently been established and encompasses the area from Cathedral Cove to Cook Bluff. From Hahei beach, 5 minutes from the parking lot, the Gemstone Bay submarine trail makes it possible to familiarize itself with the environment through a four-buoys route with information panels. Beware, in winter there is only one buoy, others are in maintenance and shelter from storms. In the underwater reserve, life is abundant and many snappers come in curious, lobsters are planquent under the rocks and it is even possible to cross impressive eagles!

An ideal address if you don't know where to start exploring the vineyards. This merchant represents most of the region's producers and offers tastings and sales of their products. There's a café, a boutique and every Saturday morning (10am-1pm), a market is held in an adjacent hall. If you're looking for fresh local produce, why not drop in before your picnic? The local producers' market takes place on Sundays. Wine walks and bike rentals are also available to explore the vineyards.

These are natural canyons of limestone through which we walk. Take at least one hour's walk. If you are really pressed, a map indicates the way to go…

In addition to being a pleasant green promenade, Marine Parade Garden houses the statue of Pania of the Reef, Floral Clock (floral clock) and Tom Parker Fountain.

The offer «Waitomo Glowworm Cellars and Ruakuri Cave» makes it possible to observe thousands of verses in the dark. The cave of Waitomo with the appearance of an underground cathedral formed by erosion is a highlight of the excursion. Take 2 hours for the visit. For the most adventurous, don't hesitate to try the various formulas of Legendary Black Water Rafting Co, an underground rafting experience with a guide!

Toi Au Tamaki has the largest collection in the country of both national and international artists. There are works from all over the world and the movements cover many periods and styles of history. The oldest piece even dates back to 1376. There is also a Mojo café and a store on site. If you'd like an expert to tell you all about the place, there are free guided tours every day. A very interesting visit to learn about New Zealand, Maori and European culture.

Located at the foot of the Skyline Gondola, what was once an unofficial dump site is now a two-hectare sanctuary that you can visit in an hour or more and discover its various feathered residents, including the famous kiwis. For forty years, the Kiwi And Birdlife Park has also been helping to release specimens back into the wild. In addition to the bird species, the famous tuatara lizard and bees can also be seen. A souvenir store and a café are available in the park.

We have been coming here since 1992 to observe the Oamaru Blue Penguins by day, by night, or both, in their natural environment. If we are lucky, we can also come during the nesting period of the smallest penguins in the world. You can observe these marvels from a specially designed platform. Every evening, the center offers you to contemplate them returning home after their day of fishing at sea. All this is accompanied by comments from the guides.

Te Puia is one of the region's Māori cultural centers, and undoubtedly the best option for the traveler in a hurry who wants to get a taste of all Rotorua has to offer: a walk through a geothermal valley, observation of the famous Pōhutu geyser, traditional cuisine, discovery of the Māori way of life, dance and haka performances, and presentation of traditional crafts at the Māori Arts and Crafts Centre.

The icing on the cake: Te Puia is also a conservation center for kiwis, so you can observe some of these birds in a specially adapted enclosure.

A national aquarium, here you can not only observe sharks, turtles, endemic species and crocodiles, but also get up close and personal with the animals! For an extra fee, you can get up close to (and feed!) kororā (pygmy penguins), or terrapins (turtles). It's a bit fishy, but what cute little creatures they are! Guided tours on the theme of "native icons" are also available. We zoom in on the kiwi, the tuatara and the kororā.

A popular destination for nature lovers, Rakiura National Park was established on Stewart Island in March 2002. It is the fourteenth of New Zealand's national parks. Covering 165,000 hectares, it covers no less than 90% of the island and is home to the rare Brown Kiwi. Despite the introduced predators, one can enjoy lush forests composed of rimu, kamahi and giant ferns. Birds are plentiful and nearly 50 different species are present, including cormorants, white herons, wekas, wood pigeons, kakas, fantails, tuis, robins, etc. Not to mention the blue penguin and marine mammals, such as fur seals and dolphins (especially Hector's dolphin). With its fine sandy beaches and wide sand dunes, Rakiura is a paradise that begs to be explored thanks to its 280 kilometers of trails designed for the joy of hikers. Indeed, the park's hiking trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding nature, including dense forests, wild coastlines and secluded beaches like Mason Bay where you are more likely to see kiwis. Without going for the big ten-day hike, the great walk Rakiura track is accessible to all travelers over three days (even one day if you have the courage). The surrounding waters also offer fishing, kayaking, and whale and dolphin watching opportunities. This national park offers an unforgettable travel experience.