New Zealand

Traveling

The easiest way to travel around New Zealand is to rent a car. If you want to spend a longer time here, it is ideal to buy a motorhome. Anyway, traveling around New Zealand is very easy.

New Zealand has two main parts: ** North ** and ** South Island **, which are different and offer diametrically different experiences. The north is fiery, volcanic. South again mountainous with the mighty mountains of the Southern Alps and amazing fjords in the southwest. Even further south is the wild ** Stewart Island **.

• ** Northland ": ** the area north of New Zealand's largest city, Auckland. It is a less visited tourist area. However, you will find beautiful beaches and massive sand dunes around ** Cape Reinga ** (Twilight – Te Werahi Loop track). The area of rugged coastline and small islands near the towns of Paihia and Russell and further northeast is also nice. The mouth of the ** Hokianga Harbor ** and the road along the west coast are also nice. – ** Auckland and Coromandel: ** Auckland is the only real city in New Zealand. A clutter of skyscrapers led by a typical 328-meter Skytower observation tower. Around the city there are several interesting volcanic islands (Rangitoto, Motutapu) where you can go on a trip or visit the ** Coromandel Peninsula ** with beautiful beaches and the famous Cathedral Cove. – ** Volcanic heart of the North Island: ** ** Rotorua ** and surroundings with its lakes (Rotorua, Tikitapu / blue / and Rotokahahi / green / right next to each other, Tarawera). An interesting Tarawera crater and an overview of volcanic activity in Wai-O-Tap with the famous Champagne pool. Further south are the famous Huka Falls and the large Lake Taupo. The following is the amazing area of the ** Tongariro ** volcanoes with great treks. Far to the west is the secluded but beautiful volcano Taranaki. In addition, the beautiful river Whanganui flows through the center of the area – ** South of the North Island: ** Here is the capital of Wellington, a bird sanctuary on Kapiti Island and the Tararua Mountains with the highest peaks around 1500m nm – ** Fjords and beaches in the north of the South Island: ** The area of islands and bays Marlborough sounds, Pelorus Sound or Nydia Bay is breathtaking. An ideal place for kayaking. Further west is the amazing Abel Tasman National Park with amazing trails and golden sand beaches – ** Southern Alps: ** The vast mountain range stretching from north to south several hundred kilometers is full of national park (Mount Cook, Nelson lakes, Mt. Aspiring), great hiking opportunities, beautiful lakes (Pukaki, Ohau, Tekapo) and glaciers (Franz Josef, Fox) – ** Fiorland: ** for many the most interesting from all over New Zealand. Impressive fjords (Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound) with huge waterfalls and breathtaking scenery and treks.

There are a total of 14 national parks in New Zealand – ** Fiordland National Park **: the largest and probably the most famous national park, mainly due to the amazing fjords. There are four spectacular treks: Milford Track, Routeburn track, Kepler Track, Hollyford Track – ** Kahurangi National Park **: here you will find a beautiful trek Heaphy Track – ** Mount Aspiring National Park **: here are great tours like Gillespie Pass circuit, Matukituki valley track and Rees-Dart circuit. – ** Rakiura National Park **: occupies almost the entire Stewart Island. You can walk through the national park as part of the Rakiura Track. – ** Westland Tai Poutini National Park **: a park stretching from glaciers to the sea. – ** Arthur's Pass National Park **: the first national park on the South Island. – ** Nelson Lakes National Park **: a park with two beautiful lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa – ** Tongariro National Park **: the oldest park in New Zealand. Volcanic landscape from the Lord's Ring with the famous emerald lakes – ** Whanganui National Park **: picturesque landscape around the Whanganui River on the North Island – ** Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park **: national park around the highest mountain in New Zealand. – ** Egmont National Park **: a national park surrounding the mighty Taranaki volcano – ** Paparoa National Park **: a national park protecting limestone karst and lush vegetation. – ** Abel Tasman National Park **: beautiful coastline in the north of the South Island – ** Te Urewera National Park **: lush vegetation on the North Island