33 Reasons to Visit New Zealand

Fiords, glaciers, whales, geysers, volcanoes, subtropical islands and golden beaches – New Zealand is a land of startling natural beauty. Plus an energetic Maori culture and hobbits (probably)...

1. Conquer Mordor
Tongariro National Park has live volcanoes, bizarrely coloured lakes and post-apocalyptic landscapes – Mordor was filmed here for those films. If you do one tramp in New Zealand, make it the Tongariro Crossing.

2. Bungyyy
Queenstown is not only home of the bungy jump, but it has canyon swings, jetboating, hanggliding, whitewater rafting, skydiving and much much more. Bring spare pants.

3. Sounds Spectacular
Half the visual pleasure of Milford Sound is the journey there; winding roads plunge into dense, moss-plastered woodland, snake along gaping drops and pass waterfalls crashing to the floor from way up somewhere.

4. It is Spectacular
A boat trip edges you out onto the Sound’s water, home to dolphins and New Zealand fur seals, looking like an ant by the immense Mitre Peak. Onwards to the open sea, passing all sorts of waterfalls; some twist in the air, others thunder from impossible heights.

5. Fly high
A scenic flight around here is an unforgettable experience. And then there’s the far larger, Doubtful Sound, around the corner. You can even stay overnight in a house boat.

6. Sperm
Kaikoura is a hot spot for whales, dolphins and seals. Take a boat cruise to watch whales – sperm, humpback and more – call in year round.

7. Seally good
Much-underrated seal swims (or dives) are excellent in Kaikoura. Plus, there’s dolphin swimming – go on, make ‘em jealous at home.

8. Have a Wanaka
An hour from Queenstown is its younger, smaller, but equally attractive brother. It boasts: wineries, wonderful scenery, ski fields, mountain biking, skydiving, jetboating, canyoning, Lord of the Rings lark... Silly name though. Bit too close to wan...

9. Aspirational
The spectacular Mount Aspiring National Park is also nearby – great for mountaineering and “tramping”.

10. Ice to see you
New Zealand has gazillions of glaciers, but the colossal ice tongues of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are the most accessible. It’s like stepping into a different world as your crampons crunch through an ice labyrinth of caves, frozen waves and crevasses.

11. Get to the chopper
If you have the cash to splash, a helicopter trip to land near the top of the glacier is unforgettable.

August 1st, 2011

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