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New Zealand nature:
From the seismic, boiling landscapes of the North Island to the uplifting panoramas of the South Island, New Zealand is full with magnificent places. Its enchanting beauty has appeared in numerous films, including The Lord of the Rings, where it notably doubled for Middle Earth. Nature's forces are possibly more visible in the Land of the Long White Cloud than anywhere else on Earth, resulting in technicoloured geothermal lakes, burning volcanoes, massive glaciers, and jaw-dropping fiords.
Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park:
Milford Sound's staggering size is impossible to comprehend. Its sheer mountainsides, ravines, and cascading waterfalls dwarf the cruise ships that visit this watery beauty at the foot of the Southern Alps. The fiords were so impressive to novelist Rudyard Kipling that he referred to them as the world's eighth wonder, and no journey to New Zealand's South Island is complete without a visit here. The fiord is best observed from a boat, but scenic flights provide a bird's-eye view.
Franz Josef Glacier, West Coast:
The sheer scale of Franz Josef Glacier, which flows hundreds of metres from mountain peaks to the ocean, isn't fully appreciated until you arrive at the base. The temperate New Zealand climate, low altitude, and proximity to the town of the same name make this frozen landscape of compacted blue ice easily accessible as well; you can hike around its base and come within 2,460 feet (750m) of its terminal face, take a guided ice walk, or sign up for some aerial sightseeing with a helicopter tour.
Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay:
Abel Tasman National Park is a lush coastal paradise near the top of the South Island, indented with platinum bays and turquoise waters, with quirky geologic features like Split Apple Rock, which scientists believe was split by a natural phenomenon known as 'ice wedging' during an ice age more than 120 million years ago, and is located just offshore. The park's unspoiled beaches include Torrent Bay and Kaiteriteri Beach, which has been considered one of the best five in the world. Kayaking trips are a popular way to experience the area's breathtaking scenery, or you may explore on foot by following the Abel Tasman walk down the coast.
Blue Pools, Mount Aspiring National Park:
The stunning aquamarine Blue Pools in UNESCO-listed Mount Aspiring National Park are one of South Island’s scenic masterpieces. Sited at the point where the glacial Makarora River flows into Lake Wanaka, you can follow the beautiful forest trail of Blue Pools Track at Haast Pass to a suspension bridge crossing the pools, where the clear, cool water tempts swimmers, especially on sunny days.
Blue Pools, Mount Aspiring National Park:
The gorgeous blue Pools in Mount Aspiring National Park, which is UNESCO-listed, are one of the South Island's scenic treasures. Located at the confluence of the glacial Makarora River and Lake Wanaka, the Blue Pools Track near Haast Pass leads to a suspension bridge that spans the pools, where the clear, chilly water entices swimmers, especially on sunny days.
Orakei Korako, Waikato:
To experience Mother Nature's seismic energy without people, aboard the ferry across Lake Ohakuri to the secret valley of Orakei Korako geothermal park. The park's massive, technicolour hot springs, geysers, and mud pools are a seething hot soup of geothermal activity, every bit as stunning as Rotorua's fizzing landscapes. Close to Lake Taupo, the area is an excellent addition to a tour of the region's other wonders, such as Waitomo Caves and Huka Falls.
Huka Falls, Waikato:
Huka Falls is the epitome of natural hydropower, funnelling New Zealand's longest river, the Waikato, into a steep and narrow canyon with over 220,000 liters of icy-blue water crashing over the edge. A footbridge over the spray at the top of the falls provides spectacular views, and walking trails lead to excellent observation locations down the river. To experience the incredible force of the falls from the water, join a cruise or take a jet boat trip.
Kaitoke Regional Park, Greater Wellington:
The mesmerizing splendor of Kaitoke Regional Park's crystalline rivers and rainforests earned it a role in the Lord of the Rings movie, where it doubled as the elves' realm of Rivendell. Its pristine lush valleys teeming with water are a natural paradise that may be explored on foot via well-worn walking trails that wind amongst ancient native trees. Many uncommon birds live in the forest canopy, including New Zealand falcons and indigenous kaka parrots.
Moeraki boulders, Otago coast:
These massive, bulbous oddities scattered across the sand of Koekohe Beach, between Moeraki and Hampden, provide a unique dimension to the South Island's picturesque North Otago coast. The geologic wonders, which look like huge cannonballs up to 6.5 feet (2m) high, appear to have been carved by human hands, but they are actually constructed of calcified rock concreted together 65 million years ago and gradually liberated from the soft seabed by coastal erosion. Similar Koutu Boulders can be found at Hokianga Harbour on North Island.
Mount Cook, Christchurch-Canterbury:
No list of New Zealand's natural wonders would be complete without mentioning the country's tallest mountain, Mount Cook, also known as Aoraki. Mount Cook is a true alpine environment of snow fields, glaciers, and vanishing peaks over 9,840 feet (3,000 metres) high, and it is surprisingly accessible to travellers. Walking trails branch out from the settlement, including a one-hour trip to see the breathtaking Tasman Glacier. You may even come across cheeky kea (mountain parrots) along the route.
New Zealand Christmas Trees, Northland:
The native Pohutukawa tree, also known as New Zealand’s Christmas Tree, is a unique natural feature common in the north of North Island but found all across the country. The wide-canopied trees burst into a profusion of scarlet blossoms every December around Christmas time, and have become synonymous with the festive period. The hardy evergreen is notable for growing in inhospitable spots too, clinging to cliffsides or transforming barren lava fields into a garden of life.