Egmont National Park lies on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. Its main attraction is a long-extinct volcano, located in a magnificent cypress forest, 2518 meters high, which towers over the territory of the park. For centuries, the mountain was called in the Maori dialect - Taranaki. Between Tarnaki and the Poukai Ridge there is a unique alpine sphagnum bog. The local flora is adapted to acidic soils, high humidity and low temperatures.
Unfortunately, you will not get to Egmont Park alone, only as part of an organized jeep tour with a local guide.
2. Maori Village (Tamaki Maori Village)
Built by the two Tamaki brothers in 1989, Maori Village is a place to truly understand the essence of the soul of the Maori people, their way of life, history and culture. The village is a re-creation of an actual Maori settlement, and in it you will see the reconstruction of the rituals and fighting dances of this people as close as possible to the original.
3. Tongariro National Park
One of the most interesting natural attractions of New Zealand for tourists is the oldest national park in the country, namely Tongariro. It is a volcanic mountain range that stretches along the northeast coast of the North Island. Three active volcanoes: Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and the highest of them - Ruapehu.
Tongariro National Park became known to almost every inhabitant of the Earth after Peter Jackson's film epic The Lord of the Rings. It is the Tongariro volcano that is the prototype for the Orodruin volcano, in the flame of which the magician Sauron forged the ring of Omnipotence, and most of the Lord of the Rings blockbuster was filmed in the park.
4. Sky Tower (Auckland Sky Tower)
The Sky Tower in Auckland is more than just the tallest building in New Zealand,this is a geographical landmark for all tourists, wherever you go, looking at the tower, you will quickly understand where the center of Auckland is. The height of the TV tower is 328 meters, which makes ittallest man-made structure in the southern hemisphere. Sky Tower's three observation decks offer panoramic views of Auckland's cityscape and its famous harbor.
5. Volcanic Center Okataina
Another interesting place for a traveler in New Zealand is the Okataina volcanic center, this is a geothermal area with high activity, it is also called the "Geothermal Wonderland". In Okataina, you will see famous geysers such as the Artist's Palette and numerous bubbling mud springs.
6. Larnach Castle
New Zealand's one-of-a-kind attraction, built in 1887, Larnch Castle is an exception in the country; there are no other castles in New Zealand. Built for an Australian politician and banker, the castle is a combination of American, Venetian and Gothic styles of decor and architecture, making it a tourist attraction. In addition to this. it is famous for its well-kept garden and rich interior.
Larnch Castle is about 20 minutes' drive from Dunedin city center and is home to a 4-star hotel.
7. Tauranga (Tauranga)
Tauranga is the most populous city on the Gulf of Plenty, on the northeast coast of the North Island. From the Maori language, the word "tauranga" is translated as "protected bay."
The temperate subtropical climate and the excellent geographical position of the city contribute to the fact that tourism is a priority for it. Here rest not only tourists from all over the world, but also the New Zealanders themselves. Near the city, there are several completely wild islands and picturesque coral reefs that make Tauranga a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and divers.
8. Hobbiton Village
One of New Zealand's most exciting and wildly intriguing, true tourist bestsellers and landmarks, the Hobbit village of the Shire. In Hobbiton, everything is exactly the same as in The Lord of the Rings.
9. Fiordland National Park
Fiordland National Park is a real gem of New Zealand, for example, Kipling, the author of Mowgli, considered these places extraordinary, and called the park the eighth wonder of the world.
Its territory is huge, and after showers, waterfalls of stunning beauty appear, but there are also two permanent ones - Bowen, with a height of 162 meters of water falls and Sterling, whose waters break down from a height of 155 meters. The park is home to New Zealand's largest lake, Waikatipu. But the real attraction of this park is the fauna, more than 700 species of rare animals, birds and insects live here, such endemics as the kakapo owl parrot, the kea predator parrot and the vociferous thuja bird.
10. Franz Josef Glacier
One of the fastest moving glaciers in the world, the Franz Josef Glacier is an amazingly huge river of ice. He isone of the steepest glaciers in the world, the mass of ice descends from a height of 2.5 kilometers, for a length of 12 kilometers, down the slopes through the valley and ends in the lush vegetation of temperate rainforests.
The glacier is a popular tourist attraction in New Zealand, with over 2,700 visitors a day during the peak season. It is possible to order a separate helicopter for an excursion to the Franz Josef Glacier.
