See the top 10 places to visit in New Zealand, the land made famous by Lord of the Rings. What was once a peaceful country located south of the Pacific Ocean has now become a tourist hotspot, thanks to the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This Polynesian group of islands is said to be the last human-inhabited landmass. Because it is geographically separated from the rest of the globe, the indigenous Maori culture has been preserved despite the country's fast expansion and development.
Before you buy your aircraft tickets or book your hotel, keep in mind that certain foreigners will need to get a tourist visa before entering the country. Check this list of nations that do not require a short-stay visa to see if you need one. If you have a passport from one of these countries, you can simply fly in and receive a short-stay permit from an immigration officer. If your nation isn't on the list, you'll need to apply for a tourist visa in New Zealand. The following are the requirements:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form
- A couple of colored passport-size photos
- Flight itinerary for visa application
- Bank documents
- A current medical certificate
- Visa fees
Top 10 Places to Visit in New Zealand:
Get ready to have the most unexpected adventure of your life! There are far too many places to see in this picturesque country but you need to set your eyes to these top 10 destinations first.
Top 10: Mt. Victoria in Wellington:
Start your New Zealand adventure in Wellington, the country's capital. Water features such as the Cook Strait, Wellington Harbour, Porirua Harbour, and Fitzroy Bay surround this urban center.
You must walk up Mt. Victoria to witness all of these amazing sights. This is essentially merely a hill on the city's east end that can be readily reached by taking a city tour bus. If you really want to make the hike on foot, you can do so by following the marked trail. You can quickly see the harbour, the airport, and the entire metropolis from the summit. This is going to be a fantastic start to your top ten locations to see in New Zealand journey.
Top 9: Cable Car in Wellington:
You must walk up Mt. Victoria to witness all of these amazing sights. This is essentially merely a hill on the city's east end that can be readily reached by taking a city tour bus. If you really want to make the hike on foot, you can do so by following the marked trail. You can quickly see the harbour, the airport, and the entire metropolis from the summit. This is going to be a fantastic start to your top ten locations to see in New Zealand journey.
These red trams will take you to Lambton Quay and up to the Cable Car Museum and the Wellington Garden for a very reasonable fare. View the breathtaking panorama from the top of the hill. Check out the museum and the garden if you have time.
Top 8: Sky Tower in Auckland:
Travel north from Wellington to see Auckland, New Zealand's most populous metropolis. Auckland, like Wellington, is bordered by large bodies of water such as the Shoal Bay and Hauraki Gulf.
Visit the top of the iconic Sky Tower, which is located near the Auckland Bridge, for a great perspective of Auckland. The top five stories of this telecommunications tower are open to the public as viewing decks. A spinning restaurant on one floor provides a full 360-degree perspective of the city. The primary viewing platform is on a different level. The Skywalk and Sky Jump deck, which will allow interested clients to either be strapped to a harness and walk along the glass edge of the tower or be tied to a cord and tumble down the structure from a height of 192 meters, should be the most exciting of the five levels.
Top 7: Waitakere Ranges in Auckland:
The Waitakere Ranges, about 45 kilometers outside of Auckland, is home to a number of natural reserves, including one of the best outdoor activities in the city. The western line train to Swanson or a private automobile can take you to this 16,000-hectare forest and shoreline.
Top 6: Rangitoto Island in Auckland:
Make a final visit at Rangitoto Island before departing Auckland. This picturesque reserve is thought to be New Zealand's youngest island and volcano, having only recently risen from the sea 600 years ago. A one-hour ferry voyage from the harbor will take you to the island's wooden dock.
You can easily climb the 259m-high volcano from the dock. The trail to the summit is easily followed by children and even mature adults. You can choose to go spelunking or cave exploring if you want to take the experience to the next level. The best view of Auckland and the gulf is from the volcano's peak.
Top 5: Whangarei Falls in Whangarei City:
If you travel to New Zealand's northernmost city, you will find one of the country's most unspoiled and preserved natural resources. Whangarei Falls is a must-see attraction for visitors to Whangarei. This towering curtain waterfalls, located in the Whangarei Scenic Reserve, is a popular swimming and picnic spot. It's actually quite simple to go to the pool where the cascading water flows.
The trail leading to the waterfalls is well-kept, and most visitors and locals who have visited the reserve marvel about how clean it is. This venue should undoubtedly be included among the top ten places to visit in New Zealand.
Top 4: Lighthouse in Cape Reinga:
Why not take a bus tour to the northernmost tip of New Zealand before you leave? The land journey may take many hours, but the wait will be well worth it once you see the lighthouse at the island's tip.
This site is holy to the indigenous Maoris because it is said that this cape is where the souls of the dead travel before passing on to the afterlife; hence the name "Reinga," which means "underworld." The spirits, according to the Maoris, jump off the cliff once they reach the cape. The view of the meeting of two large bodies of water – the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea – is another must-see from the lighthouse.
Top 3: Farmer’s Market in Christchurch:
Christchurch is a city in New Zealand's Southland region. Despite being devastated by three major earthquakes between 2010 and 2012, Christchurch has slowly rebuilt and has since repaired the majority of its infrastructure. The unpretentious Christchurch Farmer's Market is one of the city's main attractions.
This Farmer's Market, which is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., features local agricultural products as well as regional cuisine. Because New Zealanders take their Saturday brunch seriously, you can anticipate a wide variety of grains, breads, and dairy products. The famed Flat White Coffee, which is an espresso with milk foam, is a must-try.
Top 2: Akaroa Harbour in Canterbury:
The famed Akaroa Harbour is located just outside of Christchurch, in the Canterbury Region. The French conquerors first occupied this place in the 19th century, and the French influence may still be seen in the harbor area today.
Because this is a seaside environment, most outdoor activities revolve around water. Join a 4-wheel-drive tour to the island's most populous tiny penguin colony, which is one of the must-do activities. You can also participate in a water excursion to witness the tiniest species of dolphins.
Top 1: Rakiura National Park in Stewart Island:
Most visitors to New Zealand are aware that the country is made up of only two huge islands, but few are aware that there is a third rather large island located south of the country.
