You have certainly heard of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand – Auckland and Wellington. A lot of visitors also go to major towns, such as Christchurch, and resorts, like Queenstown. However, this unique country has a lot more to offer to the tourist. You should definitely explore some of the best, but not so well known destinations in New Zealand.
Rotorua is a town, located on the south shore of the lake baring the same name. It is one of the most attractive destinations on the South Island. The Rotorua area is famous for its gorgeous scenery, unique natural characteristics and the excellently preserved Maori culture.
The region is renowned for the geothermal activity taking places in the background of the nearby volcanoes. You can jump into a warm mud pool or a hot water spring to have a perfectly natural spa treatment. Rotorua Lake and its smaller counterparts in the area offer a lot of sports activities – water skiing, kayaking and finishing are among the most popular ones. You can always choose to relax on the beach and take a swim in the crystal clean water.
You can get a true taste of the Maori culture in Rotorua. You will get a true feel of the local applied arts. You will also get to see various dance and music shows. You should not miss to visit the ancient village of Ta Wairoa, which is fully preserved thanks to a volcanic eruption in the 19th century.
You should definitely visit Lake Taupo in the South Island of New Zealand. It is one of the best spots for trout fishing. You can choose between sailing and kayaking to explore the picturesque surroundings of the lake. You can opt for a luxury cruise as well. The rivers feeding the lake offer the perfect settings for jet boating and whitewater rafting.
You can readily explore the wonders of the Taupo thermal and volcanic zone, including the Tongariro National Park. Skiing and snowboarding are also popular tourist activities in the region. Mount Haupehu, which is a volcano, has mile long ski slopes with first class winter sports facilities.
Kaikoura, a small town on the east coast of the South Island, is not a well known tourist destination, but it offers the most amazing interactions with some of the most magnificent marine mammals. You can watch Humpback whales, Sperm whales, orcas, dolphins and fur seals from a boat or from the air. The view is truly breathtaking. You can go scuba diving, meet the fur seals up close and take a swim with a pod of dolphins.
