New Zealand is a nature-enthusiast’s paradise, filled with the breathtaking sights of endless waterfalls, beaches, mountains, lakes, and glaciers. Don’t miss these 10 incredible spots of untouched natural beauty during your visit to New Zealand.
For this post, I’d like to introduce today’s special guest contributor: Elisabeth Bunch!
Elisabeth is a 25-year old adventurer born in the Pacific Northwest. She first began exploring the planet in 2012 with an experience working at an orphanage in Honduras for 3 years. Since then, she has continued traveling to 18 different countries across 4 continents. She now shares her travels and helps others to plan their own through her blog: Pages of My Passport!
1. Roy’s Peak
This is a challenging but incredible hike, and one of my all-time favourite experiences from traveling. The trail has a steep incline all the way to the end, and there is no tree-coverage, which means the heat of the sun beating down adds to the difficulty of the track. There is a 360-degree view at the summit that will make it all worth it in the end!
2. Wainui Falls
Hike your way to the largest waterfall in Golden Bay, New Zealand. Here you can take a dip in the icy water if you’re brave enough! Otherwise, just sit back and enjoy the sound of the falls crashing elegantly into the pool of water below.
3. Pancake Rocks
In Punakaiki, you can find a 20-minute loop walk that leads you through the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. These limestone rock formations are uniquely shaped like giant pancakes, and are a spectacular sight that you won’t find anywhere else.
4. Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier is located on the west side of New Zealand’s South Island. It is 13 kilometers long, and was named in 1872 after a visit by the then Prime Minister of New Zealand, Sir William Fox.
5. Milford Sound
In the southern part of the South Island you can find this famous fiord. Take one of the daily boat cruises or kayak through the full length of the beautiful Milford Sound. You might even come across some seals swimming or hanging out on the rocks here.
6. Key Summit
This trail is part of the longer Routeburn Track, one of “New Zealand’s Great Walks.” Hike up to a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and lakes.
7. Lake Marian
Lake Marian is one of my personal favourite destinations in New Zealand. The trail to this alpine lake surrounded by the Darran Mountains is fun and scrambly, and the view at the top is beautiful! The water is clear and refreshing, perfect for a swim after a difficult hike.
8. Mount Cook
Take the Hooker Valley Track to a glacier lake here at Mount Cook. This trail includes three swing-bridge crossings. My friend and I attempted swimming in the ice-laden water, but didn’t last long – I recommend admiring the landscape from OUTSIDE the water.
9. Manu Bay
Manu Bay is famous for having the longest, most accessible, and consistent left-hand break in the world. It’s a surfer’s dream! If you don’t practice the sport yourself, come here to watch the experienced surfers, and you will find some serious talent! Nearby is Ngarunui, a blacksand beach with a bit calmer waves, suited for beginning surfers.
10. Cape Farewell
Located at the most northern point of New Zealand’s South Island, a short uphill walk will take you to Cape Farewell. This headland offers a stunning view of the Tasman Sea on one side and lush green rolling hills on the other.
New Zealand’s nature makes it one of the world’s best travel destinations. These 10 sights are some of the most breathtaking, but you will find that the entire country is filled with beauty.
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To see more from Elisabeth, check out her travel blog below 🙂
New Zealand is always been on our travel list and we can’t wait to visit this paradise! The photos you posted are so beautiful. We’d like to visit the Wainui Falls, they looks so amazing 🙂
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These are TRULY natural beauties! A trip to New Zealand has always been a dream of mine, and with this list and these stunning photos, you’re making me want to visit even more! I definitely enjoy outdoor adventures and NZ seems like one of the best places to do that!
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Absolutely beautiful! How did you take such a photo of the Pancake Rocks? I mean is it possible to climb onto those rocks?
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Hi fionarabbit2013 – There is a kind of boardwalk that meanders through the pancake rocks, so I was able to take the photo from a viewpoint there. 🙂
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NZ is just beautiful! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad picture of it, and I really don’t think there’s a better way to describe it than “nature-enthusiast’s paradise”. I’d love to visit some day and will definitely keep these places in mind as and when that day comes. I think Key Summit and Lake Marian would be top of the list, they look stunning!
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen a photo of New Zealand that hasn’t knocked my socks off. It’s such a beautiful country! And the surfing thing would be so interesting to watch. I don’t surf myself but I spent some time watching the surfers on Oahu’s north shore and it was mesmerizing!
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From the time I was a child, New Zealand has always been on my travel bucket list. It just looks so gorgeous. We’re currently in a spot that has some resemblance (Tofino, Canada) but New Zealand remains high on my list of places to travel to. Glad to see you enjoyed your time.
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Every post I read about New Zealand, the higher it gets on my travel list! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad photo taken of the country! All of these places that you have shared are incredible, they make me want to get outside right now (even though it’s 7am and chilly). I hope to visit New Zealand some day soon!
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What fascinates me the most about New Zealand is this obvious diversity. It seems like you go to one place for surfing and next place you have glaciers. Incredible. Not to mention this pure beauty of nature. Your photos make me immediately want to go there.
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The Hooker Valley Track sounds like fun, as does Lake Marian. In fact everywhere in New Zealand seems to offer guaranteed great photos! I’m jealous!
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Ive heard so much about New Zealand that I can not wait to visit it finally ! It looks so magical ! And the photos you posted just wants me to book a flight, pack and suitcase and go! Great post !
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New Zealand looks like a dream destination with such a wide diversity of things to see – I wouldn’t know where to start! I’ve never heard of Pancake Rocks and Lake Marian – two places I would love to go to! Thanks for sharing!
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It was already high on my bucketlist and now even more. Great story and superb pics.
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My dream destination, Such an amazing place and your photos are stunning
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When I read posts like this, it makes me so grateful to be a New Zealander and I’m so glad others find it so beautiful! I grew up in the South Island, which I think has the best scenery. I love Lake Tekapo with Mt Cook in the background. Queenstown + Milford Sound are probably next. Pancake Rocks are awesome! I remember being so fascinated by the formations when I would visit the West Coast as a little girl.
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You hit the nail on the head that this is a nature enthusiast’s paradise, and that is totally me! I especially like Punakaiki. The rock formations remind me of a maze. How wonderful to treat it as such to discover the beauty of the land from the feet, hands, and eyes. Thanks for sharing these gems in New Zealand. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to visit, and I can see why.
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Oh wow, all of these look gorgeous! New Zealand (as well as Australia) have always been on my bucket list, so I’ll definitely come back to this list when I manage to make it there! I’m hoping to do a NZ – OZ trip next year, so fingers crossed. Thanks for the tips, Elisabeth!
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Congrats to Elisabeth B. for the always amazing post. Everything is so clear and well described and the images are speachless!
Probably what I liked the most is the Cape Farewell, which reminded me of the cliffs of Moher in Ireland (of course the ones in NZealand had the sun shining over them 🙂
Really nice post! I also pinned it!
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Those Pancake Rocks are very unique, its amazing how nature forms into something like these… Thanks for sharing these beautiful places of New Zealand to us…
Going around for sure is a very relaxing and rejuvenating experience…
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Some really great places to visit in New Zealand! You’re pictures really make me want to bump up the timing of my next trip 🙂
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I LOVE this! I am still undecided between a working holiday in NZ or OZ and I am definitely leaning more towards NZ! It such a beautiful country!
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New Zealand is such an awesome place! This looks like it was a gorgeous trip. Love the suggestion to go see the glacier.
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New Zealand is very high on my bucket list and it’s great to see beauties besides Mt. Cook and Milford Sound explored. I’d never heard of Lake Marian but will now add it to the top of my list. Thanks for the well written roundup!
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I love New Zealand! It such a beautiful country. I lived there for almost a year and traveled around both islands.
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That first photo with you stretching your leg is amazing! If I was flexible enough to do that myself, I’d do that everywhere I traveled! This list is amazing and I hope to get to New Zealand one day!
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New Zealand looks absolutely stunning! I’m from Vancouver and NZ actually kind of reminds me of British Columbia with all the hikes, lakes and parks. How long is the hike up to Roy’s Peak? The view from there looks incredible
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WOW this is amazing!!! I’m heading to New Zealand in a few short weeks and that Roy’s Peak shot has me convinced I need to do that hike! It is UNREAL!! Great post, thanks for sharing
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