Surely you have heard of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand: Auckland and Wellington. Many visitors also go to major cities, such as Christchurch, and tourist centers, such as Queenstown. However, this unique country has much more to offer the tourist. You should definitely explore some of the best, but not so well known, destinations in New Zealand.
Rotorua is a city, located on the southern shore of the lake that bears the same name. It is one of the most attractive destinations on the South Island. The Rotorua area is famous for its beautiful scenery, unique natural features and excellently preserved Maori culture.
The region is famous for the geothermal activity that takes place at the bottom of nearby volcanoes. You can jump into a warm mud pool or hot spring for a perfectly natural spa treatment. Lake Rotorua and its smaller counterparts in the area offer many sporting activities – water skiing, kayaking and finishing being among the most popular. You can always choose to relax on the beach and take a swim in the crystal clear water.
You can get a real taste of Maori culture in Rotorua. You’ll get a real feel for the local applied arts. You can also see various dance and music shows. You should not miss visiting the ancient village of Ta Wairoa, which has been preserved in its entirety 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 places for trout fishing. You can choose to sail or kayak to explore the picturesque surroundings of the lake. You can also opt for a luxury cruise. The rivers that feed the lake offer the perfect setting for jet boating and white water rafting.
You can easily explore the wonders of the Taupo thermal and volcanic area, 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, killer whales, dolphins, and sea lions from a boat or from the air. The view is really impressive. You can scuba dive, get up close to sea lions and swim with a pod of dolphins.
