New Zealand, home of the hobbit, is
famous for its stunning landscape. If you are a fan of the great
outdoors this is the country for you.
The best way to explore Aotearoa
is to hire a car or motorhome and road trip your way from top to
bottom. These are my top 9 picks to help you have the most epic
adventure in the land of the long white cloud.# 8.The Nevis Swing
Adrenaline
junkies this ones for you. The Nevis swing is the largest swing in the
world. Located in the adventure capital of Queenstown, it gives all
those bungy jumps a run for their money. Imagine being hoisted 160m
into the air and hanging suspended above a rocky riverbed before
hurtling at an eye-watering 120 km per hour towards the facing valley.
Exciting stuff right. The best part is you can chose who you swing with
and how. Anyone fancy a little truck and trailer action.
7. Prawn fishing
This
one is great for a lazy sunny afternoon. On the outskirts of Taupo,
Huka Prawn Park has a whole range of things to do but really it’s all
about the prawns. As you enter they provide you with long bamboo sticks
with a tiny hook on the end, a metal pail and some bait and the rest is
up to you. You can fish from a boat, the wooden piers or you can laze
on the grass at the edge of the ponds. The best part? You get to cook
and eat your prawns once when you’re done.
6. Climb a Volcano
Rangitoto
is a volcanic island just off the coast of Auckland. Head over on the
ferry ready to conquer the summit. It take about an hour to hike to the
top through old lava fields and bush. The panoramic views from the
crater are spectacular though, a 360 degree snapshot of all the islands
in the Hauraki Gulf. There are also lave caves at the base that you can
take a tour through it you’re up for a bit of adventure.
5. Experience a bluebird day
If
you are in New Zealand during winter then you need to visit a mountain.
Cardrona is my pick. Perched between Queenstown and Wanaka it offers
something for everyone, including tobogganing, if you a keen to just
chill and spend a day playing in the snow. Otherwise give that parks and
pipes a go, they are pretty epic. If you are there during summer try
the mountain carting or bike park a go. Stay the night at the top and
experience the beauty of the southern skies or hike across one of the
trails in the Southern Alps.
4. Soak in a natural thermal pool
New
Zealand’s geothermal nature means it is littered with hidden hot
springs. My favourite is Otumuheke Springs in Taupo. Take some snacks
and supplies and spend an afternoon soaking in these natural hot pools.
There is even a hot waterfall that you can splash around in. The best
part is its free!!!
3. Waitomo Caves
This
beautiful underground cave system has something for everyone. You can
chose to simply wander around the main section and visit the underground
cathedral which is filled with stalactites and stalagmites or ride in
one of the boats that drift around the lake in the dark. This way you
can see the hundreds of thousands of glow worms that twinkle like
stars. My favourite part though is the black water rafting. There are a
few options depending on your level of confidence. I like the tubing, a
mix of serene drifting through the underground caves with the glow
worms and adrenaline filled waterfall jumps in the dark. There’s
nothing quite like jumping into a big black void not knowing where
you’ll land.
2. Visit the Shire
Any
fan of Lord of the Rings needs to tick this one off their bucket list.
Even if you’re not a fan of the movie, the Hobbiton movie set is a funky
little place that’s worth a visit. Located in Matamata in the North
Island it is a bit of drive but well worth it for the photo
opportunities. The Shire is the original movie set used in Lord of the
Rings and is the perfect place to wander, explore and photograph. Visit
The Green Dragon in, The Mill and of course Bilbos Hobbit Hole.
1. Cathedral Cove
I
love the beach and this one is worth the hike. There is no road access
so you have the choice between boating in or walking. I prefer the
walk because of the amazing clifftop views along the way and you really
feel like you have earned your swim once your reach the bottom. Named
after the huge cathedral shaped cave that you walk through once you hit
the bottom it’s a great place to spend an afternoon enjoying the sun,
sand and sea as well as all the marine life that lives in the reserve.
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