New Zealand sightseeing. Travel guide - attractions, sights, nature and touristic places

Stunning, simply breath-taking nature remains the main distinctive feature of New Zealand. The territory of the country is home to 10 national parks, and even streets of modern cities simply dive in greenery and blooming flower beds. Te Ika-a-Māui was called one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The island features snow-capped mountains, sleeping volcanoes, spacious green fields and hundreds of geysers. There are many beaches on the coast of the island; this place is almost always crowded with vacationers who mix sunbathing with excursions to nature reserves.

Travelers, who are hungry for bustling city life, will find all they need in Auckland. This city is rich in cultural centers, shops, restaurants and many other entertainment facilities. The most famous and visited museums of Auckland are the Museum of Auckland, which exhibits a rich collection of historic artefacts, the National Marine Museum, the Museum of Transport, the Botanic Garden and the Zoo. Kafia and Raglan regions also have the right to be called landmarks of the North Island. These beach areas have become a true mecca for all surfers. There is one more landmark near Kafia - Bridal Veil Falls, tremendously beautiful waterfalls. Travelers are also recommended to visit Te Puia Hot Springs, Te Koutu Park, Te Toto Gorge and Waitomo Caves.

Stephens Island is located between North and South Islands. This small island is home to many rare animals. In tropical forests of Stephens Island one can see tuatara, a close relative of dinosaurs, which are extinct many million years ago. The island is a restricted zone, and the area, where the unique reptile lives, is put under strict control. Local biologist work hard to keep that rare animal and ensure it won't disappear in future. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Blenheim is the most popular and widely visited city of the South Island. The best way to get acquainted with historic heritage of the city is to visit the Seymour Square area and during an excursion in Museum Park. Pollard Park is also a very interesting destination in Blenheim. The park is mostly famous for a large collection of roses and camellias. If you visit the city in February, you will be able to participate in a very unusual holiday dedicated to the grape. The theme of the celebration is not random as during several centuries Blenheim has been the main centre of wine making on the island. Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island and home to several beautiful medieval buildings. Larnach Castle is usually called the most famous landmark of this place. Visitors are also very welcome in the Museum of Otago, the Museum of Natural History, Dunedin Gallery and Botanic Garden.

History and Entertainment

The territory of New Zealand started to be inhabited quite late, only in the second half of the 14th century, when the first Polynesians came here. The first Europeans who reached the coast of New Zealand were Dutch navigators led by Abel Tasman. They boarded the coast in 1642. Europeans were welcomed by the belligerent tribes of aborigines, which forced them to stop colonizing the distant islands.

Then, the islands were visited by James Cook. In 1769, he created the first accurate map of the coastal line of New Zealand. At the end of the 18th century, the islands started attracting whalers and seal hunters. Europeans imported products, water, metal items, and weapons to the islands. In 1841, the islands were officially recognized as a British colony. Later, in 1856, they got a right of the partial self-government. The country became completely independent from Great Britain in 1986.

Today, New Zealand is a homeland of the extreme tourism. There are perfect conditions for different sports, most of which are really extreme. They include rap jumping, bungee jumping, air surfing, and gliding. Nature here created excellent conditions for these kinds of sport.

Over the last decades, exactly sport has also attracted fans of modern cinema. Unique nature attracts directors from all over the world. Such series, as Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and the franchise The Lord of the Rings were shot here. Fans of these films want to see the places they have seen in the films, so they can take interesting themed trips here.

New Zealand is actively visited by fans of food tourism. Here, they can taste the most popular dishes of the Anglo-Saxon cuisine. For the natives, the traditional dishes are fried fish and meat served with fried potatoes. Connoisseurs of seafood have an opportunity to taste lobsters, oysters and other exotic seafood. Most of the national dishes are cooked over an open fire. Another original local specialty is sweet potatoes called kumara. The important component of the national cuisine is cheeses, most of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.