New Zealand is a friendly, alluring, and heavenly country providing travelers with unbeatable chances for exploration and adventure. These beautiful islands are home to a variety of natural wonders, from deep fjords, thermal regions, glaciers to beaches, mountains, and dense native forests which have been well-preserved by an eco-conscious culture. New Zealand is also a region where modern cosmopolitans mix with charming villages, traditional Maori culture, and unspoiled wilderness. Otherworldly and pristine, this island nation is a great destination for everyone, especially the following top three self drive New Zealand tours:
Bay of Islands in North Island
A 3-hour drive to the south of Auckland, the breathtaking Bay of Islands in North Island is a top tourist attraction in New Zealand. With more than 140 small islands dotting the glittering bay, it is a great haven for yachting and sailing. Marlin, whales, dolphins, and penguins live in the fertile waters there, and this region is also a popular spot for sports fishing.
Tourists can choose to sea kayak alongside the coast, bask in pristine coves, hike one of the island trails, tour the well-known rock formation named Hole in the Rock and Cape Brett, as well as explore its sub-tropical forests where you can see local Kauri trees. The quaint villages in the area like Kerikeri, Paihia, Opua, and Russell are ideal for exploring its photogenic bay.
Queenstown in South Island
Located between the snowy peak of the Remarkables and the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is often regarded as the adventure capital of New Zealand and one of the most popular attractions for international travelers. Downhill skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, paragliding, white-water rafting, jet boating, and bungee jumping are just a few of the adrenaline-fueled activities available in this area, and you can also explore the breathtaking alpine landscape on an extensive network of trails for hiking.
Apart from the adventure activities, Queenstown provides visitors with unmatched comforts, from first-class spas, hotels, to exotic shops, galleries, and restaurants. It is also a perfect place to have a journey to the Central Otago region, where you can visit gold mining villages and the Middle Earth from the award-winning series “The Lord of the Rings”.
Rotorua in North Island
Situated in the turbulent Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean, Rotorua is among the most active geothermal areas in the world. In other words, it is a region where the planet speaks. Boiling thermal springs, steaming mud pools, volcanic craters, and hissing geysers reveal the forces that created much of amazing topography in New Zealand. Tourists can have a walking tour around those geothermal wonders, learn about rich culture and history of the Maori, and soak in warm mineral springs. Adventure seekers might also find lots of activities to do here such as mountain biking, luging, and sky-diving. Since Rotorua is the entrance to the ski areas of Mt. Ruapehu, trout fishing is also a must-do activity.
For many people, New Zealand is both a dream country and a once-in-a-lifetime destination with so many natural landscapes and amazing landmarks to visit. If you are planning the first trip or scheduling a return trip to visit more of this wild and beautiful country, do not forget to see 3 picks above. With an untouched beauty and compelling landscapes, these attractions won’t ever let you down.