TOP 10 of beautiful Aotearoa!

Kia Ora! - sadly for the last time :(

Here comes, as promised, the ranking of my 10 favourite you-must-not-miss-places from all over the North and South Island! In my opinion those are obviously the places which have to be on your list when you go to New Zealand - and you'll see why ;)

1. Number one - (dramatic drum roll...)
- Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson!!

This absolutely unique and spectacular place is situated in the north of the South Island, nearby the city of Nelson. The national park itself is not that big compared to other parks you can find in the country, but the beaches at the coastline of Golden Bay and Tasman Bay are undescribably beautiful and really calm.

When I first came there I thought I was in the Caribbean or in Hawaii - golden sand, turquoise water... what would I give to live there!

You have access to some beaches pretty much by car (you'll reach them quite closely) and you can get to the other beaches by either walking or canoeing as we did. ;)
The coastal walk through Abel Tasman National Park truely isn't so tiring and you have some really nice views:

Canoeing :)

2. In second place: Milford Sound

Miford Sound is part of the Fiordland National Park in the south-west of the South Island. It is probably better to go there in summer, but it's still worth a visit in winter! ;))

I went there in June and it was mainly foggy, but that gave the area a mysterious, very special kind of atmosphere. Have a look at the photos of Fiodrland National Park, I'm sure you will be amazed by the trees and waterfalls!!

Milford Sound is a composition of high mountains jutting out of the ocean and imbeding the water in a fascinating way you've not seen anywhere else before!

You'll fall in love with these waterfalls:

3. The Moeraki Boulders occupy the third position on my list - you can easily see why (:

Convince yourself of the beauty of this place:

Nobody knows where these funny-shaped rocks came from or how they were formed - one thing is sure though: they look simply amazing and you definitely have to visit them!!

Wee hint: They are at the southern east coast of the South Island you can visit them for example on your way down to Dunedin.

4. Kaikoura 

The region, also situated in the east of the South Island, is well-known for its beautiful long coastline, its wildlife and it's very popular with tourists for whale watching!

Baby and adult seas as well as many different species of birds are no rarity in Kaikoura. :)

It is also nice to spend a day there walking at the beach along the water...

... having a short coffe break in a café with sea view

... or enjoying a little tour through the thinly populated mountains

 5. In fifth place - New Zealand's Westcoast! - including the Pancake Rocks, Hokatika, stunning sunsets and dreamlike views

The Punakaki Pancake Rocks - another unique creation of mother earth:

the blowhole with its rainbow (:

You love big waves? Well, then you're probably at the right place, but for surfing it can be really dangerous at the Westcoast!

Magical, isn't it?

Lovely beaches!!

in Hokatika

6. Raglan 

The sunny town on the North Island is appreciated by tourists and surfers for its outstanding beaches and the chilly atmosphere in Raglan. (=

On the other hand I was very impressed about the 'jungle part' of Raglan! There's an hill near the beach covered deeply with so many trees that it looks like a jungle from above and there you can find an accomodation - pretty neat! 

That's a sunset you could see from another hill near the beach:

7. Rotorua, coming in seventh on my list, also belongs to one of my favourite places you must see in Aotearoa. Some of you may have already heard of it - it's well known for its mudd pools and some people complain it would smell bad in Rotorua. Well, I say that might be true if you're standing pretty close to the pools, but when I was there, in the town centre and around Rotorua, I didn't smell anything and I appreciate this place so much for what it has to offer!! ;)

Rotorua is marked by Maori  culture - there are maori villages to visit which are, in my opinion, really recommendable! You are told interesting details about their culture, religion, traditions and you can discover some of the facts on your own or with your Maori guide. 

Another thing I will probably never forget is the moment when I first saw a geysir a few metres away from me sputtering water in huuuge amounts!

The Mudd Pools - they're really not that bad! Actually they look quite funny and they make weird noises when the bubbles burst. :D

Definitely a must-DO: the Agroventures! 

1) Luge - a wee car you can race down a hill

2) Agrojet - a kind of speedboat

3) Zorbing - running down a hill in a ball, alone or with friends

4) Water Rafting

8. For all of the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" fans, but this is also a great family day trip - in fact, an adventure for everyone who loves green grases, wide open landscapes, blue lakes and a little bit of fantasy - the Hobbit Movie Set! 

The set still looks 100 % as in the movie and you'll be impressed by the attention to detail in every corner! The hobbit houses are simply neat and the atmosphere is just magical!

9. Together with Wellington it's probably the only 'real' big city in New Zealand (after Christchurch's two major earthquakes) and in my opinion a place which has to be on your list - Auckland.

Ginormous buildings, big shopping centres, nice cafés, a lovely harbour, and much more (: You will probably not have seen everything in Auckland in less than 2 or 3 days.

10. Last but not least - and not to be missed - the area of Akaroa, Lyttleton aaand Christchurch! Obviously.. :D Well, the area I have lived in for 6 month is also worth a visit, isn't it? (:

Unfortunately I was in beautiful Akaroa when the weather was rainy, but normally you have a wonderful view on the mountains and the town with its harbourside is really pretty.

You can go swimming  with the dolphins there...

... and enjoy its French flair!

Lyttleton's landscape is similar - mountains, surrounding the ocean, nice houses (:

Christchurch is just in the progress of rebuilding the city. Therefore the Restart Mall is a must-not-miss:

Hope you liked it, 

see ya next time,

Yoko ♥