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Archive for the ‘New Zealand Holidays’ Category
“I think that I shall never see a walk more lovely than one featuring New Zealand’s unique variety of trees,” as famous American poet Joyce Kilmer didn’t write. But if he’d been to New Zealand, walking across the country to see the trees on offer, and learned a little about their quirks and stories – he certainly would have. Take Waipoua Forest’s ‘Tane Mahuta’, or ‘Lord of the Forest’, the largest Kauri tree in New Zealand, standing at fifty-two metres high. It’s estimated to be over one thousand years old. Now that’s the sort of tree Kilmer was thinking of.
Unique New Zealand
With a history of long geological isolation, most of New Zealand’s flora is actually unique, and often breathtakingly beautiful. A wide variety of native trees have adapted to the micro-climates all across the country – meaning wherever you feel like travelling to in New Zealand, walking from the subtropical Kauri forests of North Island to the alpine forest of (you guessed it) the Southern Alps, there’s a tree for the occasion.
The Rimu and Totara trees
One of New Zealand’s most beautiful trees, the Rimu tree has seen plenty of ramblers and walkers pass it by – this type of tree can live for eight to nine centuries. With hanging branches giving it a ‘weeping’ appearance, it’s a perfect place for a rest in the shade beneath a tree you’ll only find in New Zealand. Walking further, you might come to a Totara tree – and you’ll know it by its height. The Totara tree can reach up to thirty metres, and sometimes older trees even reach thirty five metres, which is about as high as a ten-story building. Recent research has shown that bats native to New Zealand forests actively hunt out the largest and oldest trees in which to make their roosts, though their numbers are low.
The Ngaio trees
If you’re dead set on a long New Zealand walking trip, there are a few things you’re advised to take with you – plenty of water, sturdy shoes or boots, and of course the always-necessary insect repellent. But on a long trek, don’t panic when you run out! The Maori tribe perfected their insect repellent a long time before it was standard advice, rubbing crushed leaves from the Ngaio tree on their skin to repel those pesky insects. Chewing the leaves would also stop toothache, if your jaw begins aching from sugary energy-boosters.
Legends of the Ngaio
But the Ngaio tree is famous for more than its medicinal properties. According to Maori legend, a Ngaio tree can be seen on the moon, after the moon-goddess reached down to place a woman (and the Ngaio tree she desperately clung to) on the moon for her disrespect towards the goddess, so that she could be seen in the night sky as an example over all of New Zealand. Walking under the moon on a night-time journey, it’s something to consider! And, of course, being respectful to the moon-goddess is a tourist tip you won’t find in many places.
Barking up the wrong forest
Just be sure to consider a guided tour, or take a little while to carefully plan out your journey, and hopefully a relaxing break afterwards. After all, with such striking forested areas, it’s easy to become distracted from a set walking destination or goal. But with the recent efforts to introduce measures for conserving forested areas in New Zealand, walking amongst the forest has never been more enjoyable – and will hopefully allow many walkers to enjoy the unique trees of New Zealand. After all, sometimes you can’t see the trees for the wood!
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
LeadGenerators hopes you enjoyed this article. An Online Marketing agency based in London, LeadGenerators hosts a series of Social Media and Internet Marketing training sessions and seminars.
In New Zealand walking can be more of an adventure than people ever imagine. And there’s nowhere better to put your adventurous spirit to the test than by deciding to explore the Franz Joseph Glacier. A remnant from the Ice Age, the glacier is 12 km long – though your walks don’t have to be, in order to see some of the stunning vistas on offer.
Are you an explorer?
The drive to explore glacial or arctic landscapes has been with us since James Cook crossed the Antarctic Circle in 1773 – and long before that. It’s all about looking for new sights to see and new places to experience, as well as the excitement of learning to navigate a challenging environment. But the real value to travellers worldwide has always been in visiting distant places and searching for the self, exploring our own joy in life and our achievements by exploring the world around us, whether in arctic glaciers, or those of New Zealand. Walking, climbing, even caving in the tunnels formed beneath the ice – the Franz Joseph glacier attracts around a quarter of a million visitors each year, all hoping for an adventure that will bring them closer to themselves.
History…
Located in Westland National Park on the west coast of the South Island, the glacier has a long history. First mentioned in a diary from the steam ship Mary Louisa in 1859 over a hundred and fifty years ago, it was named after the emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph the First, by German explorer Julius von Haast in 1865.
… and Mythology
Aside from names and dates, the glacier is rich in myths and legends, notably from the famous Maori tribe of New Zealand. Walking along (or through) the glacier, it’s hard not to be inspired by the mythic landscape. The Maori named the glacier ‘Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere’, or ‘The Tears of Hinehukatere’. Local legend tells how the enthusiastic mountain climber Hinehukatere persuaded her lover, Wawe, to go climbing with her. Unluckily, for Wawe, an avalanche struck, and swept him away. Broken-hearted Hinehukatere’s tears flowed down the mountain, and froze to form the famous glacier.
Setting up camp
Luckily, climbing equipment such as ice axes and crampons that can latch onto a climbing boot have made exploring a lot safer than in the days of legends – in New Zealand, walking across the glacier is also made easier with the option of guided walks by professionals. It’s reassuring to know there’s a community nearby, the Franz Josef township, providing accommodation, a heliport, and a number of restaurants and shops to unwind after a day’s explorations. Five kilometres from the glacier’s face (and with Westland National Park just 20 minutes away if you need a break from the glacier), there’s a chance to relax and ’set camp’ during your journeys.
There and back
If you’re looking for an adventure, chances are you’re looking for one that will stay with you long after you’ve left the ice. A journey to New Zealand, walking in the footsteps of famous travellers and discovering the sights is a great experience – but better is the knowledge that after you return home, you might have discovered a little more about your own explorer’s spirit.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
LeadGenerators hopes you enjoyed this article. An Online Marketing agency based in London, LeadGenerators hosts a series of Social Media and Internet Marketing training sessions and seminars.
Places to Watch the Sun Set Whilst in New Zealand Walking
If you’re in New Zealand walking, the chances are you’ll be slightly too fatigued to get yourself up and out of bed in time to watch the sun rise. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get to see red skies – there are plenty of places you can go to enjoy the most spectacular sunsets.
Looking Over Lake Rotorua
The second largest lake on the North Island of New Zealand, Lake Rotorua is a beautiful sight to behold at any time. However, it only gets more beautiful as the sun goes down. Surrounded by the backdrop of the town itself, the lake is one of the most popular parts of Rotorua. For the best vantage point of one of the most impressive lakes in New Zealand, walking or taking the cable car up to the top of Mount Ngongotaha, will provide you with a spectacular view over the lake, and particularly of Mokoia Island. This small island in the middle of the lake is the setting for the most memorable Maori love story of all time. On some days as the sun sets the lake will turn bright red, whilst on others it will take on just a pink hue. There is no disputing the fact that sunset is the time to see Lake Rotorua at its most beautiful.
Looking Down on Wellington
As the capital city of New Zealand walking around Wellington will provide you with endless entertainment. However, whilst there you may also want to escape from the inner city and see Wellington from a different perspective. The best way to do this is to make your way to the top of Mount Victoria. A tall hill located to the east of Wellington, Mount Victoria provides a perfect place to watch the sun set over the city. Whether you decide you want to walk to the top, or catch one of the frequent Go Wellington buses that run throughout the day, it truly is the place to be at dusk. However, if you are relying on public transport, be sure to check that you can get back to the city again or it may be a long walk home!
Looking Across the Remarkables
Queenstown’s mountain range, the Remarkables, is certainly aptly named as it is one of the most impressive collections of peaks in New Zealand. Walking parts of these mountains is certainly one of the most rewarding things you can do on the South Island, however to get the best possible view of the entire skyline, take the gondola up the mountainside to Bob’s Peak. From that viewpoint you will not only have a fantastic view of the mountains, but you can also watch as skydivers spiral down towards the earth, their parachutes standing out against the scenery. As the sun sets, the mountains look stunning as they stand guard over Queenstown and, once the sun has gone down, you are free to go and enjoy the town. To get back to the bottom? Well you can either take the gondola, or if you’re feeling brave you might want to take the luge, though this is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
So, though beautiful throughout the daylight hours, New Zealand takes on a new beauty as the sun goes down. If you’re in New Zealand walking, there are many places you can go to see sunset at its finest.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays you can see the most scenic locations at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
LeadGenerators hopes you enjoyed this article. An Online Marketing agency based in London, LeadGenerators hosts a series of Social Media and Internet Marketing training sessions and seminars.
If you’re looking for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation, then you can’t do better than head off on holiday to explore the spectacular landscape of New Zealand. Walking is the very best way to experience the real heart of a country that, although relatively young in historical terms, has a warm and engaging soul as old as the world itself. The great diversity of the country is one of its main attractions, but once you’re there you’ll realise that the true secret of its popularity as a walking destination is New Zealand’s incredible accessibility. You don’t need to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy New Zealand, walking here can be just as enjoyable for the novice too.
Rakiura Track
At the very bottom of New Zealand is Stewart Island and the Rakiura Track. This peaceful, bird-filled region is perfect for a gentle stroll through lush, cool forests followed by a picnic lunch on the beach and a dip in turquoise waters…. heaven.
Kepler Track
Discover the glacial beauty of New Zealand, walking this beautiful track through the Fjordlands of the South Island; through forests, past waterfalls and into spectacular valleys.
Routeburn Track
Still in the Fjordlands of the South Island, this trail will introduce you to the jewel-coloured lakes and snow-capped peaks of the Mount Aspiring National Park. In its entirety, the Routeburn Track is one of the shortest of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’, but the scenery more than makes up for it!
Milford Track
This is New Zealand walking at its best. The world-famous Milford Track is picture-postcard perfect, with breath-taking views and invigorating hikes through the heart of the Fjordland National Park.
Heaphy Track
For the best of the rugged West Coast scenery, a day spent hiking along the Heaphy Track will take you through a range of different landscapes and along the windswept coastline.
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Stroll along deserted beaches at sunset, and marvel at the ancient rock formations of the Abel Tasman National Park. Located at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, walking the coast track offers easy conditions and wonderful scenery.
Tongariro Northern Circuit
The North Island reveals the incredible prehistoric landscape of Tongariro National Park. You will circumnavigate the base of the intimidating Mount Ngauruhoe, a still-active volcano, and take in the fascinating craters, lava flows and explosion pits.
Lake Waikaremoana Track
The magical region around Lake Waikaremoana will take you on a calming journey through untouched rainforests and lush wetlands.
Whanganui River
For a little New Zealand walking with a difference, combine your hike with a canoe or kayak ride down the pristine Whanganui River which runs through the Whanganui National Park. New Zealand’s longest navigable river winds for over 300km out into the Tasman Sea.
There are so many walking trails and tracks to choose from in New Zealand and, whether you are super-fit or just a weekend rambler, New Zealand walking holidays are the most rewarding way to see the country. Pick your route, lace up your boots and get walking!
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
LeadGenerators hopes you enjoyed this article. An Online Marketing agency based in London, LeadGenerators hosts a series of Social Media and Internet Marketing training sessions and seminars.
Whilst New Zealand walking will introduce you to stunning vistas and beautiful undulating green hillsides, the best views in the country are often seen from great heights. Luckily New Zealand is also known for its cragged mountainsides and for boasting the tallest man-made structure in the Southern Hemisphere. It is these man-made structures that can often provide the best look-outs over the bustling cities and verdant countryside below.
Sky Tower
At 328m high, the Sky Tower is the tallest free-standing tower in the Southern Hemisphere. Its height might have nothing on Aoraki or Mount Cook, which at 3,754m is already over ten times that height, but it’s certainly a lot easier to reach the summit and be rewarded with the view from the top. The Sky Tower contains a revolving restaurant so, after a long day of New Zealand walking, you can grab a table and look out over the towering skyscrapers below. The main observation area even has thick glass flooring which enables you to see all the way down to the pavement below – this is obviously not recommended if you suffer from vertigo. Traditionally, New Zealand has always been popular with tourists craving adventure sports and the country’s tallest structure holds no exceptions. Adventure junkies may want to attempt the famous SkyJump, a bungee jump from the observation deck, where participants can expect to meet speeds of up to 53mph.
Titahi Bay Transmitter
New Zealand’s second tallest structure is a radio transmitter that stands at 212m tall, against the backdrop of Titahi Bay. The bay situated on the North Island in the area of Porirua was used as the setting for the famous New Zealand film “Eagle vs Shark”. If you’re after an area steeped in history, Titahi Bay is absolutely perfect for New Zealand walking and still relatively unknown to tourists. The area was used to house military personnel during WW2 and the recreation hall used by US forces is now a local theatre.
Titahi Bay also features the fossilised remains of an ancient forest, dating from the last interglacial period from over 150,000 to 70,000 years ago. The trees make up an intertidal reef, which makes the bay popular with boarders as it can be surfed on all tides.
New Plymouth Power Station
Located on the shores of Port Taranaki, New Zealand’s third tallest structure is not exactly scenic and the deep water port where it is situated is not really known for walking, however it is certainly worth taking a look. At 198m high, the building claims to have been built using one million bricks and the tall chimney contains five separate flumes.
Vero Centre
Auckland’s second largest structure is the fourth largest building in New Zealand. Walking from the Sky Tower you’ll come across a road called Shortland Street, and at the end of this road a tall, halo-fringed office block. This building, known as the Vero Centre, contains a selection of office buildings and a gymnasium and health centre at the top -which makes it perhaps the most scenic place in the country to enjoy a hot-stone massage after your New Zealand walking trip.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
LeadGenerators hopes you enjoyed this article. An Online Marketing agency based in London, LeadGenerators hosts a series of Social Media and Internet Marketing training sessions and seminars.
Wellington, New Zealand’s capital is a small but perfectly formed holiday destination with a wealth of experiences just waiting to be enjoyed. A visit to this picturesque harbour city can be a flying weekend visit, a week-long exploration, or simply the icing on the cake of a grand tour of New Zealand. Walking Wellington’s eclectic back-streets, strolling at sunset along the cosmopolitan waterfront or setting out for a day’s hike in the rolling hills which embrace the city; whichever way you choose to discover this delightful part of the world will reveal a different layer.
A Spot of Culture
Wellington is definitely New Zealand’s premier cultural city with a surprising array of museums and galleries from which to choose. The two flagship galleries are the Museum of Wellington and the impressively housed Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa Tongarewa. Both of these are located on the waterfront so a visit the two can be planned even if you are pushed for time on your holiday to New Zealand. Walking through the doors of Te Papa takes you into a spectacularly designed foyer and, as you follow the exhibits through the space, you are introduced to a bold and innovative interactive museum experience. Other cultural sites you may find interesting for a visit are the Pataka, which showcases the best of New Zealand’s contemporary artists, and the Government Buildings, whose intricate facade looks like an Italian stone palace but is entirely made of wood.
Back to Nature
There are many ways to get back to nature in New Zealand; walking, cycling and four-wheel driving are just a few of the options available in and around Wellington. Hiring a mountain bike and heading out on to the many bike trails which traverse the hills behind the city is not only a way to enjoy fabulous views out across the Wellington and the harbour, but also a way to immerse yourself in the wonderful flora and fauna, much of which is unique to New Zealand. Walking and cycling these well-kept trails is suitable for all ages and fitness levels as they are graded in an easy-to-understand system. If you’re not feeling as energetic as you used to, but still want to explore the countryside, then hiring a motorbike or scooter might be the answer; it’s not only great fun, but you’ll be able to cover a lot of area as well.
Shopping Secrets
For a different kind of fun in New Zealand, walking the streets hand-in-hand with your credit card can make for a wonderfully relaxing diversion. Wellington is the perfect place for some retail therapy as you can walk the city shopping precinct from one end to the other in only twenty minutes. But don’t be fooled; in that short space Wellington manages to squeeze in an astounding and eclectic mix of designer, boutique, arts and local craft that can hold its head high on the world stage. Whether you’re looking for a cheap souvenir to take home to friends or you want to cover yourself in New Zealand Paua Shell or jade jewellery, Wellington can provide you with the opportunity to shop until you drop. Once you’ve exhausted your feet as well as your wallet, head for one of the many city bars or restaurants for a relaxing cocktail overlooking the harbour – a perfect day!
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
LeadGenerators hopes you enjoyed this article. An Online Marketing agency based in London, LeadGenerators hosts a series of Social Media and Internet Marketing training sessions and seminars.
With its wealth of water sports and adventures, New Zealand is certainly somewhere that all water babies should visit. However, if you’re not one for taking the plunge and diving into the water yourself, there are many other ways to make the most of the fast-moving, free-flowing rivers. If you’re in New Zealand walking, there are several trails that will take you close to some of the world’s most exciting waterfalls.
Huka Falls
One of the most visited attractions in New Zealand, the Huka Falls are an unexpected treat. The ferocious falls are the largest of the Waikato River which drains Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Walking along the banks of the Waikato River you will revel in the peace and quiet of your surroundings. That is, until you reach the waterfall. You cannot however fail to be impressed as you reach the Huka Falls, at which point the river narrows from 100 metres to only 20 metres wide. The clear and bright blue hue colour of the water is unlike that of any other river or waterfall and will make the Huka Falls stand out in your memory for years to come. Enjoy watching those more reckless than yourself tackle the falls in jetboats from the safety of the banks, before starting your stroll back through the Wairakei Park.
Kakahe Falls
Kakahe Falls is renowned for being the highest hot-waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa in Rotorua, it is found in arguably the most relaxing location in New Zealand. Walking aches and pains can be washed away with a soak in the thermal pools or mud baths, however not until they have been earned with a walk past the bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers that make the walk to the waterfall so exciting. Feel the heat emanating from the scorching waterfall and bask in the phenomenal view as you enjoy the anticipation of the well-earned spa that you will soon be relaxing in.
Sutherland Falls
The Milford Track is well-known for the hundreds of waterfalls that appear when it rains in New Zealand. Walking in this area, you will see plenty of flowing falls, however the most impressive will certainly be Sutherland Falls. With a reputation for being one of the world’s highest waterfalls, Sutherland is quite a sight. The tiered waterfall measures a total height of nearly 600 metres, and drains Lake Quill. The lake itself is fed by several glaciers, making the flow of the falls fast and furious. A two mile hike along the Milford Track will take you to the base of the falls where, if you look skywards, you will see Sutherland Falls in all its glory. In terms of height, this is undoubtedly the most impressive waterfall you will see whilst in New Zealand walking.
So, if you’re not one for diving in the deep end with the wet and wild activities that are so popular in New Zealand, walking the waterfalls is by far the best alternative. With many magnificent falls both in the North and the South Islands for you to enjoy, you needn’t get wet to enjoy the water.
About The Author:
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London.
Few would dispute that New Zealand offers a unique and beautiful countryside coupled with a fascinating history and culture. One of the ways to best see it is through a New Zealand walking holiday.
What’s there to see?
New Zealand is often described in terms of its two main islands. Many areas of the North Island have a distinctive ‘Pacific Island’ feel with beautiful beaches, luscious flora and a volcanic appearance to much of the countryside. It is home to the bulk of New Zealand’s population and is proud of its multi-cultural status, and has a strong Maori legacy and presence. Auckland and Wellington are two major cities well worth exploring, as is Napier. Rotorua is world-famous for its geysers, hot steam vents and bubbling mud pools. The Bay of Islands contains marvellous opportunities for exploring the multitude of islets and sandy coves. Not to be missed also is the Tongariro National Park which contains stunning scenery.
The South Island is different! Much more sparsely populated, the island contains a vast range of natural spectacles including mountains, glaciers and fjords. It is home to the Southern Alps and some of the world’s most breathtaking views of mountains, lakes and coastlines. The largest town is Christchurch and other major attractions include Mount Cook with its alpine scenery; Te Anau with its fjords; Queenstown with its scenery and adventure leisure opportunities; and the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers. It’s also an ideal opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife; including exotic birds such as the Albatross; and around the coastal areas, whales, dolphins and seals.
Both the North and South Islands received rave reviews for their stunning scenery when it was seen around the globe as the backdrop to the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. All these attractions are just a tiny sample of what a New Zealand walking holiday may be able to help you explore.
Why take a New Zealand walking holiday?
New Zealand is a beautiful country that has worked hard to keep its natural grandeur intact.
There are vast areas of nature that are relatively undeveloped and unspoilt by large-scale human encroachment. In some cases the only way to reach these magnificent sights is on foot. In other instances, you’ll be more likely to appreciate the locations ‘in context’ if you’ve walked to them. New Zealand walking holidays in general are also becoming more popular for environmental reasons; and if you need yet more convincing, they may also be better for your general health!
How does the holiday work?
A New Zealand walking holiday is fully guided by a tour leader that is an expert in the route and the attractions as well as the local history and culture. They are constructed for those with only a moderate degree of fitness and walking ability. It is a carefully and expertly crafted holiday experience and not a forced route march – so no need to worry if you don’t come into the ’superfit’ category! Each guided walk is carefully planned to ensure that it is not overly demanding and that it concludes each day with the opportunity to relax and unwind in excellent accommodation. You can sample the excellent local cuisines while you reflect upon the sights you’ve seen during the day.
The holidays offer a variety of choices. So you may wish to be based in a single centre or to vary between different locations. You can decide to explore only one of the major islands or spend time or both. That is one of the major attractions of a New Zealand walking holiday – you can select an option that suits your interests and then with the help of your tour guide, follow it. It really can be a different and more satisfying sort of holiday.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London
With scenery that many would consider unrivalled in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand’s landscapes can leave you breathless. However, it is not just the beautiful beaches or the magnificent mountains that will capture your imagination, but also the long lakes that stretch as far as the eye can see. If you visit New Zealand, walking by the lakes is an opportunity not to be missed.
Lake Rotorua
The second largest lake on the North Island of New Zealand, Lake Rotorua was formed in the crater of a volcano. Tinged a slightly yellow colour by the sulphur for which the area is renowned, the lake is perhaps not too tempting for a swim. However, if you’re in New Zealand walking, you’ll find no better route than around a section of the lake. Once you’ve seen the water close up, you may like to get an aerial view by taking a trip on the Skyline Skyride gondola, where you can enjoy the phenomenal view and even do a little shopping in the souvenir shops and restaurants. From the top of the gondola, you will get a fantastic view of Mokoia Island, which Maori legend names as the setting of the great love story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai.
Lake Taupo
Also found on the North Island, Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s biggest and most impressive lake. Created by the largest volcanic eruption that has been recorded within the last 5000 years, the freshwater lake is a beautiful shade of blue from which it is difficult to avert your gaze. One of the most popular havens of activity in New Zealand, walking around the lake you are likely to spot a number of parachutes floating above you as skydivers descend. However, if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, there are some glorious hikes to be enjoyed, including the Great Lake Walkway between Taupo to Wharewaka Point, the Huka Falls Walkway, and even a wander around the Waipahihi Botanical Reserve.
Lake Wanaka
One of the jewels of the South Island, Lake Wanaka is estimated to be over 300 metres deep. The lake is overlooked by the Mount Aspiring National Park, allowing for beautiful reflections to be cast over the waters on calm days. In the winter months, these mountains are scattered with skiers, and in summer, walkers can rediscover the trails that have been hidden underneath the snow. Paths through the foothills will take you around the edge of the lake, passing remnants of Maori carvings and statues as you go. Whatever the season, Lake Wanaka is one of the most peaceful and beautiful places in New Zealand. Walking the shores of the lake with the backdrop of the mountains for company is a rewarding pastime whether there are autumn leaves on the trees, snow on the ground, or a warm sun beating down on your back.
Though for many, New Zealand walking is all about navigating glaciers and climbing mountains, some of the most beautiful views come from a slightly lower altitude. With some of the most impressive stretches of water in the world, there is nothing quite like walking the shores of New Zealand’s lakes.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
This article was provided by LeadGenerators, the smartest SEO agency in London.
Walking holidays in New Zealand will guide you through some of the most fascinating and breathtaking scenery in the world. From thermal springs to winding fjords and enormous glaciers, the scenery in this southern corner of the world will astound you.
Rotura
Rotura is a beautiful area for walking holidays in New Zealand, near the city of Auckland. The area is known as a water wonderland, with 17 lakes providing endless hours of entertainment, from water-skiing to swimming to fishing. The lakes are also the hosts of international events, such as the water-skiing championships which were held there in 2007.
The area is home to an abundance of thermal rock pools too, where geysers bubble and mud-pools churn. Fascinating to walk through, the area is accompanied by an unfortunate smell of sulphur, resembling rotten eggs. This smell is particularly noticeable in the southern regions of the Government Gardens, so you may not wish to spend too much time there. However, the mud-pools further north are ideal spots for soaking weary feet when you’re walking in New Zealand.
Historically, this area is phenomenal, and it adds a fascinating element to walking holidays in New Zealand. In 1886, Mount Tarawera erupted, burying the village of Te Wairoa. Today, it is known as the Buried Village, and has become a well known tourist attraction.
Milford Sound
Some claim that Milford Sound is the most spectacular destination in the world, and perhaps they are right. The fjord in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is a breathtaking scene, and one could quite confidently say that it is the best place in New Zealand for walking. As a testament to this are the massive 550,000 people who flock to the area each year, to experience its majestic beauty for themselves. One of the bays even has an underwater viewing tank, where black coral, which is extremely rare in shallow waters, can be seen.
This incredible fjord stretches for 15km, running all the way from the Tasman Sea. In the glistening waters you will find penguins, seals and dolphins popping their heads above the surface every now and then, and whales swimming below. On either side of the fjord, tall cliffs rise up into the sky, reaching a massive height of about 1,200m on either side. Some famous peaks you can spot along the fjord are The Elephant, which is the tallest, and Lion Mountain, which portrays the figure of a lion.
Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
Two of the most fascinating sights to see when on walking tours of New Zealand are the Fox and the Franz Josef Glaciers. These glaciers are exceptionally beautiful, and attract thousands of tourists to the area each year. The Franz Josef is situated in the Westland National Park, spanning along 23km of the South Island’s west coast. Lying 20km to its south is the Fox Glacier, which descends from the Southern Alps to just under 300m above sea level. Surrounding the glacier and making the setting so spectacular, you will see lush greenery and thick bushes, and the entire area has been declared a World Heritage Site.
Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. On a holiday walking holidays in New Zealand with Ramblers, you can walk the most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.
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