Tongariro National Park is New Zealand’s oldest national park and has dual World Heritage status. This also recognises its significant cultural and spiritual connections with Māori. New Zealand is revealed not only through its impressive landscapes: cultural heritage and history also give a trip its own character.
Cultural Heritage and Collections
Waitangi Treaty Grounds is where New Zealand’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi / the Treaty of Waitangi, was first signed in 1840. The Grounds were also New Zealand’s first national monument. Both aspects make the site a notable point of reference when you explore the country’s history.
Te Papa offers a different perspective. The museum manages New Zealand’s national collection, with more than two million objects spanning art, natural history, New Zealand history, mātauranga Māori and the cultures of the Pacific region. Te Papa’s Collections Online provides information on more than one million artworks, objects and specimens from the collections. Practical details for a visit are straightforward: Te Papa is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Christmas Day. Check opening hours before your visit.
Landscapes from Fjords to Coast
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a rugged landscape of ice and rock, with 19 of its peaks rising above 3,000 metres. In Fiordland National Park, the landscape is shaped by fjords, lakes and valleys carved by ice. The Milford Road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is considered one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is in the northwest of Fiordland National Park.
The coast has its own distinctive character, too: the Abel Tasman Coast Track combines a mild climate with golden beaches and lush native bush along the coast. Rotorua, meanwhile, is characterised by geothermal landscapes, Māori culture, ancient forests and pristine lakes. These different profiles can help you tailor your trip to the landscapes and themes that interest you most.
Choose Walks and Experiences to Suit Your Interests
The walks described vary considerably in duration and difficulty. The short Tasman Lake and River Track offers views of New Zealand’s longest glacier, Haupapa/Tasman Glacier. The Tama Lakes Track is a day hike with views of Lower Tama Lake, Taranaki Falls, Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe. The Soda Springs Walk leads to cold springs; in summer, they create a small oasis of flowers.
The Ball Pass Crossing is on a completely different scale: this challenging alpine route takes two to three days and crosses the Mount Cook Range between the Hooker and Tasman valleys. Conditions on the tracks can change seasonally; you should also check conditions in advance for the alpine route. This makes it easy to distinguish a short walk, a day hike and a challenging multi-day route by their actual duration and level of difficulty.
Water offers more opportunities. You can explore the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve along Milford Sound by diving. On the Abel Tasman Coast Track, you can walk the entire route in either direction and use water taxis or kayaks between different locations. Check operators’ schedules and services before your trip.
The Whanganui Journey is a 145-kilometre canoe trip on the Whanganui River in the central part of the North Island. Many companies offer guided paddling trips; check availability and season before planning. Whether it is a coastal walk, river trip or alpine route, the options described differ not only in landscape but also in activity, duration and difficulty.
Discover More Destinations
Southland, Otago, Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington, Manawatu-Wanganui, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Waikato, Bay Of Plenty, Auckland, Northland, West Coast, Tasman, Nelson, Gisborne, Napier City.
