If you are looking for a place that offers some of the most diverse and exciting countryside in the world, you need look no further than New Zealand. From high mountains to icy glaciers, lush forests to breathtaking fjords, a New Zealand walking holiday will give you plenty of great landscapes to enjoy. The countryside was spectacularly showcased in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, where it provided many of the locations for the films, and it is now taking its place as one of the world s most beautiful places to go walking.
Of course, New Zealand is actually two islands, the North and South, and each one has its own unique attractions. Here are a few of the possible destinations you ll want to consider on each of the islands...
Walking on the North Island
The North Island is also home to the major cities of New Zealand including Auckland, Napier, Hamilton and the capital Wellington. So if you want to combine your time in the countryside with a break in the city on a New Zealand walking holiday, the North Island is the place to be.
While the attractions of the South Island are perhaps more famous, the North Island still has plenty of natural beauty to offer its visitors. The most famous landscape on the North Island is Rotorua. The city of Rotorua itself is one of the oldest Maori settlements, and it is built on a highly geothermally active area – the city itself is built into an enormous volcanic caldera. The surrounding area is filled with geysers, mud pools, thermal springs, and spectacular lakes that are a joy to explore on foot.
The other major attraction of the North Island is Tongariro National Park. New Zealand s oldest national park (established in 1887) is significant, both for its striking landscapes and for its spiritual significance to the Maori people. The park is placed in the very centre of the North Island, and its mountains, volcanos, lava fields, scrublands and forests can all be explored on a variety of walking routes.
Walking on the South Island
The South Island is a paradise for those who love the great outdoors. Not only is it larger than the North Island, it also has only a quarter of New Zealand s population, making for large stretches of deserted landscape for you to get away from the crowds.
It is also home to perhaps the most dramatic landscapes in New Zealand. The colossal Fox Glacier is located on the west coast. Not only is it a stunning sight in its own right, this ice sheet has carved out some great walking country in the surrounding area. In particular, don t miss out on Lake Matheson, a crystal clear lake ringed by rainforest where New Zealand s two highest peaks, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, are perfectly reflected in the water.
Elsewhere on the island, the hills of the Queenstown area will be instantly familiar to many – they were used for many of the outdoor locations in The Lord of the Rings . It s a suitably epic landscape, providing excellent opportunities for hikers and a wide range of other adventure sports (such as skiing, mountain biking, and paragliding).
Finally, the Fjordland World Heritage Site provides some of the finest walking in New Zealand. If you base yourself in the pleasant town of Te Anau, all of the attractions in the region are within easy reach. These include the vertical cliffs and waterfalls of the Milford Sound, the serene beauty of the Doubtful Sound, the dramatic spectacle of Mitre Peak, and the stunning Lake Manapouri.
North or South – whichever island you choose to visit on a New Zealand walking holiday, you ll be treated to spectacular landscapes and great walking routes. And if you ve got the time, make sure you visit them both...
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