New Zealand is a sparsely populated island nation of approximately 4.5 million inhabitants. Located in the Pacific Ocean, the country consists of two main land masses and numerous other smaller islands. The country is largely populated by individuals of European descent with a minority group of individuals of native origin. New Zealand is synonymous with rugby but in the recent past, has emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations within the pacific (much of that helped by the success of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and more recently the Hobbit). For individuals who might wish to travel to New Zealand, here is an overview of some of the top travel New Zealand destinations that are considered as a must see.
Bay of islands
Bay of islands is a world famous tourist attraction synonymous with New Zealand. One of the most conspicuous land marks in this area is the ‘big hole in the rock’. The bay of islands consists of 144 small islands and a great way of enjoying the scenery of this area would be to take a sightseeing boat ride which traces the path of the ferry that was initially used to supply the bay of islands. The area is also a great location for big game fishing and was initially made famous by Zane Grey, a renowned American author.
Fox and Franz Josef Glacier
New Zealand is also home to immense glaciers located on the south islands coast. Unlike a majority of glaciers within the northern hemisphere, the glaciers at Fox and Franz Josef are still advancing.
Stewart Island
Stewart Island in New Zealand is another notable top travel destination. Steward Island is a nearly deserted island with sparse human population and an arid surrounding offering the best setting for a quiet retreat. The island also has a good population of kiwi: a flightless bird native to New Zealand.
Kaikoura
If you are a nature enthusiast, then Kaikoura would be the best destination for you. Kaikoura is home to a significant number of whales and is considered as one of the top whale watching destinations in the world. The influx of tourists in Kaikoura has also seen the emergence of a number of restaurants and hotels within this town offering the wide selection of accommodation facilities.
Marine reserve
The marine reserve located at the knight islands is another top travel destination within New Zealand. This reserve features a marine park that can be accessed through scuba diving. The clear water within the marine park ensures that an individual experiences one of the best diving experiences in NZ.
These destinations are just a small sample of the highlights of New Zealand. Check out classifieds New Zealand for more travel ideas.
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