The 10 Top Things to Do in New Zealand

New Zealand is a land full of magnificent natural beauty and endless possibilities for adventure. Whether you’re interested in wildlife watching or wine-tasting, there’s something for everyone in Aotearoa. Here are the top ten things to do on a trip to New Zealand:

1. Getting a taste of what makes the Auckland area so special at the nearby Hauraki Gulf Islands, home to vineyards, wildlife sanctuaries, and the striking Rangitoto volcano.

2. Dolphin watching around North Island’s Bay of Islands and whale watching in the waters off Kaikōura on South Island.

3. Spelunking in the sprawling network of underground caverns that is Waitomo Caves, lit by twinkling glowworms.

4. Exploring the volcanic wonders of Rotorua, the geothermal heartland of Aotearoa.

5. Conquering what may be Aotearoa’s most spectacular day hike, the awesome and ever-changing Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

6. Marveling at South Island’s spectacular sounds and fjords, from Marlborough Sounds to famed Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, where glassy waters are perfect for exploring by boat or on foot along the coast.

7. Tasting famous Kiwi wines in idyllic vine-clad settings, from the syrah and cabernets of Hawke’s Bay to the sauvignon blancs of Marlborough.

8. Sipping on a house-made brew in cosmopolitan Wellington or in feel-good Nelson, which gives the craft beer capital a run for its money.

9. Riding the rails on the TranzAlpine, a regal railway journey traversing South Island, from Christchurch through the rolling Canterbury Plains and the dramatic Southern Alps.

10. Thrill-seeking in Queenstown, the birthplace of bungee jumping, which also boasts world-class biking and hiking trails, ski slopes, paragliding, rock climbing, and jet-boating.

Moon New Zealand

by Jamie Christian Desplaces

by Moon Travel Guides

From snowy mountains to golden beaches, beauty awaits around every bend on these dramatic islands. Find your adventure with Moon New Zealand.

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$24.99

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$31.99 CAD

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Trade Paperback (Revised)

1. ebook (Revised)

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Jamie Christian Desplaces

About the Author

Having spent four years between Asia and Australia and with no inclination to return back home to the UK, Jamie Desplaces opted to give Aotearoa New Zealand a try. That was way back in 2012, and he’s still there.

Just a few weeks after arriving, he secured an assignment to write about the country’s fracking industry, a two-month investigation that was hailed by environmental and political organizations, and won a feature of the year award. Jamie quickly discovered the sacred connection between Kiwis and their land, a connection that he now feels. From the glistening beaches of the subtropical far north to the majestic fiords of the deep south and the volcanoes and vineyards and vast alpine backcountry that stitch it all together, he has explored every corner of this country – and continues to do so.

It’s also somewhat poetic that Jamie, having attended the same school as J.R.R. Tolkien, whose tomes of Middle-Earth tales inspired the movies that have so promoted the majesty of Aotearoa New Zealand, now has the opportunity to share its legend with others.

Jamie’s work has been published in Beats, Escape, Massive, and on USAToday.com. He has published a novel and is head writer at Verve magazine in Auckland, where he lives with his wife and two sons.

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