New Zealand hidden treasures

Since „Lord of the rings” everybody knows the beautiful landscape of New Zealand. Rugged mountain tops, dreamy scenery in the meadows, and thick forests are the typical landscape. But most of these places are packed with tourists, which makes it hard to enjoy the trip.

If you want to enjoy the country off the beaten track, here are some hidden treasures along the north and South Island of New Zealand.

Blue Lake

In the Nelson Lakes national park on the South Island, you will find the lake with the clearest water in the whole country. One reason why it is a hidden treasure is its accessibility. You actually have to hike for a couple of days, before you reach the Blue Lake Hut, which is near the lake. Roughly 700 visitors are coming by every year, so you might be lucky to have the mountain area surrounding the lake all for yourself.

Waipu Caves

All up north, roughly 2 hours away from Auckland you can find the Waipu Caves. These caves are a bit hidden, but they offer so much in return. Inside the rugged mountain, you will find thousands of fireflies, that illuminate the dark labyrinth that lies in front of you.

Mermaid Pool

If you are looking for a diving experience, you don’t need to go to the harbor of Tutukaka or the Poor Knights Islands. Just a short drive north from Tutukaka is the Matapuri Bay with its unique Mermaid Pool. Especially at low tide, this natural pool is a one in million spots.

Aorangi Forest Parc

Everybody knows the Shire from Lord of the Rings, but if you want to see something purely breathtaking, you need to see the “Path of the dead”. It can be seen in the Putangirua Pinnacles just 110 km from Wellington. This unique mountain formation is a must-see for all fans of the franchise and everybody who loves a good hike. Besides that, you will definitely find peace and tranquility in this unique national park.

Dunedin

If you are simply sending a picture of this to friends and family, they will guess that you are somewhere in Europe. It is simply because Dunedin is home to the only castle in New Zealand. It is the Larnach Castle, which looks like it has fallen out of time. You will be surprised by the details and craftsmanship that this building has to offer.

Stewart Island

This small island lies 30 km south of the South Island and is inhabited by only 400 people. Locals call it Rakiura, which means “Land of the Glowing Sky”. This tropical island is definitely worth a visit because you can see the northern lights above the horizon in the south. In the daytime, you can hike through the thick forests and will stumble upon rare birds and might even see a kiwi.

New Zealand has a lot to offer. These places are hidden treasures for now, but maybe sometime soon, they will be in every travel guide.