Top 10 Reasons To Visit New Zealand - Fun for Everyone!
Ranked #2,548 in Travel & Places, #85,288 overall | Donates to BuckHawk Center Animal Rescue
Are You Ready For Some New Zealand Fun?
We have been living here for nearly 8 years now. Our motivations for immigrating to New Zealand were varied, not the least of which was a "freer" place to raise the kids, and that we found. In some ways, New Zealand is exactly as we expected. In other ways, it is completely different. Yesterday, I was challenged to write the top reasons that everyone should spend time in New Zealand. I have only 48 hours to complete the challenge and it got me thinking. First off, do I agree with the statement. The answer is an emphatic "yes." But once again, the reasons for coming to New Zealand would be different for everyone.
So, taking a light-hearted look at the question, I have chosen to answer it for 10 different groups, rather than offering 10 all-encompassing justifications. Bear in mind that I only fit into a few of these categories so I have taken many writers liberties. Kiwis, tread lightly in the comments section please, and remember this is the world only from my point of view. So, please grab a cuppa and join me for some New Zealand fun.
(photo by Rhonda Albom, copyrighted and protected)
Have You Been to New Zealand?
Where is New Zealand?
Ask Nature Lovers Or Trampers About New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about
*Waterfalls
*Caves
*Rainforests
*Mountains
*Lakes
If You Can't See These Live, See Them Through My Eyes
New Zealand Scenery Makes for Great Posters
Rainforest of New Zealand
Photo and Poster by Rhonda Albom (copyrighted and protected)
Swamp Forest in New Zealand
Photo and Poster by Rhonda Albom (copyrighted and protected)
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Photo and Poster by Rhonda Albom (copyrighted and protected)
Purakaunui Falls, New Zealand
Photo and Poster by Rhonda Albom (copyrighted and protected)
Lonely Planet Tramping in New Zealand
By Jim DuFresne
Lonely Planet Tramping in New Zealand (Walking)
Amazon Price: $13.42 (as of 06/03/2012)
List Price: $21.99
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ask Geologists About New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about:
*Glaciers
*Geysers
*Bubbling mud
*Fiords
*Sink holes
In Oct. 2010 We Took A Helicoptor and Landed on Fox Glacier
I took this shot of the bubbling mud at Rotorua in Oct. 2010. The area is thick with geothermal activity.
Ask "Typical Tourists" About New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about:
*TePapa (the national museum)
*The Antarctic Centre
*Napier (The Art Deco town)
*Maori cultural events
This Lonely Planet New Zealand Guide Is My Favorite Tour Book for New Zealand
By Charles Rawlings-Way
Lonely Planet New Zealand (Country Travel Guide)
Amazon Price: $16.92 (as of 06/03/2012)
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Ask Adventure Seekers About New Zealand Fun
The might tell you about
*Bungee Jumping
*Zorb
*Tree Adventures
*Jumping off the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere
The Auckland Skytower is the Tallest Tower in the Southern Hemisphere
(photo by Rhonda Albom, copyrighted and protected)
If you look towards the top of the tower, you can see the platform where brave visitors can "jump" 192m (630 ft) reaching speeds of 83km per hour. Believe it or not, this activity was voted by Lonley Planet as 'One of the best things to throw yourself off'. Not for everyone, but this section is for the adventure seeker.
Should I take the leap? Check out: I Want to Jump from the Auckland Skytower and let me know what you think.
If you are especially interested in tall structures, don't miss: Burj Khalifa - the World's Tallest Structure
Invented in NZ, Zorb is the sport of rolling down the hill in an inflatable globe. In 2003 we did "kiddie Zorb"
The first ever commercial bungy jump was off the Kawarau bridge - we haven't braved it yet, but we have watched (photo from 2007
More Information on These Adventure Activities (and a few others)
Visit the Official Web Pages
- SkyJump
- SkyJump, a cable controlled base jump, is a world first adventure activity at Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. Experience the thrill of movie stunt falling.
- ZORB.com -
- The home of ZORB globe riding
- AJ Hackett Bungy
- AJ Hackett Queenstown, New Zealand. Bungy jumping with the original bungy operator in Queenstown, New Zealand - the adventure capital of the world.
- Waitomo Black Water Rafting
- Experience the thrill of Black Water Rafting (or cave tubing) in New Zealand. Underground adventures with The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.
- Shotover JetShotover Jet - Queenstown, NZ
- 'The World's Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride' and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons
Ask Sailors or Fishermen about New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about
NZ's 15,134 km of coastline
Sailing on the Hauraki Gulf is One of my Favorite Things to Do in New Zealand
(photo by Rhonda Albom, copyrighted and protected)
Have an Adventure on Board One of the America's Cup Yachts
(photo by Rhonda Albom, copyrighted and protected)
New Zealand won two consecutive America's Cup, in both 1995 and in 2000, and as a result The America's Cup was raced in Auckland in 2000 and 2003. SailNZ offers daily opportunity to ride on or match race on actual America's Cup yachts on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour. I haven't done it yet, but we often see them out when we are sailing. Although the photo was actually taken during actual practice for the Valencia race. Not the sunniest of days sailing, but one of our more exciting ones.
Who Better than Dennis Conner to Write this Book
The America's Cup: The History of Sailing's Greatest Competition in the Twentieth Century
The America's Cup: The History of Sailing's Greatest Competition in the Twentieth Century
Amazon Price: $126.81 (as of 06/03/2012)
List Price: $29.95
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Ask a Skier or Snowboarder About New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about:
*Skiing on an active volcano
*The Southern Alps
Sarah Skiing on Mt. Ruapehu - An Active Volcano that last Erupted 25 Sept, 2007
We Can Normally Be Found on the Southern Alps During the New Zealand Winter
Ask Animal Lovers About New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about;
*Sheep
*Albatross
*Whales
Or, about some of the endemic and endangered animals:
*Penguins
*Tuatara
*Kiwi birds
*Hector's Dolpins
New Zealand Has More Sheep Than People
And a facinating bird population
New Zealand is also home to the smallest and one of the rarest dolphins - the Hector Dolphin. He can be swimming on many areas of the South Island, but I have not had the pleasure of seeing one yet. On the occasions when the dolphins have swam along while we sailed, I was too busy enjoying them to get a camera.
A rare Fiordland Crested Penguin in the bush (I waited about 2 hours to get this shot)
A New Zealand Souvenir for the Animal Lover
Live From New Zealand
Original Photos and design by Rhonda Albom
(copyrighted and protected)
Ask Movie Aficionados About New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about
*Lord of the Rings
*Whale Rider
*The Weta Cave
Whale Rider
Filmed in New Zealand
One of the most charming and critically acclaimed films of 2003, the New Zealand hit Whale Rider effectively combines Maori tribal tradition with the timely "girl power" of a vibrant new millennium.
Whale Rider (Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $4.20 (as of 06/03/2012)
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Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Directed by New Zealand's Peter Jackson
Ask Wine or Beer Connoisseurs about New Zealand Fun
They might tell you about
*Wine Country
*Steinlager or Lion Red
*Breweries run by beautiful women
We Have Visited Several New Zealand Wineries
The tasting at Rippon Vineyard in Wanaka was my favorite
Lake Wanaka as Seen From Rippon Vineyard
Original Photo by Rhonda Albom (copyrighted and protected)
If You Only Take One Wine Guide to New Zealand, This Is It
Wine Atlas of New Zealand by Micheal Cooper
Michael Cooper's WINE ATLAS OF NEW ZEALAND is the first wine atlas dedicated just to New Zealand - a nation becoming known world-wide for its high quality wines. Michael Cooper has over 25 years experience researching and writing on his subject and is the perfect professional choice for producing a guide which reviews the nation's climate, soils, ten wine-making regions, and nearly 300 wine companies.
Wine Atlas of New Zealand: 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $45.83 (as of 06/03/2012)
List Price: $50.00
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
And If It Is Beer You Are After . . .
You will have plenty of selection in NZ
Ask Children About New Zealand Fun
And they are sure to tell you:
*Kids go barefoot nearly everywhere
*Best ice cream in the world
*You are never far from the sea
*Kids can be kids
Which Would Be Your Top Reason to Visit New Zealand?
An Added Bonus - You Won't Find Any of These In New Zealand!
*No snakes
*No hormones or antibiotics used in animals for human consumption
*No GE (outside of labs)
*No nukes (NZ is nuclear free)
*No TSA "enhanced pat downs" at the airports
There Were a Few Adjustments
Don't miss:
New Zealand Weather Varies North to South
Here is the weather in Auckland, where you will arrive in New Zealand (unless coming from Australia)
Current weather conditions in Auckland, New Zealand
Local Pollen Reports
14°C (Feels like 14°C)
Last update: 6/4/12 5:00 PM Local Time
Humidity: 88%Visibility: 10.0 km
Dew Point: 12°C
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 1022.0mm steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 11km/h From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 12°C
Sunrise: 7:27 AM
Sunset: 5:12 PM
Tuesday
Jun 5
N/A
High: 17°C
Low: 16°C
Sunrise: 7:28 AM
Sunset: 5:12 PM
Wednesday
Jun 6
Rain / Wind
High: 18°C
Low: 16°C
Sunrise: 7:29 AM
Sunset: 5:11 PM
Thursday
Jun 7
Rain
High: 15°C
Low: 13°C
Sunrise: 7:29 AM
Sunset: 5:11 PM
If You Hurry, You Can Be Having New Zealand Fun Before the Sun Sets on Another Day
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Tower graphic by God's Grace Notes
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The BuckHawk Center is a nonprofit organization providing rescue, rehabilitation and adoption where possible for animals in need, located in Southern Missouri.
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Sanet
Aug 2, 2011 @ 5:16 pm | delete
- We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful, clean country. I live in the South Island and love the fact that we can go on day trips, stop to have a picnic and we are the only people there. Enjoying the quietness with only the birds sounds breaking the silence over a lake. Great lens!
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riverrocks Mar 28, 2011 @ 6:50 am | delete
- Wonderful pictures and info. Nice lens.
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askhelen
Feb 10, 2011 @ 8:37 pm | delete
- I enjoyed your lens. New Zealand is a country that everyone should have the opportunity to visit.
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blackspanielgallery
Jan 28, 2011 @ 11:10 pm | delete
- Great photos.
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genglo
Jan 23, 2011 @ 9:54 pm | delete
- I'm returning to bless this lens. Have a great week!
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