Joanna James
Avid adventurers headed to idyllic New Zealand are in for a treat as the island country is brimming with sprawling national parks, sure to provide you with your fill of adventurous outdoor escapades. Explore the serene nature abound with scenic landscapes and fascinating wildlife for a memorable nature experience.
Basking in the glory of being the first national park in the South Island, Arthur’s Pass National Park is home to the eponymous pass, which is also the highest over the Southern Alps. Broad river beds and expansive beech forests characterise the eastern side of the national park, while wet weather is prominent in the west, where deeply gorged rivers cut through thick rainforests. Down in the main divide, snow-covered hills, glaciers, and scree slopes make a truly breathtaking sight that is bound to be one of the cherished memories of your visit.
At an extent of only 237 square kilometres, Abel Tasman National Park is the smallest national park in New Zealand. Nevertheless, don’t let its relatively small size keep you from visiting, for it offers plenty of things to do and see. Its oceanfront setting adds an idyllic charm that most other national parks in the country don’t possess; additionally, it is easy to access and gives you an array of exploration options to choose from, be it on land, water or even in the air.
For those on the fence about making the trip to the Tongariro National Park, wonder no more; your visit certainly wouldn’t be in vain. The park’s central setting features three active volcanoes, Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu and the eponymous Tongariro, and the abounding serenity makes a juxtaposition of fascinating natural wonder. Avid explorers to the park are treated to many adventurous trails for trekking, and the abundant scenic landscapes will delight nature enthusiasts just as well. You can plan an extended trip to this park (4- to 5-hour drive) while staying at one of the best hotels in Auckland, including the likes of Avani Auckland Metropolis Residences, though find a reliable tour operator that will provide a suitable itinerary.
While not a part of the park itself, the 290-kilometre-long Whanganui River is what puts the eponymous national park on the map. As a matter of fact, Whanganui National Park has been created to act as a sanctuary that protects the upper reaches of the river. Hop aboard a boat and travel down the longest navigable waterway in New Zealand, the mystical Whanganui.
Gorgeous fiords, mind-blowing waterfalls and snow-covered hills define this part of the earth, where the breathtaking scenery never fails to capture one's imagination. Fiordland National Park, nestled in the southwest of the country's South Island, well and truly deserves to be described as the epitome of scenic New Zealand nature for it is absolutely ravishing, to say the least.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
