North Island
1. Cape Kidnappers (North Island)
Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers – Hawkes Bay Region, New Zealand [ Photo by Kent3ed / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]
Cape Kidnappers is a headland at the southeastern extremity of Hawke Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located 20 kilometres southeast of the city of Napier (see map). The promontory sits at the end of an eight kilometre long peninsula which protrudes into the Pacific Ocean. It was named after an attempt by local Māori to abduct the servant of a member of Captain Cook's crew aboard HMS Endeavour, during a landfall at the cape on 15 October 1769. The crew member was Tiata, a Tahitian accompanying Cook's interpreter Tupaia. Cook's journal states that Tiata was in the water near Endeavour when a Māori fishing boat pulled alongside and dragged him aboard. Sailors from Endeavour′s deck immediately opened fire on the fishing boat, killing two Māori and wounding a third. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)2. Cape Reinga (North Island)
Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Far North, Northland, North Island, New Zealand [ Photo by Richard Gallagher / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Cape Reinga (Te Reinga or Te Rerenga Wairua in Māori) is the northwesternmost tip of the Aupouri Peninsula, at the northern end of the North Island of New Zealand. Cape Reinga is located over 100 km north of the nearest small town of Kaitaia. State Highway 1 extends all the way to the Cape, but until 2010 was unsealed gravel road for the last 19km. Suitable vehicles can also travel much of the way via Ninety Mile Beach and Te Paki stream bed. Work has also started on sealing the road to the Cape, one of the last stretches of State Highway 1 which is still a gravel road, and unsuited to the increasing tourism demands. The work will take about three years and include extensive roadside revegetation with over 150,000 plants to prevent erosion. In March 2009, the works on the visitor facilities were completed. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)3. Egmont National Park (North Island)
Egmont National Park [ Photo by Felipe Skroski / CC BY 2.0 ]Egmont National Park is located south of New Plymouth, close to the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named for the mountain which dominates its environs, which itself was named by Captain Cook after John Perceval, 2nd Earl of Egmont, the First Lord of the Admiralty who promoted Cook's first voyage. Taranaki has been the Māori name for the mountain for many centuries, and the mountain itself now has two alternative official names, "Mount Taranaki" and "Mount Egmont". The park, established in 1900, is dominated by the dormant volcano of Mount Taranaki. The park receives massive annual precipitation which is essentially orographic in origin as moist westerlies moving inland from the Tasman hit Mount Taranaki and the adjacent Pouakai and Kaitake ranges and are thus forced to rise. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)4. Huka Falls (North Island)
Huka Falls, on the Waikato River near Taupo, New Zealand. [ Photo by Avenue / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]A few hundred metres upstream from the Huka Falls, the Waikato River narrows from roughly 100 metres across into a narrow canyon only 15 metres across. The canyon is carved into lake floor sediments laid down before Taupo's Oruanui eruption 26,500 years ago. At the top of the falls is a set of small waterfalls dropping over about 8 metres. The most impressive, final stage of the falls (pictured here) is an 11 metre drop. The drop is technically six metres (cliff beneath the water) but the water flow raises the level to 11m. The falls are a popular tourist attraction, being close to Taupo and readily accessible from State Highway One, although there are much higher waterfalls to be seen in the country. Hukafalls Jet takes tourists within a few meters of the base of the falls in their jetboats. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)5. Lake Rotorua (North Island)
Lake Rotorua from Mount Ngongotaha. [ Photo by Avenue / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Lake Rotorua is the second largest lake in the North Island of New Zealand by surface area, and covers 79.8km2. With a mean depth of only 10 metres it is considerably smaller than nearby Lake Tarawera in terms of volume of water. It is located in the Bay of Plenty region. The city of Rotorua is sited on its southern shore, and the town of Ngongotaha is at the western edge of the lake. The lake was formed from the crater of a large volcano in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Its last major eruption was about 240,000 years ago. After the eruption, the magma chamber underneath the volcano collapsed. The circular depression left behind is the Rotorua Caldera, which is the site of the lake. Several other lakes of volcanic origin are located nearby to the east, around the base of the active volcano Mount Tarawera. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)6. Lake Taupo (North Island)
View of Lake Taupo, New Zealand [ Photo by Bo-deh / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]Lake Taupo is a lake situated in the North Island of New Zealand. With a surface area of 616 square kilometres (238 sq mi), it is the largest lake by surface area in New Zealand, and the second largest freshwater lake by surface area in geopolitical Oceania after Lake Murray (Papua New Guinea). Lake Taupo has a perimeter of approximately 193 kilometres, a deepest point of 186 metres. It is drained by the Waikato River (New Zealand's longest river), while its main tributaries are the Waitahanui River, the Tongariro River, and the Tauranga Taupo River. It is a noted trout fishery with stocks of introduced brown trout and rainbow trout. Lake Taupo lies in a caldera created by a supervolcanic eruption which occurred approximately 26,500 years ago. According to geological records, the volcano has erupted 28 times in the last 27,000 years. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)7. Mount Taranaki (North Island)
Mount Taranaki [ Photo by Kumara (Volker Koenigschulte) / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Mount Taranaki, or Mount Egmont, is an active but quiescent stratovolcano in the Taranaki region on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. Although the mountain is more commonly referred to as Taranaki, it has two official names under the alternative names policy of the New Zealand Geographic Board. The 2518-metre-high mountain is one of the most symmetrical volcanic cones in the world. There is a secondary cone, Fanthams Peak (1966 m), on the south side. Because of its resemblance to Mount Fuji, Taranaki provided the backdrop for the movie The Last Samurai. Taranaki is geologically young, having commenced activity approximately 135,000 years ago. The most recent volcanic activity was the production of a lava dome in the crater and its collapse down the side of the mountain in the 1850s or 1860s. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)8. Ninety Mile Beach (North Island)
Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand [ Photo by benedict.adam / CC BY 2.0 ]Ninety Mile Beach is a beach located on the western coast of the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It stretches from just west of Kaitaia towards Cape Reinga along the Aupouri Peninsula. It begins close to the headland of Reef Point, to the west of Ahipara Bay, sweeping briefly northeast before turning northwest for the majority of its length. It ends at Scott Point, five km south of Cape Maria van Diemen. The name Ninety Mile Beach is a misnomer because it is actually 55 miles (88 Kilometers) long. Several theories have been advanced for the name, the most common stemming from the days when missionaries travelled on horse back when on average a horse could travel 30 miles (48 km) in a day before needing to be rested. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)9. Poor Knights Islands (North Island)
Photograph of two clown nudibranch. In this photo you can observe one of the nudibranchs with its lungs unfurled, and the other with its lungs retracted. [ Photo by Jon Radoff / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The Poor Knights Islands are a group of islands off the east coast of the Northland Region of the North Island of New Zealand. They are located 50 kilometres (31 mi) to the northeast of Whangarei, and lie 22 kilometres (14 mi) offshore half way between Bream Head and Cape Brett. Uninhabited since the 1820s, they are a nature reserve and popular underwater diving spot. The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve surrounds the island. The chain consists of two large islands (Tawhiti Rahi, the larger at 151.5 ha (374 acres), and Aorangi (101 ha (250 acres))) with a group of smaller islets between the two, the largest of which is Motu Kapiti. Tawhiti Rahi is also the Māori name for the entire chain, which has a total area of 271 ha (670 acres). The islands are the eroded remnants of a 4 million year old rhyolitic volcano. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)10. Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu (North Island)
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu has gained a measure of fame as it is the longest place-name found in any English-speaking country. [ Photo by Matthew Grosso / public domain ]Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is the Māori name for a hill, 305 metres (1,001 ft) high, close to Porangahau, south of Waipukurau in southern Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The name is often shortened to Taumata by the locals for ease of conversation. The New Zealand Geographic Placenames Database, maintained by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), records the name as "Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu". It has gained a measure of fame as it is the longest place-name found in any English-speaking country. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)11. Tongariro National Park (North Island)
Mahuia River, Tongariro National Park [ Photo by James Shook / CC BY 2.5 ]Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the central North Island. It has been acknowledged by UNESCO as one of the 25 mixed cultural and natural World Heritage Sites. Within the park borders, the only settlements are the tourism-based village at Whakapapa Village which consists solely of ski accommodation. Two Maori kainga (settlements) Papakai and Otukou are not part of the park but lie on the shores of Lake Rotoaira between the Pihanga Scenic Reserve and the main park area. There are a number of Māori religious sites within the park and the summits of Tongariro, including Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, are tapu (sacred). The park includes many towns around its boundary including Ohakune, Waiouru, Horopito, Pokaka, Erua, National Park Village, Whakapapa skifield and Turangi. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)12. Waipoua Forest (North Island)
Tane Mahuta, "God of the Forest", largest living Kauri tree in New Zealand. Waipoua Forest, Northland, New Zealand. [ Photo by gadfium / public domain ]Waipoua Forest preserves some of the best examples of kauri forest remaining in New Zealand. It is notable for having two of the largest living kauri trees, Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere. The forest was declared a sanctuary in 1952. A community based volunteer organization, the Waipoua Forest Trust, helps maintain the forest. The two leaders launched the "Family of Ancient Trees" project to raise mutual awareness and encourage eco-tourism. The agreement followed a series of visits and talks between members of the trust and other concerned New Zealand groups and their opposite numbers in Japan. In May 2009 the trust was one of the sponsors of the Waipoua Forest run, in which many Japanese visitors participated. The Waipoua Forest is located on the west coast of the Northland Region and is associated with the neighbouring Waima and Mataraua Forests. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)13. Whanganui National Park (North Island)
The picture shows the Whanganui River on the North Island of New Zealand [ Photo by James Shook / CC BY 2.5 ]The Whanganui National Park is a national park located in the North Island of New Zealand. Established in 1986, it covers an area of 742 km² bordering the Whanganui River. It incorporates areas of Crown land, former state forest and a number of former reserves. The river itself is not technically part of the park. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)14. White Island (North Island)
Aerial photograph of White Island (Whakaari) in the Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand [ Photo by James Shook / CC BY 2.5 ]Whakaari/White Island is an active andesite stratovolcano, situated 48 km (30 mi) from the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, in the Bay of Plenty. The nearest mainland towns are Whakatane and Tauranga. The island is roughly circular, about 2 km (1.2 mi) in diameter, and rises to a height of 321 m (1,053 ft) above sea level. However this is only the peak of a much larger submarine mountain, which rises up to 1,600 m (5,249 ft) above the nearby seafloor. Sulphur mining was attempted but was abandoned in 1914 after a lahar killed all 10 workers. The main activities on the island now are guided tours and scientific research. Whakaari's eruptions have produced both lava flows and explosive eruptions of ash. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)South Island
15. Abel Tasman National Park (South Island)
near Totaranui, Abel Tasman National Park, NZ. [ Photo by Steffen Hillebrand / CC BY-SA 2.5 ]Abel Tasman National Park is a national park located at the north end of the South Island of New Zealand. The park was founded in 1942, largely through the efforts of ornithologist and author Perrine Moncrieff to have land reserved for the purpose. With a coverage of only 225.3 square kilometres, is the smallest of New Zealand's national parks. The park consists of forested, hilly country to the north of the valleys of the Takaka and Riwaka Rivers, and is bounded to the north by the waters of Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. It is named after Abel Tasman, who in 1642 became the first European explorer to sight New Zealand. Abel Tasman National Park does not extend beyond Mean High Water Mark on the adjacent coast. Between Mean High Water and Mean Low Water Springs, the beaches are gazetted as a Scenic Reserve, covering 7.74 km² in total (about 70 km long). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)16. Arthur's Pass National Park (South Island)
Arthur's Pass Village, South Island, New Zealand. [ Photo by Dschwen / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]It was established in 1929, becoming the first national park in the South Island and the third in New Zealand. It is bisected by State Highway 73. The road passes through Arthur's Pass village and the mountain pass with the same name over the Southern Alps at a height of 920 metres above sea level. The park is administered by the Department of Conservation and operate a depot, administration and information centre in Arthur's Pass village. The park is very distinctly split by the main divide of the South Island. The eastern side is typically drier and consists of beech forest and wide riverbeds, while the western side contains dense rainforest. Much of the geography was formed by ancient glacial action, forming flat bottomed U shaped valleys. In the middle is a high range, consisting of large snow covered peaks and scree slopes. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)17. Banks Peninsula (South Island)
Sheep on the Banks Peninsula Track, Canterbury, New Zealand [ Photo by Mark Chung (Mchung) / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Banks Peninsula is a peninsula of volcanic origin on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an area of approximately 1,150 square kilometres (440 sq mi) and encompasses two large harbours and many smaller bays and coves. The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is located immediately north of the peninsula. Eco-tourism based around the playful dolphins has now become a significant industry in Akaroa. Three successive phases of Māori settlement took place on the peninsula which is still known to Māori as Te Pataka o Rakaihautu (The great store house of Rakaihautu). Rakaihautu bought the Waitaha to Te Wai Pounamu (South Island New Zealand) in the waka (canoe) Uruao they were the first people to light the fires of occupation. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)18. Doubtful Sound (South Island)
Doubtful Sound in Fiordland, New Zealand on a clear day with mirror water surface in lower foreground. [ Photo by Allie_Caulfield / CC BY 2.0 ]Doubtful Sound is a very large and naturally imposing fjord (despite its name) in Fiordland, in the far south west of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible Milford Sound. It took second place after said Fiord as New Zealand's most famous tourism destination. The reasons for this are unclear, though increased tourism or the fresh-water discharge from the Manapouri Power Station (see Hydroelectricity section below) are considered potential causes. Doubtful Sound was named 'Doubtful Harbour' in 1770 by Captain Cook, who did not enter the inlet as he was uncertain whether it was navigable under sail. It was later renamed Doubtful Sound by whalers and sealers. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)19. Dusky Sound (South Island)
Dusky Sound – New Zealand – Seen from the deck of a cruising ship [ Photo by Gérard Janot / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]One of the most complex of the many fjords on this coast, it is also one of the largest, 40 kilometres in length and eight kilometres wide at its widest point. To the north of its mouth is the large Resolution Island, whose Five Fingers Peninsula shelters the mouth of the sound from the northwest; along the east coast of the island, Acheron passage connects Dusky Sound with Breaksea Sound, to the north. Several large islands lie in the sound, notably Anchor Island, Long Island, and Cooper Island. The upper reaches of the sound are steep-sided, and the high precipitation of the region leads to hundreds of waterfalls cascading into the sound during the rainy season. Seals and dolphins are often sighted in the sound's waters and occasionally visited by whales. The Seaforth River is the largest of many small rivers and creeks which flow into the sound. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)20. Fiordland (South Island)
Looking west from the portal of the Homer Tunnel (underneath Homer Saddle) into one of the valleys leading into Milford Sound, New Zealand. Contrast between early-winter snow white and rain-slick, dark rock. [ Photo by Ingolfson / public domain ]Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys. Indeed, the name "Fiordland" comes from a variant spelling of the Scandinavian word for this type of steep valley, "fjord". Except for electricity generation (at the Manapouri Power Station) and some agriculture, tourism is the only other major economic factor of the region. Visitor spending in Fiordland was NZ$ 92 million in 2003, and 1,017 people were employed full-time in the Fiordland tourism industry, with an additional 1,900 people considered to be employed in tourism industry support services. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)21. Franz Josef Glacier (South Island)
Aerial view of the Franz Josef Glacier, looking down its length from above the tributary Melchior Glacier. [ Photo by Avenue / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The Franz Josef (Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere in Māori) is a 12 km long glacier located in Westland National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Together with the Fox Glacier 20 km to the south, it is unique in descending from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres above sea level, amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest. The area surrounding the two glaciers is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site park. The river emerging from the glacier terminal of Franz Josef is known as the Waiho River. The first European mention of one of the western-coast glaciers, believed to be Franz Josef, was from the steam ship Mary Louisa in 1859. The glacier was later named after Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria by the German explorer, Julius von Haast in 1865. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)22. Lake Coleridge (South Island)
Lake Coleridge [ Photo by Andrew Crump / CC BY 2.0 ]Lake Coleridge is located in inland Canterbury, in New Zealand's South Island. Located 35 kilometres to the northwest of Methven, it has a surface area of 47 km². The lake is located to the north of the Rakaia River, and is the site of one of the country's earliest hydroelectric schemes, completed in 1914. The project makes use of the difference in altitude between the lake and river (the lake is 150 metres higher). Both the Harper and Wilberforce Rivers have had some of their flow diverted into the lake. In her book New Zealand Mysteries, Robyn Gosset mentions a rash of sightings during the 1970s of "Lakey" a large animal living in the lake. No reports have emerged since. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)23. Lake Hauroko (South Island)
Lake Hauroko, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand [ Photo by Emilio floris / public domain ]Lake Hauroko is located in a mountain valley in Fiordland National Park in the South Island of New Zealand. The long S-shaped lake is 30 kilometres in length and covers an area of 63 km². The surface is at an altitude of 150 metres above sea level, and the lake is 463 metres deep. It is New Zealand's deepest lake. Mystery In the 1960's a group of men went fishing and hunting near and around the lake. Two men stayed on shore and the three other went out on the lake with their dog, packs and guns. The two men on shore listened as the boat went out on the lake as there was a thick fog enclosing it, after awhile the boat cut out and the men where never heard from again. A few days later their packs, guns and the dog were found on shore unharmed and dry in the inside, even though the boat cut out in the middle of the lake and the men were never seen again. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)24. Lake Pukaki (South Island)
Lake Pukaki [ Photo by Jackhynes / public domain ]Lake Pukaki is the largest of three roughly parallel alpine lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin on New Zealand's South Island. The others are Lakes Tekapo and Ohau. All three lakes were created when the terminal moraines of receding glaciers blocked their respective valleys, forming moraine-dammed lakes. The glacial feed to the lakes gives them a distinctive blue colour, created by glacial flour, the extremely finely ground rock particles from the glaciers. Lake Pukaki covers an area of 178.7 km², and the surface elevation of the lake normally ranges from 518.2 to 532 metres above sea level. The lake is fed at its northern end by the braided Tasman River, which has its source in the Tasman and Hooker Glaciers, close to Aoraki/Mount Cook. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)25. Lake Wakatipu (South Island)
Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown. [ Photo by Gadfium / public domain ]Lake Wakatipu is an inland lake (finger lake) in the South Island of New Zealand. It is in the southwest corner of Otago Region, near its boundary with Southland. It is a popular venue for adventure tourism, with skifields, paragliding, bungy jumping and tramping tracks within easy reach. A vintage steamboat, the TSS Earnslaw regularly plies its waters. Several vineyards are nearby. With a length of 80 kilometres (50 mi), it is New Zealand's longest lake, and, at 291 km2 (112 sq mi), its third largest. It is at an altitude of 310 metres (1,020 ft), towards the southern end of the Southern Alps. The general topography is a reversed "N" shape. The Dart River flows into the northern end, the lake then runs south for 30 kilometres before turning abruptly to the east. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)26. Marlborough Sounds (South Island)
The image shows Tory Channel, a mayor arm of Queen Charlotte Sound, Marlborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand [ Photo by PhillipC / CC BY 2.0 ]The Marlborough Sounds are an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys created by a combination of land subsidence and rising sea levels at the north of the South Island of New Zealand. According to Māori mythology, the sounds are the prows of the sunken waka (canoe) of Aoraki. The steep, wooded hills and small quiet bays of the sounds are sparsely populated, as access is difficult. Many of the small settlements and isolated houses are only accessible by boat. The main large port is Picton on the mainland, at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound. It is at the northern terminus of the South Island's main railway and State Highway networks. The main small boat port is Waikawa which is one of New Zealand's largest and provides a base for leisure sailors and vacationers. The main sounds, other than Queen Charlotte Sound, are Pelorus Sound and Kenepuru Sound. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)27. Milford Sound (South Island)
Stirling Falls, Milford Sound, New Zealand. [ Photo by Greg O'Beirne / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Milford Sound (Piopiotahi in Māori) is a fjord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island, within Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey (the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor) and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World. While Fiordland as such remained one of the least-explored areas of New Zealand up to the 20th century, Milford Sound's natural beauty soon attracted national and international renown, and led to the discovery of the Mackinnon Pass in 1888, soon to become a part of the new Milford Track, an early walking tourism trail. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)28. Mount Aspiring National Park (South Island)
Mount Aspiring National Park, New Zealand [ Photo by Rosino / CC BY-SA 2.0 ]Mount Aspiring National Park is located in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand, north of Fiordland National Park, and between Otago and south Westland. The park forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. The Green Party has warned that the park is one of New Zealand's main tourism drawcards, and that mining here could do significant damage to the country's image. It was established in 1964 as New Zealand's tenth National Park. The park covers 3,555 km² at the southern end of the Southern Alps, directly to the west of Lake Wanaka, and is popular for tramping, walking and mountaineering. Mount Aspiring/Tititea (3033 m) is the mountain which gives the park its name. Other prominent peaks within the park include Mount Pollux (2542 m) and Mount Brewster (2519 m). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)29. Mount Cook (South Island)
Mount Cook in Winter with the Hooker Glacier in the foreground. [ Photo by C.M. Lynch / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching a height of 3,754 metres (12,316 ft). It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers. Aoraki / Mount Cook consists of three summits lying slightly south and east of the main divide, the Low Peak, Middle Peak and High Peak, with the Tasman Glacier to the east and the Hooker Glacier to the west. The settlement of Mount Cook Village (also known as The Hermitage) is a tourist centre and base camp for the mountain. It is 7 km from the end of the Tasman Glacier and 12 km south of Aoraki / Mount Cook's summit. Aoraki is the name of a person in the traditions of the Ngāi Tahu iwi; an early name for the South Island is Te Waka o Aoraki (Aoraki's Canoe). (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)30. Nelson Lakes National Park (South Island)
Panoramic view of Lake Rotoiti and the St. Arnaud Range [ Photo by Zoharby / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]It was formed in 1956 and covers some 1,020 km². It is centered at two large lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa. The park also includes surrounding valleys (including Travers, Sabine, and D'Urville, upper reaches of the Matakitaki) and mountain ranges (Saint Arnaud Range, Mount Robert). The park is a popular area for camping, tramping and fishing. The park is administered by the Department of Conservation who operate a Visitors Centre in Saint Arnaud that provides up to date and reliable information on all aspects of the National Park. The main access point to Nelson Lakes National Park is at Lake Rotoiti and the village of Saint Arnaud, on Highway 63, about 100 kilometres from both Nelson and Blenheim. A secondary access point is at Lake Rotoroa, turning off New Zealand State Highway 6 at Gowanbridge. Shuttle services operate between St Arnaud, Nelson, Blenheim and Picton. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)31. Oparara Basin Arches (South Island)
Moria limestone Arch, over the Oparara River, West Coast, South Island [ Photo by Ancientnz / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The Oparara Basin Arches are a number of natural limestone tunnels formed by the Oparara River in New Zealand. The two most famous ones are the 'Oparara Arch', large enough for a multi-storey house, and the 'Moria Gate Arch', smaller in height, but also an impressive, beautiful place (various other places in the area also have The Lord of the Rings-inspired names). The arches can be reached by a forestry road from the main road approximately 9 km north of Karamea. The 12 km road is rough but can be accessed by normal cars most of the year. From the carpark, walks of around an hour return each are required to reach the arches. There is also a mountain bike track and a mountain lake in the area. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)32. Paparoa National Park (South Island)
Looking south from the pancake rocks [ Photo by Alan Liefting / public domain ]It was established in 1987 and encompasses 306 km². The park ranges from on or near the coastline to the peak of the Paparoa Ranges. A separate section of the park is to the north and is centered at Ananui Creek. The park protects a limestone karst area. The park contains several caves, one of which is a commercial tourist attraction. The majority of the park is forested with a wide variety of vegetation. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)33. Rakiura National Park (South Island)
Southeast of, and near to, Port William Hut on the Rakiura Track, Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island, New Zealand. [ Photo by Ingolfson / public domain ]Rakiura National Park is a nature reserve park located on Stewart Island/Rakiura, New Zealand. It is the 14th of New Zealand's national parks and was officially opened on March 9, 2002. It covers 1,570 km², which is about 85% of Stewart Island, New Zealand's third-largest island. The park area excludes the township area around Halfmoon Bay (Oban) and some roads as well as private or Maori-owned land further inland. It is made up of a network of former nature reserves, scenic reserves, and State Forest areas. The popular Rakiura Track is within the national park. Many native birds can be found within in the park, and Rakiura offers perhaps the best opportunity anywhere in New Zealand for viewing kiwi in the wild. This is in part due to the absence of stoats and ferrets. Certain coastal areas of this Park are breeding areas for the endangered Yellow-eyed Penguin. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)34. Southern Alps (South Island)
Southern Alps, New Zealand, Looking South, Evans Straight, Hari Hari, South Westland. [ Photo by Remember / public domain ]The Southern Alps is a mountain range which runs along the western side of the South Island of New Zealand. It forms a natural dividing range along the entire length of the South Island. The term "Southern Alps" generally refers to the entire range, although separate names are given to many of the smaller ranges that form part of it. The range is often known in New Zealand as the Main Divide, as it effectively separates the more heavily populated eastern side of the island from the west coast. Politically, the peaks of the Southern Alps form the boundary of the Canterbury and West Coast Regions. The Southern Alps run 450 km north to south. The tallest peak is Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest point in New Zealand at 3,754 metres (12,316 ft) and there are 16 other points in the range that exceed 3,000 metres in height. (based on a wikipediaarticle / cc by-sa)35. Sutherland Falls (South Island)
track between Quintin Lodge and Sutherland falls on the Milford Track [ Photo by Evan Hunter / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]Sutherland Falls is a waterfall near Milford Sound in New Zealand's South Island. At 580 metres (1,904 feet) the falls were long believed to be the tallest waterfall in New Zealand. However, Browne Falls cascades 843 metres (2,766 feet) down a mountainside in Doubtful Sound, leading some to view that as the tallest. (based on awikipedia article / cc by-sa)36. Tasman Glacier (South Island)
Aerial view of the upper half of the Tasman Glacier, in New Zealand's Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The plane's wing is visible in the upper right corner. [ Photo by Avenue / CC BY-SA 3.0 ]The Tasman Glacier is the largest of several glaciers which flow south and east towards the Mackenzie Basin from the Southern Alps in New Zealand's South Island. At 27 kilometres in length, it is New Zealand's longest glacier. At 27 kilometres in length, the Tasman Glacier is New Zealand's longest glacier. It is as much as 4 kilometres wide and 600 metres deep, and lies entirely within the borders of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The glacier covers an area of 101 square kilometres and starts at a height of 3000 metres above sea level. Snowfall during the winter and spring seasons accumulates to 50 metres. After the summer melt, 7 metres remains. The Tasman flows south from the southern slopes of the Minarets peak, along the eastern flank of Aoraki/Mount Cook, the peak of which is only five km from the glacier. (based on a wikipedia article / cc by-sa)
No comments:
Post a Comment