My favourite places in New Zealand

All along my way through both islands I asked the people about their favourite places in New Zealand and I got plenty of great recommendations. At the end I had a map covered with all the special spots, most of them I visited and some I had to skip. During my last weeks in Down Under, it was my turn to answer the question about the places that became my favourite ones. And of course I want to share them with you!

North Island

Auckland – Mount Eden
Doubtless Bay – a spot above the beach with a great view of the bay
Far North – Cape Reinga and the giant sand dunes
Bay of Islands – Matauri Bay and Abbey Caves
Waitakere Ranges – Karekare Beach
Matamata – Hobbiton
Coromandel – Sandy Bay and Cathedral Cove
Paeroa – Karangahake Gorge
Bay of Plenty – Mount Maunganui
Rotorua – Maorivillage on the lakeside, the Waikete Valley Campground and the Waiotapu Volcanic Wonderland
Taupo – the hidden Maori statue and the free hotpool in the park
Turangi – Tongariro Crossing
Napier – the Art Deco city center and Cape Kidnappers
Wellington – Mount Victoria and WETA Caves

South Island

Marlborough Sounds – Aussie Bay Campsite (dolphins)
Nelson area – Abel Tasman National Park, Te Waikoropupū Springs and Wharariki Beach
West coast – Hokitika Gorge, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
Arthurs Pass
Christchurch area – Botanic Garden, Castle Hill, the Cave Stream and Akaroa
Southern Alps – Mount Sunday, Hooker Valley Walk and Muller Hut Track
Oamaru – Steampunk HQ, Steampunk Quarter and Marine Parade
Dunedin – the Cadbury Factory Tour, the Settlers Museum and Tunnel Beach
Catlins – Nugget Point, the petrified forest and the Lost Gypsy Gallery (Papatowai)
The very South – Bluff, Slope Point and Clifden Caves
Road to Milford – Key Summit Walk and Cascade Creek Campground
Mavora Lakes Track
Central Otago – Poolburn Reservoir and Saint Bathans
Queenstown – Remarkables, Paradise and the Greenstone and Caples Track
Wanaka – the willow tree, Isthmus Peak and Alberttown Campground