We vouch for the fact that you haven’t visited all 10 of these Kiwi Gems, which range from virgin forest to freshwater lakes, undiscovered beaches, and remote islands.
1. Ulva Island, Southland
At Paterson Inlet, off Stewart Island’s northeastern coast, sits Ulva Island, a 266-hectare island sanctuary.
Ulva Island, or Te Wharawhara in Mori, is accessible through a short boat ride from Halfmoon Bay or Golden Bay. It is a DOC-managed open sanctuary that, as one might think, is replete with native wildlife.
Enjoy a musical stroll down one of the island’s paths, which range from hours-long treks into the rainforest to quick trips along the shore, where you may frequently see fur seals, sea lions, and yellow-eyed penguins.
2. Oparara Arches, West Coast
Discover the Oparara Arches in Kahurangi National Park by meandering over a 2-kilometer (return) trail through an ancient jungle. The enormous limestone arch is accessible to people of all fitness levels and is a feature of the Oparara Basin’s Honeycomb Hill Caves Specially Protected Area.
3. Mount Stokes, Marlborough Sounds
Mount Stokes, the highest point in the Marlborough Sounds at 1203 meters, is a fantastic location to get a unique view of a beautiful environment. After ascending the trail through the forest, you will come to a subalpine habitat. Watch out for Powelliphanta, a massive carnivorous snail that can only be found in New Zealand.
4. Castlepoint, Wairarapa
A crowning achievement of the Castlepoint Scenic Reserve, the Castlepoint lighthouse is an absolute work of beauty. Castlepoint, in the Wairarapa region, is a popular location for New Zealand fur seals, dolphin, and occasionally even tiny whales. It is 90 minutes by car from the town of Martinborough.
5. Boundary Stream, Hawke’s Bay
The “mainland island” of Boundary Stream is home to Hawke’s Bay’s tallest waterfall as well as unusual wildlife, intriguing geology, and fauna.
The Boundary Stream birdlife is thriving today thanks to the predators that were eradicated when the conservation area in northern Hawke’s Bay was first formed in 1996 to restore the natural habitat of many threatened native species.
Boundary Stream is also home to the spectacular Shine Falls, the tallest in Hawke’s Bay at 58 meters, as well as a colossal mata tree that is 800 years old.
Many strolls for the whole family wind through the local woodland, or for a longer journey, try the three-hour loop to Bell Rock’s remarkable limestone outcrops.
6. Stewart Island, Southland
Stewart Island, the third island in New Zealand’s main chain, is lonely, stunning, and frequently disregarded by tourists. One of the greatest sites to see kiwi in the wild is Stewart Island, which is home to the Rakiura Trail, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. It also has stunning night skies, for which the International Dark Sky Association granted it the title of International Dark Sky Sanctuary (IDA).
7. Putangirua Pinnacles, Wairarapa
In the lower North Island, in the Wairarapa district, are the strange landforms known as the Putangirua Pinnacles. You can either continue to the lookout for breathtaking views of Lake Onoke and Cape Palliser or take the short, simple walk that follows a streambed to the base of these wonders.
8. Marokopa Falls, Waikato
Enjoy the scenery at one of New Zealand’s most stunning waterfalls. A few miles from the well-known Waitomo Caves in the Tawarau Forest are Marokopa Waterfall.
9. Kai Iwi Lakes, Northland
Summer camping at Northland’s Kai Iwi Lakes is a quintessential Kiwi experience.
The three lakes at Kai Iwi, Taharoa, Waikere, and Lake Kai Iwi, are some of New Zealand’s biggest dune lakes and were created by the buildup of precipitation in the fine white sand. They are located just north of Dargaville.
The deepest dune lakes in the nation are Lakes Taharoa and Waikere, which can reach depths of up to 37 meters. Yet, the Kai Iwi Lakes’ warm, shallow borders make them perfect for kayaking, water sports, and kid-friendly activities.
With a wealth of freshwater mussels, kōura, and rainbow trout, they are also excellent for fishing and foraging.
10. Cape Brett, Northland
The Cape Brett Trail is a challenging overnight trip in New Zealand that rewards hikers with breathtaking coastal vistas. The bookable hut is an excellent place to stay the night before returning the following day on the 16 km (one-way) hike through the native bush.
