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Walking holidays in New Zealand will guide you through some of the most fascinating and breathtaking scenery in the world. From thermal springs to winding fjords and enormous glaciers, the scenery in this southern corner of the world will astound you.

Rotura

Rotura is a beautiful area for walking holidays in New Zealand, near the city of Auckland. The area is known as a water wonderland, with 17 lakes providing endless hours of entertainment, from water-skiing to swimming to fishing. The lakes are also the hosts of international events, such as the water-skiing championships which were held there in 2007.

The area is home to an abundance of thermal rock pools too, where geysers bubble and mud-pools churn. Fascinating to walk through, the area is accompanied by an unfortunate smell of sulfur, resembling rotten eggs. This smell is particularly noticeable in the southern regions of the Government Gardens, so you may not wish to spend too much time there. However, the mud-pools further north are ideal spots for soaking weary feet when you’re walking in New Zealand.

Historically, this area is phenomenal, and it adds a fascinating element to walking holidays in New Zealand. In 1886, Mount Tarawera erupted, burying the village of Te Wairoa. Today, it is known as the Buried Village, and has become a well known tourist attraction.

Milford Sound

Some claim that Milford Sound is the most spectacular destination in the world, and perhaps they are right. The fjord in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park is a breathtaking scene, and one could quite confidently say that it is the best place in New Zealand for walking. As a testament to this are the massive 550,000 people who flock to the area each year, to experience its majestic beauty for themselves. One of the bays even has an underwater viewing tank, where black coral, which is extremely rare in shallow waters, can be seen.

This incredible fjord stretches for 15km, running all the way from the Tasman Sea. In the glistening waters you will find penguins, seals and dolphins popping their heads above the surface every now and then, and whales swimming below. On either side of the fjord, tall cliffs rise up into the sky, reaching a massive height of about 1,200m on either side. Some famous peaks you can spot along the fjord are The Elephant, which is the tallest, and Lion Mountain, which portrays the figure of a lion.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

Two of the most fascinating sights to see when on walking tours of New Zealand are the Fox and the Franz Josef Glaciers. These glaciers are exceptionally beautiful, and attract thousands of tourists to the area each year. The Franz Josef is situated in the Westland National Park, spanning along 23km of the South Island’s west coast. Lying 20km to its south is the Fox Glacier, which descends from the Southern Alps to just under 300m above sea level. Surrounding the glacier and making the setting so spectacular, you will see lush greenery and thick bushes, and the entire area has been declared a World Heritage Site.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays now offer over 250 holidays in more than 70 different countries. On a holiday walking holidays in New Zealand with Ramblers, you can walk the most scenic landscapes at the best value prices.