CATALYST PLANET - 7 Whimsical Outdoor Adventures Sure to Pique Your Interest in New Zealand

With its picturesque landscapes, New Zealand appeals to many kinds of travelers from nature lovers to film buffs. The Maori are the Indigenous Polynesian population of New Zealand who arrived on the islands in the early 1300s. Maori culture is an integral part of New Zealand’s history, and though they make up only 14% of the total population, they are the country’s second largest ethnic group and are a big part of New Zealand’s identity.

While visiting New Zealand, it is likely that you will see a performance of the Haka, which is a traditional, fierce display of pride, strength and unity that originally started as a war dance. Now it is a way for communities to come together and serves as a symbol for unity and strength, and is performed at sports matches, weddings, funerals and during events where a display of respect and solidarity is needed. In Maori culture, humans and the Earth share a special spiritual bond and people have a duty to be kaitiaki (guardians) of the land. Due to the importance of preserving the Earth, visitors to the islands are asked to make the Tiaki Promise, which is a commitment to protecting and caring for New Zealand.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The glowworms hanging from the ceilings of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves give one the feeling of entering an alien world found only in sci-fi films. The bioluminescent glowworms are the larvae of a fungus gnat found exclusively in New Zealand, but don’t let that keep you away. The 30-million-year-old limestone caves, named after the Maori words for water (wai) and hole (tomo), offer a truly unique experience. The glowworms tether themselves to the ceiling by spinning a silk nest and fish for food by casting down a long silk thread into the waters below. Book a boat ride through the Waitomo Caves, which will leave you spellbound by the blue-green glow that mimics stars in the night sky.

Devil’s Bath, a lime green geothermal pool, is one of the most spectacular thermal pools in Wai-O-Tapu. John Englart. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

New Zealand’s volcanic history contributed to the formation of the island’s many geothermal pools, many of which are found in Wai-O-Tapu, which is Maori for sacred waters. Dubbed New Zealand’s most colorful geothermal attraction, the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland features naturally colorful springs, bubbling mud, geysers and steaming craters. Among its most impressive geothermal pools are the Champagne Pool, the Artist’s Palette, the Devil’s Ink Pots and the aptly named Devil’s Bath. The fluorescent green Devil’s Bath owes its brilliant hue to sulfur and ferrous salts that mix with the minerals from the Champagne Pool runoff. The Champagne Pool’s bright orange ledge is made from a combination of gold, silver, sulfur, arsenic and mercury that is deposited on the edges of the spring. Visitors can go on a self-guided tour of the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.

Nelson Lakes National Park

Along the northernmost part of the Southern Alps is the Nelson Lakes National Park, which is home to glacial lakes, forests and rugged hiking areas. According to Maori mythology, two of the park’s largest lakes, Lake Rotoroa and Lake Rotoiti, were formed when the great chief ancestor, Rākaihautū, dug holes in the ground as he explored the area’s mountainsides. The boomerang-shaped Blue Lake is the world’s clearest freshwater lake, with a visibility of approximately 230 to 260 feet. From afar, Blue Lake appears bright blue and green due to the algae and plant life at the bottom of the lakebed, but its waters are nothing short of crystal clear. Blue Lake is regarded as tapu (sacred) by the Maori and was traditionally used in ceremonies to release spirits of the dead for their journey to Hawaiki, the Maori spiritual homeland. Due to its sanctity, people are not allowed to swim in the lake.

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve

Birders who are interested in visiting New Zealand should think about visiting the bird sanctuary on Kapiti Island. The Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is one of New Zealand’s oldest nature reserves and functions as a bird sanctuary and recovery center for over 100 species of birds, including rare and endangered species like the red-crowned parakeet), the North Island saddleback and the little spotted kiwi, which is currently extinct on New Zealand’s mainland. On the boat ride to Kapiti Island, little blue penguins and fluttering shearwaters dip and dive along the way. Visitors should keep in mind that the bird sanctuary allows only 68 people at a time, and that reservations must be made through Kapiti Island Nature Tours or Kapiti Island Eco Experience.

Hobbiton

Hobbiton is a must-see for “Lord of the Rings” enthusiasts, but you don’t have to be a Tolkien fan to enjoy the fictional Middle Earth village nestled in the Shire. The rolling green hills of Matamata became the perfect location to film scenes in the Shire, and after the Hobbit trilogy, the set was made out of permanent materials in order for visitors to get as close as possible to becoming residents of Hobbiton. In order to visit Hobbiton you have to book a guided tour, and although it can get crowded, the charming village with its pastoral landscape and beautiful flowers is worth a visit.

Kaitoke Regional Park

Kaitoke Regional Park is home to an ancient rainforest and crystal-clear waters. The ancient rata and rimu trees—native to New Zealand—tower over the forest floor, babbling brooks, and the Hutt and Pakuratahi rivers, creating a tranquil place for kayakers, campers and hikers. The park was also the filming location for Rivendell, the home of the elves, and the Fords of Isen in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Bird-watchers who are looking to sight rare birds on their New Zealand trip can look to Kaitoke Regional Park for birds like the yellow-crowned parakeet or the kaka parrot.

Teapot Land

Although Teapot Land is not naturally occurring, its “Alice in Wonderland”-esque charm makes it a fun attraction for visitors looking to explore outside of nature. The unusual collection is made up of over 1,200 quirky teapots, some of which look like vegetables, cows, chickens, washing machines, sewing machines and even one depicting a person enjoying a bubble bath. The owner, Graham Renwick, started the collection 14 years ago and changes the theme each season. Teapot Land is free to visit though donations are accepted to maintain the teapot “garden.”