Mack Prioleau: Top Sites to Visit in New Zealand

When you hear “New Zealand,” one of the first images that may pop into your mind is beautiful scenery. However, New Zealand also has much to offer for the city traveler. New Zealand is considered one of the dreamiest of destinations — a place you will find once in a lifetime. Several parts of >New Zealand linger at the top of the list of must-see sites.

Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is perfect for water enthusiasts who are looking for a place in New Zealand to engage in watersports, such as sailing and fishing. This bay has a whopping 144 islands located between the Purerua Peninsula and Cape Brett and is nearly three hours away from Auckland if you are traveling by car. In addition to fishing and sailing, you can try out scuba diving through an introductory course, or you can see even swim with dolphins. Another adventurous aspect of the Bay of Islands is getting the opportunity to sail through the Hole in the Rock, which is a rock-formation opening through which you can pass if the tide is right.

Auckland

It is hard to talk about the top places to visit in New Zealand without mentioning Auckland, the country’s biggest city, according to Mack Prioleau, a passionate world traveler. This city is one of the most ideal places to start a New Zealand vacation since it is an international hub for air travel; many international flights enter the country via Auckland Airport. The city is also considered one of the top cities to visit around the globe in general. Here, you can experience culture during a visit to one of the city’s several museums, including the Auckland Art Gallery, which has over 15,000 pieces of contemporary, historic, and modern artwork. Auckland is also a perfect place to take a stroll thanks to its Auckland Domain park, which spans 185 acres. You can additionally enjoy multicultural restaurants and bars in the city’s electrifying nightlife spots.

White Island

If you love nature — and specifically, if you love volcanoes — then no trip to New Zealand would be complete without a stop by White Island. This is the nation’s most active volcano. You can get close to White Island on a helicopter, where you can enjoy a scenic ride. You can also take a stroll around White Island, but you have to wear a gas mask and a hard hat since this volcano is extremely active. You just might even see a volcanologist doing some monitoring of the volcano.

“White Island” is the volcano’s common name, although its formal name is Te Puia o Whakaari, which means “The Dramatic Volcano.” Besides strolling around the area or taking a helicopter ride to see the volcano, you can also take a boat there or even scuba dive around it to check out its underwater vents. Whether you wish to experience the spectacular nature of New Zealand or you prefer to stay in the city limits, this nation offers natural and cultural experiences you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world.