5 Hidden Gems to Explore in New Zealand {Guest Post by Sarah McGee}

Perfect beaches, limitless culture, friendly locals, and amazing food: New Zealand truly does have it all. It’s the ideal location for families looking to make some amazing holiday memories together, teenagers on a backpacking adventure, or young couples looking for a romantic setting for their getaway.

The popular tourist destination has so much to offer, which is why it attracts more and more tourists each year. More than 300,000 people visited New Zealand in 2018, most of whom were young people between the age of 25-34.

However, 38% of this age bracket traveled without insurance in 2017 which was an increase of 7% on the year before. Without insurance, the cost can become ridiculously expensive, so make sure you’re covered before you set off on your New Zealand adventure.

Here are five hidden gems to explore when you land:

1. Rotorua

This quirky town is often overlooked by visitors to New Zealand, who prefer to visit Auckland or Queenstown instead. However, the town is full of character and your days are guaranteed to be packed full of culture and places to explore. Famed for its spas, you can’t leave Rotorua without experiencing a dip in the pool or a hot stone massage where you can let all of your troubles melt away. There are so many natural wonders to admire in Rotorua, such as the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland where you can witness volcanic hot springs with your very eyes. Afterwards, take the time to wander through the natural park, immersing yourself in the beauty of New Zealand’s nature.

2. Kokatahi

Located on the west coast of New Zealand, Kokatahi is often missed out by tourists on their New Zealand road trip but it is the perfect isolated spot for nature lovers. The scenic Hokitika Gorge is a great place to visit for hikers looking for a unique trail to walk along. Animal lovers will be in their element as they are guaranteed to come across a variety of farm animals on their journey. The Hokitika River intersects the gorge and you would be tasked to find a body of water more beautiful. The crystal waters are a delight to take a dip in or even kayak along if you have access to one.

3. Waiheke Island

Located just off the city of Aukland, this island is a must-visit destination for New Zealand visitors. What this island lacks in size it certainly makes up for in beauty and activities. Also known as the island of wine, there is always a wine tour taking place in Waiheke, where guests will get to sample some vintage tipples alongside a cheeseboard. Once the wine is out of your system, get your adrenaline pumping with a zipline experience that will see you soaring through the trees like Tarzan. If you can stomach the fast speed, the view from the zipline is truly spectacular.

4. Matamata

Nestled in the epic shadow of the Kaimai Range Mountains, this town looks like it came straight out of a Hollywood movie… which it did! The Hobbiton movie set was created here for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Fans of the franchise can feel free to tour the grounds and learn more about how the movies were made. If you’re not a fan of Lord of the Rings, there’s still so much to do in Matamata, including a visit to the picturesque Wairere Falls.

5. Wanaka

Also known as the gateway to the Southern Alps, Wanaka isn’t well-known but it simply has to be on everyone’s travel list, especially if you’re into extreme sports. In his The One Thing series, travel writer, Ben Groundwater, recommends Wanaka if you want to try your hand at sky diving where you will get epic views of snow-capped mountains if you can keep your eyes open for the decent.

How many of these hidden gems do you plan to visit during your epic New Zealand adventure? Wherever you go, make sure you’re fully covered in case the worst happens.

Author bio: Sarah McGee is a journalist and copywriter who specializes in travel, beauty, and political writing. She’s on a mission to make every article she writes entertaining and factually accurate.