Aotearoa, as New Zealand is called in Maori, is translated as the land of the long white cloud. It is one of the few countries in the world that offers so much in relatively small area. In few hours rideyou can travel from mountains to beach; from desert to glaciers, from volcano to pastures full of sheep; you can get lost in the vast bush where you will not meet a single person or enjoy the city buzz.
What makes New Zealand even more attractive is the Maori culture that accompanies you on each step – local names, pounamu stone and Maori legends. Who is Hei Tiki and what is Manaia? And do you know that Maori alphabet has only 20 letters?
This photo journey is made by our dear host blogger nomadiciv@.

Do you want to know the prices in New Zealand? Check out my New Zealand budget guide.


Map Places from the photo journey on the map


Classical image of New Zealand
Classical image of New Zealand
There are 10 sheep on each habitant. The landscape is amazingly green most of the year.
Tauranga
Tauranga
The fifths largest urban area in New Zealand and the capitol of the Kiwi region.
NP Tongariro
NP Tongariro
Overview of the summits – from left Mt. Tongariro, Mt. Ngaruhoe, Mt. Ruapehu.
Emerald lakes - NP Tongariro
Emerald lakes - NP Tongariro
Emerald lakes in the middle of the Tongariro Crossing.
Mount Doom  - NP Tongariro
Mount Doom - NP Tongariro
Desert-like landscape with Mp. Ngaruhoe in the background – better known as Mount Doom in LOTR.
Whakarewarewa - Rotorua
Whakarewarewa - Rotorua
Whakarewarewa the Living Maori Village - the geothermal phenomenon everywhere around you and rotten egg/hydrogen sulphide in the air as well.
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland - Rotorua
This geothermal area is more amazing in the cold weather when all these phenomenon are easily visible.
Champaine pool
Champaine pool - Rotorua
One of the pools in Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland.
Coromandel peninsula
Cathedral Cove - Coromandel peninsula
Classical eastern beaches
Classical eastern beaches
Sandy, wide, vast and lonely. The usual spare time activity of locals is to drive forth and back in the car or quad-bike.
NP Abel Tasman
NP Abel Tasman
So much reminds me of the Philippines. This track follows the coast line and is very easy. You can take a break anytime on one of the beautiful sandy beaches with tortoise water.
NP Nelson Lakes
NP Nelson Lakes
The trees are covered with Honey Dew (lichen) and give a fairy tale impression.
West coast of the south island
West coast of the South Island
Rugged and wild.
Monro beach walk
Monro beach walk
This is New Zealand - a typical nature – juicy green. On the beach we bumped into a single yellow eye piquing.
On the way to Wanaka
On the way to Wanaka
First class roads are fine, but the side roads are usually gravel roads.
Milford Sounds with Mitre peak
Milford Sounds with Mitre peak
Wonderful cruise in the fjord. Due to the relatively high mountains clouds do not pass further to the inland a therefore there are 200 rainy days in here.
South island
South Island
Southernmost edge of the South Island with typical windswept trees.
Tunnel Beach walkway
Tunnel Beach walkway
As in many places of the NZ it is necessary to check the times of the high tide and low tide to see these places.
Hills around Wanaka
Hills around Wanaka
At the end of the summer the grass turns yellow even in the New Zealand. Although heard old resident to say that his did not happen in their childhood..
Clay clifs Omarama
Clay clifs Omarama
One of the hidden sights worth visiting. Hidden on the private property, but easily accessible. You can be amazed by bizarre shapes and colors.
Clay clifs Omarama<
Clay clifs Omarama
Moeraki boulders
Moeraki boulders
Very touristic, but definitely the must-see. Check low tide times.
NP Mount Cook
NP Mount Cook
Lovely place with great hikes. You will hear avalanches all the day and the night running the slopes of surrounding mountains.
NP Mount Cook
NP Mount Cook
On the way to the DOC campsite. The road is luckily full of rest areas :)
NP Mount Cook
NP Mount Cook
The moraine and moraine lake
Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo
With Mt. Cook in the distance.
Mt. Somers track
Mt. Somers track
A lovely day hike. We met only two people on the route. Trees are covered with black lichen and seem like burnt. There is also an abandoned mine with rests of mining equipment. I recommend the track.
Landscape near Glenorchy
Landscape near Glenorchy
Silver fern
Silver fern
A typical symbol of New Zealand, seen everywhere including All Black dresses.

Map Places from the photo journey on the map


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