New Zealand's Other Attractions
In addition to its waterfalls, New Zealand has other attractions to keep you busy taking photos or admiring the scenery. I’ve singled out some of the features that you’re bound to see upon a visit to Middle-earth. Read below to get a brief introduction to these features.
Other attractions include the large and colorful Champagne Pool. While this pool has its own interesting colors, its sheer size and photogenic qualities really reminds me of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park.
While on this hike, look for the scenic Emerald Lakes, whose neon green pools were certainly the highlight of the tramp for me.
The only downer is that clouds usually cover Mt Taranaki because I believe it is considered the wettest spot in New Zealand. A fact that is surprising considering the fiords of Fiordland in the South Island are amongst the wettest spots on earth!
Being a lover of natural arches, we found this one from a tourist brochure in the Visitor Center in Stratford. When we found out it was on the way to Wanganui then we just had to be there!
Those looking for a more laid back experience can find tramps as well as some charming walks in the picturesque upscale town. It's popular with both locals and tourists and tends to be on most peoples' New Zealand itineraries.
I was told that the route had recently been entirely sealed so I'm sure the popularity of this previously lesser-known gem will increase.
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Hole-in-the-Rock (Bay of Islands; North Island): I consider this one of the must-see attractions in the Bay of Islands. It is a giant sea arch that some tour operators may be able to drive their boat through! Since I'm also a fan of natural arches, this was one attraction I couldn't miss. Of course, there are also other coastal attractions to be had in the Bay of Islands area. The lack of crowds and sense of history here really give the area its charm.
Kauri Trees (North Island): These majestic trees rival the size of the redwood trees in California. The largest remaining groves of Kauri Trees can be found in the Waipoua Forest in Northland along the aptly-named Kauri Coast. This grove includes the largest living kauri tree called Tane Mahuta. A visit to this area also yields quaint and picturesque coastal towns.
Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach (North Island): Minutes from the charming seaside town of Whitianga, Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach are a pair of popular attractions that any visitor coming out this way should see. At Cathedral Cove is a large natural arch that is accessible during low tide. Right behind the arch is a beach watched over by Hoho Rock. The 1-hour hike to get to this attraction is well worth it as it provides a gorgeous view of the turquoise blue waters backed by white cliffs.
Minutes away from the car park for Cathedral Cove is the intriguing Hot Water Beach. Under the right tidal conditions, you can dig yourself a pit in which cool ocean water mixes with the heat of the sand to form a nice makeshift spa. You could spend all day doing this. The only caveat to this activity is to watch for rising tides as drownings have occurred here before.
Te Whakarewarewa (North Island): This popular thermal park is located close to the bustling town of Rotorua. Its natural features include the spouting geysers - Pohutu and Prince of Wales - as well as several colorful thermal and mud pools. There is also a Maori Arts and Cultural center here as well as a dark exhibit showing off some captive endangered Kiwi birds.
Wai-o-tapu (North Island): This is another thermal park featuring a nice assortment of geysers and colorful thermal pools and lakes. While the name of the park is Maori for "forbidden waters," it has nice walking boardwalks that passes by its many watery attractions that you'd certainly not want to make contact with.
Perhaps the most popular attraction in the park is the Lady Knox Geyser, which goes off at precisely 10:15am each morning. That's because a ranger drops some soap into its vent at that moment and you can see this thing go off.
Tongariro Crossing (North Island): It is perhaps New Zealand's most popular day hike. This world class excursion takes you right through the heart of the Tongariro National Park amongst volcanic peaks such as Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro as well as craters such as the South Crater, Red Crater, and Central Crater.
This hike is technically part of the much larger Tongariro Northern Circuit, which is one of the country's Great Walks, but fortunately, this currently-unregulated track can be enjoyed by all who are willing to make the shuttle arrangements and commit to the strenuous 6-8 hour hike.
Mt Taranaki (North Island): This beautifully conical volcano watches over much of the rural pastures and beaches of the Taranaki District. This mountain doubled at Mt Fuji in the movie "The Last Sumurai". On very clear days, it's possible to see this mountain from as far away as the peaks of Mt Ngauruhoe or Mt Tongariro in the Tongariro Crossing.
Hole-in-the-Rock (Waverley; North Island): This quiet beach contains a small but charming sea arch. You can walk underneath this arch only during low tide.
Mangapohue Natural Bridge (North Island): On the way to 
Waitomo Glow-worm Caves (North Island): Once you go through a cave full of glow-worms like this, you'll swear you were floating in outer space if it weren't for the sounds of clapping water constantly reminding you of where you are. You're not allowed to take photos in here so you'll have to take my word for it when I tell you that the glow-worms inhabiting the cave light it up like the stars of the night sky.
Pancake Rocks (South Island): This area is the centerpiece of the rugged West Coast between Greymouth and Westport. The Pancake Rocks are striated rocks that look like flattened rocks have been stacked on top of each other like pancakes. Amongst these rocks are a few blowholes that put on quite a display during high tide. If you're lucky to have good weather late in the afternoon, come here for a most 
The Pancake Rocks are near the township of Punakaiki and are a part of the Paparoa National Park. This park features interesting Maori archaeology as well as hidden caves and coves just waiting to be explored by adventurous visitors.
Arthur's Pass and the Otira Viaduct (South Island): Arthur's Pass is the rugged alpine pass in the heart of the Southern Alps that provided quite a barrier for travel between Christchurch and Greymouth. Within the forbidding landscape, several waterfalls as well as picturesque snow-clad misty mountains can be seen and tramped.
Recently, some ingenious engineering resulted in the Otira Viaduct. This (along with other engineering feats) helped to make Arthur's Pass a tourist attraction as well as an important route for commerce to and from the West Coast. It also had important implications for the feasibility of tourism and commerce further south along the West Coast.
Franz Josef Glacier (South Island): Whether the glacier is under heavy and frequent rainfall or basking in sun, you will have the chance to at least see and maybe explore this glacier. Along with the nearby Fox Glacier, the Franz Josef Glacier is one of the fastest moving glaciers in the world. A helihike or full day glacier walk is a great way to experience this marvel. You may be able to check out blue-tinged ice caves as well as walk between or over deep crevaces. It's sure to be a unique and memorable part of your New Zealand trip should be fortunate to do it.
Knights Point (South Island): This scenic lookout allows you to take a break from the long drive between the Glacier Country and the Queenstown area. It overlooks a rugged bay with the turbulent seas crashing against a crescent inlet amongst the wildly scenic West Coast.
Definitely check it out if you're in the area.
Queenstown (South Island): This resort town on the shores of Lake Wakatipu is self-proclaimed the adventure capital of the world. It was here that bungy jumping got started. There are also thrilling boat rides on the Shotover as well as skiing opportunities in the winter.
Southern Scenic Route (South Island): This pleasant drive stretches from Te Anau to Dunedin while skirting the southernmost coastlines of the South Island. Most notably, it passes through the pleasant Catlins Forest Park, which features many waterfalls, as well as coastal attractions such as lighthouses, blowholes, and New Zealand fur seal colonies.
Moeraki Boulders (South Island): These intriguing series of boulders planted on some beaches just north of Dunedin are mysterious yet great photo subjects. You can walk up to them and some of them even can be climbed into for some interesting photos with friends and loved ones. It also helps to break up the long coastal drive between Dunedin and Christchurch.
