12 of New Zealand’s most beautiful places

By Lucy Corry, CNN
Updated 9:49 PM EST, Wed February 26, 2020
<strong>Beautiful places in New Zealand: </strong>The Land of the Long White Cloud is spoiled for beauty. We have put together an insider's guide to New Zealand's must-see attractions including Marlborough Sounds, pictured.
Beautiful places in New Zealand: The Land of the Long White Cloud is spoiled for beauty. We have put together an insider's guide to New Zealand's must-see attractions including Marlborough Sounds, pictured.
MarlboroughNZ/Tourism New Zealand
<strong>Cape Reinga: </strong>You can see where the Tasman Sea (between New Zealand and Australia) and the Pacific Ocean meet at Cape Reinga Lighthouse, the northernmost point open to the public of the North Island.
Cape Reinga: You can see where the Tasman Sea (between New Zealand and Australia) and the Pacific Ocean meet at Cape Reinga Lighthouse, the northernmost point open to the public of the North Island.
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<strong>Auckland: </strong>As New Zealand's biggest and most culturally diverse city, Auckland has a metropolitan vibe, but it's also blessed with bountiful beaches, parks and places to get away from it all.
Auckland: As New Zealand's biggest and most culturally diverse city, Auckland has a metropolitan vibe, but it's also blessed with bountiful beaches, parks and places to get away from it all.
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<strong>Waiheke Island: </strong>Just 40 minutes from the terminal in Auckland, Waiheke boasts idyllic beaches, bush-clad walking trails and 20-odd vineyards.
Waiheke Island: Just 40 minutes from the terminal in Auckland, Waiheke boasts idyllic beaches, bush-clad walking trails and 20-odd vineyards.
Steve Clancy Photography/Moment RF/Getty Images
<strong>Lake Taupo: </strong>Lake Taupo and its surrounding landscapes seem like they've been purpose-built for a tourism brochure. Here, some kayakers explore Lake Taupo near Mine Bay Maori rock carvings.
Lake Taupo: Lake Taupo and its surrounding landscapes seem like they've been purpose-built for a tourism brochure. Here, some kayakers explore Lake Taupo near Mine Bay Maori rock carvings.
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<strong>Tongariro National Park: </strong>Here's the Emerald Lake atop Mount Tongariro, one of the three mighty volcanoes at the southern end of Lake Taupo.
Tongariro National Park: Here's the Emerald Lake atop Mount Tongariro, one of the three mighty volcanoes at the southern end of Lake Taupo.
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<strong>Lake Waikaremoana + Te Urewera: </strong>The complete Lake Waikaremoana Track features sprawling forests, remote beaches and incredible views.
Lake Waikaremoana + Te Urewera: The complete Lake Waikaremoana Track features sprawling forests, remote beaches and incredible views.
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<strong>Lake Waikaremoana + Te Urewera: </strong>Lake Waikaremoana is inside rugged Te Urewera, the largest protected tract of native forest on the North Island.
Lake Waikaremoana + Te Urewera: Lake Waikaremoana is inside rugged Te Urewera, the largest protected tract of native forest on the North Island.
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<strong>Taranaki: </strong>The perfectly symmetrical Mt Taranaki (a double for Japan's Mt Fuji), is the optimum vantage point to take in the region's lush, rolling countryside and black-sand coastline.
Taranaki: The perfectly symmetrical Mt Taranaki (a double for Japan's Mt Fuji), is the optimum vantage point to take in the region's lush, rolling countryside and black-sand coastline.
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<strong>Wellington: </strong>New Zealand's capital has quirky wooden homes perched on vertiginous slopes, lots of green space, mountain biking tracks and more on offer.
Wellington: New Zealand's capital has quirky wooden homes perched on vertiginous slopes, lots of green space, mountain biking tracks and more on offer.
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<strong>Marlborough Sounds: </strong>This intricate web of sheltered waterways accounts for 20 percent of New Zealand's total coastline.
Marlborough Sounds: This intricate web of sheltered waterways accounts for 20 percent of New Zealand's total coastline.
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<strong>Marlborough Sounds: </strong>There are more than 50 reserves in this scenic playground.
Marlborough Sounds: There are more than 50 reserves in this scenic playground.
Rob Suisted/Tourism New Zealand
<strong>Kaikoura: </strong>Thanks to a 3 km (two-mile) deep sea trench running along its coastline, Kaikoura's one of the few places in the world where sperm whales can be seen year-round.
Kaikoura: Thanks to a 3 km (two-mile) deep sea trench running along its coastline, Kaikoura's one of the few places in the world where sperm whales can be seen year-round.
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<strong>Punakaiki Pancake Rocks + Paparoa National Park: </strong>With the pounding waves of the Tasman Sea on one side and the tropical rainforest of the Paparoa National Park on the other, the drive between Greymouth and Westport is punctuated by the famous limestone formations and blowholes at Punakaiki.
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks + Paparoa National Park: With the pounding waves of the Tasman Sea on one side and the tropical rainforest of the Paparoa National Park on the other, the drive between Greymouth and Westport is punctuated by the famous limestone formations and blowholes at Punakaiki.
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<strong>Milford Sound + Fiordland: </strong>The scenery here is on a super-sized scale - think towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and seemingly bottomless waterways.
Milford Sound + Fiordland: The scenery here is on a super-sized scale - think towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls and seemingly bottomless waterways.
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<strong>Queenstown: </strong>Queenstown sets the standard for all resort party towns, in that it's outrageously good-looking and packed with activities.
Queenstown: Queenstown sets the standard for all resort party towns, in that it's outrageously good-looking and packed with activities.
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<strong>Arrowtown: </strong>Arrowtown, on the South Island, is a popular destination to see autumn colors.
Arrowtown: Arrowtown, on the South Island, is a popular destination to see autumn colors.
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Must-see destinations in New Zealand
CNN  — 

You’ve seen your friends’ photos, you’ve watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy and you’re desperate to experience New Zealand for yourself. But considering that the Land of the Long White Cloud is about the same size as the UK, how will you decide what to see?

Here’s our insider’s guide to Aotearoa’s must-see destinations, including some off-the-beaten track gems.

NORTH ISLAND

Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is the end of the road when it comes to the North Island – the only place further north is North Cape, which isn’t open to the public.

Stand beside the iconic Te Rerenga Wairua lighthouse on this rocky, windswept point and you’ll see where the Tasman Sea (between New Zealand and Australia) and the Pacific Ocean meet.

You’ll also be bearing witness to a sacred place in Maori culture. An 800-year-old pohutukawa tree at Cape Reinga is believed to be the last leaving place for spirits of dead Maori.

Legend has it that they leap from this tree into the ocean to begin their journey back to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.

The worst place on Earth to be a predatory mammal