Discover Hidden Gems: Must-Visit Attractions in New Zealand You Can’t Miss!

I’ve been to New Zealand many times, and I’d like to share 4 lesser-known activities. Interested friends can save this for reference!!
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⛰️Castle Hill
📍Parking: Castle Hill Car park🅿
🎦Filming location for the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia.” It consists of a natural cluster of massive rocks, each standing prominently in a flat valley, with snow-capped mountains in the distance.

The view from a high vantage point is quite spectacular and offers a wide-open vista! First, arrive at the parking lot, then hike through a large, flat pasture (a journey of about ten minutes) to reach the rock area. If you go in spring or summer, there will be many wildflowers blooming along the way, making it incredibly beautiful!

A short drive further down the road, there’s also a natural cave attraction.
About 1.5 hours’ drive🚗 from Christchurch
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🧗Wanaka Falls Climbing
📍Navigate to Twin Falls near Lake Wanaka
One of the world’s highest waterfall cable climbing routes, Via Ferrata, which means “iron path,” is a type of climbing route built on mountain cliffs, consisting of steel handrails, footholds, and safety ropes, allowing people without climbing skills to ascend steep cliffs.

It is divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Beginner level is suitable for novices and children, while those who regularly exercise and are confident in their physical strength can choose intermediate or advanced levels.
Book via the official website, search for Wild Wire
If you find rock climbing too challenging, you can opt for a hike up Roys Peak, which is much easier and still offers stunning views
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🌋Tongariro National Park Hike
📍Navigate to Tongariro Alpine Crossing Track
It’s recommended to book a shuttle bus or a private car from Auckland in advance, as the parking lot🅿 has a 4-hour time limit, making self-driving inconvenient.

Due to its unique and rugged volcanic landscape, the area has a desolate, post-apocalyptic feel, almost like an alien world, creating a rather surreal visual experience.
The most distinctive feature of the national park is the emerald green volcanic lakes, one of the must-see highlights! The trail gradually transitions from ancient forests, through alpine meadows, to barren volcanic areas, passing by the volcanoes of Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.

On a clear day, you can even see a sea of clouds!
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🐄Gibbs Farm, Auckland Art Farm
📍Navigate to: 2421 Kaipara Coast Highway, Makarau
🕘Opening hours: 10:00am – 2:00pm
🎫Tickets: Around 70-100 NZD
Gibbs Farm is one of New Zealand’s most important contemporary art venues, featuring 32 large-scale sculptures by internationally renowned artists, many of which are designed to complement the farm’s unique topography, blending nature and art perfectly.

❣️Note: As Gibbs Farms is a private farm, it is generally not open to the public. However, the farm occasionally hosts themed or charitable events. Check the official website for available dates and tickets, and book in advance!