NEW Zealand has long been the home to the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc growing climate, hobbits and rugby legends but there is a whole range of hidden and natural beauties ready to explore for those who know where to look.
From the dive wreck of a political scandal to the best stargazing conditions in the southern hemisphere – its time to take a new look at a familiar place.
Lake Pukaki
Found at the base of a series of glaciers, along the northern edge of Mackenzie Bay is the first of three otherworldly lakes – Lake Pukaki. So called because of its very distinctive and vibrant blue colour, the result of glacial flour, the incredibly finely ground particles from glaciers.
Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve
Home to the first, and biggest, dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere, the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve comprises 4300 sq. km of pristine, close to light-pollution free sky. Chosen for its consistently clear skies, the reserve gives gazers who come from all over the world the chance to view the southern sky in its unadulterated glory. Head here to see the Magellanic Clouds, neighboring galaxies to the Milky Way only visible in the Southern Hemisphere, or to catch the rise of the Matariki star cluster which symbolises the start of the Māori New Year.
Charming Creek Walk
About 10km from the old mining settlement Seddonville, you’ll find a slice of the recent past. Here lies Charming Creek Valley and with it the Charming Creek Walk. Formerly the railway line of a thriving coal and timber production: The Charming Creek Walk is made up of a series of winding and complex tunnels, that wend their way through native bush to a summit overlooking the majestic Mangatini Falls. The whole trek takes about 3 hours from start to finish and ends conveniently close to the local pub.
Kerosene Creek
Impossible to find and not worth it once you arrive – those in the know will say anything to protect the secret of this natural wonder. Despite the uninviting name, Kerosene Creek is one of Rotorua’s not-so-best kept secrets with visitors regularly making the schlep to the geothermal springs during even the coolest months. The average temperature changes depending on the climate but stays warm enough to make the jump in just your togs and unlike the number of artificially-heated springs near by, this one is all natural. Make sure you head to the falls to get the most out of your experience.
Rainbow Warrior Wreck
Located off the north-east coast of the North Island a little ways from that other beautiful (and popular!) dive site: The Poor Knights Islands marine reserve, lies the man-made dive wreck of the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior. The result of an infamous in-harbour bombing by French agents, the Rainbow Warrior was refloated and moved to its current home under the sea. Now, as home to a complex and colourful array of sea anemones, the Rainbow W
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