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5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!

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Published 1 year ago

5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!

Did you know that The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand?


It’s not hard to believe, considering this mind blowingly beautiful country’s landscapes are just as beautiful on screen as they are in person.


Now that New Zealand has finally reopened its borders to international visitors, now’s your chance to travel off the beaten path and visit these five secret hideaways.


5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!


Curio Bay

Best known as the site of a petrified forest dating back to the Jurrasic period, the tree fossils you’ll find here are approximately 170 million years old. A walk through the Living Forest walkway offers a fascinating perspective with the contrast between the petrified forest and its living counterpart. These days, you’ll find colonies of yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore after a day at sea, endangered Hector’s Dolphins and Southern Right Whales playing in the surf. Curio Bay is a curious place indeed.



5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!


Frying Pan Lake

Yes, you read that right! This scalding lake got its name for good reason. Frying Pan Lake is the largest hot spring in the world, located in the Echo Crater of the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley. It was one of the results of New Zealand’s largest volcanic eruption in 1886, the same eruption that destroyed the famed Pink and White Terraces.


5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!

Photo credit: https://www.expedia.com.my

Makoia Island

This mysterious island in the heart of Lake Rotorua is filled with cultural history and a sanctuary for many of New Zealand’s endangered wildlife. Viewed as sacred Maori heritage site by the local Arawa iwi tribe, Makoia Island is only accessible by restricted, small boat groups. Here you’ll also find geothermal springs and a mysterious lava dome that sparks geologists’ interests to this day.


5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!


Photo credit: www.vivaexpeditions.com

Stewart Island

Unspoilt, tranquil, remote, and stunning are the words that come to mind when describing Stewart Island. It’s the third island in New Zealand’s main chain and is home to the beautiful Rakiura Track. This quiet island is one of the best places in the world to spot wild kiwi, and view spectacular starry night skies like you’ve never seen before. In fact, it received International Dark Sky Sanctuary status from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA).


5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!


The Blue Pools

The Blue Pools are a part of the Makarora River that run down from the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park. The river gets its crystal blue colour from the glacier fed water reflected off small particles of rock flour, caused by centuries of rock erosion. Swimming in these pristine blue waters (or jumping from the bridge!) is an adventure you won’t want to miss.


5 Hidden Gems in New Zealand You’ve Never Seen Before!


Did you know…

BigPay is known as a traveller’s best friend.


You can use it anytime, anywhere

Your BigPay account comes with a Visa card which gives you access to over 45 million merchants worldwide. Use it anywhere in the world, online and offline.


Real-time exchange rates

Whether it’s paying for your hotel, shopping or dinner, just transact with your BigPay card to automatically pay in the local currency of your travels and nothing else.


It’s safe

If you’ve lost your card while travelling or encountered potential fraud, use the BigPay app to instantly freeze your card. A quick tap is all it takes.


Earn points

Earn airasia points every time you spend with your BigPay card, regardless of currency! Use these points to redeem major discounts on AirAsia flights and rewards later.


BigPay is 100% free to get and free to keep. Sign up in as little as 5 minutes to use it on your trip to beautiful New Zealand!

On this page

Curio Bay

Frying Pan Lake

Makoia Island

Stewart Island

The Blue Pools

Did you know…

You can use it anytime, anywhere

Real-time exchange rates

It’s safe

Earn points

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Written by

Sabrina Loh

I’m Sabrina, a versatile writer with 7+ years of experience and I’ve been published by household names such as Tatler, Harper’s Bazaar, Mindvalley, and Cosme Japan.

👇 Follow my journey on my social media accounts 👇

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