27 Best Sights in East Coast and the Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

Inspired by the gardens seen on a trip to England in 1910, William Douglas Cook returned home and began planting 160 acres. His brainchild became a stunning collection of more than 600 genera of trees from around the world. In spring and summer, daffodils mass yellow; magnolias bloom in clouds of pink and white; and cherries, crab apples, wisteria, and azalea add to the spectacle. The main trails in the park can be walked in about 45 minutes. Maps and self-guided tour booklets are available. Drive west from Gisborne center on State Highway 2 toward Napier, cross the bridge, and turn at the rotary onto the Ngatapa–Rere Road. Follow it 35 km (22 miles) to the arboretum.

Even if you’re not an aficionado of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, a delve into this magic, pretend world of the Shire of Middle-earth (aka the Hobbiton movie set) is rather fascinating. Guides will escort you along the paths of the 12-acre set, stopping at little Hobbit houses set into the hillsides. Along the way, they share secrets about how the movies were made and explain incredible, intricate details of the set design. Like the thirsty Hobbits, you’ll enjoy finishing up at the Green Dragon Inn for an exclusively brewed beverage. The standard tour lasts two hours. Meal packages can be added, and transport can be arranged from nearby Matamata and Rotorua. Hobbiton is one of New Zealand's most visited attractions, and reservations are essential for all tours. To think this was once just another New Zealand sheep farm.

Stand on a moving conveyor that takes you through the world of sharks, rays, and fish. Environmental and ecological displays showcase tropical fish, sea horses, tuatara, and other creatures. For an additional fee you can get up close and personal with penguins. There is also a kiwi enclosure where these birds can be seen in ideal viewing conditions.

Take a step into the dark for an up-close and personal view of the kiwi. The hatchery was established in 2008 and has become a leader in breeding and rearing the brown version of the national bird. Kiwi experts are on hand to guide you as you understand the kiwi hatching process and take a peak at newly hatched kiwi chicks in its  state-of-the-art facilities.

The grounds here are home to silica terraces, mud pools, and the Pohutu Geyser (the largest active one in the southern hemisphere). Te Puia also contains the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute, where you can watch skilled carvers and weavers at work. Don't miss the Nocturnal Kiwi House, where you might spot one of New Zealand's beloved national birds. Day passes include a guided tour; packages with extras like a cultural performance or hāngi feast are also available.

Remote Te Urewera National Park is rugged and mountainous. This park's outstanding feature is glorious Lake Waikaremoana ("sea of rippling waters"), a forest-girded lake with good swimming, boating, and fishing. The lake is encircled by a 50-km (31-mile) walking trail, which takes three or four days to complete; it's a popular trek, and the lakeside hiking huts are heavily used in the summer months. The Department of Conservation Visitor Centre at Aniwaniwa is stocked with maps and informative leaflets; staff will also give advice about other park walks, like the one to the Aniwaniwa Falls (30 minutes round-trip) or to Lake Waikareiti (five to six hours round-trip). All trails pass through spectacular countryside of high, misty ridges covered with silver and mountain beech. Waterfalls and streams abound, and on the lower levels the forest giants, rimu, rata, kamahi, totara, and tawa attract native birds like the New Zealand falcon, North Island brown kiwi, kaka, and kokako. A motor camp on the lakeshore, not far from the visitor center, has cabins, chalets, and motel units; in summer, a launch operates sightseeing and fishing trips from it. Note that there are areas of private Māori land within the park, so be sure to stay on marked paths.  Be sure to check with  www.ngaituhoe.iwi.nz for alerts as some tracks are unstable especially after weather events.

At this working sheep-and-cattle farm, 6 km (4 miles) north of Rotorua, you can get up close and personal with animals on a guided tour and pay a visit to the kiwi fruit orchard, but the main attraction is the farm show. Well-trained dogs run across the backs of sheep, and there's also a sheep-shearing demonstration. Heads-up to the uninitiated: what the shearer is wearing is not an undershirt but a shearing vest, a classic Kiwi item.

At the end of the 19th century, Te Wairoa (tay-why-ro-ah, "the buried village") was the starting point for expeditions to the pink-and-white terraces of Rotomahana, on the slopes of Mt. Tarawera. As mineral-rich geyser water cascaded down the mountainside, it formed a series of baths, which became progressively cooler as they neared the lake. In the latter half of the 19th century, these fabulous terraces were the country's major attraction, but they were destroyed when Mt. Tarawera erupted in 1886, burying the village of Te Wairoa under a sea of mud and hot ash. The village has since been excavated, and of special interest is the whare (fah-ray, "hut") of the tohunga (priest) Tuhoto Ariki, who predicted the destruction. An interesting museum contains artifacts, photographs, and models re-creating the day of the disaster, and a number of small dwellings remain basically undisturbed beneath mud and ash. A path circles the excavated village, then continues on as a delightful trail to the waterfall, the lower section of which is steep and slippery in places. Te Wairoa is 14 km (9 miles) southeast of Rotorua.

The construction of the local geothermal project had an impressive—and unforeseen—effect. Boiling mud pools, steaming vents, and large craters appeared in an area now known as Craters of the Moon. A marked walkway snakes for 3 km (2 miles) through the belching, sulfurous landscape, past boiling pits and hissing crevices. The craters are up Karapiti Road, across from the Huka Falls turnoffs on Highway 1, 3 km (2 miles) north of Taupō.

Blending contemporary architecture with the traditional aspect of wine making, this stunning estate overlooks jagged rows of vines with expansive views from the terrace taking in the ocean and Cape Kidnappers. Sip a glass of wine in the sunken lounge, or enjoy a meal in the ultramodern dining room—it's an unforgettable experience. You can also stay in the winery's boutique accommodation.

Soak in the beauty of Eastland by driving the Provincial Highway 35 loop between Gisborne and Opotiki—it's one of the country's ultimate roads-less-traveled. The 330-km (205-mile) trip takes about five hours without stops though allow extra time for road works. En route, rolling green hills drop into wide crescent beaches or rock-strewn coves, and small towns appear, only to fade into the surrounding landscape. Some scenic highlights are Anaura Bay, with rocky headlands, a long beach favored by surfers, and nearby islands; it is between Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay, two former shipping towns. Tolaga Bay has an incredibly long wharf stretching over a white-sand beach into the sea, and Cooks Cove Walkway is a pleasant amble through the countryside past a rock arch. Farther up the coast in Tikitiki, you'll find both a gas station and an Anglican church full of carved Māori panels and beams. East of the small town of Te Araroa, which has the oldest pohutukawa (po-hoo-too-ka-wa) tree in the country, the coast is about as remote as you could imagine. At the tip of the cape, 21 km (13 miles) from Te Araroa, the East Cape Lighthouse promises fantastic views after a long, steep climb from the beach. Back toward Opotiki, Whanarua (fahn-ah-roo-ah) Bay is one of the most gorgeous on the East Cape, with isolated beaches ideal for a picnic and a swim. Farther on, there is an intricately carved Māori marae (meetinghouse) called Tukaki in Te Kaha. If you choose to spend a night along the loop, there are motels at various points on the cape and some superbly sited motor camps and backpacker lodges, though you'll need to be well stocked with foodstuffs before you set off. Gisborne's isite can provide information about lodging.

Heading south from Lake Rotorua takes you to the Government Gardens, which occupy a small peninsula. The Māori call this area Whangapiro (fang-ah-pee-ro, "evil-smelling place"), an appropriate name for these gardens, where sulfur pits bubble and fume behind manicured rose beds and bowling lawns. The high point is the extraordinary neo-Tudor Bath House. Built as a spa at the turn of the 20th century, it is now the Rotorua Museum but currently closed to the public for seismic strengthening (reopening dates are still not confirmed). However, free daily garden tours are still offered at 11, 1, and 2 weekdays, 11 and 2 weekends.

For picnic supplies, visit the Hawke's Bay Farmers' Market. It's held at the A&P Showgrounds on Sunday from 8:30 to 12:30. Local products include handmade cheese, breads, ice cream, and fruit. This is also a good place to people-watch.

Where Hastings stands out is in its Spanish Mission buildings, a style borrowed from California, which produced such beauties as the Hawke's Bay Opera House. But there's more: this building and its beautiful auditorium play an active part in the social and cultural life of the town and have a reputation for offering a range of musical concerts that segue from the classical to rock and more. Check the website as you may be able to catch a world-renowned artist who happens to like the space, for a modest ticket price.

Located 15 km (9 miles) east of Rotorua, Hell's Gate is arguably the most active thermal reserve in the area. Its 50 acres hiss and bubble with steaming fumaroles and boiling mud pools. Among the attractions here is the Kakahi Falls, reputedly the largest hot waterfall in the southern hemisphere, where, according to legend, Māori warriors bathed their wounds after battle. Warm mud pools are available for public bathing; at the Hellsgate Mud Spa, you can soak in a mud bath or try a mirimiri (a traditional Māori massage).

This prawn farm is a curious mix of cheesy and fascinating. Check out the holding tanks where prawns are bred in specially heated river water (in some, baby prawns eat out of your hand). You can also catch your own prawns using a small rod and fishing line, or just buy some on-site; either way you can have them cooked and served as you like in the adjoining café.

This public park is a local hot spot—literally. Mud pools and hot springs sit alongside the flower beds, which at times are almost hidden by floating clouds of steam. You can wander around or join the locals soaking their weary feet in shallow warm pools. Because this thermally active place can change overnight, keep to the paths.

Even if you've seen enough bubbling pools and fuming craters to last a lifetime, the thermal valley of Orakei Korako is still likely to captivate you. Geyser-fed streams hiss and steam as they flow into the waters of the lake, and a cream-and-pink silica terrace is believed to be the largest in the world since the volcanic destruction of the terraces of Rotomahana. At the bottom of Aladdin's Cave, the vent of an ancient volcano, a jade-green pool was once used by Māori women as a beauty parlor, which is how the name Orakei Korako (A Place of Adorning) originated. The valley is 37 km (23 miles) north of Taupō, via Highway 1, and takes about 25 minutes to reach by car; you could always see it en route to or from Rotorua, which lies another 68 km (43 miles) northeast of the valley.

A 2,900-foot cable-car system carries you up Mt. Ngongotaha for spectacular views over Lake Rotorua. At the summit, 1,600-feet above sea level, there's a café, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop. As an alternative, try the luge track, where you can take hair-raisingly fast rides on wheeled bobsled-like contraptions (you can also go slowly; a braking system gives you full control of your speed). The track runs partway down the mountain, winding through the redwood trees; from the bottom, you can return to the summit on a separate chairlift. For further thrills, consider zip-lining or mountain biking.

If you fancy a soak in a hot pool then follow the marked path from the car park beside t to the thermally heated Otumuheke Stream where its mineral water meets the Waikato River. You will see locals soaking under the waterfalls and natural rock pools so feel free to join them. If you are not in a soaking mood continue on the trail to see views of the river as it heads down to the thundering Huka Falls. 

A short walk north from the Rotorua lakefront brings you to the Māori pā (fortress) of Ohinemutu, the region's original Māori settlement. It's a still-thriving community, centered on its marae (meetinghouse) and St. Faith's, the lakefront Anglican church. The interior of the church is richly decorated with carvings inset with mother-of-pearl. Sunday services feature the sonorous, melodic voices of the Māori choir. The service at 9 am is in Māori and English. Visitors looking rather than attending a service pay a modest admission fee.

With its Māori and Pākehā (non-native) artifacts and an extensive photographic collection, this small but interesting museum provides a good introduction to the region's history. A maritime gallery covers seafaring matters, and there are changing exhibits of local and national artists' work. The pottery displays are particularly outstanding. An on-site shop sells locally made items. Check out Wyllie Cottage before leaving the grounds (although it stands outside, it’s part of the museum). Built in 1872, this colonial-style house is the oldest in town.

You'll find Māori treasures and revolving exhibitions of contemporary art on display at this museum and gallery. The volcanic eruptions that have shaped the area are also chronicled. The star attraction, however, is the glorious Ora Garden, which was granted Garden of National Significance status in 2011.

One of the largest Māori marae (meetinghouses) in New Zealand has an intriguing interior with complex traditional carvings. One example is the tekoteko, a kneeling human figure with the right hand raised to challenge those who enter. There are also unusual alcoves and a stage framed by carvings; it's essentially a meetinghouse within a meetinghouse. Photography is not allowed inside. On the side of the hill stands the 1930s Toko Toro Tapu Church. You'll need permission to explore either site; contact the Gisborne isite Visitor Information Centre or the marae.

Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand and the largest on the North Island. Gifted to the nation by the Ngāti Tuwharetoa people in 1887, this stunning mountainous region provided much of the dramatic scenery for the Lord of the Rings films, where its jagged volcanic landscape most famously stood in for Mordor. The park has a spectacular combination of dense forest, wild open countryside, crater lakes, barren lava fields, and rock-strewn mountain slopes. Its rugged beauty and convenient location, almost in the center of the North Island, make it the most popular and accessible of New Zealand's parks. Three volcanoes, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and Ruapehu, tower above its Central Plateau overlooking miles of untamed country that stretch to the West Coast on one side and the aptly named Desert Road on the other. The volcanoes are no sleeping giants: Tongariro is the least active, but Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu have both erupted in recent years. In 1995, 1996, and again in 2007, Ruapehu spewed ash, created showers of rock, and released lahars (landslides of volcanic debris) that burst through the walls of the crater lake. The park is famed for its hiking trails, but the weather can change very quickly here so be sure to be prepare for the day with good outdoor gear and plenty of food.

This is a freakish landscape of deep, sulfur-crusted pits, jade-color ponds, silica terraces, and a steaming lake edged with red algae and bubbling with tiny beads of carbon dioxide. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts precisely at 10:15 daily; other points of interest include the Devil's Ink Pots, a series of evil-looking, bubbling, plopping mud pools, and the spectacular, gold-edged Champagne Pool, which is 195 feet wide and equally deep. Birds nest in holes around the aptly named Birds' Nest Crater—the heat presumably allows the adult birds more time away from the eggs. Waiotapu is 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Rotorua; follow Highway 5 south (Taupō direction) and look for the signs.

For an introduction to Māori life, visit this authentic village. On a guided tour you'll see thermal pools where villagers bathe, boiling mineral pools, and natural steam vents where residents cook. You can add on a cultural performance and hāngi meal to complete the experience. Arts and crafts are available at local shops in case you want to take home a memento.