1. Milford Sound - South Island
Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is located on the south west corner of the South Island of New Zealand. Although called Milford Sound, it is more accurately classified as a fjord. Milford Sound is situated within the Fiordland National Park which is in turn part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Milford Sound runs 15 kilometers inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1200 meters or more on either side. Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, while seals, penguins, and dolphins frequent the waters. The natural beauty of this landscape draws thousands of visitors each day. Tourists should be sure to bring umbrellas, however, as Milford Sound receives over seven meters of rain annually. Far from being a damper on a visit, though, each rainfall creates dozens of "temporary waterfalls" down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand meters in length. Be careful, though: accumulated rainwater can at times cause portions of the rain forest to lose their grip on the sheer cliff faces, resulting in tree avalanches into the Sound. The re-growth of the rainforest after these avalanches can be seen in several locations along the Sound.
2. Mt Cook - South Island
Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, a peak in the Southern Alps range that runs the length of the West Coast of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favorite challenge for mountain climbers. The Tasman Glacier and Hooker Glacier flow down its slopes.
Following the settlement between Kāi Tahu and the Crown in 1998, the name of the mountain was officially changed from Mount Cook to Aoraki/Mount Cook to incorporate its original name, Aoraki. As part of the settlement, a number of South Island placenames were appended with their Māori name. Signifying the importance of Aoraki/Mount Cook, it is the only one of these names where the Māori name precedes the English. In the terms of the settlement, the Crown also agreed to return title to Aoraki/Mount Cook to Kāi Tahu, who would then formally gift it back to the nation.
3. Piha Beach - North Island
It is located 28 kilometers west of Auckland city center, on the Tasman Sea coast to the north of the Manukau Harbour, amidst the Waitakere Ranges.
The area has retained much of its natural beauty and isolation. The rugged coastline and forested Waitakere Ranges offer a number of walks, or tramps, ranging from easy to very difficult. Close to the beach are the Kitekite Falls which while not very large are picturesque. Swimming is possible all seasons in a pool just above the falls while at the bottom is a sheltered picnic area popular in summer with families.
Piha is probably New Zealand's second best-known surfing beach after Raglan, and it has a reputation for awesome surf. It was the birthplace of New Zealand board riding in 1956 and has been the scene of both New Zealand national and international surfing championship competitions.
4. Wairoa River - North Island
New Zealand's longest Wairoa River runs for 150 kilometers through the northern part of the North Auckland Peninsula. In the upper reaches, the river is formed from two separate rivers, the Manganui River and - confusingly - the Wairua River. The two streams meet to the northeast of Dargaville, becoming the Wairoa. It is the longest river in the Northland Region.
The river flows from here firstly southwest (as far as Dargaville) and then southeast for 40 kilometers in a wide navigable estuary which flows into the northern end of the Kaipara Harbour.
5. Abel Tasman National Park - South Island
Abel Tasman National Park is located at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. It consists of an area of forested hill country to the north of the valleys of the Takaka and Riwaka Rivers, and is bounded to the north by the waters of Golden Bay and Tasman Bay.
The park was founded in 1942, and covers 225 km². It is named after Abel Tasman, who in 1642 became the first European explorer to sight New Zealand.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a popular tramping track which follows the coastline. An inland route, the Abel Tasman Inland Track, is also available. Kayaking, camping and sightseeing are other activities carried out in the park. The Department of Conservation administers the park.
The nearest large town is Motueka, 20 kilometers to the south.
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