The best online casino among natural beauty
Summer in New Zealand is a beautiful time of the year. New Zealand’s warm summer season runs from December to February, opposite to the Northern hemisphere, and it’s a perfect time to celebrate Christmas and other holidays! The weather is mild, with average high temperatures ranging from 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, and it’s a perfect time to visit gorgeous scenic lakes and beaches. While you are enjoying your holiday, why not relax during the balmy summer evenings at New Zealand’s favourite online casino?
Today, we decided to bring you a rundown of the most popular natural phenomena in New Zealand. All these places will stun and amaze you with their natural beauty, and they are worth a visit, especially in summer!
Come and marvel at the pristine Milford and Doubtful Sounds
Milford Sound is located on the bottom of the South Island, and it’s a very popular tourist destination. The grandeur and the pristine beauty of this fiord cannot be described in words, even Rudyard Kipling called it “the eighth wonder of the world!” The fiord was carved out during Ice Ages, with seven glaciers carving out their paths to the sea deeper and deeper – in fact, the deepest point of the fiord is a staggering 265 metres under water. There are two waterfalls to marvel at, Bowen Falls which are 165m tall and the smaller Stirling Falls. Doubtful Sound is also located in the Fiordland, and it’s the second longest and the deepest fiord in New Zealand. It’s a long, meandering fiord with hundreds of waterfalls to admire, and long peaceful vistas, surrounded by soaring mountains. The fiords are a home to bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and the Fiordland crested penguins.
Marvel at the geothermal activity at Rotorua
The volcanic park at Rotorua, North Island, is not to be missed. From the moment you come to this town, you will literally smell the difference – the volcanic atmosphere is permeated with sulphur. There is so much to see and so much to explore in this amazing place. There are geysers of boiling water, pools of gurgling mud and steaming quiet lakes. There are incredible multicoloured silica terraces of the Champagne Pools, wreathed in steam. Crystal-clear lakes and pure blue streams amaze the eyes. And, in the evening, what better way to relax after a day of exploration with a soak in a real volcanic mud spa bath, and a playful hour or two at the best online casino in NZ.
Check out the Craters of the Moon in Taupo
The Craters of the Moon are a very popular tourist attraction in Taupo, not far from Rotorua. It’s a walk in the Wairakei Tourist Park, with an amazing otherworldly atmosphere. This Tourist Park is actually the largest geothermal field in New Zealand, which is being used to produce geothermal energy. The walk around the Craters of the Moon will delight you with mud pools, volcanic steam vents and spitting hot mud craters. This is a magnificent natural wonder, where the visitors can explore the geothermal valley, filled with steamy clouds and marvel at the eerie bubbling mud pools.
Tongariro National Park
The Tongariro National Park is located in the centre of the North Island, and it’s one of New Zealand’s unforgettably beautiful gems. The Tongariro Crossing is New Zealand’s best one-day hike, running through the spectacular National Park. On this walk, you will hike past intimidating volcanic peaks, shimmering turquoise and emerald-green lakes, and stunningly beautiful landscapes. Or if you prefer something a little different, there is always the magnificent volcano Mount Ruapehu. It is an active volcano, snow capped for most of the year, and it looks simply incredible in the middle of rolling plains. Nearby there are the powerful Huka Falls, located on the Waikato River. The river is placid, until it comes to a deep ravine, before bursting over the 11m tall Huka Falls, falling into a roaring turbulent pool below.
Glowworms galore!
The North Island boasts a huge population of glowworms, which live in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. The glowworms have to be viewed in total darkness and in silence (they are easily spooked by loud noises!). They produce an amazing glittering cave for the visitors to explore, both by foot and in a little boat. Take a fantastic trip under the cover of darkness and enjoy the magical glowworms quietly shimmering overhead. This system of caves is hands down the best experience of glowworms in the country.
Enjoy the magic of the Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds are a truly magical place, especially by boat. They are located near the town of Nelson, on the northeast part of the South Island. There are three separate Sounds forming this area – the Queen Charlotte Sound, Kenepuru Sound and Pelorus Sound. These used to be river valleys, now forming a part of the seascape. The meandering valleys and surrounding hills are unforgettably beautiful.
Relax in the Abel Tasman National Park
The Abel Tasman National park is are a relaxed National Park to explore, whether by foot, kayaks or under sail. It’s an all-time favourite place for a summer holiday. These wondrously beautiful bays are easy to explore by walking, kayaking, canoeing or even mountain biking – there are plenty of camping grounds in the park, too. Imagine waking up in a little tent, birds singing in the trees above you, and going for an early morning swim and a spot of fishing! Pure streams tumble down through green mossy valleys, pouring into clean warm ocean bays. The headlands are forested, with impressive marble and granite formations. There is even an ancient Maori fort that you can visit and inspect terraces and ancient food pits. The scenic bays of the National Park are enclosed by forested dark green hills, and they are a true delight to explore during the summer months. And if you are particularly active, there is the Abel Tasman Coast Track to walk – 51 km of stunning landscapes, bays and fabulous views. This coastal paradise is easily accessible by boat or water taxi, or if you are so inclined, you can just take a little cruise or an adventurous trip on a sailing catamaran.
Stroll on amazing West Coast Glaciers
The West Coast of the South Island is a truly incredible place. There is only one road through it, snaking down from Nelson and running past endless beaches surrounded by dramatic cliffs, beautiful vistas, and soaring mountains. There are many visible glaciers in the Westland National Park, and two of them are easily accessible by foot – the Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier.
The Fox Glacier is conveniently accessible from the Fox Glacier Township. There are several walks in the Fox Glacier Valley, which afford excellent views of the glacier as its coming down the mountain. The Fox Glacier is one of the longest in the National Park, over 13 km in length, with pristine mountain ice showing off against dramatic mountains. The Franz Josef Glacier is in the same National Park, near the Franz Josef Township. There are also several walks around it, offering magnificent views of the glacier valley, the glacier and Waiho River.
Walk and camp in the Mount Cook / Aoraki National Park
The Mount Cook / Aoraki National Park is an incredible place, with 19 peaks over 3,000 metres high soaring above your head, including New Zealand’s tallest mountain Aoraki Mount Cook, and it’s also a part of the South Westland World Heritage Area – Te Wahipounamu. This is an enormous National Park, covering over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking vistas. If you love looking at the sparkling glaciers in the distance, this is a place that you absolutely must see, as glaciers cover over 40% of the Park area! Until many other green and gentle locations in New Zealand, the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is a rugged place, the home of ice and rock. Even the road to this National Park – State Highway 80 – is the most scenic road on the South Island of New Zealand!
Amazing New Zealand
We hope that you enjoyed this little expose of the wondrous natural phenomena of our beautiful New Zealand. There are so many great spots to visit, and fun adventures to have this summer! What a way to start a fresh year, and while you are travelling and adventuring around, remember that you are always welcome at the best online casino in NZ, whether it’s for a spot of relaxation after a long day kayaking, or something fun to do while you are armchair travelling!