Beautiful Places On Earth

Have you watched Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy? I bet most of us have. Do you still remember Mount Doom, a fictional volcano located in the black land of Mordor? Well, Ngauruhoe Volcano was used as a stand in for Mount Doom back then.

Mount Ngauruhoe is an active stratovolcano located in North Island, New Zealand and is approximately 25 kilometers to the south of Lake Taupo. It stands at 2,291 meters above the sea level and is one of the youngest volcanoes in the Mount Tongariro volcanic complex. The name Ngauruhoe is believed to be derived from Maori language Nga Uru Hoe which literally means “throwing heated stones”.

Mount Ngauruhoe is located within the Tongariro National Park, which is the oldest national park in New Zealand as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Hiking and climbing are popular activities in the national park during summer while skiing and snowboarding are popular during the winter. Some of the most popular tracks among worldwide trekkers in Tongariro National Park are the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and the Tongariro Northern Circuit. The track passes active volcanoes of Tongariro and Ngauruhoe and side trips to the summit of both volcanoes can be arranged.

Mount Ngauruhoe climb

The Bay of Islands is an irregular 16 kilometers wide inlet in the north eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located approximately 257 kilometers north of Auckland. There are some 150 islands of all sizes in the area. The Bay of Islands is one of the most popular fishing destinations in the world since American author Zane Grey published his novel titled Tales of the Angler’s Eldorado in 1926.

Bay of Islands

If you are not into fishing, the Bay of Islands has more to offer. The area is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. You can jump onto one of many cruises operating in the area. Some of these cruises are Tucker Thompson and Sirdar, just to name a few. See dolphins, whales and other wildlife while cruising among more than 150 islands the Bay is famous for. Experience also the thrill when your cruise sails through Hole in the Rock, an iconic structure off Cape Brett.

Hole in the Rock, Bay of Islands

The best fishing season in the Bay of Islands is from mid December to April the following year. This is also the best period in the year to visit the area.

Rotorua is located on the southern shores of Lake Rotorua, in North Island of New Zealand. Located just 230 kilometers southeast of Auckland, Rotorua is New Zealand’s major tourist city.

Because of its location in the middle of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity. Geothermal refers to the outward heat flows from the earth’s hot interior to the surface. Geothermal activities can be seen in the form of numerous geysers, hot bubbling mud pools, hot springs in and around Rotorua. A geyser is a hot spring that ejects hot water and steam some height above the surface. The most famous geyser in Rotorua is the Pohutu Geyser at Te Puia. Pohutu Geyser is able to eject hot water up to 100 feet. Sometimes it last for only few minutes, some other time the geyser can continue discharging for few hours! Because of the active geothermal activity, Rotorua is renowned for its unique sulphur aroma, very much like rotten eggs smell. Thus, the city is also nicknamed the Sulphur City.

Rotorua is surrounded by 17 lakes. Fishing, swimming, waterskiing and other water activities are popular during the summer. Mountain biking in Whakarewarewa Forest is also a popular activity here. Whakarewarewa Forest has some of the best mountain bike trails in New Zealand. Besides, Rotorua is also New Zealand’s Maori cultural center judging by nearly one third of the country’s total Maori population live here. You certainly do not want to miss out on Kapa Haka, the traditional cultural dance of Maori People, don’t you?

Rotorua, New Zealand

Lake Taupo is a lake situated in the North Island of New Zealand. At 616 square kilometers, the lake is the largest lake in New Zealand. It is approximately 306 kilometers south of Auckland. Taupo Lake lies in a caldera created during a volcanic eruption some 26,500 years ago.

Taupo New Zealand

Tourism in Lake Taupo is very active. The lake attracts over 1.2 million tourists per year. It is known for trout fishery, especially rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is highly desirable food and game fish. The rainbow trout caught in Lake Taupo weighs an average of 4 pounds. It is very usual for someone to capture a 20-pound! Although people come here to fish throughout the year, but the best trout fishing season is from May to September every year. Another popular activity in the region is skydiving. This clip shows skydiving in Taupo, New Zealand.

Skydiving Taupo New Zealand