The Best Places in New Zealand to See Nature and Wildlife

Did you know that New Zealand offers some of the most memorable nature experiences in the entire world? Between its incredible mountains, sandy beaches and green countryside, New Zealand offers a refuge like none other for plants and animals. In fact, approximately 30% of the country’s land area is protected conservation land.

So what makes New Zealand’s nature and wildlife so great and where in this great country can you find it? Lets take a deeper dive:

New Zealand is a land of unique birds. The best known is the flightless Kiwi, New Zealand’s unofficial national symbol. Found in both North and South Islands at various Sanctuaries the Kiwi at around the size of a domestic chicken is by far the smallest bird that can lay the largest egg in relation to their body size in the world.

The endangered Kakapo, the world’s largest and heaviest parrot is another must see when visiting New Zealand. Although it can’t fly, Kakapo can scramble up into shrubs and small trees. Currently these remaining parrots can be found at Codfish Island off the coast of Stewart Island, Maud Island and Little Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

As for nature, New Zealand is known for its evergreen rain forests with giant tree ferns, vines and epiphyses. None being more famous than the Waipoua Forest on the west coast, just north of Dargaville in Northland. It features towering trees including the Giant Kauri as well as birds you can’t find anywhere else. Throughout the forest you have the ability to stroll through gateways these trees create as well colorful ferns along the road’s edges. You can even take a guided tour throughout the forest where they will tell you about Maori legends and sing enchanted songs to convey the spiritual connection between human and nature. Now how much is that?

This is just a small sampling of the amazing wildlife and nature that can be found within the great country of New Zealand. Now it’s up to you to make these experiences a reality. Book a flight, hire an Apex car rental and before you know it, you will first-hand see the hidden gems you won’t find anywhere else on the globe.

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Image Credit By Order: Jocey K, Dunedin NZ, gribbly Under Creative Common License