Top 5 Natural Highs
Rangitoto Island, Auckland – When you hike to the top of
Auckland’s iconic harbour volcano, you won’t be greeted by a lava crater – this volcano has been dormant since blowing its top 600 years ago – but you will get the most spectacular 360° views of
Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf islands. Plus you get to take a stroll through the world’s largest Pohutukawa forest.
Mount Maunganui (Mauao), Bay of Plenty – Wow! The views from the top of this sacred mountain (or The Mount, as it’s locally known) are so worth puffing your way to the top for. Watch the ships coming and going through the harbour entrance, and drink in the 360º views of the beach, harbour and Matakana Island.
Te Mata Peak, Hawke’s Bay – Maori legend has it that Te Mata is the body of a fallen giant. You can drive, bike or hike up this towering peak just out of Havelock North for endless views of rugged ranges and rolling plains stretching right to the coast at Cape Kidnappers – and on a clear day, you can even see Mount Ruapehu.
Aoraki/Mount Cook, Canterbury – It’s called Cloud Piercer in Maori and for good reason! New Zealand’s highest peak (how high??) is a favourite challenge for mountain climbers but we recommend that you opt for a scenic flight and enjoy those bird’s-eye views from the safety of a plane or chopper!
Mount Sunday (Edoras), Canterbury – Take a tour to remote and beautiful Mount Potts Station and stand on the summit of Mount Sunday, and you’ll soon see why Peter Jackson chose this spot for the fortress city of Edoras during Lord of The Rings filming. The view is so Middle Earth, with its alpine mountains and rugged high country farmland, you can’t fail to feel the magic!
