2011年10月26日 星期三

New Zealand's Best Sights

The country of New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It's also one of the most diverse, visitors can soak up the sun on the rich sandy beaches one day, the next they could be off skiing on top of a glacier. Made up of two islands, the country offers every landscape imaginable, from still crystal clear lakes to avenues of mountains that dominate the sky. Here are some of the best sights you can experience while you're here.
The North Island has some of the greatest hikes in the world; among them is the Tongarrio Alpine crossing. The 19.4km trek takes you over the active volcanic terrain of Mt Tongarrio, through some of the countries most captivating scenery, passing lava flows, emerald stained lakes and an active crater just to name a few. The ground is boiling beneath your feet, with hot steam constantly being released through the cracked rock. Although the trek isn't the most physical of walks, prospective walkers do need to relatively high level of fitness in order to tackle the steep ascents and descents of the craters.
The South Island is home to Milford Sound, described as the Eighth Wonder of the World by author Rudyard Kipling. It is a 15 kilometre fiord sandwiched between lush rainforests, embedded into rocks that tower 1000's of feet into the air. By boat is the best way to visit the area, as you can see the natural rock structures that resemble both a lion and an elephant, each soaring 4000 feet over the crystal clear water. There are two permanent natural waterfalls; however with the region experiencing rain 182 days a year, water can often be seen cascading through the forests and plummeting into the deep lagoon. This natural beauty is a must see for anybody visiting the South Island.
Finally we move on to Lake Taupo. On a clear day, the lake can seem like the most tranquil place imaginable. This perception is entirely misconceived as it's actually a volcano, with the top blown off in a catastrophic super-volcanic eruption approximately 26,500 years ago. The eruption created 54 square mile crater, now completely concealed by the lake. Many sports are based around the lake; among these is the lake Taupo cycle challenge. The event sees up to 11,000 cyclist's race the gruelling 160km circuit around the Lake.
New Zealand is a country like no other. Its diverse array of outstanding natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes across both islands make it incomparable to anywhere in the world. Here are just a few sights, come and visit and find a little bit of magic for your self.
This article was written by Thom Sanders on behalf of Qantas. They offer fantastic New Zealand holidays, as well as other great Holidays in Australia.

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