ParksandGardens, New Zealand

Located a short distance from Auckland CBD, Auckland Domain is a mecca for relaxation and a must-see when in the region. Spread over 75 hectares of land, Auckland Domain is the oldest park in the city and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike especially on a warm summer day. There are a number of different gardens located in the park including the Wintergardens, one of the most recognisable with the Auckland War Memorial Museum sitting at the highest point, the Formal Gardens, a display from the 1860s with exotic trees, birds and trout, the Duck Ponds, which was the first piped water supply in Auckland back in 1866 and the Band Rotunda standing there since 1912. Auckland Domain is open to the public 24 hours a day for free. There are a number of facilities on the grounds including a water fountain, toilets, sports fields and a dog exercise area located on Gum Tree Hill. https://www.experienceoz.com.au/en/auckland/auckland-domain/auckland-domain

Located in the heart of the CBD, Albert Park is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city scene. Easily accessible by walking paths around the city, exploring Albert Park is a definite must for visitors to the region. Open to the public 24 hours a day, there is so much to see and do in the Park. Some of the main highlights of the park include the Victorian fountain, Queen Victoria statue and the Laidlaw floral clock that was constructed in 1953. There are a number of different paths leading through the park making exploring it easy and enjoyable. In terms of facilities, the park is fitted with public toilets located between Albert Park House and the Wellesley Street East walkway. https://www.experienceoz.com.au/en/auckland/albert-park/albert-park

Ambury farm park lies among the southern suburbs fronting the Manukau Harbour. Take in the various farm animals as you wander around the open pasture. Ambury is a significant habitat for shorebirds and the coast has excellent examples of basalt lava flows. http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ambury

Linking Queenstown, Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley, this trail network is the ultimate way to reach many of the region’s iconic attractions while soaking up its world-famous scenery. Rides range from easy lakeside jaunts to cross-country treks to winery tours, offering adventures to suit cyclists of almost every ability and area of interest. Visitors are spoilt for choice on this trail network, which dishes up sublime scenery while linking many of the attractions the Queenstown region is famous for. Multiple access and bike hire points, open landscapes and clear signage make for easy navigation, while wide, smooth terrain means riders can keep their eyes front and camera at the ready. Gold rush-era Arrowtown is the starting point for the intermediate Arrow River Bridges Ride that takes in photogenic bridges, country lanes and an old gold miners’ road to historic Kawarau Bridge, site of the world’s original bungy jump operation and a chance to strike the big bounce off the bucket list. Kawarau Bridge signals the start of the Gibbston River Ride, an easy meander through the ‘Valley of the Vines’ and a brilliant way to explore the wineries lining this iconic Central Otago landscape.https://www.nzcycletrail.com/find-your-ride/23-great-rides/the-queenstown-trail

The Kiwi Birdlife Park is a wildlife sanctuary found in the heart of Queenstown. Park holds and displays over 20 species of native NZ wildlife in 5 acre, all of which are part of nationally managed programmes. In this Birdlife Park you can meet Brown Teal, Kea, Blue Duck, New Zealand Falcon and other species of birds. Kiwi Birdlife Park’s Kiwi Houses reverse the clock so park visitors can see, by day, these amazing birds in a naturalistic night-time setting. Also discover a world of fun bee facts and products at the Honey Bee Centre. With an indoor transparent beehive, you will get to see the incredible world of bees. Learn about the importance of bees in agriculture and things you can do to help bee populations! https://www.kiwibird.co.nz/

Over 26 hectares of unsurpassed views, unique landscape, exotic forests, native bush, colourful floral displays and gorgeous specialist gardens.Visit the Duck Pond, Begonia House, award-winning Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Treehouse Visitor Information Centre, Sundial of Human Involvement, Children's Play Area and the historic Bolton Street Memorial Park, where many of the city's pioneers are buried. https://www.wellingtonnz.com/discover/sights-activities/wellington-botanic-garden/

Close encounters of the ‘wildlife kind’ are a Willowbank trademark. Meet New Zealand’s Big 5 with the Kiwi, the cheeky Kea, the ancient Tuatara, our bush parrot the Kaka and the very rare Takahe. Feed the wild eels and make friends with the livestock breeds unique to New Zealand. http://www.christchurchnz.com/what-to-see-and-do/listings/willowbank-wildlife-reserve

Hamilton Zoo is home to over 600 native and exotic animals and boasts the only tapirs in New Zealand, the only fishing cats and the largest free-flight aviary in New Zealand dedicated to native birds and plants. See exotic species like giraffes, zebras, chimpanzees, red pandas, lemurs and Sumatran tigers as well as farm animals like kune kune pigs and alpacas. Get to know some animals during free daily Meet the Keeper talks. For a special experience, go behind the scenes on a Face2Face encounter and meet a southern white rhinos, siamang gibbons, giraffe, red pandas, or lemurs. Every visit is different, with breeding and baby animals at any time of the year. Hamilton Zoo is committed to inspiring conservation action through participation in various projects and contributing to breeding programmes for endangered species like southern white rhino, once there were only 100 left in the world, now there are more than 20,000. http://www.visithamilton.co.nz/see-and-do/attractions/hamilton-zoo

Explore an enchanting world of secret gardens at Waikato's most visited tourist destination. The international award-winning Hamilton Gardens is unique; it tells "the story of gardens". http://www.visithamilton.co.nz/see-and-do/hamilton-gardens/hamilton-gardens

Come to Murchison for whitewater thrills – rafting, kayaking, canoeing and jet boating. There are fast running rivers in every direction. Murchison is known as the ‘whitewater capital’ of the country, because there are rivers everywhere – the Gowan, Mangles, Matiri, Glenroy, Matakitaki, Maruia and the mighty Buller. For anybody into canoeing or kayaking, it’s a dream come true with the region offering some of the best all-grades options in New Zealand. https://www.newzealand.com/au/murchison/

Perched on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, St Arnaud is the perfect base from which to explore the honeydew forest and mountains of Nelson Lakes National Park. The village of St Arnaud sits at the edge of Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson region, providing an ideal base for people who plan to hike or fish in Nelson Lakes National Park. Both Lake Rotoroa and Rotoiti are well known for their fine brown trout, and if you walk along the jetty you’ll see some friendly native eels swimming around the waters below. The lakes are a popular destination year round for boating, water skiing, swimming and kayaking, and hosts the annual New Zealand Antique and Classic Boatshow. https://www.newzealand.com/au/st-arnaud/

Brooklands Zoo is a free, family focused zoo which is home to farmyard animals, oriental small-clawed otters, meerkats and both capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys, as well as a selection of colourful birds housed inside a walk-through free-flight aviary. http://visitnewplymouth.nz/activities/providerid/675

Bring your family, swimsuits, barbecue supplies or picnic and make a day of it with one of our two adventure park pass options, or if you’re short on time, come down and rent a kayak by the hour. Our adventure park pass system is designed so once you have purchased a pass for the park you won’t need any more money for the rest of the day. You can enjoy, get wet, relax and most importantly have fun, without needing to reach for your wallet. Enter the park knowing that the day is yours to enjoy with our supreme pass. The Blob, The UFO, rock climbing and unlimited kayak hire; the fun is just starting. Slide down NZ’s only kayak slide. Beach volleyball is a hit while others enjoy the challenge on Waimarino’s new low ropes course. https://www.newzealand.com/au/plan/business/adventure-park/

Claim your bragging rights! High excitement, stomach-churning and a great confidence builder. Test your skills by taking on an Adrenalin Forest aerial obstacle course. Located among natural surroundings in the Bay of Plenty, Adrenalin Forest courses feature over 100 fun-filled challenges across six levels. Each level is harder than the last, with obstacles starting at 1.5 metres above the ground that are suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels. To conquer the whole course and claim your bragging rights, you’ll be climbing, jumping and swinging up to 23 metres up in the air. But this isn’t just a test of your physical skills - each obstacle can be conquered in different ways, so you’ll be stretching your brain as well. https://www.newzealand.com/au/plan/business/adrenalin-forest-bay-of-plenty/

While staying at Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary, a 16-acre nature park, feed the unique Mount Tutu Sheep which are a closed flock of Heritage Sheep. The preservation of heritage flocks is considered to be very important. Mount Tutu Sheep, unique to Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary, are characterised by their majestic horns and piebald markings. They have been selectively bred over 18 years. The lambs look like little panda bears, and are equally as cuddly! Get up close and personal with these special sheep! https://www.newzealand.com/au/plan/business/mount-tutu-eco-sanctuary-3123383/

Discover Rotorua's rich culture, volatile landscape and legendary figures in this ‘must-see' museum. Explore the fascinating stories of Rotorua’s beautiful Government Gardens during the free walking tours hosted by Rotorua Museum guides who won the TrustPower Rotorua Lakes Council Community Supreme Award for their Outside the Walls walking tours. Despite Rotorua Museum being closed for earthquake strengthening until 2021, Museum guides have continued taking tours, sharing the fascinating history of the area that became known as the Government Gardens. Visitors learn about New Zealand’s most photographed building, the iconic Rotorua Bath House*, from spa to restaurant, cabaret to a night club and finally home to Rotorua Museum. Their stories include the Spanish Mission/Art Deco style Blue Baths, almost as famous as the Bath House and those of the other heritage buildings in the vicinity. https://www.rotoruanz.com/visit/see-and-do/museums-galleries/rotorua-museum

Paradise Valley Springs is Rotorua's must-see wildlife park where visitors of all ages can interact closely with a range of New Zealand’s wild animals, native birds, farm animals and trout, as well as view and get up close to a large pride of African Lions. The wildlife park is set amongst beautifully maintained New Zealand native bush, offering easy walking along flat accessible walkways in all types of weather. You can hand-feed animals that are found wild around the country such as Deer, Goats, Tahr and Wallabies. Visit the Kea, New Zealand’s infamous and comical alpine parrot in their walk-through aviary. Stroll through the waterbird wetland for great views of native and introduced waterfowl, and look out for the different native birds living wild around the park. Pat and feed the very sociable farm animals - alpacas, donkey, emus, sheep and more. Hundreds of Rainbow and Brown trout can be fed in the natural stream as well as in the spring-fed display pools, and viewed at eye level through an underwater window below their pool. Spot some of the large native long-finned eels lazing in their pools. Drink straight from the cool waters of the freshwater spring, or purchase some of their bottled ‘Paradise Pure’ to take away with you. Take the elevated treetops to walk in a secluded area, putting you up near the canopy of the trees. In a separate area of the park, there is also a pride of African Lions that can be seen all day in an enclosure that allows visitors to get very close to these wild animals. Lion pride feeding is at 2.30pm, followed by kea and possum feeding at 3pm every day. 10-15 minutes drive from central Rotorua. Open every day of the year including all public holidays. https://www.rotoruanz.com/visit/see-and-do/leisure-wildlife-parks/paradise-valley-springs-wildlife-park

Splash Planet is New Zealand’s only water theme park and is a beloved Hawke’s Bay destination where generations of families have made lifetime memories. https://www.hawkesbaynz.com/visit/us/splash-planet

The latest attraction in Taupo is the spectacular new Lava Glass Sculpture Garden set in an acre of manicured grounds with more than 500 glass sculptures. https://www.greatlaketaupo.com/things-to-do/listings/lava-glass-sculpture-garden/

Skyline Rotorua is now home to New Zealand's first year-round Gondola assisted bike lift, accessing world-class downhill mountain biking. Skyline Rotorua MTB Gravity Park gives riders easy access to an 8.5-kilometre trail network featuring trails with varying terrain for all ability levels. http://www.rotoruanz.com/visit/see-and-do/cycling-mountain-biking/skyline-gravity-park

Named for Mt Aspiring, one of New Zealand's highest peaks, this park is a dreamland of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. A hiker's paradise, Mount Aspiring National Park offers a large number of short walks that are mostly concentrated at the end of the park's access roads. Longer hikes through beautiful valleys, with options to traverse mountain saddles, include the Routeburn, the Dart/Rees River circuit, Greenstone/Caples and the Wilkin Valley tracks. In summer, it’s possible to walk from one valley to another over spectacular mountain passes. Shorter walks include Routeburn Nature Walk, Haast Pass Summit, Lake Sylvan near the lower dart River and the Blue Pools Walk. A highlight of any South Island adventure, the 30-minute Blue Pools Walk leads through silver beech/tahina forest and over a swing bridge to a viewing platform overlooking magnificent crystal-clear pools at the mouth of Blue River. https://www.newzealand.com/au/feature/national-parks-mount-aspiring/