Places to Visit

Cape Reinga is a famous place to visit in New Zealand because it is the point where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean intersect. Cape Reinga is also a sacred site for the Maori people who believe that this is the location where the spirits enter the underworld. The name reinga translates from the Maori language as,"underworld" and it is also translated as, "e Rerenga Wairua', meaning "the leaping-off place of spirits"("Cape Reinga").

Works Cited
"Cape Reinga." Wikipedia. 21 07 2011. Web.


Cape Reinga Lighthouse
Image Found @ http://www.gulliverstravel.co.uk/RWC2011-north-island, July 18, 2011



Cape Reinga World Sign
Image Found @ http://www.new-zealand-pictures.co.nz/photo/cape-reinga-sign-post-northland-new-zealand-1089.htm, July 18, 2011

MUSEUMS
New Zealand has 11 different museums. These museums include the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, MOTAT Museum of Transport and Technology, Canterbury Museum, Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Otago Museum, Southland Museum and Art Gallery, The Colonial Cottage Museum, Wellington Cable Car Museum,National Transport & Toy Museum("List of Museums").
One that stands out is the Museum Of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. The name “Te Papa Tongarewa” is translated in the Maori language as, “the place of treasures of this land”. This museum was first established in 1865 as a Colonial Museum. After centuries of refining this into a Museum that offers its visitors a variety of information about New Zealand's art, history, Pacific Ocean, Maori, and the natural environment. There are educational programs for all ages, perfomances, exhibits, and guided tours("Museum of New Zealand") .

1865 Colonial Museum
Image Found @ http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/AboutUs/history/Pageshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif/default.aspx#1998


Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa new building built in 1998
Image Found @http://mrmkultureklub.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/te-papa-1.jpg

Works Cited

"List of museums." Wikipedia. 17 July 2011. Web. .

"About Te Papa." Museum of New Zealand. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .

NATIONAL PARKS

New Zealand has many National Parks that are beautiful and well protected. Some of the National Parks are the Fiordland National Park, Abel National Park, Westland National Park, and Tongariro National Park("New Zealand Travel Guide").

-Fiordland National Park is the largest National Park in New Zealand and in the world. It has rainforests, mountains, thousands of waterfalls and home of the Milford and Doubtful Sound("New Zealand Travel Guide").

-Able Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest National Park. This offers its guests more of a private setting. The Maori lived on this white sandy beach's coastline for at least 500 years utilizing the marine life and rainforest for food("New Zealand Travel Guide").

Kayaking at Able Tasman National Park
Image Found @ http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/kayaking-in-the-abel-tasman.jpg

-Westland National Park is located on New Zealand's south island. Westland is especially unique because it is the only place in the world, outside of the polar regions, that has glaciers on the coast line. Another extraordinary fact is that the climate is warm most of the year("New Zealand Travel Guide").

-Tongariro National Park is one of the worlds oldest National Parks and is known for the regular erupting volcano. It is located in the Taupo region and is home of 3 volcanos which are Mt. Ruapehu, Mt. Tongariro, and Mt. Ngauruhoe. Mt. Ruapehu is the largest volcano on New Zealand's north island and has the most ski-fields in New Zealand("New Zealand Travel Guide").

MORE PLACES TO VISIT

-QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown is also named, "New Zealand's Adventure Capital. This is the location that you would want to visit if you want an adrenaline rush. There is bungee jumping, jet-boating, skiing, and many more activities that are listed below. Queenstown is also a great place to go shopping and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy("New Zealand Travel Guide").

-ROTORUA
Rotorua is famous for the Whakareewa Thermal Reserve. There is constant volcanic activity, geysers, steaming hot pools, and mud pools. Activities that are popular here is trout fishing, and boating on one of 16 lakes in this region("New Zealand Travel Guide").

-BAY OF ISLANDS
There is a total of 144 islands in New Zealand's Bay of Islands. A tourist could take advantage of a cruise in order to witness the breathtaking views of white sand beaches, subtropic climate, and marine life including whales, dolphins, penguins, and marlin("New Zealand Travel Guide").

-MT. COOK
MT. Cook is located in the Canterbury region. It is also credited for being the tallest mountain in New Zealand reaching a height of 12,316 ft. Mt. Cook is home of the largest ski-run in the world("New Zealand Travel Guide").

-KAIKOURA
Kaikoura is located near Christchurch and is famous for its year around whale watching with a beautiful scenery of lakes and snow-capped mountains("New Zealand Travel Guide").

This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: KIWIS, CRAMPONS AND CREVASSES

-COROMANDEL
Coromandel is known for having hot water beaches. There is a river of hot water from the interior of the Earth that rises to the Pacific Ocean. Near the ocean, if you were to dig a hole in the gold and white beach sand, you can make your very own spa pool("Coromandel").

WORKS CITED

"Top 10 must see places." New Zealand Travel Guide. N.p., 10 11 2010. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .

"Hot Water Beach." The Coromandel. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Jul 2011. .