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6 Gorgeous Places In New Zealand To Up Your Instagram Game

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Iman Izzati Azhari •  Nov 09, 2016

We'd readily be the first to admit that New Zealand is THE place for aspiring photographers/Instagram enthusiasts to capture unbelievably stunning shots. From naturally colourful lakes to glow in the dark caves, there's so much beauty to capture and document ?

Credit: giphy

So, grab your camera and pack some spare batteries, 'cause you'll be needing them! Here's 6 Instagram-worthy attractions in New Zealand for your viewing pleasure ?

1. Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Reserve Park

Colourful yet toxic water pond
Colourful yet toxic water pond

Credit: fashpackatforty

A visit to the Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Reserve Park is a discovery of the aftereffect of Earth’s geothermal activities underneath the surface.

Start your visit with a 3-minute drive to the Lady Knox geyser, where you will be supplied with history and geological facts of the geyser. You can watch it erupt at 10:15 a.m. every day!

Lady Knox
Credit: travel-tour-guide

Then, continue on with the walks at the Wonderland. Along the 50 to 75-minute walk, you’ll be treated to mesmerising sights of the naturally colourful lakes such as the Central Pools of Wai-O-Tapu, the Artist’s Palette, and Champagne Pool.

Champagne Pool
The vibrant Champagne Pool.

Credit: macronix

Complete your visit to the Geothermal Wonderland by watching the bubbling mud pools.

2 - Waiotapu 4
Credit: photovolcanica

#HHWT Tip: Don’t forget to grab a Rotorua tourist voucher to enjoy a $4 discount on the entrance fees.

Price: Adult, NZ$32.50; Child, NZ$11.

Opening Hours: Opens everyday including public holidays.

Apr to Oct: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission 3:45 p.m.)

Nov to Mar: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (last admission 4:45 p.m.)

Christmas Day: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission 3:45 p.m.)

Website

2. Te Paki Sand Dunes

Credit: rankers

Is there anything you can’t do in New Zealand? Apparently not, because you can even whizz down sand dunes at Kaitaia, New Zealand. Just north of Kaitaia, you can participate in this unique activity for FREE (if you have your own bodyboards)! If not, you can rent a bodyboard for NZ$10-15 and use it as long as you want.

SandBoarding
Credit: boiholidays

#HHWT Tip: Make sure that you don't leave valuable items at the parking area as the place is notorious with crafty local thieves.

3. Hobbiton

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Bag End at sundown

Credit: placestoseeinyourlifetime

You must be thinking “If I get a dollar every time I see Hobbiton on a New Zealand travel guide, I’d be able to fund myself to actually go there,” but let me tell you it is on every guide for a great reason. Regardless whether you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings trilogy or not, Hobbiton is the one place that you absolutely need to go.

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Hobbiton overlooking the lake of the set.

Credit: backtonaturetours

Despite being artificially constructed, Hobbiton remains to appear seamless from the natural setting of Matamata. It’s definitely a plus if you are a fan of the trilogy because you get to relive your favourite scenes of the movie.

Price: Tours of the Hobbtion Movie Set begins from NZ$79 for an adult while children get in free with an adult.

Operating Hours: The Shire Store & The Shire Ticketing Centre: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (with extended hours in the summer)

Website

[We promise you, New Zealand will leave you wanting more!]

4. Great Lake Taupo

Getting up close and personal with a volcano.
Getting up close and personal with a volcano.

Credit: olofolsson

The Tongariro National Park doubles as New Zealand’s oldest national park and an accredited World Heritage Site. The Park comprises of three mountains, one of which is an active volcano, and serves as a challenging yet picturesque terrain for visitors.

So what is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing?

Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Credit: doc.govt.nz

It’s a 19.4km tramping track over Mt Tongariro and takes about 5 – 7 hours to complete. The journey is physically demanding as the trail is designed by the unpredictable effects of active volcanos. But the trek is not world-renowned for no reason. Along the way, you’ll be treated by the discoveries of the vibrant Blue and Emerald Lakes, the steaming Ketetahi springs, and the Te Maari craters which had burst into life in a recent 2012 volcanic eruption.

Tongariro Crossing: Emerald Lake
Passing by the Emerald lake

Credit: doc.govt.nz

Opening hours (for Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre):

Summer: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm in the summer (November - March)

Winter: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the winter (April - October)

Website

6. Glowworm cave

12 - Glowworm Caves
Credit: huffingtonpost

As if the stars themselves had fallen from their grace onto Earth and had somehow made their way to the ceiling of the Waitomo cave, this is a sight that cannot be missed. The twinkling blue lights illuminating the dark caves are naturally caused by the sensitive glowworms. They are said to be so sensitive that you’re not even allowed to take a photo of the cave and you cannot make any noise as you go through.

Price: NZ$49 for adults, NZ$22 for a child and NZ$16 for an extra child.

Operating Hours:

Open from 9am daily, 365 days a year.

Summer Hours: 9:00am - 5:30pm (01 November - 31 March)

Winter Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Website

No photo can really do these amazing attractions justice, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't immortalize your time in New Zealand! Have you been to any of these places? Share with us your experience or better yet, post your photo in the comments below??