1. TONGARIRO
The mountains – Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe – and adjoining lands that form the Tongariro National Park are in the centre of North Island. Walking trails range from short excursions through lowland forests to the popular 8-hour Tongariro Crossing and the Round the Mountain. In winter, two large ski fields operate on this mountain.
NEW ZEALAND'S HERITAGE SITES
2. SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS
Five pristine island groups in the Southern Ocean – the Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Snares Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island – support 126 bird species, including five seabirds that breed nowhere else in the world. Windswept and fragile, these beautiful islands are home to significant populations of many rare species, such as the southern royal albatross, the yellow-eyed penguin and the New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lion.
