18 Photographs TO inspire your Next New Zealand Adventure

18 Photographs to Inspire your Next New Zealand Adventure

18 Photographs TO inspire your Next New Zealand Adventure

New Zealand is, hands down, one of the most spectacular countries on Earth. Home to cascading mountains, gorgeous beaches, enchanted forests, and towering Fjords, New Zealand is every adventure traveller’s wildest dream. In honor of such a magnificent destination, I’m sharing 18 photographs to inspire your next New Zealand adventure.

Alongside the pics, I’ll also be sharing some aspects about New Zealand travel that highlight just how spectacular this country truly is.

So, scroll on and get inspired!

a woman in a red coat stands between two cliffs in Fjordland, New Zealand — Dramatic mornings in Fjordland National Park, New Zealand

the Road Less (or More) Travelled

a road stretches out along the coastline of South Island, New Zealand — Coastal Drives on the South Island

a road stretches out front underneath a cloud-covered mountain in South Island, New Zealand — Scenic scenes of New Zealand

a field of purple lupin flowers under a mountain in New Zealand — Scenic scenes of New Zealand

It might be a stretch to consider New Zealand’s highways the “road less traveled”. However, you might often find yourself out on your own while driving along the country’s winding, scenic routes. It’s a blessing that this country’s landscapes are as beautiful as they are, considering how much time you probably will spend in the car!

the Land of Waterfalls

New Zealand’s original Māori name is Aoteroa, which means the “Land of the Long White Cloud”. The name is incredibly fitting, considering just how much it rains. This abundant rain means that New Zealand also has awe-inspiring waterfalls all over the place. You can find some of the most majestic ones on the South Island:

half of a waterfall cascades down a cliff in Fjordland National Park, New Zealand — Half-waterfalls in Fjordland National Park

Have you ever seen a half-waterfall before? In Fjordland National Park, sometimes the wind is so strong that the massive waterfalls don’t even make it to the sea below. Just think about how forceful those gusts must be to stop a waterfall in its tracks!

a waterfall cascades into Fjordland National Park, New Zealand — Cascading waterfalls of the Fjordlands

trails of waterfalls down the face of a black cliff in Fjordland National Park, New Zealand — Cascading waterfalls of the Fjordlands

Cascading Cliffs & Glaciers

Do you like to hike, walk, or just gape in awe at beautiful mountains and glaciers? Well, then you’re sure to get your fix throughout New Zealand’s South Island.

waterfalls cascading down from a glacier in Fjordland National Park

a peak of Mt. Cook in South Island, New Zealand — The valley of Mt. Cook

dramatic cliff faces in Fjordland National Park, New Zealand — Dramatic cliff faces on the South Island

Mountaintops and Blooming Lupins

viewpoint of Mt. Cook in New Zealand — Peaks of Mt. Cook

If you drive around New Zealand in the summer months, you’ll come across plumes of bright pink, purple, and white flowers. These blooming lupins frame some of the country’s most spectacular views. It just adds to the feeling that New Zealand’s beauty is truly other-worldly.

pink lupin flowers in front of lake Tekapu in New Zealand — Blooming lupins on the South Island, New Zealand

pink lupin flowers in front of Mt. Cook in New Zealand — Blooming lupins on the South Island, New Zealand

mt. cook in front of a vallley — Snow-capped Peak of Mt. Cook

Incredible (and Unique!) Biodiversity

a dolphin jumps in front of the Fjords of Fjordland National Park, New Zealand — Left: A bottlenose dolphins plays beneath the Fjords Right: Tane Mahuta, the 2,000 year-old Kauri tree

a massive Kauri tree in the forest in New Zealand — Left: A bottlenose dolphins plays beneath the Fjords Right: Tane Mahuta, the 2,000 year-old Kauri tree

New Zealand is home to some unique and beautiful biodiversity. From kiwis to dolphins to thousand-year-old massive Kauri trees, New Zealand’s nature is special and fortunately well-protected under the country’s conservation laws. The care that people have here for their local environment is truly unmatched, and it shows in New Zealand’s flourishing nature!

Magnificent, Humbling FJORDS

a waterfall cascades down a green cliff in New Zealand — Scenes from Fjordland National Park

New Zealand’s Fjords are another landscape that feel truly out of this world. Milford Sound is the most well-known spot in Fjordland National Park, and for good reason. The Sound’s breathtaking cliffs, waterfalls, and wildlife are definitely not to miss.

And Most importantly…Sheep!

sheep in a field in New Zealand — New Zealand: a sheep dreamscape

No trip to New Zealand is complete without taking in an abundance of sheep. Aside from the kiwi, sheep are the most iconic New Zealand animal. The countryside is so full of them, that they actually outnumber the country’s human residents 5-1!