New Zealand is a beautiful country in the southern hemisphere with lots to do for those with a sense of adventure. There are many tours for solo travellers such as Contiki Tours. The country is in the southwestern Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands. In total it is slightly smaller than Italy or Japan. The South Island is very mountainous, while the North island is less so, but has active volcanos. The amazing countryside has made it a popular location for filming such movies as Lord of the Rings.

The climate is mostly moderate on the North Island, with temperatures rarely falling below freezing or climbing above 86F or 30C. Since New Zealand is so secluded from much of the world, its isolation creates many species of plant and animal not found on the rest of the planet. Almost 80% of its flora can only be found within New Zealand.

There is a lot to see and do in New Zealand on both of the large islands. The North Island is where the major cities are and most likely the start of your New Zealand adventure in Auckland. There are many travel packages available that will help you make the most of your visit.

Things to see:

Waitomo Glowworm Cave - The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are about 2 and a half hours from Auckland. You can take a guided tour of the limestone caves and even a boat ride where numerous insects glow reflecting off the water.

Ruakuri Cave - A 1.6 kilometer walking tour awaits you in another of the glowworm caves. You will walk through vast caverns and led along narrow corridors and walkways suspended high about the unground river.

Aranui Cave - Another cave near the glowworm caves is Aranui. It is a dry cave and has amazing stalagmites, stalactites, and formations.

Queenstown - A summer and winter resort on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. You can go swimming, boating or do water sports in the summer or enjoy skiing in the winter.  The lake mysteriously varies several inches in depth every few minutes which let the Maori to believe an ancient demon was breathing beneath the surface.

Rotorua - Rotorua creates a natural spa as an active geothermal reserve. Hells Gate & Wai Ora Spa contains pools of boiling mud and the largest hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere where you can take a geothermal mud bath or soak in the healing waters.

Glaciers - There are many glaciers on the southern island for the adventurous to see. You can go hiking of Fox Glacier or take a helicopter tour of Glacier Southern Lakes.

Whakaari - The White Island Volcano is only accessible by boat or helicopter but you can get close to an active volcano. Visitors can walk right up to the crater with minimal effort or risk.

As you can see there are amazing sites to be seen in New Zealand. It will be an adventure you will never forget.