New Zealand Geography Guide
If God made the earth in six days, He certainly worked overtime on New Zealand (Aotearoa). Rugged mountain ranges and rolling hill country dominate New Zealand's spectacular landscape, along with lakes, wild rivers and a coastline studded with stunning beaches, coves and bays. The two main islands, the North and the South, are separated by the 20km Cook Strait – one of the world's most scenic ferry crossings but one that can be a little rough! At the tip of the South Island, Stewart Island is our 'third' island, and one of the country's best kept secrets, with its beautiful bush, hiking trails and native bird and wildlife.
In the North Island, the unique volcanic interior has given rise to our world famous thermal areas – you'll see active volcanoes, steaming geysers, bubbling mud pools and hot springs in the areas surrounding
Rotorua and
Taupo. In the South Island, the magnificent alpine scenery offers a host of outdoor adventure with its rugged mountains, tranquil lakes and mighty glaciers, lakes and rivers.
New Zealand also embraces several smaller island groups including the Chatham, Mana and Subantarctic islands. Over 75% of New Zealand is at least 200m above sea level, and the towering Mount Cook/Aoraki, at 3754m, is the nation’s highest peak. Mount Hikurangi, on the North Island’s dramatic East Cape, is famous as the first place on the mainland to see the new dawn, while the remote Chatham Islands, 800km east of
Christchurch, is the first inhabited land on earth to see the sun.
Vital Statistics
Highest mountain:
Aoraki/Mt Cook (3,754m)
Deepest lake: Lake Hauroko (462m)
Largest lake:
Lake Taupo (606 sq km)
Longest river: Waikato River (425km)
Longest glacier: Tasman Glacier (28.5km long)