7 Great New Zealand Ecotourism Destinations

Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? If you are committed to reducing your environmental footprint, you will want to choose destinations that align with your goal. The good news is that there are plenty of ecotourism destinations to check out.

Take Responsibility for Your Own Eco-friendly Goals

Eco-tourism has become a huge trend over the last few years. A 2011 poll from Conde Nast Traveler readers found that 93% of people felt that tourist companies should be responsible for protecting the environment. Unfortunately, these attitudes have a major failing.

The problem is that these people feel that the burden to be environmentally conscious should fall solely on the travel companies. They don’t indicate that they need to take initiative to preserve the environment themselves. If you want to protect the environment, then you will need to take steps yourself.

The good news is that New Zealand is a great country for people that are committed to sustainability. There are plenty of tourist destinations to choose from if you are serious about environmentalism.

Choosing The Right Ecotourism Destinations

There are a lot of green tourist destinations in New Zealand. You just need to do your research to find them.

If New Zealand is one of your wanderlust destinations then you will need to ensure that you don’t miss out on some the best tourist attractions and after reading this travel guide, you will find out why. Below is a list of magical destinations that are not to be missed and the reasoning behind the features that have landed them in the top spot of the hottest, and sustainable, destinations for New Zealand Travel.

1. Cathedral Cove

Cathedral Cove, also known as Te Whanganui-A-Hei, is a marine reserve that captures the attention of any tourist’s eye. This is one of the greenest travel destinations in the country because you don’t need to burn toxic fossil fuels to get there.

Unlike any other destination in New Zealand, the marine reserve can only be reached by foot, boat, or kayak; allowing for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore along the way to this tourist destination. Lots of ecotourists choose to kayak to Cathedral Cove to leave a smaller carbon footprint. The guided trips offer tourists an educated excursion of the sanctioned island via several picturesque pathways which also grant access to the infamous Gemstone Bay and Mares Leg Cove. Enjoyed all year round, beach lovers will enjoy the summer season while photographers and admirers will better capture the islands beauty during the winter months.

2. SKYCITY Hamilton

One of the greatest tourist attractions falls under entertainment and attracts casino players across the world. The magnificent establishment offers the world’s most popular casino games and they can all be accessed 24/7. However, if Hamilton is too far of a destination, casino enthusiasts can enjoy playing at popular online casinos such as JackpotCity or Grand Reef with your guide NZonlinecasinos.co.nz which offers new members the opportunity to sign up with exclusive bonuses and packages. This is a great option for ecotourists that live in areas where gaming isn’t legal. For those in places that block access to gambling sites, providers like ExpressVPN provide VPN servers in New Zealand, ensuring users can access the country’s online casinos. They don’t need to burn lots of fossil fuels going to the casino – they can take the green option and play from their rooms!

3. Hokitika Gorge

For those who have a passion for outdoor adventure and an appreciation for rare beauty, Hokitika Gorge offers adventurers a scenic view of the Gorge via hiking trails, kayak routes and walkways. This is another great trip for people that don’t want to leave toxic fossil fuels by going to a destination they need to drive to.

The amazing color of the valley and jungle-like terrain immediately transports tourists upon laying eyes on the glorious scenery. It is an easy walk, so all explorers have the opportunity to enjoy all that the valley has to offer at their own leisurely pace. Judging by the reviews of visitors, this is one destination that is not to be missed!

4. Auckland Tours

Auckland is one of the destinations in New Zealand that attracts the majority of tourists. In order to best explore all that the city has to offer, a personalized tour would be the route to go. Unlike lots of cities that appeal to the masses by having lots of electric and gas-fueled rides, this is a place you can enjoy without leaving a major carbon footprint. You can just enjoy nature and appreciate the need to preserve it for the future.

Based around two harbors, Auckland boasts the Sky Tower which delivers panoramic city views of all that the city conceals from the naked eye. Another perk of visiting the Sky Tower is that adrenaline lovers can enjoy the bungee jumping facility that is offered, delivering a memorable experience.

Art devotees will enjoy the elegant array of permanent pieces that is proudly on display at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki.

Auckland Museum provides historians with a background to the history of New Zealand people. This is one of the most informative and exciting ventures to explore while travelling in New Zealand.

5. Waitomo Caves

Famous for the thousands of glow worms that inhabit the caves and the majestic waterfalls, Waitomo is a prime destination for a magical sight that lures in the curious tourist. The village of Waitomo provides visitors with tours of the extensive underground cave system through trusted and practiced guides. Black water rafting is readily available to adventurers, while the longest tour is by foot taking up to two hours to explore the underground caves and all its hidden jewels. Visitors choose to tour the caves of Waitomo due to the child friendly tours and wheelchair friendly designed tour ramps. It’s a beautiful destination for the whole family.

6. Fiordland National Park

An unbelievable and certainly unforgettable attraction in New Zealand lays in the heart of Fiordland. The national park boasts vivid imagery of fantastic almost mythical landscapes that is home to some of the most beautiful animals. Capture birds, wild animals, seals, and more, all in their natural habitat. Due to the sea that has engulfed the glacier, viewers can also encounter sea life such as bottlenose dolphins, penguins and the like, making it an ideal attraction for ocean admirers.

Scenic lovers will enjoy the placid and tranquil waterfalls that grace the glacier’s walls while capturing something that belongs in dreams. Luckily visitors can enjoy daily boat rides or flights over the U-shaped glacier and even though the beauty of the valley can be seen only from afar in an aircraft, viewers will still walk away with a memory that won’t easily be replaced with another beauty.

Sea kayaking as well as diving is available to those that wish to explore the amazing sea life of what lies beneath the oceans blanket.

7. Canterbury Hot Air Ballooning

Explore the town of Canterbury in the most memorable way possible, one that allows viewers to absorb all that the town has to offer: hot air ballooning. This breath taking experience offers panoramic views of the forests, wine lands, rivers, and lakes of the town, in a manner so exhilarating it certainly earns its place as one of the best activities in New Zealand.

Weather permitting, flyers are accompanied by fully trained professionals to enhance their experience so that safety precautions do not take away from the experience, but rather enhance the flight experience.

New Zealand is a wondrous haven that offers sacred and cherished memories to those who wish to explore. Although there are a hundred different places, attractions, and activities offered in the vast lands of New Zealand, visitors can always find something to their liking within the diameter of their surroundings. Thanks to the tour services available to these visitors, the itinerary provided by these tourism specialists should cover enough grounds to create a beautiful experience, one that will never be forgotten and one that should leave tourists wanting to come back to explore more.

Choose Green Ecotourism Destinations In New Zealand

New Zealand is a great tourist destination for people who care about the environment. Choosing one of these tourist attractions is a great way to minimize your carbon footprint.