Recently updated on January 22nd, 2020 at 10:03 pm
Let the majesty of New Zealand’s landscape and culture speak for itself in these inspirational travel videos. Whether it’s the mountains, glaciers or Maori traditions that appeal the most, these incredible videos of New Zealand are sure to ignite your wanderlust.
Fiordland National Park
Spanning a vast 12,500 square-kilometres, and varying dramatically in landscape from deep valleys and fjords to glacial peaks, Fiordland National Park is deserving of its place in the larger Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. But as this video illustrates so well, it’s the locals who best express how extraordinary the landscape of this national park really is.
Lake Wanaka Region
When describing the landscape of the Lake Wanaka region, it can be hard to decide where to begin; rivers carve through both mountains and forest, with lakes and glaciers to venture through, too. As a result, a trip to this area opens up an exceptional opportunity to get into the New Zealand wilderness. This aerial video shows just how worthwhile it is to make a journey here.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Standing at 3,724 metres, amidst glaciers and snowfields, Mount Cook – also known as Aoraki – is New Zealand’s highest mountain. It was most famously climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary before he went on to conquer Mount Everest, but you don’t need to climb to the peak of Mount Cook to experience the majesty of this land. This inspiring drone footage shows how adventurous a journey through Aoraki Mount Cook National Park can feel.
Maori Culture
Despite being best known for its wilderness, there’s much more to New Zealand than spectacular landscape; this country also holds a unique cultural identity through its Maori traditions. The Haka is the traditional Maori war cry and dance, showing both the intimidating nature of this warrior ritual, and the distinctive nature of Maori customs.
Franz Josef and Tasman Glacier New Zealand
Among the giant glaciers that formed along the South Island’s west coast, Tasman and Franz Josef Glacier attract the most attention, as both their unique rainforest-fringed setting and great accessibility make these glaciers a rare find. The vast beauty of this landscape can be hard to fathom, but shot from both ground level and the skies above, this short video encapsulates how breathtaking a visit here can be.
Experience the landscape and culture of New Zealand on the Contrasts of New Zealand trip, Best of New Zealand, New Zealand Splendour, Rotorua Discovery, The Southern Drift, Southern Spectacular, Northern Discovery, Spectacular Bay of Islands, and Bay of Islands and Rotorua Unearthed.
Cover image of Nelson Lakes National Park © iStock / kapyos.