Geology, rocks, NZ fantastic natural sculptural landscapes

Lake Waro karst natural sculptures

Lake Waro karst landforms

Northland – Hokianga Harbour Sand Dunes

Hills made of sand and we are not discussing mere sand dunes. Massive folded hills rounded soft pillows entirely of sand face the harbour as you enter the Hokianga. The Hokianga sand dunes are made for sand boarding, exploration and simply looking at the light play on the sides of the sand hills. Beyond the sand dunes is sand pressured into contorted shapes and form. More sand splendor.

Hokianga harbour

Hokianga Koutu Boulders

Concretions on Koutu Beach at Hokianga Harbour

AUCKLAND – A VOLCANIC ISLAND

A mere 500 years old Rangitoto is a stone’s throw from the bustle of the central city. Lava fields, a nascent pohutukawa forest generating on the fertile aftermath of an eruption is a must visit for geology rock buffs. A day trip favourite for locals and boating destination.

Check Rangitoto Island: Places to go in Auckland

Rangitoto island volcanic area

Ruakuri Cave Adventure, Waitomo Glowworm Cave

MANGAOTAKI WALK – HIGHLIGHT FAMILY FRIENDLY KIDS WALK

This gentle loop walking track is an 800m fantasy walk worthy of inclusion in the Lord of the Rings film locations. The massive boulders littering the landscape are covered in mosses and gnarled kahikatea trees artly grow up and around the boulders. The shaded walk is another imaginative landscape perfect for kids.

• Length: 800m
• Duration: ½ hour
• Grade: Easy

NOTE

The Mangaotaki Valley was the filming location for Trollshaw Forest in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Mangaotaki Valley

Pathway through New Zealand native bush, Mangapohue Natural Bridge

MANGAPOHUE NATURAL BRIDGE

Mangapohue Natural Bridge has spectacular sights. The 17 metre-high limestone arch which spans Mangapohue Stream is the remnants of an ancient cave system.  SHORT EASY WALK FOR KIDS

Check Waikato Kiwi Towns for more inspiration what to do and where to go in the area:

• What’s so great about Marokopa
• What’s so great about Mahoenui
• What’s so great about Piopio

Cathedral Cove, near Whitianga on the Coromandel

COROMANDEL

Coromandel Cathedral Cove

A picturesque walk to one of New Zealand’s amazing beaches complete with an open sea cave is a highlight for many visitors. The area has several sea caves with Ocean Leopard Tours – Cathedral Cove Scenic Cruise Boat Tour Whitianga you can in comfort have a front row seat to the magnificent Cathedral Cove as well as cruise to view one of New Zealand’s larger sea caves.

ROTORUA

Volcanic eruptions and a buried village. Mount Tarawera’s destructive display at Rotorua Buried Village, the story of the Tarawera eruption: NZ Jane is a powerfully told story. Combined with a heli flight to the summit and guided walk to view the volcanic crater is to look into the visible heart of geological power.  The self-guided tour of Waimangu Volcanic Valley | Rotorua’s Geothermal Valley or a cruise on the newly formed lake is a stunning highlight for any Rotorua holiday. You are in the steaming, boiling centre where the earth erupted over a hundred years ago. A blip in geological time. Whitened cliffs gleam with pink and yellow streaks of deposits from hot mineral waters. Truly spectacular and a year round treat.

Buried village exacavted whare (Maori dwelling house)

Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Mount Taranaki in autumn light

TARANAKI

The slumbering giant, Mt Taranaki with its perpetually snowy peaks dominates the Taranaki plains. The volcano erupted over 200 years ago. Walkers can explore the volcano and spend time wondering about the power of a volcanic eruption.

MT RUAPEHU

An active volcano Ruapehu is part of the Tongariro Crossing. The incredible mountain beauty and turquoise lakes are as close as many will get to an active volcano. The remarkable alpine terrain is capped off by its own crater lake, heated by volcanic activity, steaming at the summit. Mount Ruapehu is a year round pleasure for hikers, skiers, snowboarders, botanists, geologists and nature lovers alike.

Tongariro crossing

Split Apple rock, Abel Tasman National Park

WEST COAST

Forbidding Denniston Plateau is a monolith dominating the landscape with its moody fog, coal mining relics and the story of coal mining written into the rock faces of Denston incline. For a detailed account of the Denniston Denniston Plateau & Millerton trip guide, what to see & do: NZ. The extraordinary uplifted plateau is a drive into another world where coal was king. The Denniston Plateau is home to one of the richest, high quality coal seams in New Zealand. For decades it was the country’s largest producing coal mine, with an estimated 12 million ton carried down the incline during its operation from October 1879 to August 1967. Denniston was created by coal and existed only to produce coal. With the mine’s closure, Denniston closed.

Denniston coal wagons

CENTRAL OTAGO

Alpine mountain ranges are the spine of the South Island. Massive schist landscapes overlook alpine tussock. New Zealand’s stone buildings material originates from the Otago region with the Dunedin Railway Station an tremendous example of schist stone architecture. Miners cottages have withstood time and elements due to the use of stone buildings materials. St Bathans Lake is a superb example of human endeavour, gold mining operations removing an entire mountain and creating one of the regions beautiful deep blue lakes. A former quarry is now an instagram favourite.

St Bathans Blue Lake result of gold mining Otago

SOUTHLAND – CURIO BAY

Curio Bay with its fossilied forest. This bay is famous for its fossilised forest. At low tide you can peer intently at the wet rocks to identify fossilised wood. Initially you might think you are looking at rocks, but on a detailed inspection you can see the grains of the fossilised wood. This is another low tide excursion to find and identify a spectacular fossilized forest. The petrified Forest is 60 million years old dating back when New Zealand was still part of the massive continent Gondwana.

View of the Petrified Forest Beach at Curio Bay in the Catlins

SOUTHLAND – GEMSTONE BEACH

Gemstone Beach, Riverton Southland

SOUTHLAND – CLIDFDEN CAVES

Explore the Clifden limestone caves and visit a fine example of a suspension bridge.

View the stalactites and glow worms within the rare Clifden cave system. The Clifden Suspension Bridge was an important transport link in what was a relatively remote part of Southland. This is an underground exploration for experienced cavers and ensure safety information is thoroughly understood before departing.

Location

Clifden area: Places to go in Southland

Clifden Suspension Bridge, South Island

Jacks Blowhole

SOUTHLAND – JACKS BLOWHOLE

Caving at Jack’s Blowhole a sea eroded cave. he blowhole is in the Tunnel Rocks Scenic Reserve and is a large hole 55 metres deep, 200 metres from the sea. It is an exhilarating walk to the top with panoramic views across Jack’s Bay and beyond Jack’s Blowhole.

Location

Jacks Blowhole Track: Catlins Coastal area, Otago region

• Rangitoto Island map
• Clifden Caves Western Southland brochure

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