Free Stuff

More Free Stuff In Between 

Sometimes the best things to do in NZ are between each location along the Magic Route. We realise that you don’t want everything to cost money, so we include loads of free things to do in your Magic Pass.

• Sand Boarding 90 Mile Beach
  Climb up giant sand dunes, jump onboard a bogie board and slide down at high speeds into the Te Paki stream below. It’s a total rush!

• Tane Mahuta Lord of the Forest
  Get up close to this giant Kauri tree, estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old and very important to Maori mythology. 

• Realm of Tane Rotorua
  The Realm of Tane is heartfelt cultural welcome to Rotorua, taking you on a journey through Maori culture, mythology and stories. To follow this you can try the superb Tamaki Maori Hangi and Concert, a cultural experience not to be missed. 

• Tongariro National Park – Ngaruahoe/Mt.Doom views
  New Zealand’s first national park – with dual World Heritage status due to its cultural and natural significance. Some amazing photo opportunities of the 3 volcanoes – Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngaruahoe (as see in Lord of the Rings as Mt Doom)

• Mt. Victoria + City Sights, Wellington
  A prominent feature of the Wellington landscape. From here you get a panoramic view of the capital city, as well as the harbour and Cook Strait. A great change to get your bearings and take some great photos
   
• Te Papa Museum of New Zealand
  New Zealand's innovative and interactive national museum, is located on Wellington’s stunning waterfront. Te Papa's permanent exhibitions celebrate New Zealand’s diverse art and visual culture, history, geology, natural environment and the stories of Pacific and Māori culture. 

• Ross, pioneer gold mining town
  The biggest gold nugget in New Zealand was found here, and much of the history of this relaxed West Coast town is related to the presence of gold in the surrounding lands.

• Kawarau Bridge bungy viewing
  Visit the historic bridge – saved from demolition by the bungy site – and watch people throw themselves toward the Shotover River, over 40m below. An entertaining and exhilirating experience.
   
• Tekapo Church of the Good Shepherd & Bronze Dog
  New Zealand icons combined – the Church of the Good Shepherd - one of New Zealand’s most photographed buildings, where people from around the world come to get married, and the Bronze Dog statue. This commemorates the service to the region provided by the loyal collie dog.

More Free Walks Along the Way

New Zealand is a mecca for those looking for some of the best walks in the world. If there’s somewhere to walk along the Magic route, we’ll walk it. These are some of the great short walks that you can do while you travel around with Magic.

• Ruakuri Cave Walk Waitomo

• This loop walk takes you through the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve alongside the Waitomo Stream, past limestone outcrops, small caves and through a natural tunnel. It’s a place of strong spiritual and cultural significance to Maori and at night glowworms light the banks of the track.

• Huka Falls Walk Taupo
  This walk takes you past the Taupo Bungy site, a Spa Thermal Park and a hot water stream, but you hear the highlight of the walk before you see it. The water turns a clear blue to brilliant white and there are loads of viewing spots to admire these thunderous falls and watch the jet boat tours do stunts quite near the base of the falls.

• Waipoua Kauri Forest
  The forests of Waipoua are the garden of Tane Mahuta, Lord of the Forest. This forest contains three quarters of New Zealand’s remaining kauri trees. Walk to the largest of all, Tane Mahuta (God of the Forest) and learn why it represents one of Maori mythology’s most important figures.

• Mount John Lake Tekapo
  Walk around the lakeside of Lake Tekapo to the heights of Mt John for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding Southern Alps.

• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
  This short walk takes you to one of New Zealand’s must see natural attractions. One of the most unusual features on the west coast – columns of limestone resembling stacks of pancakes, with some blowholes thrown in for good measure.

• Lake Matheson Mirror Lake
  Called the jewel in the crown of New Zealand’s scenic wonders’ – this lake offers amazing reflective views of the Southern Alps set among native forest. Possibly the best photo stop in the country.

• Cape Foulwind Walk & Seal Colony
  The name is perfect because of the little bit whiffy Fur Seal breeding colony and also because it is the name that Captain Cook gave the area after his ship was blown off course. The walk along cliffs gives you great views of the seals and awesome views of rugged West Coast.

• Ohau Point Seal Colony
  Just off the road on the coastal stretch between Blenheim and Kaikoura, you can walk up the little path and see seals basking in the sun, swimming and playing in the water and get up close to nature.

• Kaikoura Seal Colony
  A great introduction to the plentiful marine life in this area; visit a permanent land-based colony of New Zealand Fur Seals - see them in their natural environment.

• Truman Track walk
  One of New Zealand’s best kept secrets – a scenic hike through native bush to a hidden cove – amazing scenery and tranquil surroundings.

MAKE EVERY NEW ZEALAND DAY COUNT. DO MORE WITH MAGIC