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New Zealand

The Top 20 Natural Monuments in New Zealand

New Zealand’s landscape is a beautiful place to explore — something that you can best experience by visiting one of our 20

beautiful natural monuments in New Zealand. To help you find the one for, you can see all the details you need to explore the best natural monuments, and better plan your next outdoor adventure!

Last updated: November 6, 2025

Emerald Lakes

Highlight • Lake

The ascent or descent on this scree is quite slippery

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Red Crater

Highlight • Volcano

The view at the Red Crater alone is enough to make the Alpine Crossing or one of the multi-day hikes worthwhile. However, it should be taken to bring along warm …

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Mount Ngauruhoe

Highlight • Volcano

active volcano. First eruption 2500 years ago. Last eruption 1977. Filmset of Lord of the rings (Mt. Doom). Tongariro Crossing is very busy all through the year, but the views are worth it.

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Blue Lake

Highlight • Lake

Beautiful, the view of the lakes when you come from the Red Crater! The Emerald Lakes and the Blue Lake are very cold and very acidic because of the volcanic …

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Taranaki Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

Worthwhile waterfall that can be reached via easy paths

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Pancake Rocks

Highlight • Natural Monument

Very nice circuit. Interesting to hear the waves beating in the bays.

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Cathedral Cove Arch

Highlight • Natural Monument

Update December 2024:
Cathedral Cove is accessible on foot again! A new section of trail has been built.

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Mount Eden Summit and Crater

Highlight • Summit

The central focus of the suburb Mount Eden (named after George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland) is Maungawhau / Mount Eden, a dormant volcano whose summit is the highest natural point of Auckland and suburbs.

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Hokitika Gorge

Highlight • Gorge

Eventful bridge, beautiful view, worth it.

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Nugget Point Lighthouse & The Nuggets

Highlight • Viewpoint

The lighthouse and the rocks below in one picture, perfect motif

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Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Find even more amazing natural monuments in New Zealand by checking out the top Highlights region by region:

Marlborough Bay of Plenty Auckland Canterbury Northland Southland Taranaki Wellington Tasman Otago Manawatu-Wanganui West Coast (New Zealand)Waikato

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Extend your search for the best caves by checking out these guides of the top ones in New Zealand:

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The Top 20 Natural Monuments in New Zealand

Emerald Lakes

Red Crater

Mount Ngauruhoe

Blue Lake

Taranaki Falls

Pancake Rocks

Cathedral Cove Arch

Mount Eden Summit and Crater

Hokitika Gorge

Nugget Point Lighthouse & The Nuggets

Other adventures in New Zealand

Most popular routes in New Zealand

Most popular attractions in New Zealand

Get inspired with the komoot mobile app

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