NZ Outlying Islands Scenic Highlights
NZ Outlying Islands | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History
The New Zealand Outlying Islands are made up of nine island groups that are part of New Zealand but lie outside of the New Zealand continental shelf.
NZ Outlying Islands Scenic Highlights Overview
Come and discover the amazing flora, fauna and sea life of each of the island groups in the New Zealand Outlying Islands. From rugged, volcanic islands, to the rolling farmland found on the Chatham Islands, you will be left in awe of the largely untouched natural beauty of the islands.
Chatham Islands
The Chatham Islands are formed from ancient Pacific volcanos and and provide spectacular and ever-changing scenery. The islands enjoy an awesome combination of volcanic peaks, rolling farmland, lakes, beaches and original forest remains.
The islands are mostly privately owned, and access must be granted by the owners. There are also many protected environmental areas on the islands. Guided eco tours are available.
Kermadec Islands
Located 1,000 kilometres north of New Zealand along the Kermadec Trench, the Kermadec islands are surrounded by a fully protected marine reserve. Also created by volcanic activity, the islands are home to a variety of sea birds and 113 native species of vascular plants. The islands are recognized by ecologists as a distinct eco region, 'the Kermadec Islands subtropical moist forests'.
Dense subtropical forests cover most of Raoul Island, and formerly covered Macauley Island. Underwater the seascape is dominated by corals rather than the brown kelps of New Zealand.
Guided eco tours are available.
Sub-Antarctic Islands
NZ Outlying Islands
Photographer: Heritage Expeditions
(www.heritage-expeditions.com)
The Sub-Antarctic Islands include the five southernmost groups of the New Zealand Outlying Islands. These islands are all World Heritage Sites (a programme aimed to catalogue, name, and conserve sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humankind).
Perhaps the most beautiful islands in the group are the Auckland Islands. The main islands are dominated by Southern Rata forestry to an altitude of 50 metres. Higher vegetation includes tussock grassland and fell field.
Some of the many bird species found on the Auckland Islands include the Flightless Teal, Sub Antarctic Snipe, Auckland Island Dotterel, the endemic cormorant, yellow-eyed penguin and the New Zealand falcon.
NZ Outlying Islands Region Information
Regional Information
Key information and facts about the NZ Outlying Islands region.
Activity Highlights
Major activities and attractions in the NZ Outlying Islands region.
Scenic Highlights
Major natural attractions in the NZ Outlying Islands region.
History
History of the NZ Outlying Islands region.
NZ Outlying Islands Tourism Operators
Choose from our accommodation, attractions, tours, transport or visitor information categories below to find a tourism operator in NZ Outlying Islands.
