![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2013-03-28.jpg "Koru")
Some two and a half hours ago, I returned to Vienna. Now is the time to look back on my past eight weeks in New Zealand.
Even tough it is difficult to compare and rate all the places I have visited (simply because all of them are beautiful, but somehow different), I finally came up with a Top 8 of my favourite places on this trip:
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/cu.jpg "On Kepler Track")
On Kepler Track
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/c7.jpg "Catlins")
Catlins
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/north/thumb/a0.jpg "Great Barrier Island")
Great Barrier Island
- The Kepler Track finally made first place (by a nose). Especially the views from the ridge are simply breathtaking.
- I also enjoyed the Catlins very much – even though they are just hilly, and not really mountainous. There, the big diversity and the remoteness won me over.
- The same is true for Great Barrier Island with its beautiful sandy beaches and woody hills.
- In contrast, the Abel Tasman National Park ist much more crowded. However, its gorgeous beaches are nonetheless worth the visit.
- The canoe trip on the Whanganui River had again some solitude in the wild to offer.
- My hike up to Mueller Hut in Mt. Cook National Park was a truly amazing alpine experience.
- Despite the limited views, I enjoyed my hike to Angelus Hut in Nelson Lakes National Park almost as much.
- Finally, the Oparara Basin must be included in this list due to the "Wow" effect of its stone arches.
All in all, my multi-day hikes (and canoe trip) were definitely the highlights of my stay. This way, you get to experience the beautiful landscape of this country and the remoteness of New Zealand's wilderness even better.