Four Celebrity-Approved New Zealand Tourist Spots
Everyone seems to agree that New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places on earth. But in addition to
CELEB Magazine
Everyone seems to agree that New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places on earth. But in addition to its pristine beaches, mighty mountains, and sprawling greenness, there is plenty of entertainment to be had in NZ. So, it is no wonder that many celebrities have loved spending time in the country. Here are four celeb-approved tourist spots you should check out if you have the opportunity to visit.
Auckland’s Sky Tower
The Sky Tower dominates the skyline of Auckland. The 1,076-foot-tall freestanding structure is the city’s most prominent structure. If you like games like blackjack and roulette, you can head to the bottom of the Sky Tower where you will find the Skycity casino. In the meantime, you can play games at this live casino online. At the other end of the spectrum, you can head to the top of the Sky Tower and bungee jump from the high edge. Tom Cruise and his kids jumped off the tower back in 2003, when Cruise was in New Zealand filming The Last Samurai. Lots of other celebs have taken the plunge too, including Beyonce, Katy Perry, and the members of One Direction.
Westmere
The residential suburb of Westmere started off life as a working-class area back in the 1920s. Today, it is well-known for its luxurious California-like bungalows and is one of the most sought-after locations in New Zealand. The most famous mansion in the area is worth around $20 million. Jason Statham and his model girlfriend Rosie Huntington-Whiteley stayed at the abode when Statham was filming the killer shark movie The Meg. Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene have also visited the 739-square-meter concrete and cedar home designed by renowned architect David Ponting, which features a sleek pool and incredible harbor views. You may not be able to afford to stay in such a house yourself, but Westmere is undoubtedly worth visiting for a day.
Queenstown
A few years back, Justin Bieber was spotted at a bar in Queenstown, where locals warmly welcomed the singer. He seemed to be having the time of his life. He even had a little dance with a grandma! Queenstown is a fabulous place for nightlife, but there are many attractions to see in the daytime too. Sitting off the shore of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, with the beautiful Southern Alps in the background, Queenstown is well-known for its adventure sports, historic mining towns, and world-class vineyards. Other attractions include gorgeous hot pools, stunning golf courses, and some fabulous galleries and museums.
The Hobbiton Movie Set
Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning singer Sam Smith absolutely loved his time at the Hobbiton Movie Set. In fact, he said that it was the best day of his life. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, then you can also have the time of your life by visiting the attraction on New Zealand’s North Island in the Waikato region. You can explore the green pastures of the Shire and take a guided walking tour around Hobbiton itself, as featured in both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. With the majestic Kaimai Ranges in the distance, you can tour the 12-acre site to see amazing things like Hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn. In fact, you can even stop off at the inn for a complementary Middle Earth beverage. If you are a Tolkien fan, you are sure to want to follow in the footsteps of Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and, er, Sam Smith.