Between Westport and Greymouth along South Island coastline resides youngest National Park - Paparoa National Park. Created in 1987 Paparoa is a visual feast of rock, water and lowland rainforest. One of most dramatic sights are limestone 'Pancake Rocks' through which seawater periodically blasts itself up through blowholes.

Moving back inland to south we find Arthur's Pass National Park, home to highest pass over Southern Alps. The landscape is wild and dramatic here, and in keeping with its drama you can spend time hiking across ancient braided river beds.

Following spine of Southern Alps further towards southwest is Mt Cook National Park and nearby Westland National Park. Home to New Zealand's highest mountain and remotest beaches, these two national parks serve up some of most spectacular scenery on South Island.

Mount Aspiring and Fiordland further to south are largest National Parks in New Zealand. Mount Aspiring is a rugged wilderness in which hikers and mountaineers can enjoy best of Southern Alps. Fiordland is perhaps one of most hauntingly beautiful places on Earth, where water, mountain, sky and forest come together in a natural crescendo that is like nowhere else in this world.

Stewart Island off main New Zealand coastline is location of most southerly National Park in New Zealand - Rakiura National Park. Only 1500 miles north of Antarctica, Rakiura is a natural paradise of primitive landscapes unspolit by human influences. If you want to be at peace with nature Rakiura National Park is place to be.

Close by to Tongariro is Whanganui National Park. It encompasses one of New Zealand's longest navigable rivers - Whanganui River - and offers spectacular countryside views that take in forest, snow capped mountains and razor-edged ridges. You can book a cruise down river in a paddleboat, or for more adventurous there is opportunity to navigate waters by canoe.

Further west again we arrive at magnificent Egmont National Park, last of our park quartet. Egmont is undoubtedly one of New Zealand's finest gems, its centrepiece being 8250ft high volcano - Mt Taranaki. With its perfectly formed cone shape Mt Taranaki is one of most impressive sights on North Island. Often snow-capped mountain is a huge draw for hikers and mountaineers alike. The lowland forest that surround mountain's lower slopes and enchanting 'Goblin Forest' on volcano's mid-slope area are also not to be missed. To enjoy splendour of National Parks on New Zealand's North Island it is recommended that visitors hire a vehicle, preferably a 4x4. Car hire can be booked in advance to pick up from Auckland International Airport, or from regional airports at Taupo and New Plymouth. Hire car details can be found at http://www.your-carhire.com