Chris McLennan / Courtesy of Tourism New Zealand

Returning World War 1 servicemen once worked the land within what is now the Whanganui National Park in the southwest of New Zealand's North Island. Jet boat and kayak tours provide easy access to this fascinating site deep in the forest. There’s also a multi-day-day hiking or one-day mountain biking trail. It's not a destination for cruise ship day trippers, but a good destination for a longer stay on the North Island.