There’s no place on earth quite like Hawaii. Made up entirely of islands, Hawaii is the most recent addition to the US states and boasts a beautiful setting in the Pacific Ocean and offers a wealth of attractions to visitors from all over the world. With gorgeous beaches, fascinating culture and stunning natural beauty, it’s sure to be a holiday you’ll never forget.
Just in case you need any more reason to visit Hawaii in 2014, here’s a round-up of some of the best attractions.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island
With around three million visitors annually, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the state’s most-visited attraction and it’s not hard to see why! The park is home to the summit of the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea as well as the biggest, Mauna Loa. With so much to see here and lots of unique hiking routes, many people opt to camp here to explore all of it.
If you only have one day, the Carter Rim Drive will take you on an 11-mile tour of the park’s highlights including the East Rift and the coastal area where lava flowed into the ocean in 2003. Volcanic activity is ever-changing, but if you’re lucky you might even be able to see some of the lava flow in action!
Waimea Canyon, Hawaii
Waimea Canyon, Kauai
Nicknamed the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ by Mark Twain, the breath-taking Waimea Canyon is 10 miles long and over 3,600 feet deep! You’ll be lost for words when you see the colourful striated layers of rock illuminated by natural light and shadow shows.
Some of Hawaii’s most spectacular waterfalls are waiting for you along the hiking paths, and be sure to go to the top of the canyon or incredible views of the Na Pali coastline at the Kalalau Valley Lookout. You’ll also find the Kokee Museum which has plenty of information and history for you to discover as well as maps.
The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, Big Island
Panaewa is the only tropical zoo in the USA, and it’s a real must-see! Home to more than 80 species of rainforest animals, you’ll also find endangered species including a white Bengal tiger, spider monkeys, lemurs, nene geese – the state bird of Hawaii. The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is also a botanical garden and is covered with beautiful bamboos, orchids, a water garden and more than 100 varieties of palm tree. Best of all, admission is completely free! Go to Cheapflights.com.au to compare prices and save even more on your holiday.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu
The beautiful and sheltered bay at Hanauma was once unrecognisable from what it is today. Damaged by years of overuse and neglect, the City and County of Honolulu began restoration work on the bay in 1990 and now, after more than a decade of meticulous restoration, it is once again a pristine marine ecosystem, with a reduced number of visitors and an established education program. Snorkelling here is a great experience, so pick up a fish ID card from the education centre before you take to the water.
Nā Pali Coast State Park