New Zealand
New Zealand lies in the Pacific Ocean, to the southwest. New Zealand promises beautiful landscapes and serene, equally beautiful coastlines that you can drive along, listening to the sound of the surf. The country is also known for its adventure sports activities as well as its museums, art galleries and other heritage attractions.
Auckland
Auckland is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most historic cities, and also its largest and most populous. It also serves as one of the most important tourist hubs of the country. Situated by 2 large harbours, this vibrant city combines natural beauty and city flamboyance, drawing in visitors for leisure and business alike all year round.
Queenstown
This little town in the Southern Island is not for the faint hearted! With a plethora of activities for the thrill seeker, coupled with some marvellous and picturesque attractions make Queenstown quite a memorable visit.
Rotorua
Considered to be an epitome of the flourishing Maori culture, the tinsel town is set on volcanic landscape and enveloped in stunning mountain peaks, meandering streams, dense woods, mesmerizing waterfalls and several gorgeous fresh water lakes. Popularly known as a ‘geothermal wonderland’, it is home to several bubbling mud pools, steamy hot water springs, smoky white clouds and an overall breathtaking scenery. These natural hot springs are perfect for bathing and relaxing in and are the highlight of the town.
Wellington
Known for its vibrant creative culture that is intensified by the sumptuous cuisine, delicious wine, world class craft beer and kicking coffee, Wellington is the capital city and the most populous urban town in New Zealand. Guarded by majestic mountains and snuggled between cosy hills, the city also has a flat waterfront downtown and a hooked shaped harbour to accentuate its beauty further. Other than the pleasant climate, beaches and the lively culture, the town resonates with the celebrations and festivities of several events, carnivals, festivals and fairs that are frequently held here.
Christchurch
Christchurch is New Zealand’s third largest city and the largest city of the South Island. It is a hub for English culture and heritage in New Zealand, combined with some of the best gardens in the world, earning it international acclaim as the ‘Garden City’. The modern buildings of the city, blended with the Gothic architecture of remnants of the Victorian era heritage of Christchurch and the Canterbury region. Invercargill Southernmost and Westernmost city of New Zealand It is one of the southernmost cities of the world. Invercargill is the commercial centre in the Southland region. This region is a rich farmland and is surrounded by conservation loand and has a lot of marine reserves.
Gisborne
Largest settlement in the Gisborne district A city in the northeastern part of New Zealand, this settlement was initially known as Turanga and renamed after the colonial secretary of New Zealand – William Gisborne
Te Anau
A small peaceful town in the south island of New Zealand A gateway for hiking in the Fiordland national park, the town of Te Anau lies on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau which is the largest lake in the south island and the second largest in New Zealand. The primary sources of income of Te Anau is tourism and agriculture.
Dunedin
Cosily tucked up in the steep hills of the Otago region in the South Island area, Dunedin is the best-kept secret of New Zealand. Named so because of the Gaelic name for Edingburgh, Dun Eidann, the city is also popularly known as the “Edinburgh of New Zealand” and identifies strongly with its Scottish heritage.
Tauranga
Situated in the north-western corner of the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga is the most populous city in the region and the fifth largest urban area in New Zealand. Circumscribed by Auckland, Rotorua and Hamilton, Tauranga is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, the majestic Mount Maunganui and the gorgeous views it offers and of course the most picturesque and scenic landscape that it has got.
Bastion Point
Bastion Point is a scenic destination located in Orakei, Auckland, New Zealand. It is basically a vast expanse of coastal land that overlooks the Waitemata Harbour. Its charming surroundings draw a considerable number of visitors each year. Several tour buses often make a pitstop at the harbour for it provides a great view of the river. There are gardens, lawns, meadows and several other beautiful features that make Bastion Point an Aucklander’s favourite haunt. It is also popular for its tranquil, clean and pollution-free atmosphere.
Hunua Ranges
Hunua Ranges are located in the North Island of New Zealand. The destination is situated to the southeast of Auckland City and is a block of hilly terrain that forms the suburb. This destination thus has a rich source of natural reservoirs and dense forests. The place is also sparsely populated which makes it a perfect destination for those seeking a place to escape their stressful city lives. Hunua Ranges is also famous for eco-tourism. Here, travellers get to explore the natural surroundings that include the mountain slopes, the peaks, the natural reserves and the water bodies.
Napier
Burrowed into Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island, Napier is the country’s 6th largest urban area. A romantically evocative city replete with buildings that ooze old-world charm and aesthetic, this port-city hugging the North Island’s east coast, lies 300 km away from the capital Wellington.
Waipara
Located just 60 kilometres north of the city of Christchurch, the small valley town of Waipara boasts of having the most flavourful and well-made wines in this part of the country. With vineyards that stretch into the distance, surrounded by gentle hills, Waipara is great for a weekend trip, away from the hustle and bustle of Christchurch.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura, which lies on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, is the perfect place for a weekend getaway from the cities of Picton or Christchurch. It boasts of having the most successful whale and dolphin spotting tours, with an almost hundred per cent spotting rate. One can see various kinds of whales, including sperm whales, orcas, humpback whales and even the mighty blue whale! You could also book a tour to go swimming in the ocean with these gentle, harmless giants. There are multiple whale and dolphin spotting tours that operate here, both on boats and on choppers!
Glenorchy
Located at a short, 45 minute drive from the city of Queensland, the quaint settlement of Glenorchy is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. It is an extremely green and picturesque little town, but has a lot of fun-filled activities that you can enjoy, ranging from kayaking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding. You might have caught glimpses of this town before in one of your favourite movies, including the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia as many scenes have been shot here. Glenorchy is also close to a number of walking tracks, many of which are popular across the country and are known for being safe yet picturesque.
Arrowtown
Located at just a 20 minute drive from Central Queenstown, the small picturesque settlement of Arrowtown is the perfect place to spend a day at. It is an absolute delight for a nature lover, nestled in the middle of beautiful, green mountains and a serene river. It is a local hotspot for outdoor activities such as hiking, walking, camping, and cycling.
Whakatane
Lapped in between two other major cities Rotorua and Taurnaga at an equidistance of 90 kilometers, Whakatane is an urban township of New Zealand that has become a major tourist attraction for people wide across. The city houses a resident population of around 19000. Whakatane is known to be the sunniest region of New Zealand and is believed to receive the most hours of sunlight during daytime because of its geographic position.
Karitane
A small settlement in the premises of Dunedin in New Zealand, Karitane is located a few kilometres to the north of the city. Blessed with a beautiful coastline, Karitane is the centre of many water activities such as Kayaking, scuba diving and fishing charters. Often referred to as the epitome of Small Town, this place will keep you entertained with its beautiful scenery and calming atmosphere whether you are here for a day, a week or even a month.
Akaroa
Akaroa, a town in South Island, New Zealand is one of the most historic and bi-cultural places to visit. This town is located on the banks of the peninsula and is Southeast of Christchurch. The main employer industry in Akaroa is tourism, with tourists from across the world working here seasonally, giving this town an exotic vibe.
Hastings
Lying in the plains of Heretaunga of the Hawke’s Bay region, Hastings is one of the most populous cities in New Zealand. It’s twin city, Napiers is located at a 9km distance and together they form the bulk of a major population. The combined population of the two cities is around 134000. The district of Hastings has a good produce of apples and pears and is also an important area for wine and grape cultivation.
Ferrymead Heritage Park
Ferrymead Heritage Park is a township that features the Edwardian Township belonging to the early 20th Century. Visitors look forward to experiencing the lifestyle of the first inhabitants of Christchurch through a wide range of exhibits at the heritage park. The park occupies an expansive area of land which can be explored in a day. It is an excellent place for a family outing with children who can get to observe and also witness the true scientific and industrial history of Christchurch.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular destinations to visit year round. Its sheltered waters make it the perfect place to view a variety of marine life, including dolphins, whales and seals. Regarded as the birthplace of New Zealand, the region affords a unique insight into early European settlement and Māori culture, making a visit to the Bay a must-do on any New Zealand itinerary. The Bay of Islands has a long, fascinating and often wild history. Once a booming, bustling and bawdy seafaring centre, it’s now a peaceful and pristine spot, and offers the perfect base for exploring Northland.National Parks in New Zealand that Every Nature & Animal Lover Must Visit
Fiordland National Park
The power of Fiordland’s untouched splendor and scenery never ceases to enthrall travellers. It is among the most beautiful and dramatic parts of New Zealand.Now over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park was established in the year 1952. It encompasses rainforests, lakes, and mountains. The Department of Conservation in New Zealand administers this National Park. Completely unique to the area is the variety of plants and animals which have developed relative isolation in the region, leading to a high rate of endemism. These are supported by the rich and diverse habitats in the national park.
Tongariro National Park
With a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its volcanic landscape and cultural significance, the Tongariro National Park is a must-see attraction in Rotorua, New Zealand. It is the oldest and the first of all National Parks in the country and is a marvel of nature with three breathing volcanoes – Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro in the heart of the park. This park presents its visitors with plenty of activities like walks and treks, skiing and snowboarding on Mount Ruapehu in the winters.
Nelson – Tasman
Nelson-Tasman often tops New Zealand’s sunshine hours. It also boasts golden beaches and productive tourism, wine, horticulture and fishing industries. Often known as ‘the top of the south’, Nelson Tasman takes up the northwestern corner of the South Island. The main centre, Nelson city (population 46,000) is a 5-hour drive from Christchurch. By air, Nelson is just 30 minutes from Wellington, 40 minutes from Christchurch, and about 1½ hours from Auckland.
Greymouth
Greymouth is a town with a history of jade hunting, gold mining and dramatic river floods. Sample the beer and listen to wild west coast stories. Once the site of the Maori pa Mawhera (which means ‘wide spread river mouth’, in reference to the town’s river mouth location), Greymouth is considered the heart of the West Coast. It is the largest town on the South Island’s west coast and the arrival point for the Tranz Alpine from Christchurch.The area has a history of gold mining, which can be appreciated at the local museum and nearby Shantytown. Local brewery Monteith’s is something of a New Zealand legend; it runs tours that include a tasting session.
Glaciers
New Zealand contains many stunning glaciers, most located near the Main Divide in the Southern Alps in the South Island. The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers – some of New Zealand’s largest and most-visited – descend down from the Southern Alps and flow almost to sea level. Seeing ancient rivers of ice descending past emerald green rainforest is a sight you’ll never forge