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About
New Zealand
New Zealand
has been described by National Geographic as a 'world in miniature'.
In the South Island you will see magnificent fiords, sparkling
snow covered alps, pristine lakes, ancient glaciers, sub-tropical
forests and rolling farmlands. In the North Island experience
golden sandy beaches, hot thermal springs, soaring geysers,
active volcanoes and exotic native bush.
New Zealand is
unfettered by the crowds you'd find elsewhere. What's more,
everything is easily accessible, packed into a land area little
larger than Britian and with a population of just 4 million,
with over half of it tucked away in three largest cities:
Auckland, the capital Wellington and Christchurch.
New Zealand
also enjoys an international reputation for being safe and
friendly. English is the spoken language and the good exchange
rate to the New Zealand dollar means you will get value for
money when you come here.
Climate
New Zealand has a particularly clear and unpolluted atmosphere.
The climate is classed as sub-tropical in the north and temperate
in the south and allows golf to be played year-round in nearly
all of New Zealand.
Seasons are opposite
to those in the Northern Hemisphere - winter is between June
and August and summer is between December and February.
Detailed
Climate Information
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BAY
OF ISLANDS
Wherever
you are in the Bay of Islands, it's impossible to escape the
lure of the sea. There are almost endless opportunities for
immersing yourself in the blue-green world of island and beach.
In
Paihia you will find the warmest of welcomes alongside world
class accommodation, restaurants and enchanting holiday activities.
Activities
- Deep
sea fishing - Many people come to the Bay of Islands
with marlin in mind. Enthusiasts come from all over
the globe in pursuit of marlin, broad bills and game
sharks. Hire a boat and fight your own private battles
with the denizens of the deep.
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- Charter a
yacht or launch
- Paddle a sea
kayak in and out of the islands
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- Dive or snorkel
- Swim with
dolphins
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AUCKLAND
Auckland is the
main gateway to New Zealand and offers something for everyone
- great beaches, a beautiful harbour, fantastic shopping,
and the nightlife and culture of a metropolitan city.
The Auckland
region offers the best of both worlds - city sophistication
and tranquil wilderness. Auckland has more than 900 restaurants,
50 adventure activities, 45 picturesque vineyards, nearly
50 islands in the Hauraki Gulf and 500km of walking tracks.
Right on Auckland's doorstep is the magnificent Hauraki Gulf
stretching in a great 250km sweep of coastline north and south
of the city. Known as the City of Sails, Auckland is the current
home of the America's Cup, yachting's greatest trophy.
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ROTORUA
Rotorua is one of the
major tourist attractions in the North Island and sits on
the shores of Lake Rotorua.
The surrounding
areas are a geothermal wonderland, with geysers, boiling mud
pools, and steaming craters - accompanied by the pervasive
smell of sulphur. Rotorua is also a showcase of Maori cultural
activities, a centre of tourism and a place of extraordinary
natural beauty. It is surrounded by volcanoes, lakes, parks
and recreational areas, and is a great place to go hiking
or to view native birds and animals.
Activities
- Fishing
- The Rotorua region is also one of the country's
prime fishing spots where you are practically guaranteed
a catch, especially if you hire a local professional
guide.
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- Hiking
-There are lots of places for going on bush walks
and tramps around Rotorua, from gentle park areas
to rugged terrain.
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- Rafting -
for all levels of experience
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- Geothermal
Resorts - Rotorua is one of the very few places
in the world with such a fantastic range of geothermal
resorts. You really should visit at least one of these
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- Moari
Culture - Experience a taste of Maori culture
at a performance of song and dance, followed by food
cooked in a traditional hangi (an earthen oven).
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- Thermal Spa
- Take a relaxing dip in a thermal spa
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TAUPO
The Taupo region provides numerous water sport and
adrenaline pumping activities and amazing geothermal and scenic
attractions. Being serene and captivating, the township is
renowned for it's majestic lake (Lake Taupo), which portrays
a unique environment set against a backdrop of lush green
hills and encompassed by a vast landscape of unspoiled forestry.
Lake Taupo is 160m deep and fills a volcanic crater covering
619skms. It was created by volcanic activity only 2000 years
ago and is similar in size to Singapore, which house a population
comparable to New Zealand.
Activities
- Fishing
on Lake Taupo - Fishing on the crystal clear waters
of Lake Taupo and fly fishing on the nearby rivers
are favourite pastimes for locals, as well as popular
tourist activities. Catches of Rainbow and Brown Trout
are abundant, with the benefit of year round seasons.
An estimated 750,000 trout swim up the world famous
Tongariro River every winter to spawn.
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- Hunting
- Mountain
biking
- Jet skiing
- Kayaking
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- Horsetrekking
- Abseiling
- Hot air
ballooning
- Parasailing
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HAWKES BAY
Famed for being one of the three major winemaking
regions in New Zealand, Hawke's Bay is home to internationally
acclaimed wines and is the premiur New Zealand destination
for food, wine and lifesytle.
Hawke's Bay is has Mediterranean climate and a varied landscape
from dramatic sea cliffs, to fertile plains and crystal rivers
that meander down to the Pacific Ocean. The region has a diverse
range of things to see and do
Activities include:
- Winery
Tours
- Museum
- Marine Land Wildlife
Centre
- Gannet Safaris
- Paragliding
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WELLINGTON
This capital city offers an unforgettable urban
experience in a stunning natural setting.
Wellington is nestled between
a harbour and lush green hills. An incredibly compact city,
it is a pedstrian's playground. An exciting Downtown shopping
experience is only minutes away from a peaceful walk through
native bush or along a golden sandy beach.
The City has an instinct for
the arts, culture and heritage and hosts world class museums
such as Te Papa, along with a netwrok of art galleries and
historic palces.
Activies include:
- Listen
to the dusk chorus of the native birds at the Karori
Wildlife Sanctuary
- Wellington Zoo
- Catch the Cable
Car up to Kelburn and find out more about our universe
at the Carter National Observatory
- Drive to Mout Victoria
for spectacular bird's eye views of the city
- Visit the Carter
Observatory
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LAKE
TEKAPO/MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK
The township of Lake Tekapo faces north across
the remarkable turquoise coloured lake to mountain ranges
of the Southern Alps. It is a majestic and peaceful setting
in which relaxation and leisurely strolls might be your highest
priority.
Mount Cook National
Park rises from 600m in the Tasman River bed to 3754m at the
summit of Mount Cook. It is a mountainous region of permanent
snow and ice, with forty percent of the park under glaciers
and 25 named peaks over 3000m.
Activities
- Walking
- choose from a ten-minute stroll in the village to
an easy four-hour valley walk, or a strenuous three-hour
climb.
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- Tramping
- Guided tramping or trekking trips on the classic
alpine routes
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- Hunting
- Thar were released in the Aoraki/Mount Cook area
in 1904 and chamois in 1907. The numbers of these
games animals have built up rapidly, and hunting is
now available throughout the park
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- Scenic
Flights - Experience the alpine grandeur of the
Park by taking a flight in a ski plane or a helicopter
to land on a glacier and touch snow at any time of
the year.
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QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown is an exhilarating,
year round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure
seekers alike.
Nestled on the
shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern
Alps, Queenstown is today recognised internationally as New
Zealand's premier visitor destination.
The resort boasts
a range of activities second to none, all within easy reach
of the compact town centre.
Activities
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- Tandem
hanglide or parapente
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- Wine Trail -
discover award-winning wines from the World's most
southern vineyards
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- Visit
Lake Wanaka with its crystal clear lake and dramatic
mountain landscape
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- Take
a trip on a majestic steamboat Enjoy a cruise
in Fiordland.- Have a close encounter with seals and
dolphins which often frequent the area
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CHRISTCHURCH
Christchurch is the
South Island's largest city (population 337,000) and main
international gateway is a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with
exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping,
award-winning attractions and a host of activities.
The Christchurch
hinterland of highly productive farmlands extends from the
silvery beaches of the east coast to the jagged peaks of the
Southern Alps on the western horizon. It offers many opportunities
for fresh and exciting activities and attractions.
Activities
- Whale
watching - Just two hours north is Kaikoura- one
of the few places where you can see the giant sperm
whale
- Salmon Fishing
- Mountain biking
in the Hanmer Forest
- Dining at
one of 13 Waipara vineyards
- Cruise
- Enjoy the dramatic volcanic landscape of Lytleton
Harbour
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- Swim
with dolphins
- In summer you might even get the chance to swim
with the world's rarest dolphin, the Hector Dolphin
- Bird
Watching - Kaikoura is also home, or a half way
point, for a wide variety of pelagic birds including
the albatross which can be seen all year round.
- Horse
safaris across the
Hurunui high country
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