If there is one word you can use to describe New Zealand is spectacular. It is a country made up of unbelievable contrasts from mystical mountains ranges, pristine lakes and ancient glaciers to sub-tropical forests and endless sandy beaches. But New Zealand also has a wild side offering action-packed activities from bungee jumping, ice walking, white water rafting and parachuting just to name a few.
North island
A fantastic mix of stylish cities and panoramic landscapes. Discover Wellington, New Zealand's capital city and further North, Auckland, known as the City of Sails for its beautiful harbour filled with pleasure craft. Experience heartland Maori country and thermal craters of Rotorua. Relax on the beautiful beaches of the bay of islands and stay at Lake Taupo beneath the soaring triple peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhow and Ruapehu. The North Island's Whakapapa (pronounced Fakapapa) is also a good spot for skiing.
Paihia, Bay of Islands: a magical place of crystalline waters and unspoilt islands. Cruise on a sailing boat for day and overnight trips. This place is a backpacker haven and a good chance to meet fellow travellers. This is a must-see just 3/4 hours north of Auckland. Here you can swim with dolphins, learn to surf or go sailing around these idyllic islands.
Poor Knights Islands: Northland's best kept secret. Above and below water, the Poor Knights Islands are abundantly populated with unique and incredibly varied plant, animal and fish life, and thoroughly deserve their protected status. Converging warm water currents, a micro-climate and thousands of years of seperation from the mainland have resulted in a unique biodiversity with the world's largest sea cave.
Waitomo: one of the most do's in this region is a visit to the glow-worm caves at Waitomo. For the adrenaline junkies, you can experience the blackwater of the caves with just a lamp on your head and a blow-up ring around your bum.
Waikato: just south of Auckland, this region boasts an array of activities and highlights. From the bustling city of Hamilton and its neighbouring wineries, to the excellent surf beaches of Raglan. This is a popular destination on the backpacker circuit. It is also a farming region.
Hamilton: situated in middle of the Waikato, Hamilton is New Zealand's largest inland city. It is connected to the ocean by the mighty Waikato River.
Rotorua: this is the adventure capital of the North Island and the unofficial Maori Cultural Centre of New Zealand. In Rotorua, you can visit traditional geothermal villages, experience the farming culture at the Agrodome along with some of the best adventure activities in the world: zorbing, rafting, skydiving, jetboating, bungy jumping and 4WD driving.
Bay of Plenty: the region's main centre is Tauranga and the coastal suburbs of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa have long been popular with travellers. the bay has also some of the best whitewater rafting, natural geothermal pools and deserted beaches.
Taupo: this is a place all you action lovers. Go bungy jumping or plummet to earth from 12000 feet during a skydiving adventure, an excellent opportunity to view Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park from a unique perspective. Trek along the Tongariro Crossing (aka Middle Earth) and follow in the footsteps of Frodo and company.
Tongariro: this is a gorgeous 7/8 hour day walk. Undulating plateaus, glistening lakes, semi-parched plains and volcanoes both dormant and active provide a dramatic landscape. In 1996, Mt Ruapehu blew its sack and sent a cloud of ash spiralling 12km into the atmosphere. Although that sounds impressive. the damage done wasn't long lasting and today skiers flock back to the slopes, as walkers do to this highly rewarding hike, truly one of New Zealand's great walks.
Hawkes Bay: hot on the New Zealand scene, Hawke's Bay's stunning Mediterranean climate and enviable East Coast setting lures backpackers to experience a region rich in delicious flavours and scenery. The region boasts many award winning wines amongst its 80 wineries. Its art deco capital, Napier, is a great place to make your base to explore this region.
South island
Less populated than the North, the South boats magnificent National parks, breathtaking Alpine scenery rises to icy blue glaciers and ancient fjords cut deep into the landscape. The largest city is Christchurch, the English-style "garden city" while the fertile and temperate Marlborough region in the north is home to a thriving wine industry. Some of the best skiing in New Zealand is in Queenstown in the south. The South Island's Mount Hutt is good for skiing.
Kaikoura: this seaside town is situated midway between Christchurch and Picton on the rugged east coast of New Zealand's South Island. In the background you can see the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps whilst in the ocean surrounding Kaikoura you have a natural marine park with giant whales, Dusky and Hector's dolphins, NZ fur seals, albatross, penguins and various pelagic birds that can all be viewed year-round.
Hammer Springs: situated in the unique alpine village of Hanmer Springs 90mns drive north of Christchurch, the gateway to the South Island. Hanmer Springs is a year round holiday destination offering a variety of outdoor activities, great cafes and accommodation.
Dunedin: home of the world's steepest street and the only place in the world where giant albatross, with wingspans up to 3m long, come ashore to nest on a mainland colony. Dunedin is young, fun and full of students. This place is a bit more relaxed than the other cities in New Zealand. While you are there, you should not only check out the nightlife but you should also explore the Otago Peninsula.
Nelson: gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, this is a great base to explore the northwest of the South Island. This area has golden beaches and is a great spot for hiking and kayaking. With golden beaches and picturesque scenery, it is no wonder that Nelson and the surrounding area is one of NZ's most laidback places. Nelson is known as the Sunshine capital because it gets the most hours of sunlight a year in NZ.
Abel Tasman: located in the north-eastern tip of the South Island, this national park makes use of its relatively small land area with golden beaches, sheltered gullies and a good variation of plant life. Roads into the park are not good so it is best to either hire a 4WD or else you can get in by walking or kayaking, the main reasons people come here.
Marlborough Sound: the landscape of theses picturesque Sounds is made up of sheltered bays, inlets and rocky peninsulas rising steeply out of calm waters. Most of the Sounds are accessible only by boat. Catching the ferry from Wellington or jumping on Beachcombers mail boat, are the best ways to view this gorgeous lush rea of New Zealand.
Queen Charlotte trek: the 71km trek is renowned for its stunning coastal views, historical landmarks and variety of native bush and wildlife. Treks can vary from 1-5 days.
Westcoast: from Greymouth down to Haast, the coastline is awesome. The ideal place for seclusion with the odd quirky local thrown in for good measure. The talk here is straight and the places are s beautiful and isolated that you will feel as if you have stepped back into prehistoric time. Go heli-trekking on Franz Josef Glacier, do base reks on Fox Glacier or enjoy jetboating up the Haast Valley. Fox and Franz Josef glacieres are NZ's largest glaciers and offer excellent heli-hikes and treks up to see the sharply formed ice fomations, this is the ultimate place to get up close and personal with a truly stunning natural phenomenon.
Haast: this small town is a gateway to the scenic Haast Pass where there are walks, jet boat excursions and heli sight seeing on option. This is a great place for a quiet break whilst still boasting a full range of adventure activities.
Queenstown: the adventure capital of New Zealand where you can party all night and indulge in adrenaline-pumping sports during the day.
Milford Sound: a cruise here is a must for all backpackers. Whether you do a daytrip or overnight, don't miss out. For the more adventurous there is a 4/5 day trek. Be warned: it is easy to blow your holiday budget here, what with al the white-knuckle adventure activities on offer. Get tied up like a gimp and endure the Canyon Swing, hand glide, skydive, bungy, jetboat, you name it., it is here. This is party town, practically owned by the tourist masses. The town is also the gateway to Glenorchy, a 45 mns trip northeast and arguably the most scenic drive in the country. From here you can tackle a number of wilderness hikes including the Roubeturn Track as well as exploring the Dart River and numerous film locations used for Lord of the Rings.
Milford Sounds: this is a fjord in the south west of NZ within Fiordland National Park and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. The region is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. The best way to visit Milford is on a fly/coach package. On these packages you get the coach down to Milford Sound to enjoy a scenic cruise. After lunch you will ten have a choice to retur to Queenstown by coach (this is the most budget way) or if you feel like treating yourself, you can choose a helicopter (via the glaciers) or fixed wing aircraft to return to Queenstown. Milford also offers the options to overnight on a cruise vessel or for the more energetic there is a 3/4 day trek staying in DOC lodges, this option is very popular and must be pre-booked.
To see
Parry Kauri Park
Ninety Mile Beach
Cape Reinga
Whakarewarewa
Huka Falls
Wairaki Valley
lake Taupo, the largest of New Zealand
Mont Victoria
Lake Tekapo
Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain
Lake Ohau, at the base of the Southern Alps
Clutha River
Mitre Peak
Arrowtown, former gold mining centre
Kawarau Gorge
Cook Straight
Picton
Canterbury Plains
Arthur's Pass
