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Abel Tasman National Park
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Lake Brunner
Marahau
Kaikoura
Few places in the world can boast of such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura .... stunning coastal alpine scenery, year-round whale watching, dolphin and seal swimming, pelagic bird watching, fishing, diving, and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities!
Waitomo
Waitomo, in the central North Island, is an area renowned for limestone caves, glowworms, adventure and fun, and is a place not to be missed. The name Waitomo comes from the Maori wai, water and tomo, hole or shaft. Activities centre around a small village called Waitomo Caves (or simply Waitomo) where the Museum of Caves is the focal point.
Whanganui National Park
Whanganui National Park was shaped by the Whanganui River that winds down from the mountains to the Tasman Sea shaping its hills, forests, valleys and terraces. 600 years ago the Maori natives originating from Polynesia used the 290-km Whanganui River as a means of transportation and travel. Since 1986, it has protected the remainder of the lowland forest and its native wildlife habitat. Explorers visiting this conservation area can spot a large variety of feathered friends, hike to the Atene Skyline Track to savor the spectacular mountainous sights, or journey through the river in a kayak.
Twizel
Twizel is located in the Mackenzie Basin and is surrounded by breathtaking lakes and towering mountains. Twizel is a stop for tourists in the region eager to explore the high country. There is no shortage of activities in Twizel. One can cruise around Lake Tekapo on a guided tour or take a flight over the Southern Alps, Mount Cook and even the Tasman Glacier. If more physical activities suit your taste, there is skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking and canoeing.
Queenstown
Queenstown hosts an outstanding collection of adrenaline inducing activities and spectacular scenery. From jumping from tall bridges or quiet fishing, this is New Zealand's number one adventure destination. Lake and river join towering mountain ranges to make Queenstown as popular in the winter as it is in the summer.
At the heart of the action are cafes, the entire spectrum of accommodation, boutique shopping, restaurants and the visitor services expected in a small town with a big reputation.
Wanaka
Wanaka, in a dramatic glacier-carved basin on the shores of the lake, and is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park World Heritage Area and welcomes all: adrenaline addicts, foot-sore travellers, lovers of luxury. Glide through the soft sky beneath a parachute; spin through the air in an aerobatic stunt plane. Enjoy a game of golf, test your mind at the puzzle center or ride horse-back up the golden hills where prospectors searched for gold and Maori searched for greenstone. Walking and cycling tracks around lakes ascend nearby hills to give spectacular views of Mt Aspiring/Tititea in the distance. Tiny planes offer a bird's-eye view of this magnificent wilderness area. Discover Central Otago's fascinating history from wild river rafting, visiting Wanaka's world renowned Fighter Pilot's Museum and fascinating Transport Museum, or by sharing an ale with locals. The arts are present in Wanaka through galleries, exhibitions, live theatre, concerts and the colorful local movie theatre 'Cinema Paradiso'. Lake Wanaka has a continental climate with four distinct seasons.
Franz Josef Glacier
The South Island's most renowned explorer and geologist, Julius von Haast, named Franz Josef Glacier after the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 7.5 miles long extending into the rainforest just 3 miles from the Franz Josef township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints and the terminal face or, for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, helihike or scenic flight.
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coastal track. It also has a mild climate and is a good place to visit at any time of the year. The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy beaches, the fascinating rocky outcrops, and the rich, unmodified estuaries. The landscape has been modified, perhaps more than in the other national parks. The top few things to do include walking the tracks through the park or sea kayaking and sailing.
Christchurch
Christchurch was founded in 1850 by members of the Church of England, who wanted a little bit of heaven on earth. They succeeded, and today the city takes great pride in its spacious layout and distinctive English-style buildings in elegant grey stone. The River Avon winds through Christchurch, along parks and gardens that cover one-third of the city.
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park has grown to a size of nearly 197,688 acres. The area is of religious and cultural importance to the Maoris who believed the region’s mountains had god-like ancestors, and the core of the park centers around three active volcanoes, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and the largest, Ruapehu, which erupted in a spectacular fashion in 1995 and 1996. Some areas resemble a lunar landscape, which has been created by flowing lava, and it is home to many creatures native to New Zealand. Visitors to the area can ski on an active volcano, as well as hike through alpine herb fields, passing by waterfalls and emerald-coloured lakes, before reaching spectacular lookout points. The Tongariro Crossing, completed by about 70,000 hikers every summer, is considered to be one of the best one-day walks in the country, offering magnificent volcanic scenery and fine views of Lake Taupo and Mount Taranaki.
Rotorua
New Zealand's premier destination on the edge of beautiful Lake Rotorua offers visitors so much to see and do the trouble is deciding what to do. From a quiet stroll through the magnificent Redwood Forest to an adrenaline rafting plunge over one of the world's highest commercially rafted waterfalls or an entertaining view of life on the farm at one of our award winning farmshows - Rotorua has it all. Famous for awesome geological forces, Rotorua has hundreds of gentle plopping mud pools, powerful erupting geysers, and intriguing geothermal lakes. Maori Culture is another unique facet to Rotorua's popularity. For more action try hiking down Mt Ngongatah, fishing for trophy-sized trout on one of Rotorua's many lakes, tandem skydiving, horse trekking, or off-road driving. Or just sit back, watch the world go by and enjoy the fresh, clean, picturesque atmosphere from one of many sidewalk cafes and bars. To end the day, soak away ailments in one of many thermally heated natural mineral spas.
Auckland
Auckland is regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world, with the cosmopolitan city centre complemented by great escapes within half an hour of downtown. Indulge in Auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine and experience some of the many attractions and adventure activities on offer. There is never a shortage of things to do in the City of Sails. Sights to see include Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, and Museum of Transport and Technology.
Few places in the world can boast of such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura .... stunning coastal alpine scenery, year-round whale watching, dolphin and seal swimming, pelagic bird watching, fishing, diving, and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities!
Waitomo, in the central North Island, is an area renowned for limestone caves, glowworms, adventure and fun, and is a place not to be missed. The name Waitomo comes from the Maori wai, water and tomo, hole or shaft. Activities centre around a small village called Waitomo Caves (or simply Waitomo) where the Museum of Caves is the focal point.
Whanganui National Park was shaped by the Whanganui River that winds down from the mountains to the Tasman Sea shaping its hills, forests, valleys and terraces. 600 years ago the Maori natives originating from Polynesia used the 290-km Whanganui River as a means of transportation and travel. Since 1986, it has protected the remainder of the lowland forest and its native wildlife habitat. Explorers visiting this conservation area can spot a large variety of feathered friends, hike to the Atene Skyline Track to savor the spectacular mountainous sights, or journey through the river in a kayak.
Twizel is located in the Mackenzie Basin and is surrounded by breathtaking lakes and towering mountains. Twizel is a stop for tourists in the region eager to explore the high country. There is no shortage of activities in Twizel. One can cruise around Lake Tekapo on a guided tour or take a flight over the Southern Alps, Mount Cook and even the Tasman Glacier. If more physical activities suit your taste, there is skiing, hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking and canoeing.
Queenstown hosts an outstanding collection of adrenaline inducing activities and spectacular scenery. From jumping from tall bridges or quiet fishing, this is New Zealand's number one adventure destination. Lake and river join towering mountain ranges to make Queenstown as popular in the winter as it is in the summer.
At the heart of the action are cafes, the entire spectrum of accommodation, boutique shopping, restaurants and the visitor services expected in a small town with a big reputation.
Wanaka, in a dramatic glacier-carved basin on the shores of the lake, and is the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park World Heritage Area and welcomes all: adrenaline addicts, foot-sore travellers, lovers of luxury. Glide through the soft sky beneath a parachute; spin through the air in an aerobatic stunt plane. Enjoy a game of golf, test your mind at the puzzle center or ride horse-back up the golden hills where prospectors searched for gold and Maori searched for greenstone. Walking and cycling tracks around lakes ascend nearby hills to give spectacular views of Mt Aspiring/Tititea in the distance. Tiny planes offer a bird's-eye view of this magnificent wilderness area. Discover Central Otago's fascinating history from wild river rafting, visiting Wanaka's world renowned Fighter Pilot's Museum and fascinating Transport Museum, or by sharing an ale with locals. The arts are present in Wanaka through galleries, exhibitions, live theatre, concerts and the colorful local movie theatre 'Cinema Paradiso'. Lake Wanaka has a continental climate with four distinct seasons.
The South Island's most renowned explorer and geologist, Julius von Haast, named Franz Josef Glacier after the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 7.5 miles long extending into the rainforest just 3 miles from the Franz Josef township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints and the terminal face or, for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, helihike or scenic flight.
Abel Tasman is renowned for its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs, and its world-famous coastal track. It also has a mild climate and is a good place to visit at any time of the year. The most noticeable features of this park are the golden sandy beaches, the fascinating rocky outcrops, and the rich, unmodified estuaries. The landscape has been modified, perhaps more than in the other national parks. The top few things to do include walking the tracks through the park or sea kayaking and sailing.
Christchurch was founded in 1850 by members of the Church of England, who wanted a little bit of heaven on earth. They succeeded, and today the city takes great pride in its spacious layout and distinctive English-style buildings in elegant grey stone. The River Avon winds through Christchurch, along parks and gardens that cover one-third of the city.
Tongariro National Park has grown to a size of nearly 197,688 acres. The area is of religious and cultural importance to the Maoris who believed the region’s mountains had god-like ancestors, and the core of the park centers around three active volcanoes, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and the largest, Ruapehu, which erupted in a spectacular fashion in 1995 and 1996. Some areas resemble a lunar landscape, which has been created by flowing lava, and it is home to many creatures native to New Zealand. Visitors to the area can ski on an active volcano, as well as hike through alpine herb fields, passing by waterfalls and emerald-coloured lakes, before reaching spectacular lookout points. The Tongariro Crossing, completed by about 70,000 hikers every summer, is considered to be one of the best one-day walks in the country, offering magnificent volcanic scenery and fine views of Lake Taupo and Mount Taranaki.
New Zealand's premier destination on the edge of beautiful Lake Rotorua offers visitors so much to see and do the trouble is deciding what to do. From a quiet stroll through the magnificent Redwood Forest to an adrenaline rafting plunge over one of the world's highest commercially rafted waterfalls or an entertaining view of life on the farm at one of our award winning farmshows - Rotorua has it all. Famous for awesome geological forces, Rotorua has hundreds of gentle plopping mud pools, powerful erupting geysers, and intriguing geothermal lakes. Maori Culture is another unique facet to Rotorua's popularity. For more action try hiking down Mt Ngongatah, fishing for trophy-sized trout on one of Rotorua's many lakes, tandem skydiving, horse trekking, or off-road driving. Or just sit back, watch the world go by and enjoy the fresh, clean, picturesque atmosphere from one of many sidewalk cafes and bars. To end the day, soak away ailments in one of many thermally heated natural mineral spas.
Auckland is regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world, with the cosmopolitan city centre complemented by great escapes within half an hour of downtown. Indulge in Auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine and experience some of the many attractions and adventure activities on offer. There is never a shortage of things to do in the City of Sails. Sights to see include Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, and Museum of Transport and Technology.
