New Zealand

toptraveller - Thursday, April 3, 2008 - 05:48

New Zealand is an Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia. About 80% of the population lives in cities.
The compact city of Wellington is only two kilometres in diameter and is the capital of New Zealand.
New Zealand has a diverse population — but with some uniting features that make it unique in the world. The isolated South Pacific location and rugged landscapes still makes many New Zealanders quiet and independent, yet resourceful and self-reliant, with a famous ‘Kiwi ingenuity’.
Many New Zealanders enjoy hiking, mountaineering, and kayaking, while many more will explore their landscape with a trip to the beach or a bush walk.
New Zealand comprises two large islands—the North and South islands—separated by the narrow Cook Strait and numerous smaller islands, including Stewart Island to the south of the South Island.
The largest city in New Zealand is Auckland this is on the North Island as well as the capital Wellington.
When travelling to New Zealand there is some main places that you just have to visit. In the North Island, Auckland is a must and has plenty of things to see and do including going up the Sky Tower, bungy jumping off of the harbour bridge or the Sky Tower, cruises along the port and visiting the Auckland Museum. A good tour around the Bay of Islands is a must for those visiting the North Island, with its beautiful scenery it’s an area loved by most.

Wellington, should be on everyone’s list when visiting New Zealand, and is also a perfect place to travel over to the South Island on a boat via the Cook Straight. As well as plenty of nature walks, gardens and sanctuaries Wellington also offers the best museum in New Zealand – Te Papa.

Christchurch is known for its skiing areas in New Zealand there's something for everyone. Commercial ski areas, club ski fields, skiing, snowboarding or try a spot of heli-skiing, the ultimate ski adventure!

Activities

Marlborough Sounds-is a great place for kayaking, sailing, diving and fishing.
Christchurch Town Centre-wonder around plenty of markets and stalls for shopping as well as the Art Gallery.
Hamner Thermal Pools and Spa-Just outside of Christchurch a must to visit
White water rafting- Queenstown is famous for White Water Rafting bungy jumping, skydiving, and the skyrail
Milford Sound- Thislies at the heart of the Fiordland National Park. Cruising the clear, still water of the Fiord you'll encounter magnificent sights such as the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak, Stirling Falls, and waterfalls thundering down sheer cliffs. Wet or fine, the magic of Milford Sound will enthral you.
Thames Goldmine Experience- take a tour underground to a working mine
Karaka Bird Hide-take the boardwalk through the mangroves to the Hide, then sit and watch birds in the Firth of Thames
The Coromandel Forest Park- enjoy a day walk into the bush
Port Jackson and Cape Colville-Drive to the top of the Peninsula for wonderful views
Hot Water Beach: relax at one of the region’s most fascinating places. For two hours either side of low tide, visitors can dig in the sand for hot spring water and make their own spa pool.
Cathedral Cove- a massive natural rock arch and pink sands frame this magical beach.
Slipper Island: -enjoy historic sites, scenic walks, safe snorkelling, diving and fishing
Wentworth Valley-walk to the old mines or the waterfalls or take the five-hour Maratoto-Wentworth walk
Goldfields Railway-take a ride on a vintage train

Dare to be adventurous

Roll downhill inside a zorb, try some 360-degree spins in a jet boat or race your friends on a luge cart. Rafting, kayaking and sledging are also popular - trips on the Kaituna, Rangitaiki or Wairoa Rivers are a blast!

Whale watching

New Zealand waters contain a variety of whales, and you can watch whales at various places around the country.

Attractions

The coastal Bay of Plenty-is a must when in New Zealand
The Giant L & P bottle in Paeroa a must to see
Tasman glacier-which you can view by taking a short walk from Mount Cook village.
Franz Josef and Fox on the South Island's West Coast are New Zealand's most famous glaciers
Waitomo caves- take a boat ride through the Glow-worm Grotto, illuminated by thousands of tiny lights from the glow worms suspended from the cave ceiling.
Waikato River-New Zealand's largest river
Church of the Good Shepherd that stands on the lake foreshore.
Lake Pukaki - stunning glacial-fed lake
Auckland Museum
Where you will see many superb examples of Maori and Polynesian artefacts.
Te Papa
Wellington, New Zealand's national museum, combines history, art and technology in an interactive, hands-on museum experience
Canterbury Museum
A collection that includes a strong focus on Antarctica and the numerous expeditions to the sub-continent.