New Zealand Sightseeing

New Zealand is a land of dramatic contrasts. With snow-capped mountain ranges, golden beaches, lush rainforests, cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages and a fascinating indigenous culture, New Zealand has something to offer for every taste without ever having to travel a long distance.


The North Island

The North Island has a larger population than the South, however natural beauty still abounds.

The capital city of Wellington is the country’s main creative hub, with festivals and events all year long and many internationally recognised artistic institutions such as the Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Many famous New Zealanders have their roots in this city, such as film director Peter Jackson and actress Anna Paquin. Immerse yourself in the arts culture by taking in a live production, or simply stroll to enjoy the buzz of the inner city with trendy cafes, galleries and beautiful architecture.

Further north and nestled between the waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours is Auckland, known as the ‘City of Sails’. The lifestyle here is ranked as one of the best in the world, with a rich Polynesian culture, harbour-side location and modern city pulse. The famous Sky Tower is the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest tower, with an observation deck, revolving restaurant and cafe to take in the spectacular views, as well as and sky-jumping for the braver few. The harbour is also a good starting point for a boat ride or cruise to one of the many islands that dot the coast, such as Rangitoto or Waiheke Island.

A trip to the North Island is not complete without a visit to the Rotorua region, a major centre for Maori culture in New Zealand with famously beautiful and bizarre natural wonders. Extreme geothermic activity takes place below the earth’s surface here causing steam to rise out of cracks in the ground, even in residential areas.

Visitors can get up close and personal with bubbling mud-pools, geysers, hot springs and volcanic craters merely minutes away from towns. Rotorua city on the shores of Lake Rotorua has a large Maori population and offers a snapshot of traditional and contemporary Maori life. The nearby villages of Whakarewarewa, Tamaki Maori Village and the Mitai Moari Village encourage appreciation of the traditional dress, music and artisan skills of the Moari people through song and dance displays, as well as cultural exhibitions and museums.
 

The South Island

The South Island has a stunning natural landscape and a smaller population than the North Island, despite being larger.

The Southern Alps are a good base to get acquainted with the wilderness as they contain four national parks - Mount Aspiring National Park, Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and the Fiordland National Park. Aoraki/Mount Cook is located here and stands at 3754 metres high, the tallest peak in New Zealand and a Mecca for rock climbers and mountaineers. Skiing and snowboarding are also popular activities during the winter months however simply hiking or driving through the region is also a perfect way to appreciate the peace and magnificence of this special corner of the country. The deep crystal lakes, icy mountain tops, ancient forests and sweeping hills might be familiar to fans of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, as this area was used by Jackson as the dramatic setting for Tolkein’s Middle Earth.

The Southern Alps region is dotted with quaint alpine villages and towns, such as Arthur’s Pass Village, Twizel and Aoraki Mount Cook village. Accommodation is plentiful and varied, with eco-cabins, resorts and cosy bed and breakfasts to choose from.

Although more sparsely populated, the South Island still has several cities that are well worth a visit. Queenstown is located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and with easy access to the Southern Alps, has a keen ski culture and welcoming hospitality. There is a youthful energy in the inner city with plenty of shopping, trendy cafes and cool bars to spend a chilly evening.

Nearby the Central Otago winegrowing region produces some of the country’s best wines, including Pinot Noir, Riesling and Pinot Gris. On the east coast of the South Island is Christchurch, an elegant city known as the ‘Garden City’ for its many parks and gardens. The pace here is laid-back and sophisticated, with plenty of historical architecture, fine dining and museums and galleries to enjoy