Best Of New Zealand

A city of stunning natural beauty, Auckland blends the best of the modern cosmopolitan world with that of a Polynesian paradise. Nestled between two beautiful harbors, this marine playground offers breathtaking views and more than 1,000 bays and beaches. Shop the colorful Victorian Park Market or the charming boutiques of Parnell Village. Explore museums brimming with artifacts of the Maori culture. Or enjoy the natural splandor of the city, from English-style rose gardens to extinct volcanic sites. Popular landmarks are One Tree Hill and Mount Eden.

The ‘Bay of Islands’ was how Cook described the area two centuries ago, and the simplicity of his name masks the diversity of its charm.The subtleties of its attraction lie as much in the graceful fusion of sea with land as in the manoeuvres of Man – of Maori, whaler, missionary, and later, settler. The Bay, studded with over 150 islands, is a ‘drowned river system’, an area where the sea has invaded and drowned a number of river valleys. Its sheltered waters offer some of the finest boating and fishing to be found anywhere, and the menus of local restaurants reflect the abundance of marine life in the Bay.

With its miles of parks and tranquil gardens, striking Gothic architecture, and meandering Avon River, Christchurch is resplendent with English style and charm. Bustling Cathedral Square is the heart of the city, dominated by the spired Christchurch Cathedral. The serpentine Avon River invites strolls along its banks, dotted with weeping willows
and small romantic bridges. And throughout the “Garden City,” carefully tended streets and parks are ablaze with the color of classic English landscaping. Christchurch is the base for Antarctic exploration programs–visit the International Antarctic Centre located to the east of the city.

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, the town was named because “…it was fit for Queen Victoria.” Queenstown is today recognised internationally as New Zealand’s premier visitor destination. Queenstown has more than just breathtaking scenery and a diverse range of attractions, it’s the people visitors find enchanting. In fact in 1998, Queenstown was again voted Friendliest Foreign City in a poll of 37,000 readers of Conde Nast Traveler, a top US Travel Publication. Queenstown first won the award in 1996.

The earth hisses, mud boils, geyers shoot violently into the air. Teeming with thermal wonders, Rotorua is one of the country’s most spectacular sites. The area is situated on a volcanic fault line and has been inhabited by the Maori since the 14th century. While most live in Western-style residences, they continue to use the thermal waters for everything from cooking traditional Hangi feast to heating and washing. Woodcarving is taught to young apprentices at Rotorua’s Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Lake Taupo, New Zealand offers a premier trout fishing experience. The famed sight fishing for large Brown & Rainbow trout is arguably the finest in the world.Located New Zealand’s North Island, Lake Taupo is an all year round sight fishing destination. Surrounded by high country lakes, rivers and mountain streams, the spectacular New Zealand scenery is sure to amaze.

Curled up around its harbor, Wellington cascades down pine-clad hills stretching to the horizon. Antique timber homes in a rainbow of pastels cling to the wooded hillsides, and Victorian architecture lives comfortably beside skyscrapers.

Once a port town of some importance, Westport is an elegant town with fine views over Clew Bay.