New Zealand: An introduction
From the northern tip of Cape Reinga to Wellington Harbour in the south, New Zealand’s North Island offers a diverse expanse of landscapes. From coastal paradise to mountains and the southern ocean, New Zealand’s South Island unveils one majestic landscape after another.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, has inspired a lifestyle that’s regularly ranked in the world’s top 10. Because of its unusual geography, within half an hour you can be on an island in the Hauraki Gulf, trekking through native forest, sampling wines at a vineyard or walking along a wild black-sand surf beach. Shopping, restaurants, bars and local theatre are a significant part of the city’s fabric.
The Pacific Coast Highway follows the East Coast and features the beaches around the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Eastland, on the way to Hawke’s Bay, which is one of the country’s key wine regions.
The Thermal Explorer leads you to or from Hawke’s Bay across the volcanic plateau, where New Zealand’s location on the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ is evident.
The city of Rotorua is one of the best places in New Zealand to learn about Māori culture and also to get amazed by geothermal wonders. Beneath the Waitomo area, the ground is a labyrinth of limestone passages and caves, which can either be explored on foot or on the water in an activity known as blackwater rafting.
Martinborough, a short drive from Wellington, is a popular wine-growing area, its specialties including Pinot Noir and Riesling.
The Marlborough Sounds, featuring spectacular scenery where bush and mountains rise straight from the sea, can be explored by boat or by foot.
The Nelson region is known for its year-round sunshine, golden beaches, national parks, boutique wineries and microbreweries. With locally grown produce, freshly caught seafood, historical streetscapes and waterfront restaurants, Nelson offers a great lifestyle.
From Nelson, it’s easy to access any of three national parks: Abel Tasman National Park, the Nelson Lakes National Park and Kahurangi - New Zealand’s second-largest national park.
The West Coast is a narrow strip of land between the South Island’s Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. It is memorable for its backdrop of mountain peaks, Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, limestone landscapes, lakes and rivers, lush rainforest and a magnificent, wild coastline.
The southern West Coast is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and is home to the alpine and thermal village of Hanmer Springs, the wine valley of Waipara, and Kaikoura with its fur seals, Hector’s dolphins and giant sperm whales.
Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the Remarkables Range, Queenstown features year-round action such as skiing and snowboarding, jetboating, bungy jumping and whitewater rafting.
Queenstown and its surrounds also offer more relaxing activities such as golf, wine tasting in the many boutique wineries, and exploring the historic gold mining townships of Central Otago. The region is also becoming famous for its restaurants, wineries, five-star resorts and remote luxury lodges.
Wanaka, a scenic drive away from Queenstown, is located on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka and offers spectacular views of Mount Aspiring National Park.
Auckland & Northland
The relaxed, sunny lifestyle of Northland springs from its subtropical climate and the myriad islands, bays and beaches around its extensive coastline. With the Tasman Sea buffeting the west coast and the South Pacific Ocean lapping the east coast, activities in this region are often water-related. Snorkelling, surfing, big game fishing or dolphin watching are experiences that are easily found along the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, has inspired a lifestyle that’s regularly ranked in the world’s top 10. Because of its unusual geography, within half an hour you can be on an island in the Hauraki Gulf, trekking through native forest, sampling wines at a vineyard or walking along a wild black-sand surf beach. Shopping, restaurants, bars and local theatre are a significant part of the city’s fabric.
Central North Island
Central North Island offers the volcanic plateau, high-altitude ski fields, surf beaches, geothermal activity and wine regions.The Pacific Coast Highway follows the East Coast and features the beaches around the Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Eastland, on the way to Hawke’s Bay, which is one of the country’s key wine regions.
The Thermal Explorer leads you to or from Hawke’s Bay across the volcanic plateau, where New Zealand’s location on the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ is evident.
The city of Rotorua is one of the best places in New Zealand to learn about Māori culture and also to get amazed by geothermal wonders. Beneath the Waitomo area, the ground is a labyrinth of limestone passages and caves, which can either be explored on foot or on the water in an activity known as blackwater rafting.
Wellington
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is home to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and national treasures such as the original Treaty of Waitangi and writer Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace.Martinborough, a short drive from Wellington, is a popular wine-growing area, its specialties including Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Nelson & Marlborough
The Marlborough region is one of New Zealand’s largest wine-growing regions. While Sauvignon Blanc is considered the region’s specialty, Marlborough’s Methode Traditionelle and Chardonnay wines are also well regarded.The Marlborough Sounds, featuring spectacular scenery where bush and mountains rise straight from the sea, can be explored by boat or by foot.
The Nelson region is known for its year-round sunshine, golden beaches, national parks, boutique wineries and microbreweries. With locally grown produce, freshly caught seafood, historical streetscapes and waterfront restaurants, Nelson offers a great lifestyle.
From Nelson, it’s easy to access any of three national parks: Abel Tasman National Park, the Nelson Lakes National Park and Kahurangi - New Zealand’s second-largest national park.
West Coast & Canterbury
The West Coast is a narrow strip of land between the South Island’s Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. It is memorable for its backdrop of mountain peaks, Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, limestone landscapes, lakes and rivers, lush rainforest and a magnificent, wild coastline.
The southern West Coast is designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and is home to the alpine and thermal village of Hanmer Springs, the wine valley of Waipara, and Kaikoura with its fur seals, Hector’s dolphins and giant sperm whales.
Stunning Queenstown
Located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the Remarkables Range, Queenstown features year-round action such as skiing and snowboarding, jetboating, bungy jumping and whitewater rafting.
Queenstown and its surrounds also offer more relaxing activities such as golf, wine tasting in the many boutique wineries, and exploring the historic gold mining townships of Central Otago. The region is also becoming famous for its restaurants, wineries, five-star resorts and remote luxury lodges.
Wanaka, a scenic drive away from Queenstown, is located on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka and offers spectacular views of Mount Aspiring National Park.
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