Geographical Highlights

From a geological point of view, New Zealand one of the youngest countries in the world has had a colourful history. The ice age carved many unique and outstanding features such as the Fiords and Sounds, massive forces pushed up the Southern Alps and volcanic activity has most of the North Island. The result of all this action is a stunning landscape to delight all that travel New Zealand.

Coastal Highlights

Wild and rocky to the pristine and serene, you're never far from the coast in New Zealand.

Some main areas are:-

North Island:

•          Cape Reinga, Northland

•          The Bay Of Islands, Northland

•          Auckland’s Harbour

•          Hauraki Gulf, Auckland Region

•                   The Coromandel Peninsula

•          Bay of Plenty

•          East Cape Lighthouse, Eastland

•          Hawke Bay

•          Cape Palliser, Putangirua Pinnacles at Wairarapa       is a home for fur seals.

South Island  (back to top)

•         Marlborough Sounds

•         Able Tasman National Park

•         Kaikoura Region

•         Akaroa, near Christchurch

•         The West Coast

•         Cape Foulwind Seal Colony, West Coast

•         White Heron Breeding Colony, West Coast    

•         Milford Sound

•         Doubtful Sound

•         Otago Peninsula

For more information click the header marked Regions 

Driving Routes
Driving New Zealand is a wonderful adventure - there's a surprise around every corner. Packed with a kaleidoscopic of scenery, so much to and a colourful history, you'll enjoy the route as much as your destination. For more information click the header marked Itineraries

History & Culture (back to top)
From the Polynesian navigator Kupe to the Kiwis of today, New Zealanbders all add their own flavours to our unique cultural mix. For more information click on the header marked General Information

Islands
Each one different in character, New Zealand's islands reflect the contrasts of the mainland.

Recommended Islands:

• The Cavilli Islands, Northland

• Poor Knights Islands, Northland

• Rangitoto Island, Auckland.

• Waiheke Island - situated in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf

• Tiri Tiri Matangi Island - wildlife sanctuary, Auckland

• Kawau Island, Auckland

• Great Barrier Island, Auckland

• White Island - active volcano, Bay of Plenty

• Kapiti Island Nature Reserve - premier conservation sites, Wellington.

• Stewart Island, Southland

Lakes (back to top)
Popular playgrounds or idyllic hideaways, New Zealand's lakes are a must see for all.

Some recommended are:

•          Lake Rotorua, North Island

•          Lake Taupo, North Island

•          Lake Matherson, South Island

•          Lake Wanaka, South Island

•          Lake Hawea, South Island

•          Lake Wakatipu, South Island

•          Lake Te Anau, South Island

•          Lake Pukaki, South Island

•          Lake Tekapo, South Island

National Parks & Reserves
Large parts of New Zealand are set aside as sanctuaries for bird, animal and plant life - preserved with pride for those who can appreciate them. New Zealand's parks and reserves can be wild, cultured or somewhere in between.
Some are:-

North Island:

•      The Urewera National Park, Eastland

•      Tongariro World Heritage National Park, Ruapehu

•      Egmont National Park, Taranaki

•      Whanganui National Park,

•      Whanganui

South Island:

•      Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson

•      Nelson Lakes National Park, Nelson

•      Kahurangi National Park, Nelson

•      Arthur’s Pass in the Southern Alps, links Canterbury to the West Coast

•      Westland/Tai Poutini National Park, West Coast

•      Mount Aspiring National Park, Wanaka

•      Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island, Southland

 Natural Phenomena (back to top)
Nature demonstrates her awesome power with grinding glaciers, seemingly bottomless fiords and steaming geothermal hot spots.

•   Geothermal activity, Rotorua

•   Craters of the Moon, Taupo, North Island

•   Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough, South Island

•   West Coast Glaciers, West Coast, South Island

•   Mount Cook, or Aoraki, Mt Cook & Mackenzie, South Isl.

•   Milford Sound, Fiordland - described by Rudyard Kipling     as the ’eighth wonder of the world’

•   Doubtful Sound, Fiordland, South Island
  

Scenic Views
You'll never tire of New Zealand's scenic views, or of the myriad of ways you can get to see these:-

North Island

•      Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach, Northland - Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand has great views of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean merging.· Whangarei, Northland - Various scenic options around Whangarei - a leisurely centre for exploring Northland and the Twin Coast Discovery Highway.

•       Auckland City.

•       Wentworth Valley Waterfall, The Coromandel - Wentworth Valley in the Coromandel offers several walks and scenic views.

•       Katikati Murals, Bay of Plenty - In Katikati, visitors and residents see local history every day, just by walking the main street.

•      Mount Tarawera, Rotorua - Mount Tarawera, sacred volcano, famous landmark and playground plays an important role in the history of the region.

•      Huka Falls, Taupo - The Huka Falls is New Zealand’s most visited natural attraction.

•      Waikato River, Taupo - Be there when the spillway opens at  the Aratiatia Rapids.

•      Mount Hikurangi, Eastland - Mount Hikurangi is the first point on mainland New Zealand to see the sunrise each day.

•      Te Mata Peak, Hawke Bay - Te Mata Peak offers panoramic views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru ranges and Cape Kidnappers.

•      Three Sisters Beach - Rock Formations, Taranaki - Spectacular rock formations and views - the Three Sisters and Elephant Rock.

•      Wanganui City Heritage Walks , Wanganui - Heritage walks in Wanganui City; brochures provide a brief on each location plus drawings of historical sights.

•       Queens Wharf, Wellington - Exploring Wellington’s waterfront on foot, visit Queens Wharf, Te Papa, Chaffers Marina, and Oriental Bay.

South Island  (back to top)

•      Molesworth Station, Marlborough - The high country farm known as Molesworth Station is New Zealand’s largest cattle station.

•     Golden Bay, Nelson - Take a trip to Golden Bay over Takaka Hill. Check out the lookouts, points of interest and sacred places.

•      Paparoa National Park - Pancake Rock, West Coast - Paparoa National Park, famous for its Pancake Rocks and packed with variety and stunning landscapes.

•      Banks Peninusla, Canterbury - Banks Peninsula and Akaroa, early attempted French settlement site. Charming seaside tourist town with French influences.

•      Mt Iron, Wanaka - Climb the flanks of Mount Iron or Mount Roy for spectacular views of surrounding valleys, peaks, rivers and lakes.

•      Moeraki Boulders , Dunedin & Coastal Otago - The famous Moeraki boulders lie scattered along a beach 40 kilometres south of Oamaru.

•      Larnach Castle, Dunedin & Coastal Otago - Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, is ornately decorated and furnished, and open for viewing every day.

•       Taiaroa Head, Otago Peninsula , Dunedin & Coastal Otago - Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula is home to the only mainland breeding colony of Royal albatross in the world.

•       Nugget Point Lighthouse, Southland - Spend a day admiring the sky, sea and seals of Nugget Point.

•       Stirling Point , Southland - Points, Hills and Local Oddities - explore Stirling Point, Bluff Hill, Fred and Myrtle’s Paua House!

Walks & Trails
Slow your pace or set a pace and give your senses time to take in your surroundings. You can't really appreciate the flavour of a place until you've explored it on foot

.A couple on the South Island to consider:

•      Milford Track

•      The Grand Traverse

•      The Hollyford Track

•      Routeburn Track

•      Able Tasman Walk

•      Queen Charlotte

 (back to top)