Popular New Zealand Destinations

New Zealand has a plethora of exciting attractions and unique features. Here follows a small selection of popular destinations.

Auckland

Auckland, known as the 'City of Sails' for its many boating enthusiasts and weekend waters filled with yachts, has many great attractions the main one being the Hauraki Gulf where there are numerous islands and good deep-sea fishing waters. A number of the islands in Hauraki Gulf are used in efforts to re-establish rare or endangered species of birds and insects. There is an extensive range of shops and complexes, cafes and restaurants but you are never far away from the many beaches in Auckland. View our Auckland regional listings.

Waitomo

Waitomo, which is situated beneath the rugged King Countryside, are weather-worn limestone outcrops in a vast and largely uncharted series of caves. Of the many caves in the area, three are supreme and together rank as one of the finest wonders in New Zealand. Waitomo Caves settlement evolved to serve the large numbers of visitors to the Glowworm Grotto with its myriad of tiny bright lights dotting the cave ceiling and Limestone formations of all shapes and sizes surround them.

Rotorua

Rotorua is at the heart of all Maori traditions where you can see concerts and Hangi. There are towering geysers, bubbling mud and silica terraces that draw many visitors to Rotorua - often known as the Thermal Wonderland. View our Rotorua regional listings.

Napier

Napier has plenty of vineyards and orchards amongst some of the most lavish farmland you'll ever see. Also known as the 'Art Deco' capital of the world it is home for one of the largest Gannet colonies in the world at Cape Kidnappers. View our Napier regional listings.

Lake Taupo

Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, was formed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in human history. Evidence of the massive blast lies all around the volcanic plateau. Taupo holds expansive beauty and in the west thick bush and waterfalls edge the isolated bays, in the east are small parklands, and in the south are a cluster of volcanic mountains which rise to 2706m. View our Taupo regional listings.

Wellington

Wellington is the world's most southern capital and is renowned for its wind. The parliament buildings are situated here along with New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa. The inter-island ferries depart and arrive from Picton in the South Island. View our Wellington regional listings.

Picton and Blenheim

Picton and Blenheim are the towns that get the most sunshine and have plenty of vineyards. Picton is also the gateway to Wellington via the inter-island ferries and also to view all the sounds. View our Picton and Blenheim regional listings.

Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds

For some amazing scenery Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds are definitely recommended. Here you will find wildlife sanctuaries, walkways and a maze of secluded bays and beaches. View our Marlborough Sounds regional listings.

Kaikoura

World-renowned as the whale watching centre of New Zealand. Tours are available both by boat and air to view the giant Sperm Whale, migratory Humpback Whales, Orcas, Hector's Dolphins, Fur Seals and Royal Albatross. Visitors can swim with pods of dolphins, come face to face with fur seals, or scuba dive. There are also numerous local activities available on land. View our Kaikoura regional listings.

Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs is unique in the South Island being the only thermal resort situated at the base of the pristine Amuri mountain range just a short drive from Christchurch. The picturesque village is surrounded by hectares of native and exotic forests. View our Hanmer Springs regional listings.

Christchurch

Christchurch, often referred to as the 'garden city', is the largest of the South Island cities and is a major international gateway to the country. It has a very English nature and the Avon River twists through its heart of stone buildings. There is plenty to see and do in Christchurch. View our Christchurch regional listings. Hollyford Track, Fiordland

Arthur's Pass National Park

Arthur's Pass National Park an alpine village just a short drive from Christchurch or take the Tranzalpine Train to take in the scenic views. There are some amazing walks including the Bridal Path and drink the freshest water from the Devil's Punchbowl Falls, but watch out for the keas (cheeky native parrots)! View our Arthur's Pass regional listings.

Mount Cook

Mt Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain and the area offers a wide range of activities. Day walks, skiing, heli-skiing, horse treks, flightseeing to name a few. The Hermitage Hotel is a popular place to stay and is located in a natural mountain amphitheatre. View our Tekapo and Mount Cook regional listings.

Dunedin

Down to Dunedin where there is a very Scottish atmosphere, set between rolling hills and a rugged coastline. Dunedin has a unique combination of heritage and exotic wildlife. Taiaroa Head is the only place in the world where the giant Royal Albatross breeds on a mainland and is located only half an hour from the city centre. View our Dunedin regional listings.

Queenstown

Queenstown nestles around a sheltered bay of Lake Wakatipu and is set in the magnificent Southern Lakes alpine region. It originally sprang to life as a raw mining town where gold was discovered in Arrowtown, it is now the adventure capital of the world and base for some of New Zealand's most popular walks and tramps. Nearby are the Remarkables and Coronet Peak ski fields. View our Queenstown regional listings.

West Coast

Over to the West Coast where you can view the booming blowholes and the extraordinary 'pancake' rock formations at Punakaiki. There is also plenty of history on the goldfields, forests and parks where you'll experience the wild, rugged granite mountains and beech forests. View our West Coast regional listings.

Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

Nowhere in the world's temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as this famous pair that descend from crisp, clear snowfields into lush, temperate rainforest. Many tourists flock to the area annually to view this unique environment where there is an abundance of activities for all to indulge in. View our Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers regional listings.

Lake Te Anau and Fiordland

Lake Te Anau is the country's second largest lake and has an established reputation of the walking capital of the world. Here you can challenge yourself to the most challenging of tramps or the easiest walks. Te Anau has a range of fine restaurants, seven days a week shopping and can cater for all levels of accommodation. Onto Milford Sound from which rises the sheer glaciated slab of Mitre Peak. Be part of all this fantastic world heritage at the Fiordland National Park. View our Te Anau and Fiordland regional listings.

Stewart Island

The most southern of New Zealand's three main islands and is separated from the South Island by Foveaux Strait. The islands covers an area of around 165,000hectares. Experience beach and bush walks in a temperate Podocarp rain forest. The ultimate unspoiled wilderness. View our Stewart Island regional links.

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