Wellington
The capital city of New Zealand, Wellington (population 345,000) is
situated on a splendid harbour at the southern tip of the North Island.
Often maligned by its northern counterparts for its ill-tempered weather -
the winds are often of gale-force calibre in winter - Wellington is a lively
city of culture and arts (with festivals almost every month), and great
ethnic restaurants and cafes. It is also home to the country's government
and national treasures.
Buildings of interest include the modernist Beehive (the executive wing
of Parliamen, the old Government Building (one of the largest all-wooden
buildings in the world), the National Library (housing the most
comprehensive collection of books in the country), and the Katherine
Mansfield Memorials (the property where the famous author was born in 1888).
In addition, there are museums (including the excellent new Te Papa museum),
a zoo and stunning views of the city from the top of Mt Victoria. Cuba
Street has great shopping, Thorndon has historic sites of interest, Lambton
Quay is the primary business street and Mt Victoria is the place to go for
cheap accommodation and dining. The treetop walk at the Native Plant Museum
is also worth the time.
Auckland
The largest city in New Zealand, Auckland (population 1,002,000) is
almost enclosed by water and covered in volcanic hills. Like Sydney,
Auckland has a spectacular harbour and bridge (and a fanatical number of
yachting enthusiasts) which has earned it the sobriquet 'City of Sails'. A
magnet for the people of the South Pacific islands, Auckland now has the
largest concentration of Polynesians in the world. Highlights include the
Auckland Museum, which houses a memorable display of Maori artefacts and
culture, and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World & Antarctic Encounter, a
unique simulacrum of ocean and exploration activities.
There is great shopping in the suburbs of Parnell and Newmarket,
well-preserved Victorian buildings in Devonport, Polynesian handicrafts,
cafes, restaurants and markets in Ponsonby, panoramic views of the city from
the extinct volcano One Tree Hill, and good swimming beaches including
Kohimarama and Mission Bay. The Hauraki Gulf off Auckland is dotted with
islands such as Rangitoto, Great Barrier and Waiheke, which have affordable
accommodation, a number of walks and diving possibilities and, in the case
of Waiheke Island, excellent art galleries. Auckland is also a good
starting-point for visiting the amazingly scenic Coromandel Peninsula and
Hauraki Plains regions to the south-east.
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Otago & Southland
Three highlights dominate Otago and Southland, which cover the south of
the South Island : Queenstown with its adrenaline activities; the walkways
of Fiordland National Park; and Otago Peninsula, which boasts New Zealand's
first foray into ecotourism. Queenstown, set in a glacial valley on the edge
of Lake Wakatipu, is a town synonymous with hairy adventures: parasailing;
schussing down icy rapids in jet boats; white-water rafting; and bungy
jumping off Skippers Canyon Bridge - the latest and most terrifying being a
plunge 300m from a helicopter.
Fiordland National Park, which takes its name from its glacier-carved
coast, is a wilderness of mountains, ice and beech forests. The scenic
climax of Fiordland is undoubtedly Milford Sound where cruise ships bob
toy-like beneath the shadows of towering mountains and waterfalls. There are
classic alpine walks, including the Routeburn Track (in Mt Aspiring National
Park), the Hollyford Valley and the Milford Track (billed as the 'finest in
the world').
Otago Peninsula is a significant wildlife area with woodland gardens,
albatross, penguin and seal colonies, plus aquariums, museums and historic
sites. Dunedin, a student city on the peninsula, is a hub for arts and
entertainment, and is famous for producing an eclectic pool of
internationally successful rock bands. Scottish to its core, the city has a
rich architectural heritage with many museums, galleries and castles.
There is a series of huge lakes in the area, including Hawea and nearby
Wanaka in Otago, and Lake Te Anau in Southland. Te Anau, gouged out by a
huge glacier, is New Zealand's second-largest lake and features caves full
of glow worms, and waterfalls and whirlpools. The Catlins, the largest
remaining area of native forest on the east coast of the South Island, is
between Invercargill and Dunedin. It has reserves of rarefied plants and
trees, plus fauna such as fur seals, sea lions, penguins and ducks.
Northland
Northland is the cradle of both Maori and Pakeha culture: it was here
that the Pakeha first made contact with the Maori, the first whaling
settlements were established and the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Often
referred to as the 'winterless north' because of its mild year-round
temperatures, Northland has a number of interesting museums (Otamatea Kauri
& Pioneer Museum), glorious, blonde beaches (Ninety Mile Beach) and diving
spots (Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, reckoned by Jacques Cousteau to
be among the top 10 diving sites in the world), historic towns (Pahia and
Waitangi), game fishing (Bay of Islands) and flora and fauna reserves (Waipoua
Kauri Forest).
Bay of Islands
 The Bay of Islands is New Zealand's the finest Maritime Park, with 144
islands, scores of secluded bays and an abundance of marine life. The
scenery is nothing short of spectacular and can only be fully appreciated by
cruising through the area. The area is the warmest part of New Zealand
temperature average 24 C/75 F in summer and 16 C/61 F in winter.
The Maritime Park is a natural wonderland with an abundance of wildlife
including marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other
species.
The bay is the cradle of European civilisation in New Zealand and has
fine examples of Maori Culture for you to experience.
The towns of Paihia and picturesque Russell are perfect places to wander
amongst the many shops and restaurants along the waterfront. There are
endless activities to do; deep sea fishing, light tackle fishing, forest and
beach walks, scuba diving, wind and kite surfing, kayaking, parasailing,
yachting, sky diving, pleasure flights, wine trails and great golf courses.
The Paihia Pacific Resort is the perfect base from which to explore
further north. See the magnificent Kauri Forests, Cape Reinga the top of New
Zealand , 90 mile Beach, a Maori Marae and the craft shops of Kerikeri.
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Mercure
Hotel Wellington
Skycity Auckland
Millennium
Hotel Queenstown
