New Zealand, or Aotearoa in Te Reo Māori, is a breathtakingly diverse island nation in the South Pacific. Known for its dramatic landscapes, this land is home to rugged mountains, rolling green hills, geothermal wonders, pristine beaches, and ancient forests. New Zealand's natural beauty offers endless outdoor adventures, from hiking the alpine trails of Fiordland to kayaking through the turquoise waters of Abel Tasman National Park.
Beyond its landscapes, New Zealand is rich in cultural heritage. The Māori culture, with its deep respect for the land and spirit of manaakitanga (hospitality), weaves through the country's modern identity. Kiwis, as New Zealanders are affectionately called, are known for their warmth, laid-back attitude, and love for the outdoors.
From the bustling city life of Auckland and Wellington to the charming small towns, Aotearoa is a haven for travellers seeking both adventure and tranquillity. Whether it's adrenaline-filled activities like bungee jumping and skydiving, discovering wildlife like dolphins and kiwi birds, or enjoying world-class wine and cuisine, New Zealand offers an unforgettable experience for every kind of traveller.
Auckland with its suburbs has over 1 million inhabitants. It is the largest city in the country and spreads generously over a narrow isthmus between the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea. Over 60 extinct volcanic cones and craters characterize the landscape, while an endless procession of sails in the harbor is typical of the relaxed way of life here. Auckland was the state capital until 1865 and is today the economic center of New Zealand.
Set on the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula’s Mercury Bay, alluring Whitianga is a charming seaside destination best known for Buffalo Beach, a five-kilometer-long stretch of white sand perfect for swimming, fishing, and collecting seashells. There are plenty of other activities on offer, including hiking(through the grand Coromandel Ranges), or kayaking or snorkelling (among bright schools of fish in the secluded Cathedral Cove, where a cathedral-like tunnel separates two tranquil, pristine beaches lapped by calm, turquoise waters). Those seeking an unusual and relaxing experience can dig themselves a private spa bath on Hot Water Beach. Travellers visiting in September can look forward to the Whitianga Scallop Festival, a fun-filled weekend tradition with an emphasis on seafood cuisine and cooking demos.
The city of Rotorua has been a spa town since the 1800s, thanks to the many geysers, hot springs and mud pools that can be found in what is one of the world’s most active geothermal fields. The Maori, who considered the region sacred, make up 35% of the population and a popular attraction is discovering their rich culture and traditions. Rotorua is surrounded by lakes, mountains, forests and other natural features that afford visitors the opportunity to try out a number of outdoor activities between relaxing sessions in the hot springs and pools.
National Park, situated in the North Island Central Plateau of New Zealand, is a small wilderness town sandwiched between the historic Tongariro National Park to the east and the spectacular Whanganui National Park to the west. This charming town is the perfect base for adventure seekers and nature lovers, flaunting lush green vegetation and sprawling views over the mountain trio of Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu; while being the gateway to the wonderful hiking and biking opportunities of the Tongariro National Park and canoeing trips down the mighty Whanganui River in the Whanganui National Park. In wintertime, this magical destination’s snow-capped mountainous surroundings offer some of the best snow skiing and snow boarding around.
Located on the south-western tip of North Island on the Cook Strait, Wellington is the constitutional and cultural capital of New Zealand – dubbed ‘the coolest little capital in the world’. With its diverse architecture, world-class museums, cultural attractions and award-winning restaurants, Wellington is a popular destination for both local and international travellers. Due to its location in the ‘Roaring Forties’ the city experiences its fair share of wind and as a result, sailing is a popular activity here – with charters offering the visitors the experience of a relaxed cruise with beautiful views of the city and the surrounding bays.
Over 170 years old, Nelson is New Zealand’s oldest city and has recently made a name for itself as a thriving cultural centre. The city is home to a large number of artists and creatives who are celebrated during an array of popular events. With more than 2500 hours of sunshine, Nelson is also considered the country’s sunniest city, and is a perfect setting in which to enjoy an array of adventure and leisure activities – biking, horse trekking, rock climbing, wine-tasting at local estates, or simply taking in the superb views of the Tasman Bay.
The tiny township of Punakaiki on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is primarily used by visitors as a base for exploring the nearby Paparoa National Park. The park is best known for its dramatic blowholes and the distinctive Pancake Rocks. These picturesque limestone formations look curiously like stony stacks of pancakes which funnel blasts of water up to 15 m into the air as the waves crash into the caverns below the rocks. Visitors can explore the sub-tropical rainforests, horse ride along the spectacular coastline, paddle a canoe down the tranquil Pororari River, or climb the remarkable limestone formations for which this area is known. The town itself offers some delightful cafes and restaurants and is home to a small community of quirky local craftspeople including jewellers, carvers, painters and potters. This little town is the perfect place to take some time out between excursions into one of the West Coast's most beautiful and untouched wilderness areas.
The South Island's West Coast is a unique 600 km coast with the wild mountain world of the Southern Alps. This low populated region has sixteen different glaciers, many peaceful lakes and untamed rivers. The "Coasters" are proud of living in good harmony with the wild and original nature at their doorsteps. The lifestyle of the pioneer era is still omnipresent here - more than anywhere else in New Zealand.
The West Coast rains have created an almost fairy-tale rain forest. Moss clad trees and fern trees are typical. We make a stop at Hokitika for the famous Jade manufactory.
Next we continue our tour to Franz Josef, reaching the Southern Alps.
There are not many areas in the world where one can watch seals and penguins at the beach, wander through the dense rain forest and walk on the eternal ice of the glaciers - all in one day. The Westland National Park offers these contrasts. The ice streams of the Franz Josef and the Fox glaciers start at approximately 3000 meters altitude and reach into the rain forests on a level of 300 meters. This makes both glaciers unique in the world.
Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and has stunning views of the surrounding alpine peaks. Considered by many as one of the world’s adventure capitals, it offers visitors a wide selection of adrenaline-boosting activities to choose from, such as bungee jumping, white water rafting, zip lining, skiing and skydiving. Queenstown also has a lively bar and restaurant scene, and for those who prefer the quieter things in life there are vineyards, golf courses, spas and wellness centres.
Te Anau is situated in the southern region of New Zealand’s South Island, on the eastern bank of Lake Te Anau (the largest lake on South Island). The town is the perfect gateway to the unique and awe-inspiring geographical attractions of Milford Sound (boasting rich marine life and spectacular views), and the Fiordland National Park (offering the excellent Kepler, Routeburn, and Milford hiking and biking trails among astonishing landscapes). However, beautiful Te Anau has plenty to offer in its own right. Active travellers can enjoy water sports on the lake, such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and trout fishing, while gentle boat cruises provide a more leisurely option. Make sure to visit the incredible Te Anau Caves to see other-worldly displays of glowworms and an impressive underground waterfall, and visit the beautiful native birds at the Punanga Manu o Te Anau aviary.
Twizel is set in the highlands of the Mackenzie district, amidst a magnificent setting of turquoise glacial lakes, sienna plains, and rugged snow-capped mountains. Thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts will be in their element here, with the region’s natural assets lending themselves to a wide array of adventure activities including trekking, mountain biking, and helicopter rides, to horse riding, canoeing, fly fishing, and SUPping. The town offers a fantastic ongoing market and enticing shops, cafes, and restaurants. Twizel is also the gateway to excursions through the popular Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, known for its spectacular scenery and multitude of hiking trails, and the wider UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, renowned for the beauty of its star-studded skies. Make sure to play a game of mini-golf at the Twizel-themed miniature golf course, which features holes named after local farms.
Despite the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, Christchurch was placed second on The New York Times’ list of 52 ‘Places to Go’ in 2014. This speaks volumes of the spirit of this city and its people, whose collective creativity has seen a number of restorative art projects developed on the empty lots and buildings the disasters left behind. The city also offers a fabulous array of activities, including punting down the Avon River, helicopter tours, hot-air ballooning and whale and dolphin watching. Or stroll around the Botanic Gardens.
