Things To see
Auckland
Auckland is new zealand’s biggest city. Wherever you stay in auckland, you’re never far from breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, invigorating walks, idyllic holiday islands, outstanding food and wine, great shopping and exciting nightlife.
Sightseeing
Sky Tower
At 328 metres skytower is the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere, offering breath-taking views for more than 80 kilometers in every direction. The tower is part of the sky city complex, a city-centre compendium of casinos, entertainment and eateries. There are three observation decks. Bungy jumping can be done from the sky tower (192m).
Kelly Tarltons Underwater World:
Plunge under auckland’s waterfront and you’ll discover spectacular secrets of the southern ocean and see the magical fantasyland of an antarctic adventure, complete with penguins strutting in fresh snow and ice!
Auckland Harbour Bridge
Thebridgeis an eight-lane box truss motorway bridge over the waite mata harbor, joining st mary’s bay in auckland with north cote in north shore city, new zealand.
Saling
The best way to view auckland harbor is to sail around on the sheltered waters of the sparkling auckland harbor (waite mata harbor). Various cruise options from 45 minutes to 2 hours are available.
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Auckland museum is an excellent old-style museum filled with a truly marvelous collection of artifacts. You can see whale bones, polynesian artifacts, and live shows by maori dancers, new zealand’s flora and fauna, relics from ancient civilizations.
Bastion Point
Bastion point offers fine views out over the hauraki gulf and waite mata harbour as well as central auckland. A popular destination for kite fliers, bastion point lives up to its name and has the remains of wwii-era lookout bunkers and gun emplacements.
Mt Eden (Maungawhau)
Maungawhau/mount eden is the place where highest of the volcanoes erupted in auckland city, 196 meters high. Being centrally located, it is both a prominent feature of the auckland scene and a suitable advantage point from which one can view the city and the other cones.
Beyond Auckland
Bay Of Islands
Just 237 km north of auckland, the bay of islands comprises mainland townships and close to 150 islands, many virtually untouched by civilization. Opening out to the south pacific, the bay of islands features innumerable coves and inlets which lend themselves to forays into surprising discovery.
Paihia Attractions
Cape Brett: Hole in the rock cruise, swim with the dolphins, kayaking.
Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety mile beach is a beach located on the western coast of the far north of the north island of new zealand. It stretches from just west of kaitaia towards cape reinga along the aupouri peninsula.
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo caves is 200kms i.e 3hours from auckland and about 2hour 30mins from taupo and rotorua. The wautoma glowworm, arachnocampa laminose, is unique to new zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as our expert guides provide informative commentary on the caves’ historical and geological significance.
Rotorua
Rotorua an exciting city, with an immense portrayal of history, tradition and culture. Its popular tourist attractions and dare daring activities provide an endless amount of satisfaction for the tourist visiting the heart of our country. Surrounded by the unmistakable smell of bubbling sulphuric geysers, rotorua is a hydrothermal experience of a lifetime. Rotorua is 4 hrs about 235km. From auckland.
Sightseeing
Te Puia
Te puia thermal reserve offers visitors a close-up look at one of the world’s great geyser fields and an opportunity to learn about maori culture. It is like a mystical experience wandering through the beautiful thermal valley, past silica terraces, bubbling mud pools and geysers.
Agrodome
Agrodome, the unique new zealand experience. The agro dome is situated on a 160 hectare sheep and beef farm just north of rotorua city. The agrodome sheep show is a one-hour performance, presented live by a skilled enthusiastic stage presenter.
Lake Rotorua
Lake rotorua is the largest of 16 lakes in the rotorua district. It was formed by an eruption and subsequent subsidence of the area. The lake was formed from the crater of a large volcano in the taupo volcanic zone. Its last major eruption was about 240,000 years ago.
Paradise Valley Springs
Paradise valley springs is a superbly presented new zealand trout, bird and wildlife park, along with a pride of african lions. Paradise valley springs is home to several varieties of animals – deer, thar (goats), wallabies, kune kune pigs, giant eels, friendly farm animals, native birds, and more.
Gondola Ride
(cable way) conveniently located just minutes from rotorua’s city centre, skyrides can carry you to 487 metres above sea level to a fun park environment. Providing panoramic views of rotorua city, lake rotorua and the surrounding area.
Luge Ride
The luge is a fun ride for all ages, the luge is a fun filled gravity ride on a 3 wheel. A scenic track with viewing bays at great locations for taking photographs allows a leisurely trip down whilst enjoying the panorama.
Other Activities
White water rafting ,skydiving, mud baths and spas Pamper yourself in pure mineral enriched mud and then soak in a pure sulphurous spa, water that was frequently used by warriors to salve their battle wounds.
Lake Taupo
A great lake foradventure :lake taupo was created by a gigantic volcanic eruption in 181ad.at 616square kilometers, it is as big as singapore island. Attractions include huka falls, trout fishing, jet boating, white water rafting, kayaking, and diving. , bungee jumping, and skydiving, helicopter ride.
White Active Volcano
White island is 58kms about 1hour from rotorua.white island is the active volcano and private scenic reserve is accessible by boat and helicopter. It is unique in that visitors to the island can walk right inside its main crater just above sea level with a minimum of physical effort and without undue risk.
Wellington
Once seen as a stuffy, bureaucrat-filled political capital, wellington has reinvented itself to become new zealand’s entertainment and cultural capital and the fastest-growing weekend destination in the country. With the opening of the long-awaited te papa, the national museum of new zealand, the waterfront is alive again.
Christchurch
Christchurch is a great place to live, work, visit and do business.with a population of over 3, 50,000 christchurch is the international gateway to the south island.
Sightseeing
Willow bank wildlife reservew
Willow bank prides itself on its conservation and rehabilitation of rare & endangered new zealand species. Willow bank invites to watch, touch and feed unique native wildlife, become friends with farm animals and learn about the introduced pests that have influenced new zealand’s bio-diversity.
International Antarctic Centre
Located across from christchurch international airport the attraction offers a fun, exciting and interactive experience of the great white south. Have fun in real snow and ice! Chilled to -5 degrees celsius this safe all weather environment is great fun for all ages. Get ‘exhilarated’ by the antarctic storm that blows every 30 mins. See live little blue penguins in the new zealand penguin encounter, this ‘state of the art’ encounter is new zealand’s only combined indoor/outdoor penguin viewing area. Take a ride on a genuine antarctic vehicle – the hagglund!
Christchurch Gondola
Unique 360-degree panoramic views of christchurch, the canterbury plains and lyttelton harbor unfold as you rise to the summit of christchurch’s famous extinct volcano. Relax and enjoy a snack at the summit cafe, shop at discover new zealand and visit the heritage time tunnel experience.
Botanic Gardens
Christchurch’s reputation as the garden city is truly reflected in the botanic gardens. Undoubtedly the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants found anywhere in new zealand, the gardens provide spectacular displays all year round.
Cathedral Square
Cathedral square is the city centre of christchurch, new zealand. As the name suggests, it is directly in front of the city’s anglican cathedral, christ church.
Tranz Coastal Scenic Train
The tranz coastal – picton to christchurch – gateway to south island adventure.
Tranz Alpine Express
The tranzalpine -the transalpine travels between christchurch and grey mouth, from one coast of new zealand to the other. An open air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots.
Day Tour
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is about two and half hours north of christchurch. Kaikoura is renowned for various activates scuba diving, kayaking, four wheel motor biking, horse trekking and hunting, to star-gazing, wine tasting or experiencing maori hospitality.
Whale Watch
Whale watch is located in the town of kaikoura – a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from christchurch in new zealand’s south island. Kaikoura is a special place of lush pastures and towering, snow covered peaks that fall to the sea.
Dunedin
Dunedin is new zealand’s oldest city, and is regarded to be the best preserved victorian and edwardian city in the southern hemisphere.
Sightseeing
Yellow Eyed Penguin Conservation Reserve
The yellow-eyed penguinis a penguin found in new zealand, on the south-east coast of south island this is a fairly large penguin, averaging 75 cm long and weighing about 6.3 kg.
Larnach Castle
New zealand’s only castle, larnach, was a labour of love. Located on the otago peninsula, it was built by william larnach – government minister, banker, financier and merchant baron – for his beloved first wife, eliza jane guise.
Other Attractions
Dunedin botanical gardens, chocolate factory, double decker bus tour, visit to olveston: a tour of olveston allows glimpse of the lifestyle of a privileged family in the early 1900’s.
Franz Josef Glacier
Franz joseph glacier is situated on the west coast of the south island. Franz josef is 392 km, 6hrs from queenstown. 178km, 2hrs and 30mins from grey mouth.
The spectacular franz josef glacier descends to just 250 meters. Above sea level amidst the greenery and lushness of a template forest. In the franz area there are a number of short walks that you can take which lead across gorges and up mountains. There is a long swing bridge that is a challenge for those who do not have a head for heights. You can take a flight over mount cook and into the glacier vallies .the area itself is very picturesques and there is lots of opportunities for the artist to get numerous sketches and paintings done .guided and unguided walks up to and onto the glacier is possible.
Fox Glaciers
Fox glacier lies on the west coast of the south island.364 km, 5hrs from queenstown. 210km, 3hrs and 30mins from grey mouth. It is known for its huge virgin forests, beautiful expansive lakes, rugged sea coast, ice glaciers tumbling down steep valleys to almost sea level & un spoilt beauty. The areas forests are encouraged by the extremely high rainfall with some areas exceeding 2600mm annually. Helicopter ride over the glaciers, guided walking tours are the major attractions.
Mount cook
Mount cook is 332 km, 5hrs from christchurch and 307 km, 5hrs from queenstown. Mount cook (70,696 hectares) is new zealand’s great alpine park. It has new zealand’s highest mountainmt cook3,754 meters (12,316 ft).the mount cook mackenzie region is rich in history and legend. Although helicopters and 4wd vehicles have replaced the bullock trains and horses of the last century, the romance of the high country has not disappeared. The harsh climate and weather conditions still test the people.
Activities In Mount Cook
Glaciers Explore Boat Tour
It is close amazing encounter with icebergs, on a glacial terminal lake
Helicopter Ride
Mount cook dominates the southern alps mountain range that divides new zealand’s south island. Take the flight over this amazing alpine region with vast snowfields, glaciers and a spectacular view of new zealand’s highest peak. Experience what it feels like to stand in snow amongst the mountains.
Other Activities
Guided ski trips,mountaineering, mountain biking.
Queenstown
Situated in the heart of the south island, on the shores of lake wakatipu and surrounded by the beautiful remarkable mountain range. The town has been regularly rated as one of the world’s top tourism destinations, seeing 1.2 million visitors a year.
Activites
Jetboat ride:the 43 kilometers, hour long jet boating adventure at the speed of 80km per hour, highlights the magnificent diversity of queenstown’s waterways. Skyline gondola:reputed to be the steepest lift in the southern hemisphere, the gondola carries visitors high above queenstown to the skyline complex located on bob’s peak. Situated an easy five minute walk from central queenstown, the gondola is an all weather tourist attraction in its own right. You can take luge ride and dine at the finest restaurant with breath taking views.
Earnslaw Cruise
Cruise lake wakatipu on the steamship t.s.s earnslaw. Relive the elegance of bygone days with a cruise aboard the vintage steamship tss earnslaw, one of the last remaining coal fired passenger carrying vessels operating in the southern hemisphere.
Other Activities
43-meter bungee jump, white water rafting skydiving, helicopter and horse ride, mountain biking, guided walking tour, kayaking, hot air ballooning, wine tasting tours.
Day Tours
Milford sound: milford sound is 290 km away from queenstown. By driving it would take approx 4hrs.immersed in the moody majesty of the fiord as sheer rock faces emerge from the sound and tower hundreds of meters over your milford sound boat vessel. Your cruise will travel down the south side of the fiord, out to the tasman sea and return up the north side, stopping off at all points of interest along the way. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery with a full commentary on the natural history of the sound.
Scenic Wildlife & Lord Of The Rings Safari
A fabulous scenic adventure into a land of breathtaking alpine scenery. Visit the magnificent lake and mountain locations used in the lord of the rings and stop to hand-feed and photograph the red deer, bison, llama and other exotic animal species.
Double Decker Bus Tour
Catch a genuine british double decker bus and get a bird’s eye view of the spectacular queenstown. Sit back relax and enjoy our popular round trip sightseeing tour. Covering lake hayes, aj hackett bungee bridge, gibbston valley wine, historic arrow town, edith cavell bridge
Arrow Town
Arrow town is 19km from queenstown and about a 20 minute drive. It can be part of a circular drive via coronet peak one way and lake hayes on the return. Arrow town is also on the way to the bungee jump on the kawarau river. Arrow town is a contrast to queenstown. It has a charm and village feel and retains a lot of the original buildings of the original gold rush.
Wanaka
wanaka is about one hours drive from queenstown wanaka, sheltered behind the southern alps in the south island of new zealand, is the ideal holiday destination. Close to the mount aspiring national park, the area is a natural paradise.
Lake Wanaka
Lake wanaka is located in the otago region of new zealand, at an altitude of 300 meters. Covering an area of 192 km, it is new zealand’s fourth largest lake and estimated to be more than 300 m deep
The Puzzling World
This is a world of unique attraction with a theme of puzzles, in wanaka puzzling and puzzlingly eccentric. This is a place for adults and children, great in any weather and perfect on a wet day too. You can enjoy the great maze, hollogram hall, hall of following faces, tilted house, ames room, the eccentric towers, the leaning tower of wanaka, puzzle centre, most eccentric toilets in the world
Teanua
Te anauis 2hrs 45 mins drive from queenstown. It is on the eastern shore of lake teanau in fiordland. Lake te anau is the largest lake in the south island and second only within new zealand to lake taupo. Lying as it does at the borders of fiordland national park; it is the gateway to a wilderness area famed for tramping and spectacular scenery. Teanau is the last town passed through when traveling to milford sound, which lies 120 kilometers to the north.