Known for rugged, river-filled and mountainous landscapes, cosmopolitan cities, vibrant culture, exhilarating adventure and breathtaking scenery, New Zealand’s highlight list is right up there with the best. This country is all about getting out there, whether on foot or by boat, road, train or sky and immersing yourself into everything on offer. All the while enjoying its world-class food and wine and welcoming hospitality.
Being an all-year round travel destination, each season highlights a different panoramic feature of our neighbouring country. Spring and autumn make for particularly popular seasons to travel as avoiding weather extremes is always a blessing for those wanting to make the most of their travels, plus nature is putting on some of its most impressive displays. Winter time sees skiers from beginners to advanced take to the incredible slopes and soak up the picture-perfect snowfields and atmosphere.
Auckland, on the country’s North Island, is a cosmopolitan hub of restaurants, exhilarating outdoor adventures and a vibrant arts and culture scene, encompassed by spectacular surrounding landscapes. Take the time to explore this waterfront city’s Museum and Art Gallery, superb dining precincts and markets or take a 220m ride up the elevator to the top of the Sky Tower for stunning 360-degree panoramic views. It’s also a great base for venturing further afield to rustic vineyards, the charming rural town of Matakana or the nature aquarium that is Goat Island Marine Reserve just to mention a few.
Enjoy Queenstown’s excellent food and wine scene, explore the various walking trails and visit nearby Arrowtown for not only the quaint, picturesque scenery but the vibrant gold mining history and small town heritage buildings. If you happen to be visiting in late June / early July then don’t miss the Queenstown Winter Festival, packed full of free events, performances, markets and more. Queenstown itself is very pretty, positioned on the edge of a Lake Wakatipu, with the dramatic alpine ranges as the backdrop. Queenstown Hill is completely worth the uphill climb for some of the South Island’s most magnificent 360 degree views. Take in NZ’s crisp, fresh mountain air and panoramic scenery over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables in the distance.
Christchurch and Wellington also remain firm favourites on the cities front. Christchurch for its uniqueness, heritage, innovation and hidden gems and being a wonderful base from which to explore the surrounding Canterbury region. Wellington, the capital, is loved for its food scene, shopping, museums and iconic Cable Car. This waterfront city also houses its own inner city beach, Oriental Bay, great for swimming, walking or cycling and very popular with both locals and visitors.
Famous for that unbelievable New Zealand vista of majestic mountains and cascading waterfalls and home to the stunning Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, the Fiordland wilderness region is not only a recognised World Heritage Area but it is also known as the sightseeing and walking capital of the world. Consisting of 14 fiords spanning 215 kilometres of coastline with Fiordland National Park and there are some excellent walking trails which can be explored independently or as part of a tour and range from short walk up to multi-day tracks and catering for all fitness levels. The beautiful lakeside town of Te Anau is here, nestled on the edge of the striking Lake Te Anau and is the closest town to Milford Sound. The town of Manapouri sits on the shores of Lake Manapouri and Waiau River, housing some equally picturesque walking trails and is the gateway for excursions to Doubtful Sound. Fiordland is dramatic, pristine, wild and free to visit plus it’s one of New Zealand’s absolute must-sees.
Notorious for its treks, trails and tracks, New Zealand’s impressive landscape and diverse terrain appeals to many with a passion for the great outdoors. Be prepared to be inspired by some of the well-known trails such as the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – an active volcano in the World Heritage-Listed Tongariro National Park. Expect to see lava flows, steam vents, moon-like craters, incredible turquoise lakes and some of the most awe-inspiring scenery New Zealand’s North Island has to offer. Mount Maunganui is an extinct volcano in the Bay of Plenty, invitingly proposing a walk to the summit via various tracks for 360-degree panoramic views over the Bay of Plenty and renowned Main Beach. Stay a while longer to soak up the relaxed seaside atmosphere on the white sanded beaches, find a spot for a lazy lunch at one of the great cafes or restaurants and get ready for the Gourmet Night Market (held seasonally during the summer months) for acoustic music, excellent food stalls and eclectic food truck dinners.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’ and is situated in the breathtakingly beautiful Abel Tasman National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region. Expect to see white sand beaches, crystal-clear bays, lush coastal forest and rock pools with many opportunities to spot the local wildlife. Hooker Valley Track is a 10 kilometre roundtrip walk and one of the most popular tracks in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. It is alpine scenery at its finest, with impressive glacier lakes and icebergs and spectacular views at every turn as you follow the Hooker River and cross over three swingbridges. Endangered kea, the only alpine parrot in the world and one of the most intelligent birds, can sometimes be heard along the track.
This is just the start, more bustling cities, incredible sights and spectacular natural wonders await.
Click here for our New Zealand holidays or contact Holidays of Australia and the World on 1300 854 897, enquire at www.holidaysofaustralia.com.au or fill out the form below.
Image credit: Unsplash
