For the nature lover, thrill seeker or energetic adventurer, there is simply no place on Earth that can rival New Zealand. Offering the world's geography in one compact country, this group of islands southeast of Australia boasts an incredible number of world-class spots to ski, sail, rock climb and scuba-dive.The amazing list of must-see locations goes on and on, while the mere fact that the makers of The Lord of the Rings trilogy chose it as their location for Middle-earth is testament to the country's versatility. Pay attention to the scenery in these epic films and you will see why millions of tourists have fallen in love with New Zealand.
In an attempt to cover as much ground as possible, the following guide breaks down the main cities and sites, activity by activity. Starting off in Auckland and ending in Queenstown, you will get a comprehensive look at the best of New Zealand. For a taste of the sites that will take your breath away, read on.
auckland is abuzz
As New Zealand's biggest metropolitan area and frequent arrival point for travelers, Auckland makes a great first impression. Dubbed the "City of Sails" thanks to its bustling harbor and highest per capita boat-ownership in the world, those who are willing to try a multitude of water-related activities will be happy here for quite some time. In general, Auckland reflects the theme of the rest of the country by offering unique indoor and outdoor experiences.Though my idea of a trip to New Zealand mostly involves taking in the natural sites and trying out cool sports, it's always encouraged to obtain some background knowledge of the country you're traveling in. One of the city's most important attractions, Auckland Museum Te Papa Whakahiku displays information on New Zealand and its people.
I recommend you head straight for the beach and harbor were it not for one last important man-made site. Sky Tower is the country's tallest structure (reaching even higher than Paris' Eiffel Tower, at 1,076 feet) and provides sightseers with inspiring views from both its observation deck and top levels. From there you can see how the city is magically encircled by the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea.
on to crazier stuff
Nearby, the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park's many islands represent the best opportunity to get physical. Waiheke, though especially busy during the school holidays of December and January, has many strips of prime beach ideal for swimming while its natural bays make it a popular spot for sea kayaking as well.Great Barrier Island, accessible from Auckland by ferry or plane, offers up opportunities to relax with hot springs or observe the natural landscape with many tramping (what the locals call heavy-duty walking) trails. This park is only one of many places where fun is the ultimate goal. Check out many harbor-front establishments for places to paraglide and skydive.
In terms of cultural experiences, Auckland has got you covered. Visit Ponsonby Road for a great restaurant strip, Karangahape Road for exotic and erotic shops, and Queen Street for fashion, art and theater.
otago and southland
After seeing the big city, it's time to stray toward true adventure. Many countries can boast urban highlights similar to New Zealand's, but few have the natural assets of the country's two islands. At the southern extreme of the South Island lie two areas chock-full of hair-raising fun; Otago and Southland are vastly different from the northern spots weather-wise, as you now reach high mountain peaks and colder temperatures. Keep this temperature change in mind as you prepare to trek through similar paths as Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas do in The Lord of the Rings films.Island hopping is easily done via one of New Zealand's smaller airlines: Mt. Cook Air, Air Nelson or Eagle Air. Once within the region, the Otago Peninsula is a recommended first stop. Its incredible nature reserves (which include colonies of albatross, penguins and seals) take several days to tour but will remain in your memory for years.
Continuing on your nature binge, the lakes of the area will surely delight. Lakes Hawea, Wanaka (both in Otago) and Te Anau (in Southland) are no ordinary bodies of water. Fed by glacial water, their amazing play of color and pristine surroundings attract tourists from all over. Te Anau serves up some cool sideshows too, with caves of glowworms, as well as whirlpools and waterfalls.
The largest of the country's parks is Fiordland National, a place where mountains, ice and forest meet. Though humans may seem unwelcome here, it is, in fact, a place where many cruise ships and visitors frequent. Spanning much of this nature reserve is the famous Milford Track, a 33-mile alpine trail passing by mountains, lakes and rivers. If walking is too slow for you, take a stab at some intense mountain biking paths. At Fiordland, only one look at your lodge's surroundings will motivate you to step outside and explore.
queenstown; a royal place
All this previous outdoor activity and touring serves as a mere prelude to what the city of Queenstown offers its visitors. With the motto "Any Season... Every Reason" written on its official tourism website, you'll never be bored here. In fact, it is worthy of more than one week's stay, so for comfortable accommodations, check out bed and breakfasts like Birchwood or Birchall House, to name but a couple.For true The Lord of the Rings fans, your trip to Queenstown will not only be adventurous, but will also become a pilgrimage of sorts. Many scenes were filmed in the area, so while jet boating in the autumn, skiing in winter, taking a helicopter ride in spring, or whitewater rafting in the summer, you are sure to recognize a spot or two.
something for all seasons
Those who have already visited can't wait to come back during a different time of year to witness what seems like a completely different town. With each season, Queenstown gets a face-lift, outdoing itself with countless adrenaline-fueled sports at your disposal.Most outrageous of the available experiences include a four-wheel drive safari excursion through areas inaccessible by any other means, and a ride with Actionflite, a company that puts you aboard a "sky dancing" plane that barrel rolls and loops in the air to the tune of 6, that's right, 6 G's.
Once all the bones in your body have had enough and your stomach has stopped doing flips, you can find some relief. After all, Queenstown was twice voted the Friendliest Foreign City in a poll by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (in 1996 and 1998) and will certainly make you feel at ease if you've experienced enough adventure.
Respite options include wine tasting at local famous vineyards (the Queenstown Wine Trail boasts the world's most southern vineyards) and a tour of the great Arrowtown boutique museum. Another relatively tame activity is golf, where you are allowed to blame a bad shot on the surrounding scenery.
It may be hard to believe, but Queenstown gets even better. As an open-all-day-and-night town, there is something to do at all hours. Restaurants booming with live music and dozens of nightclubs await the crazy partiers seeking an outlet for pent-up energy. As one of the world's premier adventure cities, Queenstown dares all visitors to try and tame it. Get your knee brace, push away any doubt and dive headfirst into this, the craziest town New Zealand has to offer.
the world in a package
From an adventurer's point of view, New Zealand is heaven on Earth. With the geography of Nepal, Switzerland, France, and Ireland rolled into several islands, it is evident that this Australian neighbor is truly a world wonder. Thanks, in part, to the success of The Lord of the Rings films, people from all over recognize that New Zealand is not all about kiwis (the bird, not the fruit) and sheep farms, though both are abundant.If you knew that there was time for one last trip before having to settle down at home with a job and family, New Zealand, with its millions of ways to have fun, would be a brilliant choice.
Resources:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/new_zealand/index.htm -- New Zealand
http://www.concierge.com/newzealand/articles/detail/index.ssf?host=live&vfs1=newzealand&args=base/articles-25/1031685300284893.xml -- New Zealand
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/auckland/index.htm -- Auckland
http://www.concierge.com/auckland/resources/neighborhoodguide/ -- Auckland
http://www.fiordland.org.nz/default.asp
http://www.actionflite.co.nz/infofrm.html
http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/Default.asp
New Zealand Travel Guide
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