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North IslandThe North Island has many superb physical features as well as New Zealand's two major cities, Auckland, the 'City of Sails' and the capital, Wellington. From island-studded bays and sailing, to volcanic activity and geothermal wonders, wild rugged coastlines and fascinating Maori culture and history, the North Island of New Zealand has much to offer visitors.
The beautiful region in the far north is known as Northland and includes the picturesque Coromandel Peninsula, reaching into the sea between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, with magnificent kauri forests of enormous
3,000-year-old trees, stunning coastal scenery, beaches and scenic bays, quaint seaside townships and mountain ranges. The Bay of Islands is the most popular destination with opportunities for sailing, diving, snorkeling and kayaking on the clear blue waters around the islands. The top of the island tails off into a rugged desolate finger of land with sand dunes and the long white sandy stretch of Ninety Mile Beach along its west coast.
At the heart of the North Island is the Central Plateau, the center of the country's volcanic activity. Volcanoes, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, spouting geysers, steaming lakes and rivers are strewn across the landscape. Rotorua, the Maori cultural heartland, sits at the edge of the most concentrated area of activity and is characterized by the unmistakable smell of sulphur. Lake Taupo, formed by one of the greatest eruptions ever recorded, has beautiful views across to the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park, with excellent hiking, and is regarded as the trout fishing capital of the world.
At the southern tip of the island lies the capital Wellington, in a striking setting around a harbor and surrounded by mountains. It is the center of the country and a major travel crossroads between North and South Island.
AucklandAuckland is situated on a narrow strip of land, flanked by two magnificent harbors to the east and west. The shallow Manukau Harbour opens out to the Tasman Sea to the west, while the Waitemata Harbour lies at the heart of the city center and is Auckland's deepwater port. It has a vibrant waterfront that has flourished with the successful hosting of the 2002/2003 America's Cup, the international yachting event of the year, and the trendy restaurants and waterside cafes are a constant hive of activity.
Known as the 'City of Sails', with a larger boat-to-person ratio than anywhere else on earth, it is a paradise for sailing enthusiasts and every weekend the waters of the Hauraki Gulf come alive with a flotilla of colorful sails. The best way to experience the city is from the water, sailing around the attractive harbor or on a ferry cruise to one of the many stunning islands dotted about the Gulf.
Auckland is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in New Zealand and a major gateway to the rest of the country. Yet it is also one of the least densely populated in the world, covering an area twice the size of London but with barely a million inhabitants. It has a friendly small-town atmosphere and a relaxed pace of life.
Beyond the bustling downtown area, dominated by the southern hemisphere's tallest building, the Sky Tower, the city sprawls outwards, with low-slung buildings and wooden houses among leafy parks and walking tracks. The suburbs wind their way around picturesque bays and harbors and between volcanic hills that provide panoramic views over the city and mountains, encompassing numerous green urban parklands that are dotted with sheep.
Getting Around: For schedules, routes and fares on ferries, buses and trains, visit www.maxx.co.nz or call (0)9 366 6400. Buses serve most places in the city center and there are some free bus services in the inner city, linking to major tourist attractions. The city train service is aimed primarily at commuters. Ferries connect to the north shore suburbs and take passengers to the Hauraki Gulf Islands. Taxis can be hailed on the street, but are more commonly booked by phone. There isn't much advantage to having a car in the city even considering that driving is easier than in other major cities, but to explore suburbs further away it is best to rent a car. Drivers must have a valid driver's license and be at least 21 years of age, although most agencies will add surcharges to under-25s. Cycling or hiring a scooter are also good ways to explore the city.
WellingtonThe capital city of New Zealand, Wellington is located at the southern tip of the North Island. It is situated on a splendid harbor and hemmed in by steep hills, creating a compact inner city center with a mix of historic and modern buildings. It is the second largest city in the country, the energetic center for culture and arts, and is the entertainment, commercial and political capital of New Zealand, with an air of pronounced sophistication and vibrancy. Apart from its importance as the capital, it is the main departure point for the South Island.
Also called 'Windy Wellington', it lives up to its name especially in winter when the lashing winds from the Cook Strait whistle through the wind funnels created by the high-rise buildings of the central business district. The bustling, pretty waterfront area is a sheltered refuge with a graceful promenade, featuring shops, restaurants and various leisure activities. Brightly colored sails scud across the harbor, the reliable wind providing excellent sailing and windsurfing opportunities. The ferry to the picturesque Days Bay, one of Wellington's best swimming beaches, affords excellent views of the city from the water. Dominating the waterfront is the Te Papa Museum, the pride and joy of the nation that embodies the quintessence of New Zealand and its people.
In the city center the Parliamentary District is the architectural masterpiece of Wellington, including the Old Government Building, the second largest wooden building in the world; the unmistakable modernist Beehive, the executive offices of Parliament; Parliament House and the Victorian Gothic National Library.
The cable car takes people up to the Botanic Gardens for vistas of the city center and across the harbor to the Hutt Valley, one of the scenic locations used in the filming of 'Lord of the Rings'. Another film site is Mt Victoria, offering sweeping panoramic views of the city and its suburbs, the surrounding hills and bays, and the harbor.
Getting Around: Wellington is very compact and it is easy to explore on foot, but the public transport option is a good one, for the city has an excellent system. Stagecoach is the name of the local bus service, which operates between 7am and 11.30pm each day, offering a Daytripper pass. The pass is also valid on the City Circular service, a hop-on-hop-off bus, which does the round of the top ten sightseeing spots every ten minutes. Taxis are another option, plentiful and convenient. A cable car connects downtown Wellington to the Botanic Gardens on the hilltop. Ferries ply between Wellington harbor and the village of Eastbourne. Those wishing to explore the outlying regions like the Hutt Valley, Wairarapa wine country, or Kapiti Coast can make use of the Tranz Metro train service.
South IslandThe South Island is less populated than the North and appears to have a slower pace of life, with rural scenes of sheep-filled pastures and remote farm settlements backed by rugged snow-covered mountains. The scenery is magnificent, and with its alpine mountains, fjords, glaciers, lakes and forests it is possibly even more spectacular than the North Island. Often arrogantly referred to as 'the mainland' by South Islanders, the South is the main destination of New Zealand tourism.
Canterbury is the hub of the South Island containing the largest city, Christchurch, an English epitome, with punting on the River Avon and a grand Anglican cathedral dominating the central square. The Queenstown region is the capital for adrenalin-inducing activities and the home of the bungy jump, with a history of gold in the hills and rivers and set on a beautiful lake at the foot of the Remarkables Mountains.
The southwest holds some of New Zealand's finest scenery and natural wonders, including its highest mountain, Mt Cook or Aoraki, 'cloud piercer'; the Frans Josef and Fox Glaciers stretching down to within a few kilometers of the coast, the magnificent Fjordland National Park with beautiful fjords, waterfalls and forests, and several world-famous walking tracks.
The South offers an abundance of activities and attractions set in wondrous surroundings, with a huge diversity of things to see and do.
ChristchurchThe largest city on South Island, Christchurch is the most English of New Zealand's cities, named after an Oxford college. The atmosphere is reminiscent of an English university town, with school boys in striped blazers and punting on the River Avon, a grand Anglican cathedral dominating the central square, little stone-walled bridges, elegant Victorian architecture and numerous parks and exquisite gardens.
Dubbed the 'Garden City', it is the lively capital of the Canterbury region, priding itself on its green areas, arts and history as well as its sports. The surrounds offer beach suburbs, protected bays and dolphin swimming, green valleys and snow-capped mountain ranges for skiing, hiking, mountain biking and climbing. The city itself has a relaxed and cosmopolitan center with historic trams rattling along the streets of the bustling downtown area, a lively pub and restaurant scene, theaters, street buskers, museums and art galleries.
Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island and offers the visitor an appealing mixture of historic charm and vibrant city life, a pleasing balance between urban pursuits and outdoor activities. With the least rainfall of any of the other cities and plenty of sunshine it is a perfect base for a Canterbury experience.
Getting Around: Christchurch has an efficient public transport system and is an easy city to negotiate. The bus service is reliable and has a Midnight Express service running from 12pm to 4am on four principal routes. Free, bright yellow electric shuttles service the city center, with easy-to-spot bright yellow pick up points. Visitors can also enjoy a ride on the city's tram, which runs from Cathedral Square, and the City Circuit Bus connects major attractions in the city. Taxis are readily available and there are also several car rental agencies. Bicycles are another popular mode of transport and the city has several safe bike routes.
QueenstownWith a reputation as the adventure sports capital of the world, Queenstown is New Zealand's premier tourist destination, offering visitors the chance to indulge in almost every adrenalin activity imaginable. But Queenstown has more to offer visitors than action packed activities.
Queenstown is a heavily commercialized, year round resort that is touristy, crowded and characterless, but with its magnificent scenery, set on the deep blue Lake Wakatipu and framed by the craggy Remarkables Range, it is appealing to adventurers and leisure seekers alike. The lake is the perfect setting for steamer cruises, there are many fine walking opportunities in the surrounding hills and valleys with breathtaking views, surrounding vineyards offer wine tasting, shopping at the town's many boutiques, and the nearby historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is a fascinating day's outing. Scenic flights take visitors on unforgettable excursions, such as those around the majestic peaks of Mt Aspiring and Mt Cook, or to Milford Sound.
Queenstown's popularity is also due to the fact that it is a year round resort, a renowned alpine playground for skiers and snowboarders in winter and activities such as jet boating, bungee jumping, luging, white water rafting and paragliding in the summer months.
Getting Around: Queenstown is a compact city, easy to negotiate on foot. If you get tired, double-decker sight seeing buses are a popular way to cover the city's principal attractions. The only existing public transport is a bus service that operates on three lines; day passes are available. Taxis are readily available and there are also car several car rental agencies.
FjordlandThe Fjordland is the most dramatic and beautiful part of New Zealand, a region of waterfalls and misty virgin forests, snow-clad mountains and towering granite peaks, crystal clear lakes, rivers and remote fjords.
The Fjordland National Park encompasses exquisite scenery and astounding natural splendor with some of the best walking tracks in the world. It is the largest national park in the country stretching along the southwestern corner of South Island, with a jagged coastline indented by numerous sounds and inlets.
Milford Sound is one of the most visited and famous sights within the national park, a spectacular glacier-carved fjord with waterfalls plummeting down the sheer granite walls into the ocean below. The walks in the park are world famous and the greatest of these is the Milford Track, considered to be the finest walk on earth.
Fjordland National Park can be explored on foot, on a boat cruise, by sea kayak or on a breathtaking scenic flight over the fjords, lakes and miles of ice and snow-covered mountains.
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