New Zealand

Overview
New Zealand is a unique land of breathtaking scenery. Craggy coastlines, sweeping golden beaches, verdant rainforests, snow-capped alpine mountains, gurgling volcanic pools, fuming active volcanoes, flashing fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes compete for attention, all beneath a brilliant blue sky. Pair this with a thriving indigenous culture, bustling cosmopolitan cities, traditional towns and friendly people with a distinct lust for life and you have an outstanding and unusual combination.

New Zealand is spread over several small islands. The more developed North Island is home to the main cities, whilst the vast empty spaces of South Island are best for escaping the crowds. Tiny, undeveloped Stewart Island is reminiscent of how New Zealand must have looked before the arrival of people.

Getting around is easy as the country has a modern and efficient transport network, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. The plant and animal life are also excellent offering opportunities to see the varied birdlife (including kiwis), seals, dolphins and whales.

Enjoy the chance to explore two of the richest New World wine regions on the planet, taste wonderful cuisine, stroll on moody beaches, tramp through the national parks or over alpine passes on well-maintained, beautifully sited tracks.

The country is also perfect for every kind of outdoor activity. Not surprisingly, some of the world's most cutting-edge adventure activities originated in New Zealand. Try bungee jumping, caving or white-water rafting. Or if that is not your bag, immerse yourself in culture in the museums and galleries of New Zealand's main cities - Auckland, Christchurch and the capital Wellington.

New Zealand was first settled at least 1,000 years ago by the Polynesian Maori, a well ordered tribal society. The first European arrival was Dutchman Abel Tasman in 1642, although it was not until the voyages of Captain James Cook, in 1769 and 1779, that the islands were charted and explored.

Since then the country has developed into one of the cleanest, greenest, most popular places to live and visit. Tourist numbers rocketed around the release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which showcased New Zealand's fantastic scenery to a worldwide audience.

Top Things To Do

• Take the plunge: this is the world's prime destination for bungee jumping. Famous jump-off points include the Kawarau River Bridge, the Skippers Bridge, the Pipeline, the Ledge (near Queenstown), Taupo and Mangaweka (North Island) and Hanmer Springs (South Island). Also try bridge swinging, falling then swinging along a gorge whilst harnessed to a cable.
• Test your paragliding skills; beginner's courses are available near Queenstown and Wanaka, while experienced paragliders head to Christchurch, the Daney Pass or Wanaka.
• Experiment with zorbing, which involves being strapped into an inflatable transparent plastic ball that is then rolled down a grassy hill or onto a river. Queensland is a good place for this.
• Opt for jetboating, another New Zealand invention, which consists of high-speed boat trips in special power boats. It is popular on many of the country's best-known rivers, including Queenstown's Shotover River and on the Waikato River beneath the Huka Falls.
• Take advantage of New Zealand's long coastline and ideal conditions for swimming, diving and windsurfing. The Poor Knights Islands (near Whangarei) are particularly renowned among divers. For many more suggestions, contact New Zealand Underwater.
• Go surfing, with some of the best breaks located at Mahia Peninsula (near Gisborne), Murawai, Palliser Bay (near Wellington) and Piha,. You can also ride one of the best left hand breaks in the world at Raglan.
• Go swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands (north of Auckland), the Coromandel Peninsula, Kaikoura (South Island) and Whakatane. Whale watching is also possible on the eastern coast of South Island all year but with most sightings from April to August. Contact Whale Watch.
• Go sailing and yachting in Auckland - ‘the city of sails'. Excursions to the remote maritime reserves in the Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds are also possible.
• Seek the thrill of white-water rafting. Popular rivers include the Wairora (near Tauranga), the Mohaka (in Hawke's Bay) and the Kaituna (near Rotorua), which features the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall at 7m (23ft). Black-water rafting through underground caves is also available. Tackle the 3-5 day Whanganui River Journey to see some of North Island's finest scenery.
• Hit the slopes for skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering from June to October. On North Island, the best ski regions are on Mount Ruapehu. Other good slopes are found in the Southern Lakes region and Mount Hutt. Alternatively, glacier ski and glacier walk in the Southern Alps.
• Go caving: the Waitomo Caves, whose ‘Lost World' cave can be abseiled into through shafts of sunlight, are the most visited. Also available is cave rafting or tubing, where participants float through the cave system on custom-made tyres keeping an eye out for glowworms.
• Go fishing: brown and rainbow trout are particularly popular. Salmon fishing is best in the Rakaia, Rangitata, Waimakariri and Waitaki rivers. For further information on seasons and permits, contact the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association.
• Tramp though stunning national parks and protected forest areas. Popular walks include the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Lake Waikaremoana Track, the world-famous Milford Track and the remote Rakiura Track.
• Enjoy a tipple or three in the wine-growing region of Hawke's Bay. Around 70 wineries allow visitors in to sample the region's respected red wines, particularly Pinot Noir. The Marlborough province also has world-class, new-world wineries producing white, sharp Chardonnay and crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
• Visit the whisky distilleries of Dunedin (Gaelic for Edinburgh), reputedly the world's southernmost distillery. It's located at the bottom of South Island, which has strong Scottish roots and retain a distinctive Celtic flavour.

Top Things To See

• In Auckland, enjoy fantastic views of the city, its beaches, the coast and the mountains from the distinctive Sky Tower. It is also possible for the particularly brave tourist to abseil down the side of the building to the street (a drop of over 100m/328ft).
• Hang out on Auckland's Karangahape Road, New Zealand's funkiest street, eat along Ponsonby Road and check out Otara Market for the country's finest expression of Polynesian culture. Search out the Maori and Pacific Island collection at the Auckland Museum.
• In Rotorua's arts centre, see how young Maori learn the skills of traditional bone, wood and greenstone carving. Visit a Marae (a Maori meeting house) and enjoy a concert of traditional songs, the haka (a Maori challenge usually witnessed before All Black rugby matches) and a hangi (a delicious feast cooked in an earth oven).
• Visit the bubbling mud pools and performing geyser at Wai-O-Tapu to see the best of Rotorua's thermal attractions. Check out the volcanoes at Tongariro to see the explosive power of these eruptions.
• In Napier, immerse yourself in art deco. Razed by an earthquake in 1931 and subsequently rebuilt in the art deco style of the time, this laid-back coastal town now boasts one of the world's finest collections of lovingly preserved art deco buildings.
• Relax in the ‘Garden City' of Christchurch, whose neo-gothic architecture is reminiscent of an old English university town. Visit the Christchurch Art Gallery, New Zealand's newest major gallery, which is home to an impressive collection of local, home-grown art.
• Discover New Zealand's wildlife: Go birdwatching at Taiaroa Head (near Dunedin), known for colonies of royal albatrosses, and Stewart Island, where kiwis can be observed. Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay is the only gannet colony in the world. In Dunedin, in the Otago Peninsula, see rare yellow-eyed penguins, royal albatross and fur seals.
• See Wellington's star attraction, the spectacular Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, on the city's pretty waterfront. Window shop and people watch on ‘alternative' Cuba Street, stroll through the Botanic Gardens and tramp up to the top of Mount Victoria for panoramic views.
• In the forests of the Northland Forest Park, see some of the world's oldest trees, including the famous kauri, many of which date back centuries.
• Explore the Southern Alps around Aoraki Mount Cook, where short walks repay the effort of steep climbs with outstanding views over alpine glaciers, snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear lakes. If that all seems like to much effort, take the TranzAlpine train and enjoy one of the world's finest rail trips, journeying coast to coast through the Alps.
• In Queenstown, test your nerves on any of the many adrenaline-fuelled activities on offer in New Zealand's main centre for outdoor sports, then retreat to the shores of Lake Wakatipu, beneath giant craggy mountains to draw breath.
• Check out the fjords that indent the lower west coast of South Island. Cruise around Milford Sound in the shadow of iconic Mitre Peak or dive into its icy-cold waters to see red and black corals. Kayak around Doubtful Sound to escape the crowds and enjoy similarly stunning scenery.

Climate
Subtropical in the north and temperate in the south. The north has no extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the south, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the west, particularly in South Island, has more rain.

Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens are worn in North Island most of the year and in summer in South Island. Mediumweights are worn during winter in South Island. Rainwear is advisable throughout the year, and essential if visiting South Island's rainforest areas.