New Zealand
If you found yourself fascinated by the dramatic scenery displayed on “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films, know that these lands don’t belong to mythical Middle Earth but to a country located closer to the ends of the Earth. Often overshadowed by its larger, more popular Oceanian neighbor (and we use that term loosely) Australia, New Zealand rewards travelers with breathtaking sceneries, endless stretches of beaches, and welcoming locals in a decidedly smaller package. One of only four countries to lie completely south of the Tropic of Capricorn, New Zealand consists of two distinct worlds: the subtropical, smaller yet more populous North Island, and the temperate, mountainous, and rugged South Island.
Abel Tasman National Park
View Abel Tasman National ParkAkaroa
In 1840, French settlers arrived at Akaroa, which had just been claimed under the Treaty of Waitangi by the English. To this day, Akaroa remains unique as the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Many streets have French names, and there are descendants of the original French families still living in Akaroa.
View AkaroaArrowtown
View ArrowtownAuckland
New Zealands largest city sprawls over seven volcanos and around two picturesque bays. Aucklands amazing geography and warm, humid climate has inspired a lifestyle thats regularly ranked in the worlds top ten. In just half an hour you can be almost anywhere - sailing to an island, trekking through the rainforest, picnicking on a volcano, sampling wines at a vineyard or wandering a wild, black sand surf beach. Aucklands layout makes it easy to jump quickly from one theme to another.
View AucklandAwaroa
View AwaroaBay of Islands
Discovered by Captain Cook in the 18th century, the Bay of Islands is a haven of calm waters, a paradise of secluded coves and beaches.
View Bay of IslandsBay of Plenty
View Bay of PlentyBlenheim
View BlenheimBluff
View BluffBuller Gorge
View Buller GorgeBurkes Pass
View Burkes PassCanterbury
View CanterburyCape Brett
View Cape BrettCape Reinga
View Cape ReingaChatham Island
View Chatham IslandChristchurch
On the east coast of New Zealands south island, Christchurch is the countrys most English city, with its willow-lined River Avon and ivy-covered Gothic buildings. Visit Catherdral Square and the Botanic Gardens, view the Canterbury Plains and stop for a sumptuous Devonshire tea.
View ChristchurchCook Strait
View Cook StraitCruising Coromandel Peninsula
View Cruising Coromandel PeninsulaCruising Fiordland Natl Park
View Cruising Fiordland Natl ParkDoubtful Fjord
View Doubtful FjordDoubtful Sound
Powerful glaciers carving their way toward the sea 14,000 years ago created New Zealand´s magnificent Fjordland, the awesome beauty of which is unmatched outside Norway. Doubtful Sound is the deepest of the fiords at 421m deep. There are three 'arms' to the fiord with some dramatic waterfalls amongst the highlights to be seen.
View Doubtful SoundDunedin
Visit Dunedins Scottish-influenced architecture including Olveston House and Lanarch Castle, the stunning railway station, and more. Or ride the railway to Pukerangi. You can also see the Otago Peninsula with its colonies of penguins and albatrosses.
View DunedinDusky Fjord
Dusky Fiord is part of Fiordland National Park, New Zealand's most bewitching landscape. Situated on the south-western coast of the South Island, New Zealand's largest national park was established in 1952 and designated a World Heritage Site in 1986. It consists of 12,116 sq km (4,678 sq miles) of subtropical woodland, beech forests, and alpine landscape on and around a number of fjords, headlands, and mountains. Its natural features also include Sutherland Falls, 580 m (1,904 ft) high, and other waterfalls and cascades, as well as limestone caves, containing glow-worms, which were discovered near Lake Te Anau in 1948. The park is noted for such native birds as the brown kiwi; the kea, the only alpine species of parrot; and the notornis or takahe, a swamp dwelling flightless rail now unique to the Fiordland, which was believed to be extinct until its rediscovery.
View Dusky FjordDusky Sound
Powerful glaciers carving their way toward the sea 14,000 years ago created New Zealand´s magnificent Fjordland, the awesome beauty of which is unmatched outside Norway. Unparalled views of rarely seen Dusky Sound are overpowering in their raw majesty. The largest of New Zealand´s fjords, it was discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 and its haunting beauty remains untouched.
View Dusky SoundFiordland National Park
Created in 1952, Fiordland is the largest national park in New Zealand, and one of the largest in the world. Fiordland National Park is also the largest area of wilderness in New Zealand. This value was set aside as early as 1904, when the land that later became national park was set aside. There are only three roads in the park (and a single one with public access), and only a few tracks, although three of the country's Great Walks (the Milford, Routeburn and Kepler tracks) are located within its boundaries.
View Fiordland National ParkFox Glacier
View Fox GlacierFranz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier is 7.5 miles long and is located on New Zealand's south island. It's steeper slope gives it a faster rate of flow, which reaches down to about 1000 feet above sea level. It was named after the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph, by pioneering geologist Julius von Haast.Maori legend tells of "The Tears of the Avalanche Girl": A girl who loved climbing mountains, persuaded her lover to go with her. When he toppled to his death, her tears freezing at such an altitude formed the glacier.Excursions onto the glacier are available, as well as helicopter flightseeing tours.
View Franz Josef GlacierGisborne
Gisborne the first city in the world to see the sun each day, is located on the sunny East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The Maori name for the district is Tairawhiti which means: "The coast upon which the sun shines across the water."
View GisborneGladstone
View GladstoneGreat Barrier Island
View Great Barrier IslandGreymouth
View GreymouthHaast Pass
View Haast PassHamilton
View HamiltonHauraki Plains
View Hauraki PlainsHawea
View HaweaHawke's Bay
View Hawke's BayHokitika
View HokitikaHome Port
View Home PortHuka Falls
View Huka FallsInvercargill
View InvercargillKaikohe
View KaikoheKaikoura Marine Reserve
Kaikoura is situated north-eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand in the Marlborough region. It offers tourists the chance to watch sperm whales as they come in to the coast to feed in the deep waters off the continental shelf. One can swim with Dusky and Hector's dolphins (the latter the world's smallest), and fur seals. The town is also renowned for its crayfish (its name means "meal of crayfish" in Maori).
View Kaikoura Marine ReserveKawau Island
View Kawau IslandLake Mackenzie
View Lake MackenzieLake Taupo
Lake Taupo, New Zealand offers a premier trout fishing experience. The famed sight fishing for large Brown & Rainbow trout is arguably the finest in the world.Located New Zealand's North Island, Lake Taupo is an all year round sight fishing destination. Surrounded by high country lakes, rivers and mountain streams, the spectacular New Zealand scenery is sure to amaze.
View Lake TaupoLake Te Anau
View Lake Te AnauLake Tekapo
View Lake TekapoLake Wakatipu
View Lake WakatipuLyttleton
From the port of Lyttleton, drive through a tunnel to the picturesque town of Christchurch, a nostalgic recreation of an English college town on New Zealand´s South Island. The illusion is very nearly complete, with ivy-covered brick homes, manicured gardens and even a River Avon, flowing sweetly.
View LyttletonMarlborough Sounds
One of three amazing sounds featured on most itineraries. Situated within Fiordland National Park, part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site and surrounded by sheer rocks and lush forests.
View Marlborough SoundsMayor and White Island
White Island, thought to be two million years old is New Zealand's only constantly active marine volcano is unique in many ways. Guided tours are available with access either by helicopter or boat. For serious trampers - the Kaimai - Mamaku Forest Park has extensive tramping tracks which link huts and campsites over a variety of terrain. Tramps can last from a couple of hours to four or five days.
View Mayor and White IslandMilford Sound
Carved by glacial ice thousands of years ago, Milford Sound is a living travel poster. Sheer granite cliffs rise hundreds of feet above you. White plumed waterfalls tumble from mountain valleys into the gorge. Seals sun themselves on the rock islands and penguins swim in the icy blue water.
View Milford SoundMoeraki Boulders
View Moeraki BouldersMotueka
View MotuekaMount Aspiring National Park
View Mount Aspiring National ParkMount Cook
Highest mountain in New Zealand, located on the South Island, it stands 12,349 ft
View Mount CookMount Maunganui
View Mount MaunganuiMt. Bruce Wildlife Centre
View Mt. Bruce Wildlife CentreMt. Cook National Park
View Mt. Cook National ParkMt. Eden
View Mt. EdenNapier
In this fertile region of vineyards, fruit orchards and sheep farms, Napier stands out elegantly as one of the loveliest cities in New Zealand. Completely rebuilt after the 1931 Hawke´s Bay earthquake, it now boasts one of the most complete collections of Art Deco buildings in the world.
View NapierNelson
Natural wonders and vibrant culture come together to create holiday paradise. Theres so much to enjoy under the famously sunny skies - three national parks, a coastline of turquoise waters and golden-sand beaches, majestic mountains that embrace stunning inland lakes, lush native bush, and wide fertile plains.
View NelsonNew Plymouth
View New PlymouthOban
Oban Pā nui o Hau (Māori) Town Oban Overlooking Oban and Halfmoon Bay Overlooking Oban and Halfmoon Bay Population • Total 387 Oban is located in New Zealand ObanOban Location in New Zealand The town in 1977 Oban is the principal settlement on Stewart Island/Rakiura, the southernmost inhabited island of the New Zealand archipelago. Oban is located on Halfmoon Bay (sometimes used as an alternative name for the town), on Paterson Inlet. It has aircraft connections with Invercargill and a ferry service to Bluff.
View ObanOlveston House
View Olveston HouseOpua
View OpuaOtago Peninsula
View Otago PeninsulaPaihia
View PaihiaPalmerston North
View Palmerston NorthPauanui
Located on the North Island of New Zealand, on the East Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Fishing and diving attract many vacationers here.
View PauanuiPicton
Stroll through this picturesque seaside village to discover its colorful history and the spectacular ocean views. Shops offer a variety of hand-crafted Maori carvings, sculpture and jewelry - all beautiful reminders of your journey.
View PictonPort Chalmers
Port Chalmers is a natural deep water port offering visitors beautiful scenery and an interesting mix of cafes, galleries and shops. A modern commercial port adjoins the township providing a striking backdrop to the town's historic buildings and native bush reserves.
View Port ChalmersPort Fitzroy
View Port FitzroyPunakaiki
View PunakaikiQueen Charlotte Sound
View Queen Charlotte SoundQueenstown
Queenstown is an exhilarating, year round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure seekers alike.Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps, the town was named because "...it was fit for Queen Victoria." Queenstown is today recognised internationally as New Zealand's premier visitor destination. Queenstown has more than just breathtaking scenery and a diverse range of attractions, it's the people visitors find enchanting. In fact in 1998, Queenstown was again voted Friendliest Foreign City in a poll of 37,000 readers of Conde Nast Traveler, a top US Travel Publication. Queenstown first won the award in 1996.
View QueenstownRainbow Springs
View Rainbow SpringsRimutaka Ranges
View Rimutaka RangesRotorua
The earth hisses, mud boils, geyers shoot violently into the air. Teeming with thermal wonders, Rotorua is one of the country's most spectacular sites. The area is situated on a volcanic fault line and has been inhabited by the Maori since the 14th century. While most live in Western-style residences, they continue to use the thermal waters for everything from cooking traditional Hangi feast to heating and washing. Woodcarving is taught to young apprentices at Rotorua's Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.
View RotoruaRouteburn Falls
View Routeburn FallsRussell
Russell was the first capital of New Zealand and one of the first European settlements. The town is rich in history with a variety of shops and services that do not spoil the old charm. Hours can be spent in the museum tracing the towns history from the first European settlers, whaling and marine history. Even the headstones at New Zealand's first church have a story to tell.
View RussellShantytown
View ShantytownShip Cove
Ship's Cove has spectacular scenery, glistening waterways, fine wines and food, gardens, adventure activities, recreational delights and world-class facilities along with an enjoyable sunny climate. There is a memorial flanked by cannons that was presented by the British Admiralty. Stumps of trees felled by Captain Cook's men are still in evidence.
View Ship CoveShips Cove
View Ships CoveStewart Island
Rakiura, the Maori name for Stewart Island translated as "glowing skies", is the perfect description for this idyllic hideaway, being famous for its beautiful sunsets and display of the southern lights. The rugged landscape of Stewart Island is largely influenced by the weather and creates an atmosphere that is rough, dramatic, unforgiving, but also beautiful and serene. It is this atmosphere that draws us to Stewart Island, appealing to the adventurous and also to the naturalist.
View Stewart IslandTakaka
View TakakaTauranga
Tauranga, located in the Bay of Plenty region, is a unique coastal city favoured by abundant sunshine all year round, beautiful beaches and fertile soils. The Bay of Plenty region has a population in excess of 75,000 and is one of the fastest growing areas of New Zealand. One of the biggest influences on the region's prosperity is the Port of Tauranga. As New Zealand's largest export port, it handles locally produced paper and timber products, kiwifruit and dairy products bound for the international market. Tauranga is only 2 and a half hours drive from Auckland and an hour and a quarter from Hamilton.
View TaurangaTimaru
South Canterbury's largest city and main port, Timaru's rolling streets are no accident. The town was built on lava flows from a long-extinct volcano. A myriad of public spaces, gardens and promenades are sublime - and invite visitors to wander and explore. The South Canterbury Museum is a great introduction to the land, its geography, and the Maori people.
View TimaruTongariro National Park
View Tongariro National ParkTorrent Bay
View Torrent BayTwizel
Twizel is a 40 minute drive from Mt. Cook Village. Nearby is Mount Cook National Park and Lake Ruataniwha.
View TwizelWaiheke Island
Waiheke Island is only 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland, New Zealand, across the beautiful Hauraki Gulf, but a million miles away in pace and beauty. The Island has award winning vineyards, olive groves and pasture land. The residential areas are in small village settings each with it's own character. There is a slower pace of life than the city across the water and is a great place for a holiday or vacation and to relax and unwind.
View Waiheke IslandWaiotapu Wonderland
View Waiotapu WonderlandWaipoua Kauri Forest Reserve
View Waipoua Kauri Forest ReserveWairakei Steam Valley
View Wairakei Steam ValleyWairarapa
View WairarapaWaitangi
View WaitangiWaitomo
View WaitomoWanaka
Wanaka is by Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps and is a predominately tourist and holiday centre. Treble Cone and Cardrona skifields are nearby. The Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow in April (usually in Easter weekend)is an awesome show but unless you've booked accommodation you won't find anywhere to stay within 100 kilometres - it'll probably attract about 50,000 visitors. There's the MAZE in Wanaka if you like solving puzzles. It is an excellent place to while the day away.
View WanakaWellington
With its bay, steep hillsides and cable cars, Wellington may remind you of San Fransciso. Wander through the Alexander Turnbull Library; shop at Lambton Quay; or tour the National Museum and Art Gallery.
View WellingtonWestland National Park
View Westland National ParkWhakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
View Whakarewarewa Thermal ReserveWhakatane
View WhakataneWhangarei
Whangarei. It's the gateway to the Bay of Islands, Whangarei Falls is beautiful, it has excellent diving (Poor Knights), excellent fishing, a fairly interesting Kauri museum near by (can't remember the name of it), that clock museum (yawn).... Golfing all year round.
View Whangarei