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New Zealand Travel Guides
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Find out more about the different regions:
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The region north of Auckland has more history, Maori and European, than most of New Zealand. The important Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840. A generally warm, almost sub-tropical climate, sandy beaches and sheltered waters encourage recreational activities, including deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and sailing. The ill-fated "Rainbow Warrior" is one of numerous wrecks that draw divers to Northland. Inland are the country's remaining kauri forest areas and a noted hot spring. Whangarei is the main regional centre, about 170 km north of Auckland. Its rejuvenated waterfront area is worth visiting, particularly for the fascinating Clapham's Clock Museum.
Our pick of 'not-to-be-missed' activities
- Matakohe Kauri Museum - superb!
- Short walks to see kauri forest giants - Tane Mahuta and, further south, Te Matua Ngahere
- Hokianga Harbour and small, unassuming, 'undiscovered' settlements around it
- A commercial tour from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga via Ninety Mile Beach
- DOC camping ground at Matai bay on the Karikari Peninsula - go to the upper level for outstanding views from your campervan or tent
- Meeting House at Waitangi - magnificent carvings and tukutuku panels from the Maori tribes of New Zealand
- A free visit to Marsden Point Refinery - a good activity for a rainy day
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PDF Travel Guides for Northland:
Around Russell [168K]
Russell, Pompallier House, Opua, Waiomio Caves, Paihia, Kawakawa, Hundertwasser, Waitangi, Ruapekapeka
Cape Reinga
[362K]
Getting There, 90(ninety) -Mile Beach, Beach Access Maps, Cape Reinga, Ancient Kauri Kingdom
Doubtless
[142K]
Doubtless Bay, Cable Bay, Coopers, Beach, Mangonui, Butler Point
Heart of Northland
[61K]
Kaikohe, Ngawha Hot Springs
Historic Hokianga
[151K]
Hokiang Harbour, Omapere, Opononi
Kauri Museum[76K]
.
Kauri
[244K]
Dargaville, Waipoua Forest, Matakohe Kauri Museum
Kemp House [76K]
Kerikeri
[163K]
Kerikeri, Puketi Forest, Haururu Falls, Rewa's Village
Pompallier [143K]
Printery for the Papists
Rangihoua Pa & Oihi Mission Station [146K]
Christianity's detention camp.
Ruapekapeka [127K]
Last battle of the northern wars.
Stone Store Kerikeri [148K]
CMS white elephant.
Treaty House, Waitangi [144K]
Treaty site, national monument.
Whangarei
[211K]
Whangarei Town Basin, Clapham's Clock Museum, Rayburn House, Whangarei Falls, Marsden Point Oil Refinery, Stone Walls around Whangarei
Whangaroa
[94K]
Whangaroa Harbour, Totara North, Ranfurly Bay Scenic Reserve
Tutukaka
[163K]
Tutukaka Scenic Drive
Waipu
[105K]
Waipu Heritage.
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The city is focal point of the much larger Auckland region. With harbours east and west of the Auckland isthmus, opportunities abound for sailing, fishing, kayaking, surfing, swimming and beach idling. City attractions include Viaduct Harbour (Americas Cup venue), the Sky Tower, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic and underwater experiences, plus shopping, restaurants, casino, theatres. The islands of the Hauraki Gulf are close enough to the city for day trips. Around Auckland are several regional parks with good walking tracks, as well as the Waitakere Ranges.
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Ten minutes by ferry across the Waitemata Harbour brings you to historic Devonport, long associated with New Zealand's navy and notable for some well-maintained Victorian and Edwardian buildings and a strollable waterfront. Beyond are the summer resorts of the Hibiscus Coast. In the south, the region has Manukau City, where Rainbow's End Adventure Park is a major attraction. For a more sedate experience, visit the Regional Botanic Gardens, host to more than 10,000 plant species.
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PDF Travel Guides for Auckland:
Albert Barracks Wall [144K]
War scare relic.
All Souls Clevedon [97K]
A preserved Selwyn Church..
Auckland Airport [76K]
A guide to its use.
Auckland Town Hall [144K]
Municipal magnificence in an urbanising society.
Auckland War Memorial Museum [148K]
Parthenon on a hill of bitter memories.
BNZ Facade - Queen Street [144K]
Bastardised banking flagship.
Civic Theatre [115K]
New Zealand's greatest atmospheric cinema.
Ferry Building & Tees [145K]
Steam transport opens up the suburbs.
Frank Sargeson's Bach , Takapuna [147K]
New Zealand fiction finds its voice.
Goat Island [77K]
Hauraki Gulf and its Islands [137K]
Devonport, Rangitoto, Waiheke, Tiritiri Matangi, Great Barrier, Kawau.
Historic Places of Worship [170K]
Fine Historic Churches, "Selwyn Style", architecture, Central Auckland & Parnell walk, St Patricks Cathedral, St Mathew in the City, Pitt St Methodist Church, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Bapist Tabernacle, St Pauls, The Former Synagogue, St Andrews, St Mary's Parnell, St Stephen's Judges Bay, St Michael's Remuera, St John's College Chapel.
Mount Eden [118K]
Significant Auckland Lookout.
Northern Steamship Company Building [143K]
The shipping line for 'the roadless North'.
Old Government House [146K]
Centre of colonial social life
Otuataua Stonefields [124K]
Polynesian horticulturalists adapt to colder soils.
Princes' Street Merchant's Houses [146K]
An interesting survival history.
Queen Victoria Statue [147K]
Auckland's shrine to Britannic Identity
Shortland Street Studios [144K]
Icon of the radio years.
Viaduct Basin [143K]
Revitalisation and betreyal
University Old Arts Building [147K]
A 'Maori Gothic', 'un-British' pile.
Waiheke [94K]
City escape.
Western Springs [137K]
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The clean, green agricultural province, Waikato, is one of the most picture-perfect parts of New Zealand. At its heart, Hamilton, the country's largest inland city, straddles the Waikato River (425 km). Hamilton has an adventurous art gallery/museum, riverside parklands and a casino. Raglan, to the west, is the Waikato beach resort, internationally known for its surfing potential.
Travel south to visit the famed Waitomo glowworm caves and Museum of Caves.
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Accessible from both Hamilton and Auckland is The Coromandel, a ruggedly beautiful peninsula with a scenic forest park stretching almost its entire length and many excellent beach resorts on both east and west coasts. Waihi is a long-standing gold-mining town. Its historic Martha Mine was one of the world's richest.
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PDF Travel Guides for
Waikato, Waitomo and Coromandel
Alexandra Redoubt Pirongia [144K]
Policing the colonial frontier
Coromandel Colonial Architecture [77K]
Coromandel Peninsula [123K]
An overview..
Coromandel Town [76K]
DayOut on the Coromandel Peninsula [124K]
Heritage, Beaches: Waihi Beach, Whangamata, Opoutere, Pauanui, Tairua, HotWater Beach, Hahei, Cooks Beach, Cathedral Cove, Flaxmill Bay, Whitianga, other beaches.
Karangahake Gorge[87K]
Martha Hill Mine, Waihi [142K]
New Zealand’s bitterest strike
Rangiriri [147K]
Decisive battle of the wars
Te Aroha [142K]
Victorian/Edwardian tourism
Waiau Kauri Grove [75K]
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Sailing, surfing and fishing are predominant leisure activities on New Zealand's "sunshine coast", aka Bay of Plenty. Extending from Waihi Beach in the west to Opotiki in the east, the region is ready-made for motorhome holidays, camping and backpacking. It's also known internationally for its horticulture. Travellers will find fresh fruits to buy at roadside stalls virtually all year. Chief city of this region, Tauranga, takes pride in its colonial heritage and also hosts a national jazz festival each Easter. Across the water from Tauranga, Mount Maunganui boasts fine beaches and a range of holiday accommodation. Nearby Katikati is noted for a "haiku walk". Eastward, Te Puke calls itself the Kiwifruit Capital of the World and Whakatane is a start point for tourist visits to White Island, an active volcanic cone.
Rotorua
Just inland from the Bay of Plenty coast, Rotorua and its surrounds have long been an internationally known tourist attraction. Throughout the region are geysers, steamy bubbling mud pools and strangely coloured silica terraces. Whakarewarewa thermal village is famous in its own right. The region is of major importance to the large Maori population, whose history of exploration and occupation there dates back over six centuries. Today, Maori cultural activities are at their most accessible in Rotorua. Many visitors find their way to Rotorua's Maori Arts and Crafts Institute
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East of the city a string of tranquil lakes belies the violent volcanic activity of the past. The vast crater of Mt Tarawera (now dormant) may be visited on foot, by 4-wheel drive vehicle, helicopter or light aircraft. The city itself lies at the edge of Lake Rotorua, in which is Mokoia Island, scene of the legendary love story of Hinemoa and Tutanekai. For anglers, the region's lakes offer memorable trout fishing, with professional guides available to help the novice.
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PDF Travel Guides for Bay Of Plenty
Hongi's Track [77K]
Papamoa [120K]
A nationally significant pa complex.
River Capers [77K]
An Overview of Rotorua [82K]
Whakatane [75K]
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In the middle of the North Island lies the vast (in New Zealand terms) Central Plateau, a playground offering a multitude of outdoor activities, ranging from sedate to sensational. Lake Taupo (600 sq km) in the north of the region, famous for trout fishing, draws anglers from all over the world. At the north-east corner of the lake is Taupo the resort town, an easy-going base from where to seek out the regional attractions. These include in addition to fly fishing sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing, paragliding, kayaking, and jetboat and paddle steamer rides. For adventurous travellers with strong nerves (or none), there's tandem sky-diving and bungy jumping. Popular scenic attractions are a thermal area of rare quality, Orakei-Korako, the Wairakei Thermal Valley, Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids on the Waikato River.
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Tongariro National Park in the south is a magnet for skiers in winter and trampers and walkers in summer. Three big, still-active volcanic peaks, gifted to the nation in 1887 by the Maori people of the area, dominate what became New Zealand's first national park. The Tongariro Crossing is one of numerous excellent day walks and longer tramps that draw thousands of park visitors every summer. In winter the big drawcards are the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. For the venturesome, other park activities are mountain-climbing, ski-touring and white-water rafting. And at the Grand Chateau Hotel, Whakapapa, you'll find a 9-hole golf public course.
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PDF Travel Guides for Taupo/Tongiriro:
Makatote Viaduct [146K]
The main trunk unites the North Island.
Te Porere Central Plateau [147K]
The last major fixed battle.
Raurimu Spiral [158K]
Engineering Achievement.
Waikato Hydro [290K]
Follow the Waikato from Lake Taupo to Cambridge on this DayOut. View the Hydro Power Stations en route. (Aratiatia, Ohakuri, Atiamuri, Whakamaru, Maraetai, Waipapa, Arapuni, Karapiro.)
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Large natural features dominate this western part of the North Island. Mt Taranaki-Egmont is by far the most prominent, a classic volcanic cone that, in good weather, is a comparatively easy climb. Taranaki is also New Zealand's "energy province", site of substantial natural gas resources and the world's first commercial synthetic petrol plant. New Plymouth is the main city, home of a permanent Len Lye archive. Twenty km south is the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, four square kilometres of gardens, internationally renowned. The long Taranaki coastline, open to the Tasman Sea, includes some great surf beaches.
The Whanganui River has been the main artery of the Wanganui region from the earliest days of pre-European settlement. Rail and road development diminished its commercial importance but recreational uses canoeing, kayaking and jet-boating have restored its attraction. Inland, the river passes through Whanganui National Park, giving access to wilderness walks and bush tramps of various durations. The city of Wanganui, half-way between New Plymouth and Wellington, is an attractive, typically New Zealand provincial centre with significant Maori associations. It hosts the Regional Museum and Sarjeant Art Gallery and has several pleasant city parks.
Manawatu, encompassing the regions of Rangitikei and Horowhenua, is best known for its productive sheep and dairy farms. The area in total contains New Zealand's largest plains, crossed by two major rivers, the Manawatu and the Rangitikei, that rise in the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges to the east. Both rivers offer opportunities for jet-boat rides, white-water rafting, swimming and fishing. Its northernmost town is Taihape, the self-styled "gumboot capital of the world", where the ubiquitous rubber boots are thrown in competition each Easter. The Royal New Zealand Airforce has an interesting museum at Ohakea, just south of Bulls (yes, that's the town's name). |
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Palmerston North is the regional centre, 'knowledge city', home of several noted education and research institutions, including Massey University. In the early 20th century, the then-Massey College pioneered agriculture research in New Zealand. Not really a tourist destination, the city today has the ambience of a rural university town. It is also proud of its Science Centre, Manawatu Museum and Art Gallery, "a new-generation museum", and the New Zealand Rugby Museum. Further south, Levin is the main town of Horowhenua, with its strong horticulture focus. In this area, travellers can usually buy fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables from numerous roadside stalls. A popular attraction in the area is the Tokomaru Steam Engine Museum, where working engines and locomotives delight young people of all ages.
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PDF Travel Guides for Wanganui:
Kawana Flourmill, Matahiwi, [144K]
Early Maori ‘think big’ project
Patea Port Works [146K]
The protein industry's graveyard.
Pukerangiora Pa [151K]
A palimpsest etched in blood.
Puketakauere [146K]
Te Atiawa tweaks Britannica
Te Koru Pa [116K]
A great pre-european stronghold.
The Bridge to Nowhere, Mungapurua [144K]
Bridge to the valley of abandoned dreams.
Wanganui (the town) & Whanganui (the river) [240K]
Whanganui River Road (Scenic Route), History, River Navigation, Kawana Mill, Jerusalem, Moutoa Island battle, Pipirki, Ongarue River Boat.
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The north-east of the North Island is a mix of old and new. The northernmost part, the East Cape region, is little travelled by tourists, although an excellent coastal highway between Opotiki and Gisborne passes innumerable picturesque bays and inlets that offer good fishing, surfing and diving. Small communities along the route are mainly Maori, people who trace their ancestral occupancy of the area back through many centuries. Within the region is the heavily forested Urewera National Park, where tramping, hunting and horse trekking are available. At the park's southern entrance is Lake Waikaremoana, renowned for its beauty. Gisborne is the centre of thriving wine and horticultural industries; it's also noted for some fine public parks.
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To the south is Hawke's Bay, its climate tailor-made for outdoor activities, from alfresco wine-and-dining to beach loafing to visiting the major gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. Hawke's Bay is famous as New Zealand's wine province. Market gardens and commercial orchards are also numerous. Napier and Hastings, the area's major cities, were hit severely in a powerful 1931 earthquake and were substantially re-built. Architecture in "art deco" style predominates in Napier, which is both a port and a holiday resort.
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PDF Travel Guides for East Coast/Hawkes Bay:
Art Deco in Napier [392K]
Napier Earthquake, Spanish Mission, Art Deco, Daily Telegraph Building, Masonic Hotel, National Tobacco Building, Marewa Suburb.
Cape Kidnappers [77K]
.
Colonial Napier [78K]
Cook Landing Site, Gisborne [147K]
A site out of sight.
National Tobacco Company, Napier [145K]
Napier's remarkable recovery.
Otatara [147K]
Major hill pa complex.
Tolaga Bay Wharf [146K]
A pier without peer.
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The Wellington region, on the southern tip of the North Island, extends from the fine white-sand beaches of Kapiti in the west to the wilder east coast of Wairarapa and includes the challenging Tararua Range and the breathtakingly lovely Wellington Harbour.
Wellington city, besides being the nation's capital, takes pride in being a centre of arts, culture and diverse entertainment. It is home to the National Library, the National Archives, the Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa), a separate and distinctive Wellington museum, the city art gallery and numerous private galleries. Wellington's café and restaurant scene is big and busy and international in character. Live theatre thrives in the city. The waterfront is always interesting to visit, whatever the weather, as are the old-established Botanic Gardens. Most travellers make time for a ride on the Kelburn cable car.
For the more active, there are numerous pleasant walks in Wellington and its surrounds, there are excellent mountain bike trails within city limits and, on the waterfront, rollerblades (in-line skates) and kayaks can be hired. The Tararuas, accessible from both Kapiti and Wairarapa, are a drawcard for serious trampers. Surfers and windsurfers will often find themselves "spoilt for choice" around the region.
Further afield is Wairarapa, a region built on sheep farming but increasingly becoming known notably around Martinborough - for its first-rate vineyards and wineries. Wairarapa is part of a "wine trail" that extends from Gisborne and Hawkes Bay to the north, down to Marlborough in the upper South Island. Wairarapa's main town, Masterton, hosts an international sheep-shearing contest every March. Thirty kilometres north is the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, where visitors may see New Zealand's bird life well represented, including some of the rarest, endangered species. The Wairarapa coast is largely remote but worth the effort to visit for its often dramatic scenery and opportunities for surf-casting, swimming and surfing. |
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Nelson and Tasman Bay
The city of Nelson is compact, charming, enjoys a good climate, has a relaxed way of life and allows easy access to an interesting region, including the Abel Tasman National Park. Its arts and crafts community produce high quality work and New Zealand Wearable Art is featured at parades in September. Historic buildings, lovely beaches and vineyards are other attractions for the numerous holidaymakers who flock to the area in summer. |
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Golden Bay
Renowned for natural wonders, Golden Bay is a gateway to Kahurangi and Abel Tasman National Parks. Beautiful, safe beaches, walks of scenic and historic interest, a wetland of international importance and the famous Pupu Springs attract visitors who can survive happily without big hotels and nightlife. Many craftspeople and artists enjoy the lifestyle here and sell their work from small galleries.
Picton and Marlborough Sounds
The Cook Strait interisland ferries berth at Picton which provides road and sea access to the Marlborough Sounds. The Department of Conservation manages over 50 reserves there, protecting the land for its 'natural values, scenic beauty and historic interest'. Land and sea offer countless opportunities for recreation: walk, swim, sail, kayak, fish, dive, camp or just relax in the sun.
Blenheim
Reputed to be the sunniest town in New Zealand, Blenheim is the centre of the country's largest wine producing area. The Marlborough Wine and Food Festival takes place in February, but you can enjoy lunch and wine tasting at several vineyards throughout the year.
Kaikoura
Whale-watching, swimming with dolphins, diving with sharks - Kaikoura has it all! An additional delight is walking on the Peninsula; the mountain and coastal scenery is stunning and there's the added bonus of Maori and whaling history.
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PDF Travel Guides for Nelson/ Marlborough:
Abel Tasman [84K]
Bay of Many Coves [84K]
Centre of New Zealand [90K]
Is it really?
Christ Church Cathedral [92K]
A strategic location
Hop Kilns in the Nelson Landscapel [84K]
.
Fairfield House [91K]
Home of a colonial matron
Farewell Spit [90K]
Dramatic Bird Sanctuary.
Marlborough Wines [84K]
Nelson [201K]
Nelson Intro/Heritage
[134K]
Nelson History, Ernest Rutherford.
Nelson Architecture
[150K]
Christ Church Cathedral, South Street Cottages, Broadgreen House, Isel House, Bishop's School, St John's Wakefield, St Michaels Waimea West
Nelson Gardens/Wine
[149K]
Queens Gardens, Miyazu Japanese Garden, Isel Park, Gardens of the World., Neudorf, Greenhough, Seifried Estate, Spencer Hill Estate, Denton Vineyard
Nelson School of Music [94K]
Cultural centre
Nelson Walks/Picnic
[151K]
Matai River Walkway, Grampian's Reserve, Centre of New Zealand, Tahunanui Beach, Rabbit Island, Matai Valley.
The Kiwi Beer Renaissance [142K]
McCashin's brewery was the forerunner of microbreweries all over New Zealand.
DayOut in Tasman Bay [226K]
Abel Tasman National Park, booking requirements, Motueka, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, walks - Motueka Walkway, Source of the Riwaka, Abel Tasman Walkway, day walks on the walkway, useful information, sea kayaking, sailing, swim with the seals.
Golden Bay Overview[82K]
Golden Bay
[257K]
Heritage, Abel Tasman, Gold, Collingwood, Farewell Spit, Wading Birds, Wetland of International Importance, Beaches, Wharariki Beach, Gardens, Beautiful Begonias, Collingwood, Kayaking
Golden Bay Walks
[196K]
Takaka Hill, Harwoods Hole, Wainui Falls, Pupu Springs, Paynes Ford, rockclimbing
French Pass and D'Urville Island [120K]
Challenging waters.
Havelock [92K]
Cradle of Science
Isel Park & Broad Green [91K]
Historic homes and gardens.
Kaikoura Ecotour
[172K]
Whalewatch, Seal Colony
Kaikoura Walks
[190K]
Kaikoura Peninsula Walks
Kaikoura
[153K]
Maori settlement, Whaling, European Settlement
Port Nelson [90K]
Forestry, fishing and fruit.
Grassmere Salt Works [230K]
George Skellerup's dream.
Titirangi Scenic Drive [168K]
The Sounds' sea beach
Two Nelson Beaches [76K]
DayOut in Blenheim
[217K]
Brancott Winery tour, Marlborough wine region, Wither Hills Farm Park Walks, Mountainbiking, Heritage, Wairau Purchase and Incident, Tuamarina Cemetery
DayOut in Picton [201K]
Gateway to the Marlborough Sounds, Picnics, Waikawa, Governors Bay Scenic Reserve, Momorangi, Queen Charlotte Drive Scenic Route, Havelock, Anakiwa, Walks, Queen Charlotte Track, Ship Cove, Picton Walks.
Upper Moutere Wines [79K]
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A scenic wonderland, the West Coast is gateway to five National Parks - Kahurangi, Paparoa, Mount Cook, Westland and Mount Aspiring - and to the World Heritage Area of Te Wahipounamu. The main highway skirts a rugged coastline, sculpted by wild surf, and lakes reflecting the Southern Alps. It passes towering limestone cliffs, crosses wide rivers and takes you through majestic rainforests. Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers tumble down from the mountains into the forests, ending only a few kilometres from the sea.
Many walks (gentle to strenuous) allow you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region, featured in movies such as Lord of the Rings and The Lost World.
Caving, white water rafting, kayaking, glacier walks, hunting and fishing provide thrills, and there's a wide choice of scenic flights and tours.
Visitors can see native forest birds, white herons, royal spoonbills, black petrels and Fiordland crested penguins and seals as well as enjoying unique landscapes and ancient podocarp forests.
Greenstone, gold and coal originally brought people to the area. Townships, historic sites, museum displays and modern industries reflect their importance and give visitors an understanding of the special character of the Coast and its people.
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PDF Travel Guides for West Coast:
Blackball [85K]
Karamea Walks
[200K]
Nikau Walk, Scotts Beach, Kohaihai to Heaphy, Oparara Basin, Oparara Little Arch
Buller Gorge
[284K]
Scenic Route, Hawk Crag
Lake Brunner [79K]
"A wide body of sparkling water"
Lake Moperaki [80K]
Lake Moeraki is an unmodified gem.
Richard John Seddon [79K]
God's Own Country
Westport - Karamea
[112K]
Westport to Karamea Scenic Route
Westport
[240K]
Westport
Westport Heritage
[191K]
Gold rushes, Buller Coalfields, Railways
Westport eco/walk
[153K]
Cape Foulwind Seal Colony, Cape Foulwind Walkway, Charming Creek Walkway
Westport (technology/museums)
[141K]
Denniston Incline, Millerton Incline, Coaltown Museum
Denniston
[137K]
Hell on earth halfway up 'the hill'.
Punakaiki Westport [145K]
Punakaiki to Westport Scenic Route
Punakaiki Pancakes [90K]
Nikau, rocks and waves.
Punakaiki ecotour
[107K]
Paparoa National Park, Taiko (Black Petrel).
Punakaiki Walks
[159K]
Dolomite Point Pancake Rocks, Truman Track, Pororari River Track, Kayaking, Horse Treks.
Hokitika
[220K]
How the West was won (gold), Heritage walk, Hokitika Museum, Hokitika Lake Kaniere Scenic Route, Adventure Activities, Ross, Ross Walkway.
Glaciers [79K]
Runanga Monument [77K]
Scenic Route Fox To Haast
[213K]
Fox to Haast Scenic route, Bruce Bay, Lake Paringa, Haast World Heritage Centre, Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk, Jackson Bay Heritage and Walks/Ecotour.
Haast Highway Scenic Route
[120K]
Haast Makarora Scenic Route, Short Walks (8).
DayOut In South Westland
[151K]
Whataroa, Okarito Ecotour White Heron, Kayaking and Walks.
A DayOut in Westland National Park
[181K]
Franz Josef Glacier, Heritage, Walks, Ice climbing, Flight seeing, Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, Walks, Gillespies Beach.
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Christchurch and Banks Peninsula
Early English colonists wanted a settlement resembling the places they had left. Many fine historic buildings, a vast central park and splendid public gardens are a reminder of that desire. But you only have to stand on the Port Hills and take in the superb view of Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, to see how unlike England it is. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and stretching over fertile plains towards the Southern Alps, Christchurch has colourful houses, surrounded by equally colourful gardens. There are many attractions for visitors and a lively cafe and restaurant scene.
The bays and beaches of nearby Banks Peninsula are great recreational areas. The colonial buildings of Akaroa add a charming French flavour to a picturesque village.
North Canterbury
Locals holiday at the beaches north of Christchurch; Gore Bay is especially popular with surfers. Nearer the mountains, Hanmer with its hot pools and forest walks is a well-known tourist and holiday resort.
Mount Cook and the Southern Alps
Canterbury foothills, mountains, lakes and rivers are a mecca for walkers, climbers, skiers, hunters, fishers and sightseers. Aoraki/ Mt Cook National Park is a World Heritage Site encompassing more than 20 peaks over 3,000m and New Zealand's highest mountain and longest glacier. A visit on a clear day is a memorable experience. The rugged grandeur of Arthur's Pass National Park is even closer to Christchurch.
South Canterbury
Ashburton and Timaru, the main towns, are not tourist towns, but they are a gateway to the scenic MacKenzie Country and the Alps.
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PDF Travel Guides for Canterbury:
Christchurch
[226K]
Principal attractions, heritage, Canterbury Pilgrims, Gardens, Christchurch Botanic Gardens,Ohinetahi, Picnics/beaches, Coastal, Suburban, Around Lyttelton Harbour, Orton Bradley Park, Beyond Christchurch, Ashley Gorge, Gore Bay, Okains Bay.
Christchurch Scenic Route
[171K]
Sign of the Takahe, Sign of the Kiwi, Bridle Path, Christchurch Gondola, Sumner Beach, Avon-Heathcote Estuary
Christchurch City Walks [201K]
Heritage, architecture, cathedral, Hurst Seager Municipal Chambers, Provincial Council Buildings, Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Christs College, North Hagley Park, Deans Bush.
Christchurch - Walks Beyond The City [251K]
Redcliffs/Sumner area (4 walks), Port Hills Walks (3), Lyttelton Harbour Walks, Estuary & Beach Walks, Craigieburn Forest Park.
Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers [151K]
Built to last.
Lyttelton Rail Tunnel [142K]
Extraordinary Engineering.
DayOut at Akaroa
[182K]
Heritage, Jean Francois Langlois, Banks Peninsula track (Commercial Walk), Harbour Ecotours, Short Walk: Lighthouse, Cemetery, Garden of Tane
Akaroa Town Walk
[221K]
1-2 hours, Rue Lavaud, St Patrick's Church, French Cemetery, The Customs House, The Langlois-Eteveneaux House, Rue Jolie, The Doctor's House, Rebecca's Cottage and Captain Bruce's Cottage.
Arthurs Pass Scenic Route
[193K]
Springfield. Rewi Alley, Porters Heights Skifield, Castle Hill, Cave Stream, Klondyke Corner, Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson, Arthur's Pass Walks, Devil's Puchbowl, Bridal Veil Track
Cathedral Square in Christchurch [77K]
Christchurch and Antarctica [77K]
Geraldine [77K]
Hanmer Springs
[302K]
Hanmer Heritage, Thermal Reserve (Hot Springs), Adventures, Walks, Picnics
Hanmer [75K]
DayOut at Lake Tekapo
[236K]
Church of the Good Shepherd, Heritage, James MacKenzie, adventure/sport, fishing, skiing, flight seeing, Mt John Observatory, Upper Waitaki Hydro Scheme, Tekapo Canal scenic route.
James McKenzie [78K]
Omarama [82K]
The Gliding Centre of New Zealand.
Peel Forest [79K]
.
Richard Pearse [78K]
Riccarton House and Bush [80K]
Ripapa[78K]
Twizel DayOut [154K]
Twizel - town origins, Black Stilt guided tours, water sports, fishing, ice skating, skiing, picnic places.
Travis Wetland[77K]
DayOut At Aoraki /Mount Cook [194K]
Mount Cook, Getting There, Heritage, Kea Point Walk, Hooker Valley Walk, Red Tarns Walk, Flight seeing, Climbing, Skiing, Fishing, Horsetreks
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Dunedin and Otago Peninsula:
Dunedin, once New Zealand's wealthiest city, has attractions for everyone. A university city, it has a vibrant cafe and pub scene - thanks to its large student population - and a vigorous cultural life. Victorian and Edwardian architecture, a superb museum and modern art gallery are some of its many attractions. Dunedin also has a lovely setting of beaches and hills. Nearby are the wildlife and heritage sites of the Otago Peninsula. including Larnach Castle and the only mainland breeding colony in the world of the royal albatross.
Central Otago:
Renowned for its lakes, mountains and evocative, dry landscapes which attract many artists. A trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway is a memorable journey into the dry, rocky terrain of inland Otago where generations of families holiday each year. Walking, boating, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, golf, skiing and skating are popular activities, or you can just laze in the sun beside lakes and rivers enjoying the fruits of the orchards and vineyards of the region.
Historic buildings and sites are a legacy of an exciting past when miners tried their luck at many different goldfields. For present-day excitement, Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand, guarantees the adrenalin rush and thrills of extreme adventures. Wanaka, also by a beautiful lake and gateway to the Mount Aspiring National Park, is geared for visitors but is a more peaceful resort.
North Otago
The coast north of Dunedin is dotted with attractive, sandy beaches and quaint holiday houses. Yellow-eyed and blue penguins, seals and occasional sea lions visit here, too. Inland, the rolling green hills are home to prosperous farms. The fine Victorian buildings of Oamaru, North Otago's main town, were constructed during rural boom times. They are made of the distinctive, local limestone.
South Otago
Also a prosperous farming area. The Catlins area (v. SOUTHLAND) which spans Otago and Southland attracts visitors interested in getting off the beaten track.
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PDF Travel Guides for Otago:
Aramoana [116K]
"Pathway to the sea".
Arrowtown [83K]
Clutha Rafting [131K]
Rafting on the Clutha River.
Otago Peninsula DayOut
[258K]
Otago Peninsula Heritage, Larnach Castle, Fletcher House, Sandymount Lime Kilns, Fort Taiaroa, Royal Albatross Centre, Ecotour/walks, Glenfalloch Woodland Garden.
Dunedin
[291K]
Dunedin Heritage, Free Church of Scotland, Gold, Otago Museum, Discovery World, Tunnel Beach Walk, Ross Creek Reservoir, Olveston, Woodhaugh Gardens, Taieri Gorge Railway, Port Chalmers, Dunedin Beaches, Sport Adventure.
First Church [146K]
Otago's semi-theocratic founding fragment.
Dunedin Heritage [81K]
Dunedin Walk #1
[186K]
Dunedin Central City Walk, Dunedin Railway Station, Dunedin Law Courts, First Church, Carnegie Library, Dunedin Art Gallery.
Dunedin Walk # 2
[198K]
Fortune Theatre, Otago Boys' High School, St Joseph's Cathedral (Petre), St Dominic's Priory, New Zealand's First Skyscraper, Speights Brewery.
Dunedin Walk #3
[262K]
University of Otago, Botanic Gardens, Bracken's Lookout, Lovelock House.
Maniototo Adventure/Sport
[176K]
Otago Central Rail Trail, walking & mountain biking
Queenstown Overview [80K]
Best obseved from on high
Wanaka
[253K]
Rob Roy Walk [76K]
Wanaka Walks
[216K]
Bremner Bay Walk, Penrith Beach, Albert Town to Lake Outlet, Mount Iron Walking Track, Roy's Bay, Waterfall Creek, Mount Roy, Diamond Lake.
Wanaka Heritage
[84K]
Maori Settlement, European Settlement, Gold, Cardrona Valley
Wanaka Adventures
[224K]
Wanaka skiing, heli-skiing, kayaking, mountain biking, skydiving, horse trekking, rock climbing, white water, mountaineering.
Matukituki Walks
[151K]
Ecotours: Rob Roy Glacier, Mount Aspiring Hut.
Makarora Scenic Route
[187K]
Wanaka to Haast: Makarora heritage, walks, Wilkin Valley, The Siberia Experience.
Wanaka Scenic Route [155K]
Wanaka to Queenstown via the Crown Range.
Port Chalmers [142K]
A relaxed village
Queenstown Heritage
[187K]
Maori settlement, greenstone, early europeans, gold, Skippers, first tourists, gardens.
The Adventure Capital
[296K]
Skiing, climbing, snowmobiles, bungy jumping, flightseeing, aerobatics, Fly By Wire, tandem skydive, tandem paragliding/parapenting, tandem hang gliding, jet boating, white water rafting, canyoning, whitewater sledging, kayaking, luge, horse riding, mountain biking, fishing.
Queenstown Walks & Tours
[229K]
Time Walk, Sunshine Bay, Wilsons Bay, Moke Lake, Arthur's Point, Oxenbridge Tunnel, Edith Cavell Bridge, Skyline gondola, TSS Earnslaw, Kingston Flyer, Skippers Canyon.
Chinese Settlement, Arrowtown [149K]
Stranded in paradise?
Central Otago Wines [85K]
Central Otago DayOut [241K]
About Central, Lawrence, Roxburgh, Alexandra, Heritage, Fruitlands, mountain-biking, fishing, picnics, gardens, Clyde heritage walk, Clyde Dam, Cromwell. Central Otago vineyards and wine.
Gabriel's Gully [147K]
Land that lured the long white crowd
DayOut in the Maniototo [268K]
About the Maniototo, goldmining heritage, St Bathans, Blue Lake, Naseby, curling, ice skating, mountain biking, Dansey's Pass Coach Inn, Ranfurly, Art Deco, Hayes Engineering Works, Ophir, Daniel O'Connell Bridge.
Oamaru Architecture Walk [346K]
Oamaru Architecture, Whitestone City, Forrester and Lemon., Tyne Precinct.
Criterion Hotel - Oamaru [143K]
For long the pub with no beer.
Oamaru [236K]
Blue Penguin Colony, Bushy Beach, hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), Gardens, Moeraki, Millennium Walk, Katiki Point, lighthouse, penguin colony. Moeraki Boulders.
Port of Oamaru [149K]
First piers of the protein bridge.
North Otago [242K]
Waikouaiti, Johnny Jones, Matanaka, Karitane, Sir Truby King, Seacliff, Janet Frame, Warrington, Palmerston, Puketapu, Shag Point, Macraes Flat, Golden Point Mine.
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Invercargill, Bluff and Stewart Island
Invercargill is a spacious, friendly city, promoted at every opportunity by an irrepressible mayor. It has interesting Victorian buildings and a fine museum where you can see live tuatara. The nearby port of Bluff, known for succulent oysters, runs a ferry service to Stewart Island. Recently given National Park status, this island attracts trampers, hunters, fishers, divers and those who want to relax amidst beautiful scenery. Here, too, you have a good chance of seeing kiwi in the wild. |
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Fiordland
A vast, majestic and remote wilderness. Visit Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area, for dramatic scenery of soaring mountains, awesome granite walls, dense beech forests and deep fiords. Te Anau is an ideal centre for exploring the scenic wonders of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
Southern Scenic Route
Te Anau - Tuatapere - Invercargill - Catlins - Dunedin
This route gives you an excellent introduction to Southland's small settlements and its varied landscapes of lakes, rivers, rolling green farmland, exotic and native forests, wild coastline and deserted beaches.
The Catlins
Still relatively undiscovered, the Catlins offers golden sand beaches ideal for surfing, waterfalls, nature walks, the east coast's most significant native forests, a fossil forest and coastal wildlife.
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PDF Travel Guides for Southland:
Catlins Overview [77K]
DayOut In The Catlins
[322K]
Catlins Heritage, Fortrose, Waipapa Point, Slope Point, Porpoise Bay, Curio Bay, Waikawa, Cathedral Caves, Tautuku Estuary Walk, Purakaunui Falls, Jacks Bay Blowhole Walk, Surat Bay Cannibal Bay Walk, Nugget Point Lighthouse and Wildlife
Te Anau To Milford Scenic Route
[260K]
New Zealand's Most Stunning Route. Walks on the Highway: Mirror Lake, Lake Gunn, Key Summit, The Chasm, Lake Marian
Te Anau Walks
[179K]
Te Anau Wildlife Centre, Takahe, Shallow Bay, Dock Bay, Brod Bay, Mt Luxmore
Manapouri
[174K]
Manapouri, Underground Power Station, Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise.
DayOut in Te Anau
[161K]
Te Anau, Glowworm Caves, Kayaking
DayOut in Milford Sound
[150K]
Milford Sound Heritage, Homer Tunnel, Cruises, Walks, Kayaking.
Rakiura [77K]
Stewart Island
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