New Zealand Travel Guide

  Whitianga is located on the eastern side of The Coromandel Peninsula and is the main settlement of Mercury Bay. In November 1769 Captain James Cook, an English explorer, sailed into Cooks Beach to watch the passage of the planet Mercury across the sun, hence the name Mercury Bay. Today Whitianga is a flourishing coastal town with over 4,000 permanent residents; its deep-water harbour is popular departure point for big game fishing enthusiasts and is the home of the Mercury Bay Boating club. Whitianga has a wide variety of places to stay, from budget to international standards; there is an excellent selection of restaurants and cafes within walking distance of each other. The sheltered bay makes Whitianga beach an excellent place for surfcasting, swimming, sailboard riding, and yachting. On land there are numerous things to do from mini golf to horse trekking.

  The Waipa District lies in the heart of New Zealand’s Waikato region, stretching over 1447 square kilometres, and encompassing the towns of Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Kihikihi, Pirongia and Ohaupo. The district has several large hydro lakes used extensively for water sports and recreation including Lake Karapiro, the home of New Zealand rowing. Waipa District boasts a rich agricultural base dominated by dairy farming, but also featuring sheep and beef, thoroughbred horse studs, deer farming and fruit production. Waipa also hosts the largest annual agricultural exhibition of its kind in New Zealand, the National Agricultural Fieldays, which attracts visitors to the Mystery Creek Events Centre from all over the world.

There is so much going on in Hamilton , one place, in particular, is well worth visiting. Take a look at ‘The Hamilton Gardens’ with the Chinese Scholars Garden, Japanese Garden of Contemplation, English Flower Garden, Indian Char Bagh Garden, American Modernist Garden to the Italian Renaissance Garden. Collections of Gardens are also on exhibition, such as the Te Parapara Collection. Te Parapara was originally the first settlement of the earliest Maori settlers in Hamilton; this area is a horticultural heritage area of national significance. Hamilton boasts the 400 V8 Supercars Street-race, hot-air ballooning, scenic sightseeing tours, Cruise Waikato, Waikato Museum, bungy jumping, canoeing, Water-world and the Hamilton Zoo.

New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki region and packed full of tourist treats. Brooklands Zoo, the Art Gallery, the Aquatic Centre, Puke Ariki and the gem itself Pukekura Park. Within Pukekura Park, situated below ground; you will find the Fernery, where three glass topped caverns have been hollowed out of the side of the hill and ferns have blanketed them. International Acts perform at the celebrated TSB Bowl of Brooklands, a large grass amphitheatre, encircled by lake water and trees. Seven countries host Womad (World of Music, Arts and Dance), an international musical extravaganza. Womad will have you singing, dancing, tasting the flavours of the world within the Global Village, and unwinding in this family-friendly atmosphere. The TSB Bank Festival of Lights comes alive in Pukekura; set amongst the waterfalls and lakes, plants and trees are majestically lit up, the waters shimmer from the lights reflection. Fire poi dancers entertain, wooden rowboats are illuminated whil...

Stewart Island is New Zealand’s Southern- most island. Known as ‘Rakiura’ The Isle of Glowing Skies, is protected by the borders of Rakiura National Park, established in 2002. Hikers can enjoy almost 245 kilometres of walking tracks, for both the experienced and leisurely walker. Two of the most popular hiking tracks are the 2-3 day Rakiura, and the longer North West Circuit, which can take 10-12 days to trek. Sightings of Bottlenose Dolphins, sea lions, fur seals, the occasional sea elephant and one of the five species of penguins are a highlight to visiting Stewart Island. The West Coast of Stewart Island holds sea-pounded cliffs and sandy beaches. Paterson Inlet, one of three sheltered inlets found on the East side, accesses Ulva Island from Golden Bay; there on Ulva Island you will find an open bird sanctuary with more than 30 bird species, including our indigenous flightless bird and national symbol, the Kiwi, which can be observed in its natural habitat. Beautiful translucent fe...

The Waitaki District is located in North Otago, which is situated in the South Island. Dramatic natural beauty, varied wildlife, tranquil fishing villages, lush rolling green farmland, hydro lakes, and canals, there is so much in this amazing district for travellers to visit and experience Waitaki. The majority of Maori Rock Art is found in this district, where centuries-old images and scenes depicted of Maori myths and legends are preserved, some portraying Sky Father and Earth Mother, the creation of Maori. The Moeraki Boulders are ancient natural sea landscapes, where visitors have photographed, climbed and admired their uniqueness. The Yellow-Eyed Penguin (Hoiho, Maori for Noise Shouter) are the rarest penguins in the world and located in the district. Stroll through Oamaru’s unique streetscape, which is largely Victorian with historic white-stone architecture. Take a ride on the Oamaru Steam Train, through the historic precinct and Clay Cliffs – a backdrop to the local high count...

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand, world renowned for its breath-taking, spectacular beauty and its endless array of attractions and activities. Here where the Lord of the Rings, Eregion Hills and Pillars of Argonath were filmed, brings fans and visitors to experience scenes from these epic movies. Experience the thrill of night snowboarding on Coronet Peak, not widely known, but wholly exhilarating to launch yourself into the evening air with the help of artificial lighting illuminating your path. Stay on the snow and ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, heli-ski or try the tubing park. Venture out onto the water and whitewater raft, river surf, canyoning or bungee jump; try a Harley Davidson tour through the majestic mountains, with other like-minded adrenaline junkies. Hop off the Gondola and into an original experience of Maori culture with the sounds of Waiata (Maori song), Poi (balls attached to flax string) used rhythmically with long or short poi. Witness the formidable...