New Zealand is a land of great natural beauty that also offers an outstanding array of outdoor activities for visitors. There are many excellent tramping tracks, including eight well-maintained and very popular Great Walks that cover much of the finest scenery in New Zealand. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Milford Track, a beautiful and stunning hike amidst mountains and rainforest that has been called the “Finest Walk in the World”. Other walks take you through scenery immortalized in the Lord of the Rings such as the blasted landscape and volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Still others take you up to humongous glaciers and snow capped mountains. The town of Queenstown has become an adventure center for travelers wanting adrenaline activities such as skydiving, jet boating, and bungy jumping.
The cities of New Zealand have much to offer too. The capital of Wellington is known for its stunning harbour and views, as well as its Victorian character. The Te Papa Museum gives an outstanding look at New Zealand’s history and culture, from Maori exhibits to virtual bungy jumping. Surrounded by water, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city. It is stylish and cosmopolitan, and is also known for its islands and 48 extinct volcanoes. Auckland’s massive 328 meter tall Sky Tower offers great views over the landscape.