New Zealand Travel Guide

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.

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Last edited Feb 4, 09 3:54 PM. Contributors: Plwha O.

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Next: Natural Environment

1. Milford Sound

(12 reviews)

Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand

Situated in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Track is known as "The Finest Walk in the World." It is a multi-day 53.6km tramping route that starts at Lake Te Anau and finishes at Milford Sound. Along the..

2. Tongariro National Park

(6 reviews)

Tongariro, North Island, New Zealand

New Zealand's First National Park and a dual UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for both its scenery and cultural value, Tongariro National Park is a stunning place with beautiful lakes, desert like plateaus, active..

3. Cathedral Cove

(9 reviews)

Coromandel, North Island, New Zealand

Located on the amazing Coromandal Peninsula. Used for a location in Narnia: Prince Caspian. After a 15 minute walk down a track you arrive at a beach that is pure bliss. The walk itself is lovely with a mixture of..

4. Lake Wakatipu

(6 reviews)

Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand

Queenstown sits right along the edges of this beautiful lake. Follow the lake to find small towns and beautiful outposts.

5. Whale Watch Kaikoura

(8 reviews)

Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand

This was a really fun thing to do. We saw a lot of whales and dolphins. Also there is some really cool hiking in this area where you can see a ton of seals. Kaikoura is BEAUTIFUL! Also, do a Kaikoura picnic...a bottle..

1. Chris's Tip on Opua

Opua, North Island, New Zealand

The car ferry will save a long drive.

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2. Karen's Tip on Kaikoura

Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand

Dont just stop at the car park to see the seals, walk the whole peninsular. Depending on the tide, walk along the beach and back over the headland, or the other way round. Or be different, park at the southern end of the walk, its much quieter.

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3. Ryan's Tip on Manukau City

Manukau City, North Island, New Zealand

Always have a bullet proof vest and a loaded firearm with you

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4. Cool's Tip on Christchurch

Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

If you want to go to Christchurch, you should go to Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. That will help you see what is like to visit Antarctica.

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5. Melissa's Tip on Big Omaha

Big Omaha, North Island, New Zealand

the most amazing bay with the most amazing beach around the corner (omaha). omaha would b mi favourite beach in nz. white sand. lovely estuary. although doesnt hav much to do. there is a nyc bay u can walk to from the southern end of the beach. and u will find pink sand there

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6. Jo-Anne's Tip on North Island

North Island, South Island, New Zealand

North Island is also beautiful but make sure you spend most of your time in the South Island

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7. Anthony's Tip on Auckland

Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Once the capital of New Zealand, Auckland is a large city in terms of surface area because everybody still has a dream of their own backyard and house. Hence the distances that must be travelled to find cheap homes and supplies are huge. Very little in the way of public transport except buses and the Britomart, if you don´t have a car it is difficult to get around. The domain, albert park, the war memorial museum, Mt Eden, One tree hill and Rangitoto, are just some of the attractions to see. Auckland is also known as the city of sails not because it hosted the Americas Cup but because one in 34 people had a boat from the 70´s (Auckland had a population of approx. 800 000).

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8. Anthony's Tip on Te Karaka

Te Karaka, North Island, New Zealand

A rural town just off the main road heading towards Gisborne. There are a few amenities there including a cinema which has sadly closed down.

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9. Ben's Tip on Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier, South Island, New Zealand

Go to the Blue Ice Cafe, drink lots of whatever you drink eat the great food then hop in a chopper do the overland Glacier tour then get out go to the info centre get tickets for a horse ride and do the sunset beach tour. Than stay at the YHA or any of the other great venues. Rafting is also a hit you can fly into the alps get dropped off and do anything from 1-3 day tours. Avoid the new climbing wall and talk to the locals because they know where to go, make sure you meet a guy called Scumbag aka Greg Brown and you will be the luckiest person in the world. Also the best things are 30km before hand in HARI HARI because thats where the Wildside backpackers is get the hut out the back and stay with Dan and Kath for as long as you want, suggested minimum is a month.

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10. Antz's Tip on Queenstown

Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand

yea twas aiit

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