Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are some travel tips and destinations we have experienced on our travels to ‘the Shaky Islands’. (using that term, shows how old we are)
North Island North Island New Zealand is where New Zealand’s main population lives. New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is located here. The North Island also has New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington. North Island of New Zealand is home to about 75% of New Zealand’s total population. see here
South Island Has spectacular scenery, amazing places to visit, a wide range of attractions and activites. Dominating the South Island of New Zealand are the Southern Alps, which run the full length of the island. Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand, and a great location to explore Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park. In the south is Dunedin with its Scottish heritage, and diverse wildlife. To the north are sunny Nelson and Marlborough, famous for their wines and food. You also have Mt Cook and the glaciers to explore as well as a myriad of walks and natural wonderlands to experience. see here
Major Cities
Wellington.
Located between steep, rolling hills and a stunning harbour is New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Also known as New Zealand’s culture and arts capital, much of Wellington’s charm is due to its beautiful wooden houses, historic buildings, museums and art galleries.
Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum is hard to miss, with five floors dominating its location on the waterfront. Te Papa is a great place to learn about New Zealand’s art, culture, heritage and natural history, with a great variety of long term, and ever changing short term inter-active displays. Te Papa is open every day, with general admission being free.
There are many walking tracks, either around the coast, or in the hills. Visit one of the parks, or wildlife sanctuaries.
The first thing you notice when you arrive in Wellington New Zealand, are the beautiful old wooden houses built up the side of the hill from the harbour front. You will see these timber houses right throughout Wellington.
Some of the more historical wooden buildings include Antrim House, Old St Pauls and the Old Government Buildings.
Any visit to Wellington should include a ride in the Cable Car from Lambton Quay up to the Botanic Garden. Once there take in you can explore the gardens and natural bush. Afterwards walk back through Thorndon, and take time to admire the historic houses and buildings.
From Mount Victoria you have great 360° panoramic views of Wellington city, Wellington harbour and the Cook Strait. A great spot to take photos, either during the day, or at night with the city lights showing.
Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city with a population of over 1.2 million people. It is a large, busy city, with a huge Polynesian influence, having the largest number of Polynesian people of any city in the world.
Auckland City is squeezed between two harbours, the Manukau Harbour on the west coast of New Zealand, the Waitemata Harbour on the east coast. Take a cruise in Hauraki Gulf out to Rangitoto Island, or Waiheke Island.
The volcanic cones of Mount Eden and One Tree Hill have the best views of Auckland City. Remains of the old Maori pas (fortified villages) can still be seen here.
Mount Eden at 196m above sea level is Auckland’s highest point, with a full 360 degree view of the city, harbor, islands and suburbs.
Connecting North Auckland with South Auckland, the Auckland Harbour Bridge is a major landmark of the city. Originally built as a 4-lane highway in 1959, it soon became inadequate for the task, and heavily congested with traffic. Fortunately, some Japanese engineers came up with a way to add some extra lanes to the bridge. The addition was then given the name the ‘Nippon Clip-on’ by locals, in humorous appreciation of the improvement.
Auckland Museum is well worth visiting, containing the world’s biggest collection of Polynesian objects and artifacts, including a 30 metre long Maori Canoe carved over 150 years ago from a single Totara Tree. Daily performances of Maori dance occur at 11:15am and 1:30pm each day. There is also a huge display on New Zealand’s Natural History.
Near to Auckland Domain is Parnell Village, renowned for it’s antique shops, galleries, arts and crafts and restaurants (some very expensive). Parnell Village also contains a lot of Auckland’s most historic places of interest, including the original settler’s first house, church and cemetery.
Christchurch
Christchurch New Zealand, is the main city and international gateway for overseas travelers in the South Island of New Zealand. Christchurch has a very English heritage. The first settlers in Christchurch arrived in 4 ships from England in 1850. Many of the historic buildings, sites and parks were created in their name.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit Christchurch at 12:51 pm local time on 22nd February 2011. There was severe damage to the central business district of Christchurch, as well as the nearby town of Lyttelton. Though access to the central business district is currently not allowed, there are many activities and attractions operating in the surrounding area. As a result there is still lots to do. Christchurch International Airport and all roads out of Christchurch are all operating.
Queenstown
New Zealand’s number one year round resort destination is Queenstown New Zealand. Located next to Lake Wakatipu, with the Remarkables mountain range in the background, Queenstown, New Zealand is picture perfect. At Queenstown the hard part is deciding how to fit everything in.
You could ride the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for that spectacular view over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu towards the Remarkables. Whilst there take a luge ride, or soak up the view as you take a delicious meal in the restaurant. You could take the gondola back, walk down the track, or take the quick way by tandem paragliding down.
Queenstown is renowned as the adventure capital of New Zealand. You could try your hand at jetboating, white water rafting, bungy jumping or even sky diving.
From Queenstown there are tours to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound; as well as garden tours and 4WD tours into the mountains, where you could explore the old gold mines, or find those inaccessible places where the Lord of the Rings was filmed.
