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Welcome to our New Zealand Page here you'll find a wealth of information by region, as well as complete packages and customized itineraries to satisfy the most demanding traveler. From the tropical golden sand beaches of the North Island to the plunging, deep waters of Fiordland at the foot of the South Island, from the bubbling thermal pools of Rotorua to the ice-blue glaciers and snowfields down south, this is a land of wild and vivid contrasts. You’ll see this characteristic reflected everywhere in this country: even in the variety of people who now share this land and each others’ cultures with the indigenous Maori people. These contrasts seem all the more dramatic given the size of New Zealand. Isolated from the rest of the world and reaching south towards Antarctica, New Zealand is home to wildlife and landscapes unique to this treasured paradise of nature. For this reason, more than half the country is protected as national park or reserve land. Wilderness areas are so appreciated that fourteen National Parks preserve the breathtaking landscapes and unique ecological biosystems in perpetuity. And yet it is easy to explore and enjoy all the wonders New Zealand has to show you by adventuring, wandering or simply touching. Be adventurous and bungy-jump, white water raft and heli-ski. Or relax in a naturally-formed hot pool on the bend of a river. Tramp the world-famous walking tracks in the South Island. Or eat fish and chips from paper next to a mangrove-fringed tidal inlet. Visit New Zealand as thousands of others do each year and you’ll feel you are the first to discover these islands of calm, this safe haven of natural wonder. New Zealand is no ordinary place and as such you are assured no ordinary holiday. There are many ways to enjoy New Zealand, below is a list of ways of how you can go about enjoying your holiday. Click on the titles to see a description of tours, activities and itineraries. Escorted Tours Younger People Activities Adventure Tours and Activities Relaxing New Zealand Getaways Please click on the map region that you'll like to learn more about.
The sea is never far away when you travel the tropical north of New Zealand. The wild Tasman Sea batters the black-sand West Coast while as little as tens of kilometres away the gentle Pacific Ocean laps the palm-lined beaches of the East Coast. Breathe deeply the sea-scented air, laden with the salt of two oceans. From the sophisticated, cosmopolitan hub that is Auckland city to the remote expanse of Ninety-Mile Beach in the far north, Northland offers an invigorating mix of sailing, fishing, islands, beaches and heat. It’s an area you could circumnavigate in as few as five days or as much as five weeks. Standing near the crown of New Zealand is Auckland - ‘City of Sails’ - with its marinas full of yachts and two, yes two harbours sheltering boats of all descriptions. There are more boats here per capita than any other city in the world. Take a leisurely cruise on a harbour ferry or a skippered yacht. A day trip to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf is a great break from the city, as is a trek up the volcanic Rangitoto Island. Auckland is the biggest Polynesian city in the world and yet has a friendly big town feel. It is, however, truly cosmopolitan in taste with many cinemas, theatres and entertainment venues, as well as cultural centres and shopping oases from high street stores to quirky suburban markets. The city’s Museum stands proud amid the large, well-tended Domain Park in the heart of the city. Art galleries and other museums, such as the Maritime Museum at the Viaduct (a complex built for the America’s Cup yacht racing) give a potted impression of New Zealand culture. For your own viewpoint, take the elevator up the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere and watch the city below your feet as you stand on re-enforced glass panels if you are daring. The view is remarkable and if you’ve a head for heights and a stomach for thrills, you can even Sky Jump off the top! It’s mere minutes to leave the city behind and find yourself heading northwards on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. This winding country road passes some of Northland’s prettiest beaches, excellent vineyards and rolling farmland. Stop off for take-out food at a beachside store or stay the night in one of the many bed & breakfast places – both homes and hotels on your way to the far north. Around four hours drive from Auckland is the Bay of Islands. Sparkling seas, uncrowded beaches and at least as many things to do as there are islands - 144! Snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving are all favourite past-times up this way or you can try your hand at some big game fishing or dolphin watching. Spend a few days sailing or kayaking from beach to beach at your own pace. Further north, you’ll discover remote and tranquil fishing and seaside villages, deserted surf beaches and campsites that come alive in summer. The fishing is plentiful and many restaurants will cook your catch for you. At low tide, you can even join the locals knee-deep in the tidal waters collecting ‘pipis’ (a seafood delicacy). In nearby Kerikeri, enjoy fruit and vegetables picked fresh from the orchards and the town’s famous avocado oil. Perhaps it will be here that you get the chance to have a go at a time-honoured Kiwi summer tradition - the back-yard barbecue where everything from steak to sausages to seafood is cooked on the hotplate. CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND – WAIKATO, VOLCANIC PLATEAU AND EAST COAST The lands between Auckland and the capital city, Wellington, are perhaps the most diverse of all the regions in New Zealand. Active volcanoes and Maori marae (meeting houses), tranquil lakes, ski fields and magical underground glow worm grottos, thermal mineral pools and river trout fishing - this region goes far beyond the ordinary. Two major touring routes have been designed to take in the most stunning places: the Thermal Explorer and the Pacific Coast Highway. The roads of the Thermal Explorer route lead you across the volcanic plateau with its fiery history obvious wherever you look. Around Rotorua and Taupo, geothermal parks full of spouting geysers and boiling, bubbling mud pools, majestic volcanic mountains and eerie lunar-like landscapes beckon. Experience a cultural Maori performance where myths of New Zealand’s heritage are relayed through hypnotic and endearing song and dance. This can be followed by a meal of a traditional Maori ‘hangi’ where food is steamed underground. Thrill-seekers will love the adventure pursuits and fast-paced activities available here: skiing or snowboarding, cycling, sailing or windsurfing, a furious jet boat ride on the mighty Waikato river. And for the quiet pleasure-seeker: luxury lodges tucked away around Rotorua and Taupo ready to welcome you with warm hospitality. The landscape above ground looks spectacular and below ground is something special too. Waitomo Caves is a massive, natural labyrinth of limestone passages and caverns adorned with stalactites, stalagmites and the tiny lights of millions of glow worms. Glide silently through the eerie darkness on a small barge or don a wetsuit for some crazy ‘black water rafting’. The other major scenic route, the Pacific Coast Highway, is less frenetic but in every way as stunning. This road meanders around the East Coast, allowing you to take in the white sand beaches of the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty en route to the Art Deco city of Napier. Along the way, you’ll be tempted to stop often at picturesque seaside towns and award-winning vineyards, farms and orchards. The Coromandel Peninsula is a popular holiday destination for locals, featuring dozens of villages scattered with ‘baches’ (traditional New Zealand holiday homes). A few hours further south is the bustling port city of Tauranga and more laid-back neighbour, Mt Maunganui, with its popular surf beach, cafes and holiday homes. Take the coast road around the East Cape and you’ll be mesmerised by the mystical lands here where legend has it faeries dwell in the misty mountains and in reality whales visit people where ocean meets land on idyllic white sand beaches. This is the area the recent movie ‘Whale Rider’, was filmed. Do what the locals do and cast a line, bait a hook or dig in the sand to find your dinner. Fishing and gathering shellfish are an integral part of the lifestyle down this way. The Hawke’s Bay area is the place to enjoy Chardonnay, locally grown olives and fabulously fresh fish. In both Napier and Gisborne most of the best restaurants are centred around the port area so you can expect a sea view as well as a seafood menu. It’ll be fun to linger in the nearby orchard town of Hastings and get up early to shop at the local Farmers Market, where you’ll find a huge range of organic and gourmet local produce. TARANAKI & WHANGANUI RIVER REGION The enchantment of native forest, gracious gardens, solitary beaches and mysterious rivers of the lower western reaches of the North Island are appealing to everyone. Whether you’re just passing through for a few days, or prefer to take your time to get to know the locals and legends of the area, you’ll leave with some inspirational stories to tell. The region’s National Parks are a sudden jolt from any unusual environment. Winding canyons, seemingly lost highways splashed by surf and look! - a perfect snow-cone volcano. You’ll see why this extraordinary area attracts location-seeking film crews and nature lovers alike. If you’re feeling adventurous, kayak down a wild Whanganui River rapid, follow a path through Mount Taranaki’s Goblin Forest or take the three-day trek to the remote, bush covered ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. Even in the comfort of your car, the Lost World highway is a wonderful experience – as too is visiting the fabled hill country township of Whangamomona, where a hardy 25 souls staunchly resist the slide towards urbanization. The area around the sunny city of New Plymouth is well known for its black sand surf beaches as well as its parks and gardens, particularly the dazzling array of rhododendrons and azaleas on display in spring. Many private gardens are also open for public viewing all year round. New Plymouth is home to a lively art world, with galleries and inspirational artists. Enjoy the innate elegance of historical boutique accommodation. In the city of Wanganui entertaining heritage walks offer a peep of the past, while a huge wind farm in the Manawatu gives a glimpse of a high-tech future. For a complete change of pace the uncluttered rural environment of the Rangitikei River valley and surrounding hill country is your chance to give the challenge of country living a go. City slickers or anyone at all can try new skills like sheep shearing on a farm stay. Or you can just ‘have a yarn’ (chat) with the locals in the pub while sampling the excellent brews of the region. CENTRE STAGE – WAIRARAPA, WELLINGTON, MARLBOROUGH, NELSON This region is well-known for its creativity, countryside and radical coastline. Starting from the top, an hour north-east of Wellington in the Wairarapa is the famous wine region of Martinborough, home to some of New Zealand’s most prestigious Pinot Noirs and Rieslings. Lively cafes, restaurants and gourmet food stores complement the vineyards as do the cute cottages, luxurious lodges and rustic farm stays where you can stay a while. An hour’s drive to the south is New Zealand’s political and cultural capital, the city of Wellington. Draped artistically across several hills and with amazing views across Cook Strait to the South Island, Wellington is an individualistic, vibrant, creative and altogether charming city. Attracting countless painters, writers and sculptors, as well as politicians working at ‘the Beehive’ (Parliament) Wellington boasts some of the country’s finest galleries and museums, including the imaginative and interactive Te Papa National Museum. Wellington also hosts an excellent arts festival every year, featuring an enviable selection of artists and musicians from all over the world. The smallish city – pinned in by hills and therefore compact - has over 350 restaurants, bars and cafes. It’s incredible to think that downtown Wellington has more dining choices per head of population than New York! The next stop is across the Cook Strait to the northern tip of the South Island. To get there means a blissful two and a half cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. You can explore this marine paradise by kayak, by foot or by boat. Either way, the dramatic coastline, deep, natural harbours and golden beaches mean you’ll want to linger. From here, you can explore the idyllic Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman National Park at a leisurely pace, or go rafting or caving at Ngarua Caves. This area is incredibly rich in rare New Zealand wild life; for a closer look, visit one of the many sanctuaries throughout the region. A step closer to civilization is another celebrated wine-growing region, Marlborough. While Sauvignon Blanc is considered to be the region’s specialty, Marlborough’s Methode Traditionelle and Chardonnay wines are also gaining a following. Wine lovers could get very distracted down this way as there is a myriad of award-winning wineries to visit, many of which offer superb meals, views and live music. Nelson township has a welcoming feel with colourful cafes and a sense of latent excitement. Nelson is home of the extraordinary Wearable Arts Awards which takes art off the wall and on to the catwalk. Follow the art trails around Nelson and get to know the creators in their own environment. Another wine region, Nelson is also becoming increasingly known for its excellent Chardonnays. MID SOUTH ISLAND – CHRISTCHURCH, CANTERBURY AND THE WEST COAST New Zealand is a land of extremes and nowhere is this more obvious than in the middle of the South Island. Sliver-flat plains are dwarfed by the immense, snow-clad mountains that form the Southern Alps. Primordial rainforests hug close to rain-hungry farmland. And the modern, commercial urban areas offer a wonderful contrast with the wild, historic coastal settlements. On one coast is the verdant ‘garden city’ of Christchurch, where there is a pervading sense of England in the structure and architecture of the city. Set yourself adrift on a punt on the Avon River, glide over the Canterbury plains in a hot air balloon, or meander slowly around the stunning Botanic Gardens. The nearby spa town of Hanmer Springs is a respite too, where you can soak in cleansing mineral waters. Take a scenic spin to the charming Gallic town of Akaroa, originally a French settlement, on Banks Peninsula. Stay the night at a bed & breakfast place and enjoy the unique blend of French and New Zealand cuisine and hospitality. Head north now to unmissable Kaikoura where you can take a boat trip and see one of natures’ most magnificent mammals – the Giant Sperm Whale. View this awesome creature in its ocean environment along with Dusky dophins, sea birds, fur seals and other local wildlife. Cross the country to the other coast and it’s the wild, wild West. This World Heritage area is a world apart from the more tranquil East Coast. Here you’ll discover some of nature’s more miraculous creations: rain-forest slopes, icy blue glaciers, Pancake Rocks and the fairytale Punakaiki blowholes. Be sure to take home another of nature’s marvels found in this vicinity - Maori designed carvings and jewellery in beautiful greenstone (jade). This is ‘heartland’ New Zealand and staying here is like taking the pulse of this unique country. Bisecting the two extremes of this region is the massive Southern Alps. For one of the most unforgettable rides you’ll ever experience take the Transalpine Express train across the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass. This trip is considered one of the top six train journeys in the world. DUNEDIN , COASTAL OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND For the perfect combination of peaceful, untouched nature with a dash of city bustle, head south to Dunedin. The first Europeans to reach Dunedin were Scottish settlers, and this is evident in the style of architecture and the city’s traditions. A university city, Dunedin is fast gaining an excellent reputation in clothing design. Fashion collections by local designers are showcased at the city’s premier annual fashion show held at the neo-Gothic style Dunedin Railway Station during Summer. Dunedin is a world capital of eco-tourism and the Otago Peninsula teems with watchable wildlife such as Hector’s Dolphins, seals and sealions, not to mention the giant Royal Albatross and Yellow-Eyed Penguins - the planet’s rarest penguins. The most southern tip of mainland New Zealand is a place featuring a 160 million year old fossilised forest and an absolute abundance of wildlife. You may have heard about Bluff oysters; a favourite New Zealand delicacy. Try them for yourself with a chilled glass of fine New Zealand wine or beer. But there is further to go still and more to see past the mainland. Take a ferry ride south to Stewart Island. This is a place so unspoiled you can watch kiwis (our eponymous native bird) feeding on the beach by moonlight, oblivious to your presence. QUEENSTOWN, WANAKA, CENTRAL OTAGO AND FIORDLAND The pride of natural New Zealand. Snow-capped pinnacle mountains compete for your attention with virgin lakes and ancient fiords, round grassy hills and plunging canyons. Around Queenstown and Wanaka, Lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau are picturesque places to kayak, jet boat and sail. The rivers’ rapids cause even more excitement by being used for white water rafting, river surfing and canyoning. Take to the cool mountain air for a parapent, bungy jump or grand flight seeing. Or explore gold rush country and the 1900’s style gold-mining townships of Central Otago where you can now horse ride, mountain bike or take off on a four-wheel drive safari. The grandeur of the scenery is fittingly reflected by a great selection of excellent boutique hotels, country lodges and five-star resorts. Local delicacies such as Cervena, ( New Zealand venison) Southland crayfish and sublime New Zealand wines will hearten you as you explore one of the world’s treasures. Further south on the West Coast is world-famous Fiordland. The walking tracks in this region will leave you short of breath from the awe-inspiring views along the way. Famous walking tracks include the Routeburn, the Milford, the Greenstone, the Hollyford and the Rees-Dart. The silent, untouched splendour of the fiords and sounds will leave you lost for words. Cruise the fiords by boat, take a flight among the mountains, discover the history of the area at a little local museum or have a round of golf at one of the world’s most southern – and superb – golf courses. It seems that in this World Heritage area, even the most leisurely of pleasures is wildly invigorating. Here are some great examples of typical New Zealand shown in a not so typical fashion. For more information, contact us.................. |
