If there’s one country that probably appears on more people’s bucket lists than any other, it’s New Zealand. Yes, it might involve the longest of long-haul flights to get there but, when you do, you’ll be rewarded with a holiday that will stay with you long after you landed back at home.
It’s hard to encapsulate in just a few words just what makes this such a special place. There are the people who will welcome you like an old friend, there’s the scenery that will almost literally take your breath away and there are the cities that, although smaller in scale than many others around the world, manage to pack in so much to see and do.
And then there are the activities for the adrenaline junkies or even for people who like to take things at a slightly more leisurely pace. So, join us on a whistle-stop tour of some of the highlights that are just waiting to be enjoyed.
Cities
Let’s start the tour in Auckland. It’s the country’s most metropolitan city and home to around a third of the country’s 5.3 million people. You’ll find an entrancing mix of the old and the new with the glass towers of the central business district rubbing shoulders with historic buildings from the days when Queen Victoria ruled the Empire. Head for Queen Street, sometimes known as the Golden Mile, for designer brands and high-end shopping.
There’s a very different experience awaiting you in Christchurch. Victim of a major earthquake in Christchurch in 2011 much of the city is enjoying a renaissance as new buildings go up. Christchurch is surrounded by agricultural land, and it has been described by many as the most “English” of New Zealand’s cities. You’ll find this reflected in many of the street names along with the preponderance of Anglican churches,
Finally, on to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand and home of its government. It’s also the unofficial cultural capital thanks to the many events that take place there every year including the International Arts Festival and the World of Wearable Art.
The one thing that may be in short supply for travellers is casino action. As it stands, their current laws prohibit any new casinos or even the expansion of existing ones. For those with time to kill while on the road, there is a lively online casino scene, and you can even take advantage of some bonuses compiled by Casino.org if you have some spare time. There are a few in the country but it’s no Las Vegas. Unless you’re in one of the big cities, your best option is most likely online.
Places to visit
However long you stay in the land of the long white cloud, you’ll never have enough time to visit its many splendours.
On the North Island, you really don’t want to miss out on Rotorua. Famous for its hot springs you’ll be able to see geysers spouting and other fascinating examples of its thermal displays. Nearby is Waimangu Volcanic Valley which is criss-crossed with walking trails. Plus your entry ticket includes a cruise on Lake Rotomahana where sulphurous gases bubble up from its bed.
When you’re near Auckland set aside some time to visit Waiheke Island. It’s about a 30-minute ferry ride from the harbour and at your destination you’ll find a haven of olive groves, sandy beaches and vineyards responsible for some of the country’s finest wines. The eastern part of the island is less developed if you fancy a taste of the wilderness.
For something that is quite unique at this latitude, be sure to visit the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers which descend from the heartland of the West Coast to the Tasman Coast. The best way to see them is on a helicopter excursion that also flies you around the slopes of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook.
Things to do
Once you’ve seen the sights and had your fill of cities, there’s still all the outdoor activities to enjoy that are synonymous with New Zealand. Go river rafting on the Kawarau River or take a trip on the Shotover River Jet Boat. A skilled driver will navigate you along the fast-flowing river between the towering Shotover Cavern around crags and boulders in a thrill-a-minute ride.
Lovers of natural history can go on an epic whale-watching trip to see these mighty mammals of the sea, along with dolphins, seals and perhaps even a majestic albatross gliding high above you.
Almost everywhere you go there will also be the opportunity to explore Maori culture and history. If you’re near Rotorua then the Mitai Maori Night offers the chance to enjoy an evening of traditional dance, stories and song culminating in a traditional Maori feast, or hangi, all cooked in a natural underground oven.
So if this has whetted your appetite for a visit to New Zealand, there’s no time like the present to start your planning. You’ll be sure of an experience that is quite unlike any other, anywhere in the world.
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
