In a country of 4 million people, 44 million sheep, and an endless list of vacation options, New Zealand’s tourism is flourishing. With a current income of $5 billion a year in tourism, they must be doing something right! You can shop every day of the week, enjoy the tons of bars, restaurants, and theaters, or satisfy your appetite for the latest and greatest adventure.
Although it’s easy to think of New Zealand as a “great place to travel to while you’re in Australia,” New Zealand is without a doubt a place on the map that’s an amazing place to visit in its own right. The country has a coastline that offers balmy and beautiful beaches. Wind surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, and surfing are just some of the activities you could find yourself doing in surf. Still, there are miles and miles of boardwalks perfect for just watching the sun set or rise.
New Zealand’s landscape and coastal waters are populated with fascinating wildlife. Still, despite the ubiquity of wildlife, the only indigenous land animals in New Zealand are lizards, frogs, and bats; all the rest—fallow deer, trout, salmon, Australian opossum, and rabbits—are “international” guests that were introduced by European settlers. There has always been a vibrant population of marine life, however; seals, penguins, and dolphins are among the many creatures that have been in NZ for millennia.
Mountains are one of the dominant features in the New Zealand landscape. In fact, about sixty percent of the South Island, and twenty percent of the North Island, can be classified as mountain land. Most of the mountains are relatively young and have not been blunted by wind, rain, or age, as in the case of most mountain ranges in America or Europe, and therefore still have retained their knife-blade and jagged features.
If you’re into extreme sports, New Zealand will be your cup of tea…or maybe, bottle of high-energy sports drink. Before you know it, you could easily find yourself bungee jumping, sky diving, paragliding, kayaking, white-water rafting, and more. There will probably be some new sports invented in between when you book your trip and actually get there! Those looking for a more easy-going vacation will have lots of ideas to play with, as well. New Zealand has world class wineries through which you can take a tour; explore the Maori and Polynesian culture; or check out the strong historical and architectural reminders of a colonial past.
Located on the North Island, Auckland, a city of 1.3 million people, is as crowded, cosmopolitan, and crazy as any huge city. There are several things that set Auckland apart, however. Known as the City of Sails, Auckland holds the distinction as having more boats per capita than any other city in the world. Also, Auckland is also home to its famous 48 dead volcanoes, as well as a natural beauty, the likes of which is not shared by many other cities on earth. If you’re looking for things to do (and you won’t have to look hard), you can visit Fisherman's Wharf for authentic New Zealand crafts; the complex is located beneath the Harbour Bridge on Auckland's North Shore. The Auckland Art Gallery, the Auckland Zoo, and the Regional Botanical Gardens are some other options.
Queenstown, the jewel of New Zealand’s South Island, has over 1 million visitors a year, and it isn’t hard to wonder out why. Queenstown, NZ, has excellent shopping, restaurants, cafes, and clubs. Famed for its international winter ski profile, Queenstown is also a brilliant spring, summer, and fall destination. This is when you get the best of its scenic beauty, easy walks, and endless opportunities to relax. Thrill-seeking may be touted as the major draw to this place, but quiet privacy is also readily available. Go fishing, golfing, gold-panning, wine tasting, or boating. Also, fans of the blockbuster movie trilogy, Lord of the Rings, will have the chance to see parts of Middle Earth. Three operators in the Queenstown area created tours to visit landscapes where many scenes were shot; all it takes is One Ring on the phone to set up your tour.
Wellington, New Zealand’s national capital, nestled up against Cook Strait (the waterway between the islands) has a beautiful curved harbor surrounded by beautiful hillsides dotted with houses. Wellington has reinvented itself to become New Zealand's entertainment and cultural capital. For example, the Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand, puts on events that have invigorated the waterfront with newfound life. Galleries, theaters, and shops abound, so much of it within walking distance.
Are you beginning to see why New Zealand is such a great place to visit? Start your journey Now.
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