|
NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL GUIDE
In spite of its relatively remote location New Zealand has successfully established itself as a genuine player on the global tourism scene, pulling in visitors in their thousands every year with its diverse natural scenery, modern but informal atmospheres of its towns and cities, and its friendly locals.
Split into the North and South islands, the country is home to an extremely wide range of geographical features and accompanying ecosystems, and visitors can enjoy everything from glacial mountains, pristine golden sandy beaches and roaring rivers, to majestic lakes, tranquil forests and seething geothermic fields. Major cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offer well-established tourist infrastructures plus a wealth of dining, shopping and entertainment options. Adrenaline-junkies will love Queenstown.
* * * * * * * * *
NEW ZEALAND WEATHER - When to Go
New Zealand’s climate is similar to that of the British Isles and shares the same degree of unpredictability. Generally, the country experiences warm summers, cool winters and considerable rainfall across the seasons. Spring and summer are typically transitional seasons in terms of temperature.
Though the promise of great weather does not come with any cast iron guarantees, summer (January and February) is the best season in which to take a holiday in New Zealand. If the weather is favourable, visitors can expect temperatures to reach the mid-20s (°C), with Auckland most likely to see hot spells. Rainfall is by no means uncommon in the summer, so it pays to pack a waterproof jacket.
If a skiing holiday is more your thing then December through March is the ideal period to visit Canterbury and the South Island, when plenty of snowfall guarantees excellent winter sport opportunities. Elsewhere, July is typically the coldest month.
* * * * * * * * *
NEW ZEALAND HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
NORTH ISLAND
Auckland: is the country’s largest city and deserves at least three days of exploration in order to see sights such as the splendid harbour (and the many boats there - Auckland is known as the “City of Sails”), One Tree Hill and Mount Eden, and to appreciate Auckland’s excellent shopping and dining opportunities. Themed attractions such as Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World and Rainbow’s End theme park are ideal for kids, while come summer time the beaches are the perfect place to make the best of long sunny days. A number of museums and art galleries are on hand for those visitors with cultural leanings. The Auckland Museum, with its Maori artifacts, should be high on the list of priorities. Also head up the Sky Tower (NZ’s tallest building) for views of the city, day or night.
Bay of Islands: in the north of the North Island, this is an ideal place to get away from Auckland’s relative hustle and bustle for a day or two. You can also go swimming with dolphins here.
Rotorua: Enjoy your time in Rotorua by soaking up its laid-back ambience and small town charm, and enjoying the attractions provided by the geothermic activity in the area. Geysers and bubbling pools of mud are a dominant feature of Rotorua and are heated by the same source that provides the town’s Polynesian Spa with its naturally hot pools. Head to Te Puia or the Tamaki Maori Village if you have an interest in Maori culture, or to the ruins of the Te Wairoa Village if you are interested in history.
Wellington: is the country’s capital city and offers modern amenities plus a wealth of attractions and entertainment options. Family visitors will enjoy themed centres such as the Wellington Zoo and Wet 'n' Wild, while culture seekers will love venues such as the Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa), the Museum of Wellington City and Sea, the City Gallery and the Pataka art gallery. Between them, shopping malls such as the BNZ Centre, the Capital on the Quay and the Old Bank Arcade present a huge array of retail outlets, while across the downtown area a myriad of restaurants cater to the dining needs of residents and visitors alike. Also look out tfor the Bee-hive-shaped building – the country’s parliament (which apparently is earth-quake proof).
SOUTH ISLAND
Queenstown: is the place to head if you are fond of outdoor sports and pursuits, as the landscape and geological features of the city and its surrounds lend themselves well to all manner of activities. On the Kawarau and Shotover rivers, jet boating and white water rafting are musts for thrill seekers, while at Lake Wakatipu a variety of water sports are available. For adrenalin junkies, bungee jumping and skydiving are among the many extreme sports available. Skiing, meanwhile, is possible in the winter season at resorts at Cadrona and Treble Cone. Visitors preferring more sedate experiences will love the natural beauty on offer at Fiordland National Park and the Kiwi and Birdlife Park.
Christchurch: is the second-largest city in the country and should be given at least three days if not longer if you are to fully appreciate both its natural and manmade beauty. A distinctly English ambience presides over the city centre, created by locations such as Oxford Terrace, Cathedral Square and the scenic Avon River which winds its way through the city. A good selection of colonial architecture presents sightseeing opportunities while modern malls offer a rich array of retail outlets for shopping enthusiasts. Come winter, the nearby mountains are popular with skiers and snowboarders.
Dunedin: boasting Scottish heritage, an albatross colony and a chocolate factory, this ‘Edinburgh of the south’ is worthy of a short visit.
Nelson: in the north of the South Island, is a gateway to its three surrounding national parks and makes for a pleasant, short stop-off. A good place for doing some canoeing.
* * * * * * * * *
NEW ZEALAND HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
Food and eating out: New Zealand’s cuisine is described as Pacific Rim and has evolved out of gastronomic influences from Polynesia and Southeast Asia. It also has its share of dishes from Great Britain so don’t be surprised to find favourites such as fish ‘n’ chips and roast beef. Pies are also popular especially as a fast food option.The big cities are home to the widest selection of restaurants and feature establishments offering both national and international fare. Locations near the ocean benefit from seafood restaurants. Don’t miss a Maori hangi, a barbeque of sorts where the meat is cooked in a pit oven.
Entertainment and nightlife: on the North Island, cities such as Auckland and Wellington offer the liveliest evening entertainment scenes, while on the South Island Canterbury and Christchurch are home to reliably vibrant scenes. Traditional pubs are favoured by the older generation, while trendy bars and nightclubs attract younger crowds. The country’s casinos are popular with locals and visitors of all ages.
Accommodation: the selection of hotels across the country is excellent and the standard of accommodation is high. Backpackers are provided for with hostels and cheap guesthouses, while package holiday makers have plenty of options with good budget to 5 star hotels available throughout the country.
* * * * * * * * *
NEW ZEALAND FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
Direct flights are available between London and Auckland with Air New Zealand. The plane will land on-route in the USA or Asia, depending if you are flying east or west to get to NZ (which is pretty much half way around the world from the UK, meaning either direction is suitable in theory).
In practice, heading eastwards may be preferable, with stop-overs in Dubai and/or one of the major Asian flight hubs such as Singapore or Bangkok an ideal way to break up the very long journey, as well as adding something extra to your holiday, as long as you are not strapped for time. For this reason it is worth exploring what flight deals both Singapore Airlines and Emirates have to offer.
Travel sites such as Expedia.co.uk and ebookers also provide a good selection of flight deals with the various airlines.
|
