Milford Sound, Fiordland newzealand.com New Zealand is a destination where everything’s close – from dramatic natural scenery to vibrant cities. Its extraordinary geography offers a hugely diverse range of unique things to see and do. Hike through lush rainforests near glaciers, soak in geothermal hot pools surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and relax on perfect white sand beaches that stretch for miles. Sail on turquoise waters dotted with picturesque islands or cruise through towering fiords past cascading waterfalls. End each perfect day indulging in award-winning cuisine paired with wine from local vineyards that stretch through every region. International airport Domestic airport Sailing Culture Geothermal Beaches KERIKERI Food and Wine Northland Heritage WHANGAREI Hiking 1 Kayaking Whale Watching Adventure Wildlife Auckland Mine Bay, Taupo AUCKLAND Cathedral Cove, Coromandel 1. Northland and Auckland 2. Thermal Explorer Highway NORTH ISLAND 3. Pacific Coast Highway / TE IKA-A-MĀUI As New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland sits on a massive Drive through the centre of the North Island and see the beating geothermal heart of the country, Follow this route from Auckland for a beach-infused road trip of spectacular sailboat-studded harbour, and offers buzzing nightlife, beautiful beaches, vineyards, passing crater lakes and volcanic cones that are the remnants of past eruptions. Starting south HAMILTON coastlines, forests and seaside villages, like in the Coromandel Peninsula. TAURANGA wildlife cruises and more. Head to the top of the 1000-foot-tall Sky Tower for a of Auckland, the highway runs through Hamilton then on to Waitomo; famous for its subterranean In Bay of Plenty, take a walk to the summit of Mount Maunganui for breathtaking horizon-spanning look over the city and the 50 islands that dot the harbour. Hop river rafting and glowworm caves. Step into movie history at Hobbiton near Matamata and tour Waikato views of the surrounding beaches, towns, nearby cafés and shops. Or take a trip on a ferry to one of the islands, like Waiheke, to enjoy a sunny day of food, wine the ‘Shire’ movie set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. In Rotorua, witness ROTORUA across sparkling blue waters by boat or helicopter to New Zealand’s most active and white sandy beaches. Travel north to arrive in the subtropical Northland, the geothermal geysers, bubbling mud pools and Māori cultural performances. Soak in thermal 3 volcano, White Island. Eastland’s relaxed coastal life is popular with surfers and spiritual home of New Zealand, rich in Māori culture, dense native forests, and hot springs or mountain bike through redwood forests. Further south at Tongariro it offers authentic Māori cultural experiences. Travel south to Hawke’s Bay for golden beaches and bays to sail, swim and kayak through. National Park you’ll find snow-capped mountains, fantastic hiking trails and ski fields. 2 Eastland outstanding wines and art deco architecture in Napier. TAUPO GISBORNE NEW PLYMOUTH Hawke’s Bay Taranaki 4 NAPIER WHANGANUI Waitangi, Northland Eagles Nest, Northland Hobbiton, Matamata Waitomo Caves, Waitomo Hahei Beach, Coromandel Coromandel PALMERSTON NORTH 5 Wellington KAPITI COAST NELSON WELLINGTON Nelson Tasman BLENHIEM 6 AUCKLAND 1 HR Marlborough WELLINGTON 45 MINS GREYMOUTH 1.5 HRS CHRISTCHURCH QUEENSTOWN 1 HR 1 HR, 45 MINS 1.5 HRS HOKITIKA DUNEDIN Canterbury 7 WHANGAREI West Coast 2 HRS CHRISTCHURCH AUCKLAND 1.5 HRS 3 HRS NEW PLYMOUTH HAMILTON 3 HRS 1.5 HRS TAURANGA Egmont National Park, Taranaki 1 HR Castle Point, Wairarapa Mackenzie ROTORUA TIMARU 3.5 HRS GISBORNE 4. Western North Island 3 HRS 5. Wellington and Wairarapa SOUTH ISLAND / 8 NAPIER The lower North Island, which includes New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington, The Western North Island is thrilling in both winter and summer, with Egmont Fiordland TE WAIPOUNAMU 2 HRS is the country’s creative hub. Indulge in fine wine, exquisite cuisine and coffee National Park home to the snow-capped Mount Taranaki, which provides PALMERSTON NORTH QUEENSTOWN excellent skiing in winter and wonderful tramping trails all the way to the 2 HRS culture at a range of excellent eateries, or absorb some of New Zealand’s art and mountain’s peak. During summer the region boasts excellent surf beaches, great WELLINGTON culture at Wellington’s many galleries and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa art galleries and always entertaining summer music festivals. To the east of the 3.5 HRS Tongarewa. Film buffs will get a kick out of Weta Cave, which features props and 1.5 HRS mountains, New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway, Whanganui River, is KAIKOURA BLENHEIM behind the scenes stories from a range of films including The Lord of the Rings Otago perfect for a guided kayak safari, or if you’re looking for something a little more 2.5 HRS 1.5 HRS and The Hobbit trilogies. Head north and you’ll reach Wairarapa and the Kapiti NELSON Coast, which are home to wildlife sanctuaries, wineries, world-class golf courses exciting you can brave the rapids of the Rangitikei River on a rafting trip. 9 DUNEDIN 3.5 HRS and artisanal food producers. GREYMOUTH Southland 4 HRS CHRISTCHURCH 2 HRS 3 HRS INVERCARGILL WANAKA TIMARU 1 HR 2.5 HRS QUEENSTOWN DUNEDIN 3 HRS 2.5 HRS INVERCARGILL STEWART ISLAND / 1 HR RAKIURA STEWART ISLAND Whanganui River, Taranaki Bridge to Nowhere, Whanganui National Park Wellington Mount Victoria, Wellington Abel Tasman National Park Fox Glacier, West Coast Macetown, Queenstown Oban, Southland 6. Nelson and Marlborough 7. Canterbury and West Coast 8. Southern Lakes 9. Pure Southern Land Marlborough is the gateway to the South Island, with travellers ferrying across the Known for rolling green pastures, jagged peaks of the Southern Alps and Nestled in the heart of the Southern Alps where The Remarkables mountain Hosting a wide range of well-preserved Victorian and Edwardian buildings as Cook Strait and through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. The area is renowned silvery beaches, Canterbury is home to world-class wildlife experiences, range meets Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is an adventurer’s playground in every well as spectacular rocky coasts, Coastal Otago and Southland are the perfect for its wineries, which are particularly noted for their world-class Sauvignon Blanc. lush vineyards and pristine glacial lakes. Christchurch, the largest city and season. Bungy jump right where the activity was invented at Kawarau Bridge or place for lovers of historic architecture and rugged landscapes. Drop by Dunedin Enjoy a tasting of award-winning vintages of years past and outstanding regional airport gateway in the South Island, is a place of intense creative energy as its jet boat down the Shotover River. Spend an autumn day looking at relics from and visit the historic Speights Brewery or take a trip out to the majestic Larnach cuisine at on-site restaurants. Located just west of Marlborough, Nelson overlooks residents rebuild in the wake of the 2011 earthquake. Drive north to Kaikoura the gold rush at Arrowtown, take a trip to Wanaka for winter skiing or embark Castle. The coast is also a treasure trove of incredible geological and wildlife the stunning Tasman Bay and Abel Tasman National Park, replete with golden to have to an up-close whale watching experience any time of year and to on a scenic helicopter flight over the Mount Aspiring National Park. Explore the sights including the Moeraki Boulders, blue and yellow-eye penguin, albatross and sand beaches and known for being one of the sunniest parts of New Zealand, it feast on delicious fresh crayfish. Head to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park breathtaking natural wonders that are Milford and Doubtful Sounds, witnessing fur seal colonies. At the bottom of New Zealand, Stewart Island is home to a wide is perfect for hiking, cycling, kayaking, fishing or taking a relaxing cruise. and fly by helicopter or hike to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. their spectacular beauty either on the water or with a hike along the Milford Track. range of rare native species, making it perfect for nature walks. Yealands Estate Vineyards, Marlborough Wharariki Beach, Nelson Aoraki Mt Cook, Canterbury Kaikoura Queenstown Glenorchy, Queenstown Penguin Place, Central Otago St Clair, Dunedin DRIVE TIMES (hours) Aotearoa / New Zealand 2:15 8:00 3:30 2:00 7:00 6:30 8:15 4:45 5:15 4:30 3:30 7:30 4:30 9:45 Whangarei Westport Manawatawhi / Great I 8:00 6:30 6:30 12:00 4:00 4:30 2:00 5:45 4:45 6:30 7:00 2:30 8:15 Wellington Wanaka 7:00 2:30 6:00 2:30 6:30 5:30 5:30 6:30 3:00 3:45 2:30 1:30 6:15 Te Anau 3:00 9:45 Lighthouse Whitianga Place of leaping Tom Bowling Lighthouse Cape Reinga Spirits Bay North Cape (Otou) 5:15 5:45 4:00 9:30 3:00 2:00 1:00 3:45 2:45 4:30 5:00 Whanganui Queenstown 2:15 1:15 8:00 (Te Rerengawairua) Bay Cape Reinga 1:30 5:00 1:30 5:30 4:15 4:15 5:30 2:00 2:30 1:30 Picton 10:00 11:45 9:00 3:30 Cape Maria van Diemen Te Hapua Thames Waitiki Parengarenga Harbour Landing 2:30 3:30 1:30 6:30 3:30 4:00 4:45 1:00 2:00 Tauranga Nelson 1:45 10:15 12:00 9:00 2:45 Great Exhibition N Te Kao in Bay 3:15 4:00 2:00 7:15 2:00 3:30 3:00 1:00 Aoraki / Mt Cook 9:00 8:00 3:15 5:00 2:15 7:15 e Taupo ty M 2:45 3:30 1:30 6:45 3:00 4:00 4:00 Rotorua Milford Sound 6:30 13:45 13:30 4:00 1:45 4:45 11:30 i newzealand.com le Rangaunu Dune surfing Bay Karikari Peninsula 6:15 5:00 4:45 10:00 2:15 3:00 Palmerston North Invercargill 3:30 5:00 12:00 11:15 2:30 2:00 3:15 10:00 Surfcasting B Houhora e a Heads c Tokerau Beach h Doubtless 4:30 7:00 3:00 8:30