Het beste van Nieuw-Zeeland

About the destination: Auckland is the largest metropolitan area in both Polynesia and New Zealand and a vibrant city with multicultural influence. It is located between two natural harbours, the Waitemata Harbour and the Manukau Harbour and it is dubbed the City of Sails, since it has the highest number of boats per capita in the world. In the city center, there are many galleries, museums, theatres, trendy bars, and top class restaurants which offer an extensive range of cuisine. The Skytower dominates the city’s skyline and offers a spectacular view of the city. Queen Street, the commercial hub area, starts at Waitemata Harbour and runs for nearly three kilometres in a virtual straight line. From the city centre you can walk to the Auckland Domain and the Museum, Albert Park, Parnell, a lovely historic precinct, and up to Newmarket with its many shops. From there it is not far to Mt. Eden and its impressive crater, and to Cornwall Park which is at the foot of the famous One Tree Hill. One Tree Hill, an extinct volcano cone and ancient Maori settlement offers great panoramic views of this sprawling city. Cosmopolitan and charming, Auckland is easily accessible, beautiful, and with plenty to do. It certainly is New Zealand's most vibrant city.

About the destination: Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the historic towns of Russell and Kerikeri, 60 kilometres north of Whangarei. Missionary Henry Williams named the mission station Marsden's Vale and eventually the Paihia became the accepted name of the settlement. Nearby to the north is the historic settlement of Waitangi, and the residential and commercial area of Haruru Falls is to the west. The port and township of Opua, and the small settlement of Te Haumi, lie to the south.

About the destination: The Coromandel Peninsula (Māori: Te Tara-O-Te-Ika-A-Māui) on the North Island of New Zealand extends 85 kilometres (53 mi) north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier protecting the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west from the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is 40 kilometres (25 mi) wide at its broadest point. Almost its entire population lives on the narrow coastal strips fronting the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty. In clear weather the peninsula is clearly visible from Auckland, the country's biggest city, which lies on the far shore of the Hauraki Gulf, 55 kilometres (34 mi) to the west. The peninsula is part of the Thames-Coromandel District of the Waikato region.

About the destination: Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing Rotorua and several other nearby towns. The majority of the Rotorua District is in the Bay of Plenty Region, but a sizable southern section and a small western section are in the Waikato Region. Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Government Gardens is an immaculate park near the CBD, where there is also the city museum and the famous Blue Baths. • Hamurana Springs are a group of natural water springs in a beautiful reserve next to the Hamurana golf course. • The Lakes. The lakefront has a scenic promenade from where you can see Mokoia Island.

About the destination: Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand, located in the middle of the North Island. It was recognized by UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites of mixed character, because it mixes culture and nature.

About the destination: New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The main tourist attractions are the botanic gardens (i.e. Pukekura Park), the critically acclaimed Len Lye Centre and Art Gallery, the 11 km Coastal Walkway alongside the Tasman Sea, the Len Lye-designed 45-metre-tall (148 ft) artwork known as the Wind Wand, Paritutu Rock, and views of Mount Taranaki/Egmont.

About the destination: Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. Wellington is a compact city as it is nestled between the magnificent Wellington Harbour and surrounding green hills. Wellington is a culturally enriched city with a high emphasis on the arts and it is considered the cultural hub of New Zealand. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the stormy Cook Strait is the reason why Wellington is dubbed the Windy City. The town itself is quite compact with most things to see within easy reach. The most important attraction in Wellington is the beautifully refurbished Parliament Buildings, located in the historic suburb of Thorndon. The complex is made up of 3 architecturally distinctive buildings: the Edwardian neo-classical Parliament House, the Victorian Gothic Parliamentary Library and the unique 1970’s style Beehive building, considered the city’s main landmark. Nearby the Parliament Buildings, visitors will find lots of good shops, cafés, Te Papa Museum and Courtenay Place for entertainment. Not too far away are the Ferry terminals and the Caketin, Wellington Stadium. Providing landscapes full of beaches, mountains, old Victorian townhouses, good lookout points, trendy clubs, parliament buildings, music, art, and so much more, Wellington really is a pleasant and beautiful destination.

About the destination: Picton is a town in the Marlborough Region of New Zealand's South Island. The town is located near the head of the Queen Charlotte Sound, 25 km (16 mi) north of Blenheim and 65 km (40 mi) west of Wellington. Waikawa lies just north-east of Picton, and is often considered to be contiguous part of Picton. Picton is a major hub in New Zealand's transport network, connecting the South Island road and rail network with ferries across Cook Strait to Wellington and the North Island. The town has a population of 4,350 (June 2018), making it the second-largest town in the Marlborough Region behind Blenheim. It is the easternmost town in the South Island with a population of at least 1,000 people. The town is named after Sir Thomas Picton, the Welsh military associate of the Duke of Wellington, who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo. Author Katherine Mansfield spent time in Picton where her grandparents, Arthur and Mary Beauchamp, and her father Harold, lived for some time when they came from Australia. She included a reference to the port in her short story "The Voyage" (in the collection The Garden Party), which is "an account of a trip to Picton from Wellington on the Cook Strait ferry".

About the destination: Blenheim is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough, in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of 31,300 (June 2017). The surrounding area is well known as the centre of New Zealand's wine industry. It enjoys one of New Zealand's sunniest climates, with hot, relatively dry summers and cool, crisp winters. Blenheim is named after the Battle of Blenheim (1704), where troops led by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough defeated a combined French and Bavarian force.

About the destination: Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson region. Nelson city is bordered to the west and south-west by the Tasman District Council and the north-east, east and south-east by the Marlborough District Council. The city does not include Richmond, the region's second-largest settlement. Nelson is well known for its thriving local arts and crafts scene, Each year, the city hosts events popular with locals and tourists alike, such as the Nelson Arts Festival. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Cumulus Paraglidin. • Nelson Wineries. • Nelson Walkways. • Nelson Market. • Abel Tasman National Park. • Creative Tourism workshops. • Skydive Abel Tasman. • Queens Gardens.

About the destination: Greymouth is a town on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Its History House Museum has exhibits chronicling the town’s mining and jade-hunting past. To the south, Shantytown Heritage Park is a re-created gold rush town with a museum and steam train. North of Greymouth, the Point Elizabeth Walkway winds along coastal clifftops to the forests of Rapahoe Scenic Reserve, home to abundant birdlife.

About the destination: Franz Josef Glacier / Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere is a 12 km (7.5 mi) long temperate maritime glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Together with the Fox Glacier 20 km (12 mi) to the south, and a third glacier, it descends from the Southern Alps to less than 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level. The area surrounding the two glaciers is part of Te Wahipounamu, a World Heritage Site park. The river emerging from the glacier terminal of Franz Josef is known as the Waiho River.

About the destination: Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and just above the town; Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. One of the best views is from the top of Bob's Peak reached by the Skyline Gondola. Breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks.

About the destination: Te Anau is a town in the Southland region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. Lake Te Anau is the largest lake in the South Island and within New Zealand second only to Lake Taupo. The 2013 census recorded the town's population as 1,911. The town has a wide range of accommodation, with over 4,000 beds available in summer Tourism and farming are the predominant economic activities in the area. Lying as it does at the borders of Fiordland National Park, it is the gateway to a wilderness area famed for tramping and spectacular scenery. Many tourists come to Te Anau to visit the famous nearby fiords Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. The town is also used as a base for those undertaking the Milford Track and the Kepler Track, the latter being a 4-day loop from Te Anau. Visitors to the area also partake in activities such as kayaking, cycling, jet boat riding, fishing and hunting, farm tours and seaplane/helicopter sightseeing. In 2014, readers of New Zealand's Wilderness magazine voted Te Anau as the best location in New Zealand for tramping (hiking) opportunities. Rising on the west side of Lake Te Anau, the Kepler and Murchison mountain ranges are evident from most of Te Anau. Many species of bird life are also found locally, notably the endangered Takahe which can be found at the Fiordland Wildlife Park. The Department of Conservation office in Te Anau is active in protecting endangered native birds Te Anau hosts the Kepler Challenge in early December each year. Te Anau is connected by highway with Invercargill to the southeast, Queenstown to the northeast, Gore to the east, and Manapouri to the south. It is at the beginning of the Milford Road, the section of State Highway 94 that leads to Milford Sound, which lies 120 kilometres to the north. A local attraction is the Te Ana-au Caves across Lake Te Anau from the town. The caves include an underground glowworm grotto, which can be viewed from a punt during daily guided tours. Te Anau has two schools; Fiordland College and Te Anau Primary school.

About the destination: Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It sits amid rich farmland that is bordered by large areas of conservation land and marine reserves, including Fiordland National Park covering the south-west corner of the South Island, and the Catlins coastal region. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Esk Street. • Wachner Place is a civic open area that captures the sunshine nicely and has become a place to sit and people watch. • Bank Corner. These three bank buildings no longer house the banks they were built for but it is worth admiring. • Southland Fire Service Museum. • Queen’s Park is on the northern edge of the central business district. • Southland Museum and Art Gallery.

About the destination: Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. Dunedin is still considered to be one of the four main cities of New Zealand for historic, cultural and geographic reasons. Dunedin was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS - Cadbury World, 280 Cumberland St. Take a guided tour of the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, a factory that accounts for more that 75% of New Zealand's chocolate production. - Speights Brewery. - Fortune Theatre. - The Octagon. - The Organ Pipes. - The Victorian architecture especially the Old Railway Station a couple of blocks from the city centre. - Otago University. - The Royal Albatross Colony.

About the destination: In the centre of the South Island of New Zealand lies Lake Tekapo, a ski resort in winter and aquatic playground in summer. Lake Tekapo sits at the edge of its 20 kilometer glacial lake namesake, completely surrounded by mountains, including New Zealand’s impressive Southern Alps. The landscape is outstanding, sculpted by successive Ice Age glaciers, the remnants of which continue to discharge fine ‘rock flour’, giving the lake its intense turquoise hue. The sky is huge and of extraordinary clarity, making Lake Tekapo one of the world’s best locations to probe the heavens from its observatories atop Mt John. The unforgettable night sky reveals why Lake Tekapo has a reputation for clear, clean air.

About the destination: Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-most populous urban area. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Christchurch Cathedral built between 1864 and 1904 in Cathedral Square and its replacement ""Cardboard Cathedral"", at 234 Hereford Street, an easy walk North West of its beloved forebear • Arts Centre. Gothic Revival stonework of former University campus. However, the beauty and historical significance of these building can still be appreciated by viewing them from surrounding streets such as Worcester Boulevard and Hereford Street and the excellent Canterbury Cheesemongers still operates from a modern building within its precincts. • Botanic Gardens. • Canterbury Museum. Maori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. • Ferrymead Heritage Park. A recreated Edwardian township and museum with horse and carriage, tram and train rides. Due to the voluntary nature of the historical societies managing Ferrymead, not all attractions may be running at all times. • International Antarctic Centre. A world-class Antarctic experience with simulated polar weather, Hagglund All-Terrain Vehicle ride, penguins, extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions, cafe and gift shop. • Orana Wildlife Park. New Zealand's largest wildlife sanctuary and conservation project featuring endangered animals from around the world. The park's design minimises fences and cages in favor of natural boundaries and habitats. • Willowbank Wildlife Reserve • Yaldhurst Museum. Mostly interesting for its collection of over 150 classic and vintage vehicles. • Riccarton Bush. The last remaining forest remnant on the Canterbury plains is in Christchurch city. If your time is limited in NZ, this is a great way to experience an example of the country's native forests. • Earthquake Tourism Tours of affected sites both inside and outside the ""red zone"" are available. Visitors can also make their own way to sites of particular significance such as Christchurch Cathedral; the Catholic Basilica and the construction site of the Cardboard Cathedral.