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Cities

Auckland

Auckland has something for everyone—great beaches, a beautiful harbour and fantastic shopping, together with the nightlife and culture you would expect of a large metropolitan city. Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and is their centre of commerce and industry. Surrounded by beautiful deep-water harbours and islands, Auckland is known as the city of sails. Here you will find some of the finest restaurants offering succulent fresh seafoods and award-winning local wines.  Auckland is a truly cosmopolitan city adorned with galleries, museums and theatres. Here are just some of the places not to miss:

Auckland CBD offers great shopping and a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars plus top-class museums and art galleries.

Cruise the sparkling waters of Waitemata Harbour and enjoy the sight-seeing or

visit one of the nearby islands.

Sky Tower. At 328 metres tall, Sky Tower is the tallest building in New Zealand and is actually the tallest freestanding structure in the Southern Hemisphere. Not only can you go up inside the tower for spectacular views and dining, if you are game enough, you can actually go for a stroll on the outside of the tower! There’s also an area below with over 20 bars and restaurants, a 700-seat theatre and a world-class Casino.

Mission Bay is one of the best places to visit in Auckland. Just minutes from the CBD it offers a glorious beach front with water sports activities, as well as shopping and extensive restaurants and bars. Whether you want to eat, drink, play, swim or shop, you’ll find it all at Mission Bay.

Waiheke Island. Just 35 minutes ferry ride from Auckland CBD, you will find Waiheke Island. This highly popular and unique island is home to a range of vineyards, where you can taste some of New Zealand’s finest wines. It’s also a sanctuary for nature and wildlife and offers walking and hiking tours with some spectacular scenery.

Rotorua

Rotorua, is one of the most fascinating places you could ever wish to visit.

Famous for its unique geothermal activity and Maori culture, Rotorua will surprise and delight you with its hot mud springs and the 30 metre tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts several times a day. Bathe in the hot thermal springs or enjoy the amazing sights or visit the Whakarewarewa living Maori village.

Taupo

Taupo is located near the centre of New Zealand’s North Island.  Situated on the shores of the beautiful Lake Taupo, it’s actually a huge volcano with a fiery history. Its most recent eruption, in 181 AD, was large enough to change the sky as far away as Europe and China. Taupo is famous for its outdoor sports, these range from fishing to jet-boating, hiking and trail bike riding. Here you can fish for trout, ski nearby Mount Ruapehu or explore the local geothermal springs. Popular Taupo attractions include a prawn farm, lake cruises and New Zealand’s first public cable wakeboarding park plus guided kayak expeditions to see the rock carvings at Mine Bay.

Palmerston

Palmerston North is about two hours’ drive north of Wellington. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it’s known for its rose gardens and has been called the ‘Rose City’. Only a short drive away from the picturesque Tararua and Ruahine Ranges, which has the stunning Manawatu Gorge. If you are a rugby enthusiast, you will love the New Zealand rugby museum. Here you can see everything from the oldest rugby jumper and rugby ball to Dan Carter’s boots.

Wellington

Wellington is located at the bottom of the north island in a magnificent harbour setting.  Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the home of the Beehive, the distinctive bee-hive shaped building that serves as New Zealand’s parliament house. Places of interest include the cable car, featuring panoramic city views and a history museum. The Botanic Gardens, Wellington Museum, Mount Victoria Lookout and the Wellington Harbour. Lots to see and do here in a sophisticated city with a vibrant nightlife with plenty of hip restaurants and bars.

Christchurch

Christchurch is located on the east coast of the south island. Known for its English heritage, unfortunately, many of the original historic buildings were destroyed by earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Take a ride in a flat-bottomed boat along the Avon River, which wanders through the city or go for a ride on a gondola to the top of Mt. Cavendish and enjoy the spectacular views of the city. Other places to visit are the Botanic Gardens and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve which features Maori cultural performances. And don’t miss the International Antarctic Centre. This simulated Antarctic experience, features penguins and huskies and rides in amphibious Hagglund vehicles.

Dunedin

Dunedin is known for its spectacular scenery,   wildlife and rich cultural history. Founded by a Scotsman in 1848, it is often called the Edinburgh of the south, Dunedin actually means Edinburgh in Gaelic. Visit the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, awarded TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award and share the stories of Dunedin’s European pioneers. Take a walk along the Dunedin Street Art Trail and experience artworks from international and local artists, painted on giant wall canvases. Other places of interest include Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, built by William Larnach in 1871. The castle boasts a 3,000 square foot ballroom where they hosts high tea at 3pm every day.

Queenstown

Queenstown is one of the most picturesque cities in New Zealand. Set against the dramatic southern alps, there is spectacular scenery here that would rival anything you might see in Switzerland. Home of the original bungee jump, Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world. Here you can go jet-boating, skydiving, white water rafting, zipline riding and ride the luge. In winter, Queenstown is the centre of snow sports with skiing and snowboarding but any time is a good time to visit here. If you are the less adventurous type, there’s plenty of great restaurants and wineries to enjoy or take a gondola up Bob’s Peak and enjoy the breath-taking views across Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range.