Let’s Plan Our Holiday

New Zealand consists of two large islands and several small ones in the south-western Pacific Ocean. The South Island is the larger of the two and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps. Here Aoraki/Mount Cook is the highest peak of the country and the National Park that stretches out along its slopes is partly covered with glaciers (Tasman, Hooker, Murchison and Mueller Glacier). Further south Fiordland National Park is a World Heritage site. Mount Aspiring National Park (loved by climbers) is the land of mountains, glaciers, river valleys and alpine lakes. Another mountaineering hotspot is Arthur’s Pass National Park. The Nelson Lakes National Park is known for its beech forests with spectacular native birds. Hiking through the mountainous park, offers fantastic scenery looking down on the lakes. At Paparoa National Park you can explore the blowholes, caves and famous Rocks of Punakaiki.

On the North Island, Egmont National Park holds Mount Taranaki, New Zealand‘s most climbed mountain (dormant volcano). Whanganui National Park named to the river that passes through the mountain slopes is a paradise for bird watchers. Tongariro National Park with the Volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu is a Wold Heritage Site with Steaming craters, old lava flows and thermal lakes. In Te Urewera National Park that holds the largest native forest of the island, Lake Waikaremoana is the main attraction.

Auckland is the largest city, a perfect landing point to New Zealand, a dream city to stay with its multicultural atmosphere, and a perfect departing point for all other destinations. Wellington, the capital, is a rather small city positioned between the harbour and green hills. Wairarapa in the south-east corner of the North Island is where you’ll find vineyards, acres of apple orchards, fields of lavender, olive groves, wonderful food and lovely wine. Queenstown, at Lake Wakatipu is known for its First Class Holiday Resort and offers great skiing possibilities in winter. Roturora is the most preferred tourist destination on the North Island. The area is known for the thermal activity (geysers, hot springs, bubbling mud pools).