New Zealand Main Citys and Regions
North Islands Main Cities
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Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city Auckland shines as the commercial and cultural centre of New Zealand. Its location on 50 islands and 48 dormant volcanoes makes it unusual and breathtaking to behold. With New Zealand’s largest airline hub, Auckland is the perfect place to start your New Zealand vacation.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Sky jump off the Sky Tower; visit Waiheke Island ‘the island of wine’; surf Piha beach; discover art and culture; kayak to Rangitoto island.
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Wellington (New Zealand's capital)
Wellington is a compact and walkable city known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. With a downtown area only 2 km across, most major attractions and cafés, restaurants and shops are within easy walking distance from hotels. Wellington also offers a little Hollywood glamour – the majority of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was filmed in and around the city. And the city is also the gateway to New Zealand’s South Island, with regular ferry services.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Visit Weta Workshop; discover Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum; get your coffee fix; ride the Wellington Cable Car.
South Islands Main Cities
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Christchurch (gateway to the South Island)
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city, and one of the world’s most unique destinations. Bordered by the Port Hills and the Pacific Ocean, it is situated on the Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps as a majestic backdrop, allowing for a huge array of experiences all within just a few hours’ drive. Christchurch international airport is the second-largest behind Auckland.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Visit Waipara Valley Wineries; visit the historic French settlement of Akaroa; explore Banks Peninsula.
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Dunedin
Dunedin is considered one of New Zealand’s four major historic cities and is the largest city in the lower South Island. Originally settled by Scottish settlers, Dunedin still retains a strong and proud Scottish heritage; even its name, 'Dunedin,' is Gaelic for 'Edinburgh'. As New Zealand’s oldest city, Dunedin is famous for its stylish Victorian and Edwardian architecture as well its close proximity to marine-based wildlife on the stunning Otago Peninsula.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Meet local wildlife, visit Larnach Castle, visit Port Chalmers, see the Moeraki Boulders, walk the world's steepest street.
The North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui)
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The Far North
The Far North is considered the birthplace of Aotearoa New Zealand. The first canoes arrived here on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour, and later the Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in the Bay of Islands. Natural and cultural history abound in the region everywhere you look.
Much of the Far North's extensive coastline remains unspoiled—an aquatic playground for adventure activities and escapist relaxation.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Cape Reinga (top of New Zealand); Te Paki giant sand dunes; Gumdiggers Park; Bay of Islands; Poor Knights Marine Reserve diving; Waipoua Forest (New Zealand's largest tree).
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Waikato and the Coromandel
Just south of Auckland, the Waikato is famed for rugged beaches, underground glow worm caves, the Hobbiton movie set and rich farmland.
The Coromandel Peninsula sports picturesque beaches and a whole range of attractions and activities.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Enjoy a visit to Hobbiton; explore Waitomo Caves; kayak Cathedral Cove; marvel at Hot Water Beach; ride the Driving Creek Railway; walk the Coromandel Coast.
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Rotorua
The seething power of the inner earth comes to the surface in Rotorua. Explore the region's geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Maori people. Rotorua highlights include Mount Tarawera, Whakarewarewa Forest, Ohinemutu, several stunning lakes and many amazing geothermal locations.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Feel the warm embrace of Maori culture; indulge in a therapeutic hot pool or mud bath; become a human Zorb bubble; raft down a seven-metre high waterfall; wing your way to geothermal wonders.
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Taupo and the Central North Island
This region is one of New Zealand's top tourist destinations with beautiful forests, volcanic mountains and stunning Lake Taupo. It's also the adventure capital of the North Island, with jet boating, bungy jumping, world-class mountain biking, and snow activities. Walk one of the local hikes for a close-up experience of Tongariro National Park (a World Heritage area), or simply relax in one of the region’s geothermal hot springs.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing; Visit the thundering Huka Falls; Cruise on Lake Taupo; Discover the Bridge to Nowhere; enjoy high tea at Chateau Tongariro.
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Napier, Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa
Loved for its sunny climate, fabulous beaches, sheltered coastal plains and long-established vineyards. The Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa region covers Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and Martinborough. Napier is the main 'port' city of Hawke's Bay and has the second largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world behind Miami.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Tour the many wineries and cellar doors; explore Art Deco architecture; hike or bike up Te Mata Peak;, treat yourself to boutique accommodation; tee off at Cape Kidnappers golf course; discover historic Greytown.
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North Island's East Coast
Catch the first sunrise of the world's new day and explore a stunning coast that few people know well. The North Island's East Coast incorporates Tauranga, Gisborne, and remote East Cape—the easternmost point of the main islands of New Zealand.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Hike Tauranga’s iconic Mount Maunganui; get up close to stingrays on the Tatapouri reef; surf the East Coast waves; climb the 700 steps of the East Cape Lighthouse.
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North Island's West Coast
The North Islands West Coast is a place to find the soulful beauty of New Zealand's heartland, and also home to the dynamic cities of New Plymouth and Palmerston North. Fringed by a coastline of stunning surf beaches, Mt Taranaki is ever-present in this region—a huge, dramatic volcanic cone with a snowy top in winter.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Discover the region’s heritage and dramatic scenery; explore volcanic islands.
The South Island (Te Waipounamu)
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Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough
The very top of the South Island has luxurious experiences and space aplenty. Discover the Marlborough wine region, Abel Tasman National Park, and the vibrant cities of Nelson and Blenheim, along with the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Explore Abel Tasman National Park, visit the home of hops (New Zealand’s craft beer capital) cruise Marlborough Sounds, wine tasting, watch or swim with dolphins.
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Kaikoura and Canterbury
Kaikoura is well known for its crayfish and marine life (its name literally means 'to eat crayfish' in Māori. It's also famous for whale and dolphin watching tours. Here, coastal and mountain experiences combine to create a place where there's something hair-raising thrilling, day-dreamingly relaxing, and breathtakingly beautiful for every traveller.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Visit Hanmer Springs thermal pools; travel on the TranzAlpine railway; discover marine life in Kaikoura.
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The West Coast
New Zealand's brooding West Coast has the power to touch your soul. A place of solemn mountains, icy glaciers and surreal coastal formations, it has an otherworldly and often untouched ambience. Yet the region is well known for its coal mining history alongside its abundant unique natural attractions. Visit the Oparara limestone arches in Karamea and Kahurangi National Park, check out Greymouth, the heart of the West Coast, and don't miss the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Visit Franz Josef and Fox glaciers; marvel at the Pancake Rocks and blowholes; see stunning Hokitika Gorge; visit Haast World Heritage site and the Old Ghost Road.
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Mt Cook Mackenzie Country
Mt Cook and the MacKenzie Country sit to the east of the Southern Alps in New Zealand's South Island. Mt Cook National Park was gazetted in October 1953 and established to protect the area's landscape, flora and fauna. At 3,754 meters, Mt Cook (Aoraki) is New Zealand's highest mountain. Tekapo, and Twizel, the two closest towns to Mt Cook, are also popular tourist destinations and holiday hot spots.
Iconic Activities and Locations
The Church of the Good Shepherd; Lake Tekapo; Tasman Glacier; Aoraki Mt Cook; stargazing.
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Queenstown and Lakes District
Spectacular Queenstown and the Lakes District are some of the most iconic tourist destinations in New Zealand. Located in the southwestern, unspoiled alpine region of the South Island, Queenstown is built around a pristine inlet on sparkling Lake Wakatipu. To the north of Queenstown is the world-famous ski area Cardrona and the glacier-fed lakes of Wanaka and Hawea.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Historic Arrowtown; horse riding in Glenorchy; skiing; jet boating; golf; Lord of the Rings tours; Mount Aspiring National Park; the Wanaka Tree; Gibbston Valley wineries; bungy jumping; experience lake Wakatipu.
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South Island's Lower East Coast
The Otago Peninsula boasts superb natural attractions in its abundant wildlife, only a 15-20 minute drive from Dunedin. Nowhere else in the world has the world's largest seabirds living so close to human settlement.
Further north on the Otago coast is Oamaru, often used as a movie set, and known for the grand white-stone buildings of its old harbourside precinct. On Moeraki Beach, about halfway between Oamaru and Dunedin are the unique, perfectly round Moeraki Boulders, which weigh up to four tons each.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Tour the historic town of Oamaru; see penguins and albatross; visit the Moeraki Boulders.
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Central Otago
Central Otago is a powerful landscape – arid and raw, with weathered ancient mountains, alpine herb fields and fast-flowing rivers.
In the 1860s, Central Otago was a gold-mining hub, but today's gold is wine. Pinot Noir, the most fickle of grape varieties, excels in these southernmost vineyards and most wineries offer tours and tastings.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Otago Rail Trail; vineyards; historic Clyde; Highlands car racing track; gold history; off-road driving.
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Fiordland
Fiordland, just 2 hours from Queenstown or Invercargill, is one of the southern hemisphere’s greatest wilderness regions. It has World Heritage Status for its spectacular natural features, remarkable beauty and role in demonstrating the earth’s evolutionary history. Its extraordinary scenic splendour has earned this region a reputation as a significant walking destination, and a 'must-see' status for anyone traveling to New Zealand. Among its gems are Mitre Peak, the stunning fiords of Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, the beautiful lake towns of Te Anau and Manapouri, and the Kepler, Milford and Routeburn Tracks.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Tour Milford Sound; explore Fiordland by kayak; go fishing; discover the beauty of Dusky and Doubtful Sound by helicopter; walk the Milford or Routeburn tracks.
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Southland and Stewart Island
Southland is the southernmost region of New Zealand. Here you can rediscover yourself and, given the luxury of time, you can encounter wild places in Southland that few have seen. Main centres in Southland include South Catlins, Gore, Invercargill, Bluff and Stewart Island.
Iconic Activities and Locations
Discover the remote Catlin’s coast; Bluff oysters; spot wild Kiwis; NZ Great Walks; Stewart Island nature cruises