New Zealand

Pictures of New Zealand

After you have visited New Zealand you will find yourself cringing... that’s because you just won’t be able to stop yourself using clichés! ‘Out of this world’, ‘awesome scenery’, ‘it blew my mind’... we could go on but we think that you’ve probably got the picture!

The world’s youngest country is visually stunning and offers a warm welcome to holidaymakers. New Zealanders are always keen to show off their country’s many colours, textures and vast wilderness. Great forests, snowy mountains, empty beaches, impressive fiords and lakes, beautiful wildlife – no wonder being outdoorsy is a way of life over there.

Our selection of self-drives and escorted tours cover the best of what New Zealand has to offer. Take a look and see which combination suits you best. Whichever holiday you choose though you will find that there is much to explore.

This land was first the home of the Polynesians and so no surprise then that there is a bountiful collection of heritage sites and cultural experiences throughout and many of our tours bring you close to the Maori culture.

We also introduce you to many natural phenomena. It’s a fact, in New Zealand your camera will be well used, with 14 national parks, over 25 marine reserves and some of the best scenic views in the world.

Information New Zealand

Country guide
Capital city Wellington
Population

4,268,000

Area

New Zealand cities

Auckland, the city of volcanoes, here you are never far from beautiful rolling hills, a stunning coastline, getaway islands and a super selection of restaurants and bars. What’s more, the natural world is within easy reach of Auckland. Why not head east to the local’s favourite holiday destination, the Coromandal Peninsula.

New Zealand’s ‘Garden City’, Christchurch has a genuine vibrancy about it. Situated on the South Island it’s a city full of green spaces wrapped around lots of things to do and see. Top of this list should be the Botanic Gardens, the Arts Centre and Art Gallery, the Cathedral and Cathedral Square... and don’t miss the very unique International Antarctica Centre. Queenstown - one phrase, ‘totally inspiring’. Here is a town which is a four season lake and alpine resort. Surrounded by mountains this is an activity mecca offering bungee jumping, skydiving, skiing, jetboating, white water rafting and more sedentary activities such as hiking, fishing, walking, sightseeing and dining out. Queenstown has a handy location for visiting New Zealand’s largest National Park, Fiordland. Here you will find some of the country’s must see sights, the best known scenic icons being Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. No wonder this area has attained World Heritage status, it is both dramatic and beautiful boasting mountains, lakes, fiords and rainforest.

Last but not least Wellington, explore the lovely harbourside capital city of Wellington. Learn all about the New Zealand heritage and history, visit the natural museum of Te Papa and take to Mount Victoria for fantastic panoramic views. Wellington has a thriving café culture, as well as offering lively bars and nightclubs. Shoppers head to the Lambton Quarter and be sure to take the cable car to the end of its line for inspiring city views. Will you spot the spotted kiwi at Zealandia?

West Coast New Zealand

What an incredible area to explore! This region boasts 5 National Parks – Paparoa, Kahurangi, Arthur’s Pass, Westland and Mount Aspiring. Excellent walking tracks and astounding views greet you at every turn. And for jaw dropping scenery, Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, also out west, will inspire you with their blue ice, deep crevasses, natural spring water and free flowing mountain water.

Rotorua

Don’t let the cobbled streets and the Tudor architecture of the beautiful city of Rotorua fool you. Here is in the heartland of Maori culture and full of geothermal forces! Situated on the North Island there is much to explore here but don’t miss the geysers, mud pools, hot springs and Maori cultural experiences at Whakarewarewa and Te Puia.

Bay of Islands

No wonder the Bay of Islands is New Zealand’s top holiday destination. Here you can do as much or as little as you like, enjoy the uncrowded beaches, go sailing, see the dolphins and take a cruise to the Hole in the Rock off Cape Brett.

Tongariro National Park

This World Heritage Park offers some dramatic scenery and the volcanic wilderness will take your breath away. The area boasts some of the best hikes in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing being just one. From the mountains to the Tasman Sea,

the Whanguanui River offers yet more great walks and peace and quiet like you have probably never experienced before.

Abel Tasman National Park coast

Located in the Nelson region on the South Island, this is New Zealand’s smallest National Park. However good things come in small packages! Golden beaches, inspirational beach coastal tracks, rocky outcrops of granite, marble and limestone...

oh, and sunrises on the beach which will definitely have you reaching for your camera!

Local time

13 hours London Heathrow to Singapore (Time Difference: GMT + 8)

9 hours Singapore to Christchurch (Time Difference: GMT + 12)

10 hours Singapore to Auckland (Time Difference: GMT + 12)

Climate
Climate / season

New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere:

Spring (Sept - Dec); Summer (Dec - Mar); Autumn (Mar - Jun) and Winter (Jun - Sep). 

The North Island has a subtropical climate whilst the South Island is generally cooler. During winter, the temperatures can reach freezing but snow is usually limited to the high peaks of the Southern Alps.

Culture
Politics Prime Minister Helen Clark since 1999
Clothing

In keeping with New Zealand's lifestyle, dress is informal on most occasions. Even in the top restaurants and clubs, men are generally not expected to wear formal suits. Due to the ever changeable climate, we recommend taking both lightweight cottons and warm clothing. Comfortable shoes and a light raincoat / umbrella are advisable as rain can be expected at any time of year.

New Zealand 

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