Top 5 Destinations in New Zealand

Travellers to New Zealand vote with their feet to prove which are the top five most popular destinations in the country. This is where they go.

Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, with its twin harbours and sheltered bays, beaches and islands is New Zealand’s most dynamic metropolis.

Bay of Islands
One of the most beautiful New Zealand travel destinations The Bay of Islands, with its 144 islands and myriad of secluded beaches, it’s an aquatic playground.

Milford Sound
Dramatic and grand, Milford Sound is the most accessible of New Zealand’s fiords.

Queenstown
Arguably the action sports capital of the world, Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, hiking, mountain biking, and all kinds of snow sports plus golf, fishing, and lots more.

Rotorua
For well over a century Rotorua, with it geysers and pools of bubbling mud, has been the hot springs spa capital of the South Pacific.

Let us know about your favourite destinations in New Zealand and why they appeal to you.

Queenstown: The action capital

Queenstown is set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with The Remarkables mountain range as a dramatic backdrop. The town’s streets, lined with up-market shops, cool bars and any number of restaurants and nightspots, attract visitors from all parts of the world looking for outdoor adventure and natural beauty. Besides adventure and extreme sports such as white-water rafting, jetboating, hang gliding, snowboarding, and bungy jumping, there are more sedate Queenstown attractions such as steamboat lake cruises, mountain sightseeing, gold panning and trout fishing. Trelawn Cottages, just a 5-minute drive from central Queenstown, offer quality boutique accommodation. Must-visits include, Queenstown Waterfront, Queenstown Gardens, Skyline Gondola, and the Kiwi and Birdlife Park. Other Queenstown attractions, further from the town, include Milford Sound. Although Queenstown is a popular winter destination, its scenic beauty can better be appreciated in warmer months when fishing, golfing, wine tasting and boating are better enjoyed.

Stately Christchurch

Christchurch, midway down the East Coast of the South Island, is the South Island’s largest city. Tree-lined streets, traditional parks and heritage architecture give the city an English feel. From the spire of the Gothic Revival Christchurch Cathedral, you get a great view of the city. Be sure to visit the International Antarctic Centre, the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and the Canterbury Museum. The Grand Chancellor Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of the CBD.

Wellington: The cosmopolitan capital

An orderly city, Wellington is New Zealand’s political, cultural and shopping capital, set on a hillside in the south of the North Island. Attractions include heritage buildings, fine cultural institutions and museums, extensive public gardens and a vibrant city centre with trendy alfresco dining and excellent shopping. Outside the city is the East Harbour Regional Park, with its sheltered bays, views over Wellington Harbour and access to historic Pencarrow lighthouse. If you stay at the Mercure Hotel Wellington at the upper end of Willis Street, close to the city centre, you’ll be close to the Museum of New Zealand Te papa, Wellington Botanic Gardens, Museum of Wellington City and Sea, and Wellington Waterfront. Attractions outside the city include the East City Regional Park, and Karori Wildlife Park.

Auckland: City of Sails

New Zealand’s largest city, set around a lovely sheltered harbour, is a lively, multicultural city with beautiful beaches, heritage buildings, excellent museums, fine public gardens and a bustling city centre. The city’s mild weather encourages an outdoor lifestyle and this includes alfresco dining, particularly on the water’s edge. A stay at inner city hotels such as Latitude 37, a cosmopolitan waterfront apartment complex located in the Viaduct Harbour, or Sky City in the heart of Auckland, is just perfect for access to the attractions and shops. In fact, the city centre has lots of excellent shopping opportunities, from fashion outlets featuring local designers, to major world brand-name outlets. Queen Street and the little side streets running off it have many specialty shops selling quality New Zealand arts and crafts. Must-visits include Sky Tower, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Museum and the pretty Auckland Botanic Gardens. Other Auckland attractions outside the city include the Waitakere Ranges, Waiheke Island and Devonport.