I've been to New Zealand a few times to date. These are
some of the places I've been which are of particular note
and recommended for a visit. There is, of course, a whole
heap more to see and do which isn't mentioned here so budget
for three weeks at least in New Zealand isn't enough if
you're determined to see the whole country. I'm three visits
in and still have plenty to do.
These are the top ten things I've enjoyed most so far
in New Zealand from both North and South Islands.
North Island
Auckland -
New Zealands largest and most vibrant city. The large
university contributes to Aucklands vibrant nightlife.
Sky City provides an ample amount of entertainment
including several restaurants, a pair of hotels and
a large Casino. "K-Road" provides purveyors
of more grungy venues for dining and drinking.
Wellington -
popularly, and justifiably, known as "Windy Wellington," New
Zealands capital city is home to Parliament (epitomised
by "The Beehive") and New Zealands most important
museum - Te Papa - which is also an excellent introduction
to The Treaty of Waitangi and Maori culture.
Napier / Hawkes Bay - Napier was rebuilt between
1931 and 1933 after a devastating earthquake, Napier
now boasts one of the worlds finest examples of Art
Deco architecture in the world. On sweeping Hawkes
Bay, Napier, Hastings and Havelock North all join in
a passion for wines which has developed into a reputation
for producing some of New Zealands finest wines.
Wai-O-Tapu -
for those of you not accustomed to volcanic landscapes
Wai-O-Tapu (near Rotorua) is a revelation. The variety
of colours of the rocks, landscape, dirt underfoot
and the water of the lakes is something to be in awe
of. While The Champagne Pool is the most famous feature,
observe the green lake from afar before you approach
it close up. The colour appears to change. Don't miss
the eruption of Lady Knox geyser every morning at 10:15.
Stratford
Glockenspeil - the Stratford Glockenspiel
is New Zealands first and currently only publically
acessible Glockenspiel. In addition to the figures
being larger than most European Glockenspiel firgurines,
unusually the Glockepiel also includes the spoken
word as well as the more traditional music.
Mount
Bruce - With a view to recreating the 70-Mile-Bush
the Department of Conservation has created the
Pukaha Mount Bruce Restoration Reserve. One of
the gerat attractions of Mount Bruce is the "Burrowcam" which,
with the light cycle reversed, allows the human
visitor to view the more usual activities of these
nocturnal creatures.
South Island
Christchurch -
South Islands largest city and home to what is, in
my opinion, New Zealands most beautiful square - Cathedral
Square - and its pre-eminent Catholic
Basilica. The Cathedral Square is dominated by Gothic
Revival Anglican Cathedral which, alongside the
Venetian Gothic former Post-Office and the Edwardian
Regent Theatre, is surprisingly cohesive.
Little
Blue Penguins at Oamaru - I visited Oamaru
on my last visit to the South Island in 2007 and
while I appreciate the history of Oamarus architecture
- the cutest little things I've seen where the
Little Blue Penguins. There's a breeding colony
in the harbour (a closed DOC reserve on the other
side of the harbour serves as a control) at which
visitors can learn about the Little Blue Penguin
and, at dusk, see them come ashore. Little Blue
Penguins come ashore throughout the year but, unsurprisingly,
most arrive during the breeding season between
November and March. If I had to pick one absolute must
to see in New Zealand - this is it.
Franz
Josef Glacier - There's no doubting the
natural beauty of the Southern Alps - or South
Island in general - but the Franz Josef Glacier
is a major draw - so there's more than a touch
of the "Leicester Square Experience." However,
this one is worth it. There are oppurtunities for
Blue Ice Trekking and several flights over the
Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Marvellous experience.
Wine
of Central Otago - with the wines of Marlborough
and Hawkes Bay dominating exports, don't miss the
oppurtunity to sample some Central Otago Pinot
Noir. Gibbston
Valley Winery,Olssens
of Bannockburn,Aurum
Wines,Peregrine
Winery and Chard
Farm are amongst many open to visitors - but
I strongly recommend Chard
Farm (dramatically set, great wines) and Aurum
Wines (great wines and foods such as chutneys!)
There's a lot of the Bungy jumping, jet-boating
thrill-seeking stuff around Central Otago - Queenstown
especially - but nones as good as the wine.
White
Heron Colony at Whataroa - The White Heron
Colony was another one of the highlights of our
2007 trip to the South Island. We're not
your standard ornithologists (I'm interested in
a different type of bird altogether!) but really
enjoyed our trip to New Zealands only breeding
ground for the White Heron. Our jetboat ride through
to the hide was certainly enjoyable. But not nearly
as enjoyable as our time in the hide where, during
breeding season, we were able to observe the once
nearly-extinct White Herons at close quarters.
Also in the area were Royal Spoonbill at the Little
Shag who also breed in the area.
Pancake
Rocks at Greymouth - the Pancake Rocks, a short
drive outside Greymouth on the west coast of South
Island, are a wonderful structure of geological making.
Layer upon layer of fossiled remains and assorted
sedimentation have ensured not only the irregular
erosion of the shore line and clear layers of shells
/ sedimentation etc etc which, unsurprisingly, look
somewhat like pancakes piled one-atop-the-other.
Hence the name, me thinks. Beware the splurge pool
- it can make you moist.
New Zealand - places not to miss
I've been to New Zealand a few times to date. These are some of the places I've been which are of particular note and recommended for a visit. There is, of course, a whole heap more to see and do which isn't mentioned here so budget for three weeks at least in New Zealand isn't enough if you're determined to see the whole country. I'm three visits in and still have plenty to do.
These are the top ten things I've enjoyed most so far in New Zealand from both North and South Islands.
North Island
Wellington - popularly, and justifiably, known as "Windy Wellington," New Zealands capital city is home to Parliament (epitomised by "The Beehive") and New Zealands most important museum - Te Papa - which is also an excellent introduction to The Treaty of Waitangi and Maori culture.
Napier / Hawkes Bay - Napier was rebuilt between 1931 and 1933 after a devastating earthquake, Napier now boasts one of the worlds finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world. On sweeping Hawkes Bay, Napier, Hastings and Havelock North all join in a passion for wines which has developed into a reputation for producing some of New Zealands finest wines.
Wai-O-Tapu - for those of you not accustomed to volcanic landscapes Wai-O-Tapu (near Rotorua) is a revelation. The variety of colours of the rocks, landscape, dirt underfoot and the water of the lakes is something to be in awe of. While The Champagne Pool is the most famous feature, observe the green lake from afar before you approach it close up. The colour appears to change. Don't miss the eruption of Lady Knox geyser every morning at 10:15.
Stratford Glockenspeil - the Stratford Glockenspiel is New Zealands first and currently only publically acessible Glockenspiel. In addition to the figures being larger than most European Glockenspiel firgurines, unusually the Glockepiel also includes the spoken word as well as the more traditional music.
Mount Bruce - With a view to recreating the 70-Mile-Bush the Department of Conservation has created the Pukaha Mount Bruce Restoration Reserve. One of the gerat attractions of Mount Bruce is the "Burrowcam" which, with the light cycle reversed, allows the human visitor to view the more usual activities of these nocturnal creatures.
South Island
Little Blue Penguins at Oamaru - I visited Oamaru on my last visit to the South Island in 2007 and while I appreciate the history of Oamarus architecture - the cutest little things I've seen where the Little Blue Penguins. There's a breeding colony in the harbour (a closed DOC reserve on the other side of the harbour serves as a control) at which visitors can learn about the Little Blue Penguin and, at dusk, see them come ashore. Little Blue Penguins come ashore throughout the year but, unsurprisingly, most arrive during the breeding season between November and March. If I had to pick one absolute must to see in New Zealand - this is it.
Wine of Central Otago - with the wines of Marlborough and Hawkes Bay dominating exports, don't miss the oppurtunity to sample some Central Otago Pinot Noir. Gibbston Valley Winery, Olssens of Bannockburn, Aurum Wines, Peregrine Winery and Chard Farm are amongst many open to visitors - but I strongly recommend Chard Farm (dramatically set, great wines) and Aurum Wines (great wines and foods such as chutneys!) There's a lot of the Bungy jumping, jet-boating thrill-seeking stuff around Central Otago - Queenstown especially - but nones as good as the wine.
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