New Zealand - Land of Contrasts
From the hot springs and geysers of Rotorua to the glaciers and dramatic plunging fjords of the South Island, New Zealand is a land of incredible contrasts.
Luxuriant rainforests, spectacular fiords, volcanoes, snow capped mountains and long empty beaches of golden sand are just some of the ingredients of a holiday in New Zealand. The green and rolling landscapes, particularly where the sheep graze, are very reminiscent of England - but with better weather!
Lovers of the great outdoors have all they could wish for, with jet boating, white water rafting, kayaking, tramping and skiing or bungi jumping for the brave! You can watch whales and swim with dolphins.
Another attraction is the fascinating culture of the country's first inhabitants, the Maori. Strongholds of Maori culture are the East Cape and Northland, but it is probably Roturua that provides the best introduction to the traditional Maori way of life. The excellent museums at Wanganui, Aukland and Wellington offer further insight into the history of this Polynesian people. But what perhaps, in the end, makes a trip to New Zealand into something really special, is simply the friendliness and hospitality of the Kiwis (colloquial name for all New Zealanders) themselves.
Food is great in New Zealand. Aukland, Wellington and Christchurch have a particularly cosmopolitan range of food on offer, from Italian, Indian and Mexican to Thai and Chinese. Seafood is excellent and for meat lovers the local lamb is superb - and as for the wines, New Zealand produces some of the best white table wines in the world. However, a strong cup of tea in the morning and a cool beer after work is still a fairly accurate summary of the drinking habits of most New Zealanders!
Start from Auckland and explore Northland, which is one of the most picturesque parts of the country. With its sub-tropical climate and superb beaches it’s an ideal destination for those seeking to escape a British winter. Boat trips around the islands, yachting, scuba diving and big game fishing are fantastic ways of enjoying yourself outdoors.
The Volcanic heartland of the North Island is a must. Volcanoes, hot-pools, geysers and crater lakes form a most spectacular and unique landscape. Tongariro National Park, with its three volcanoes is a popular destination for trampers in summers and for skiers in winter. A highlight for all visitors is the thermal region around Rotorua with its numerous mud-pools and geysers. This is also the centre of Maori culture and the Whakarawarewa village offers a rare insight into traditional Maori society.
The East Cape and Hawke's Bay on North Island is blessed by long warm summers and mild winters and is famous for Napier - the "Art Deco Capital of the World" and the wild Te Urewera National Park. It also has wonderful secluded beaches.
The beautiful capital city of Wellington has an amazing harbour and the surrounding area is famous for the boat trips though Manawatu Gorge and the Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre. At the cape itself is nothing but a lighthouse, a seal colony and all the peace and quiet you could want.
Over on the east coast at Kaikoura, visitors have the chance of getting close-up views of gigantic sperm whales - a fascinating experience.
The West Coast (Westland) will bring you to a thinly populated sliver of land bounded on one side by the Tasman Sea and on the other by the rainforest-clad slopes of the Southern Alps. This used to be gold-prospecting country and the shantytown near Greymouth is evocative of that era.
The Southern Lakes and Fiordland were carved by glaciers thousands of years ago and the landscape here is magnificent. It is brilliant for outdoor activities and lovers of nature. No visitor should leave the region without taking a cruise on Milford Sound. The scenery is quite stunning and makes a visit to this fiord one of the absolute highlights of any trip to New Zealand.
Christchurch feels distinctly English, but behind is the alpine majesty of the Southern Alps. The old French settlement of Akaroa is charming and the Gallic influence persists.
New Zealand is a magic place and one visit will never be enough to appreciate the charm and splendour of this varied land. The New Zealanders warmly welcome visitors to their country and they have some truly excellent hotels. For real luxury consider Blanket Bay at Otago; Eichardt’s Private Hotel, Queenstown and Grasmere Lodge, Christchurch – all in South Island. Huka Lodge at Taupo; Lake Taupo Lodge; Solitaire Lodge or Treetops Lodge at Rotorua and Wharekauhau County Estate at Featherstone are all wonderful North Island venues. Huka Lodge was voted one of the world’s best hotels in 2006. All these hotels are in prime locations surrounded by some of the most amazing scenery in New Zealand.
Now all you need to so to log on to the hotel’s web sites, book your first class ticket and dream of a holiday of a lifetime.
Editorial by Pamela Wilkinson.