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New Zealand Regions Northland
A natural playground
Whether your desire is to 'hook the big one', swim with dolphins, charter a yacht or dive the Poor Knights, you will be well catered for in Northland. Landlubbers can visit ancient Kauri forests, visit glow worm caves or horseride along a deserted beach.
 Auckland
Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping – you’re beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Auckland’s blend of islands, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world. Discover why Auckland is one of the best places in the world to live – and visit.
 Coromandel / Waikato / Waitomo
This popular peninsula with its Forest Parks and extensive coastline offers tramping, bush walks, loafing in the sun, swimming, fishing and water sports. Fish from inshore to deep sea make the peninsula a fisherman'a paradise. It is the ideal place for camping, motorhome holidays and for backpackers. To the south lies the Waikato, dairy capital of New Zealand, with large placid waterways, hydro lakes, hot springs, live kiwi viewing, glow worm and limestone caves.
 Bay of Plenty
An appropriately named paradise stretching from Waihi to Te Araroa. This holiday playground offers a variety of activities from sailing, surfing, and fishing. The perfect place for camping, motorhome holidays and backpacking. Bay of Plenty is internationally renowned for its horticulture. Fresh fruits can easily be purchased from roadside stalls throughout the year. There are many hot mineral and hot saltwater pools throughout the region.
 Rotorua
One of the world's finest sightseeing areas, launch trips, boating, fishing and swimming in over a dozen beautiful lakes. Wonderful camping and ideal for motorhome holidays or backpacking. Visit New Zealand's Thermal Wonderland with geyers, silica terraces, bubbling mud and boiling lakes. Rotorua is the leading cultural centre for the Maori people who perform regularly for visitors. Local trout springs rate highly for sightseeing, hand feeding of fish, bush walks and animals parks. Complete your day with a relaxing 'soak' in a hot pool.
 Central Plateau
Welcome to a great holiday experience. Rainbow trout fishing -- Lake Taupo, rivers (including the world famous Tongariro) and streams. Fishing season lasts all year. Guides available.
Holiday Parks with sites for camping, campervans, and backpacker accommodation are the perfect places to stay to be near all the regions' activities. White water rafting, canoeing. Hunting for deer and pigs. Guides available. Tramping backpacking, walking in forests or National Parks. Thermal area. Bathing pools. Live volcanoes. Spectacular falls. Excellent golf course. Lovely picnic areas for those who enjoy a relaxing holiday.
 Taranaki / Wanganui
To the north lie the West Coast's surfing beaches, to the south Wanganui and its famous river excursions.
Peaceful leisurely camping, caravan, or motorhome holidays, from river and surf fishing to mountain pursuits. Dominating this is Mt Egmont, surrounded by numerous beautiful parks and walkways. Throughout the area well appointed Holiday Parks are ready to welcome you.
 East Coast
Welcome to the East Coast which offers a range of marvellous and exciting holiday experiences with clear blue skies, clean fresh air and relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
This is a wonderful area for camping, motorhome holidays, and backpacking. Packed into its borders is an immense variety of natural wonders, dazzling beaches, flowing rivers, rolling green countryside, rugged mountain ranges and spectacular views.
Add to those natural splendours some fabulous places to stay, museums, gannets, arts and crafts, wineries, restaurants and many other attractions. The East Coast boasts a diverse range of holiday options to suit singles, couples and families.
 Lower North Island
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. It offers an unforgettable city experience in a natural setting. It is located between a beautiful harbour and rolling green hills. Wellington has excellent shopping, professional theatre and cafes and restaurants all close to untouched nature spots. Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum is on the waterfront. Walk to Te Papa from a central city restaurant and stop at a local fashion store or an art gallery on the way. Wellington is the arts and culture capital of New Zealand. Festivals and events are held here throughout the year. A highlight is the bi-annual New Zealand Festival – a month long arts festival.
Wellington is for nature lovers as well as arts and culture enthusiasts. The South Coast is one of Wellington’s most beautiful places. Visit the New Zealand fur seal colony or just watch the waves. Mountain bike through native bush at Makara Peak, or kayak out to Scorching Bay – the choice is yours. Discover New Zealand’s heritage in Wellington. The city is home to Parliament Buildings as well as many historic buildings and museums which tell the story of New Zealand.
 Nelson / Marlborough
This area starts at Picton, South Island Terminal for the Wellington-Picton Cook Strait Ferry. Launches leave for daily picnic and fishing cruises in Marlborough Sounds. Blenheim, New Zealand's sunniest spot, is 24km away on a scenic drive over the Havelock Hills. Nelson, the centre of a large fruit growing and cropping area, lies further south. A wonderful region for camping, motorhome and caravan holidays, and for backpackers.
 West Coast
Travel through hundreds of kilometres of scenic beauty, much untouched by man. Native forests interspersed with small settlements is the pattern of the West Coast.
A wealth of history, including old mining towns, coal mines, greenstone factories and mineral belts, makes this a mecca for rock hounds and an area of fascination for tourists. Scenic ski plane flights over Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, the Alps and Fiordland are a must. Whether you are camping or have a caravan or campervan the scenic Haast and Lewis Passes and Nelson Lakes are a joy to visit.
 Canterbury
Centrally situated is Christchurch, largest city of the south, surrounded by Canterbury Plains. Good highways link with Lyttelton and the French village of Akaroa.
To the north is Hanmer Springs, popular for mineral pools and forest walks. The Canterbury area is well supplied with rivers flowing from the Southern Alps, providing visitors with jet boating as well as excellent salmon and trout fishing.
Skiing is popular at Methven, Mt Hutt and Hanmer Springs areas. Two scenic highways, Arthurs Pass and Lewis Pass, take you to the magnificent mountain and forest scenery of the West Coast.
 South Canterbury / Otago
Here, set between the Southern Alps and the Pacific Ocean, you'll find some of New Zealand's most varied scenery, wildlife and architecture. Mount Cook, our highest peak, towers over deep glacial lakes. Timaru nestles among gentle slopes, overlooking beautiful Caroline Bay. Historic Oamaru features 19th century limestone buildings.
The Waitaki Valley offers great fishing and the russet colours of the lonely MacKenzie Country are unforgettable. Dunedin, University city of hills and harbour, cherishes New Zealand's richest heritage of Victorian architecture. The Pacific coast abounds with seals, penguins, colonies of migratory birds and the greatest sea bird of all, the Royal Albatross of Taiaroa Head.
 Central Otago / Southland
This area consists of three regions: Central Otago -- hot and fine for camping in summer and clear and cool for ice skating and skiing in winter.
Southern Lakes -- outdoor photographer's heaven. Magnificent mountains and lakes provide a scenic wonderland. Explore it with a campervan or caravan. Also a tramper's paradise, with Fiordland National Park, Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau. Southland -- presents a picture of rural prosperity with well kept houses and farms. This is also the gateway to Bluff and Stewart Island.
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