Vacationing in New Zealand
Articles > Vacationing in New Zealand
Articles > Vacationing in New Zealand
Living in New Zealand gives you the opportunity to thoroughly explore this amazing country. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, New Zealand will have a fantastic holiday experience for you. It’s impossible to list all New Zealand’s best holiday spots, so here’s a selection.
For Watersport, Fishing and Sailing Enthusiasts – The Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is a three-hour drive or a 35 minute flight from Auckland and is one of New Zealand’s top holiday destinations. There are 144 islands to explore offering pristine beaches, turquoise sea, lush vegetation and towering forests, wildlife and history. The towns in the area are steeped in history and famous for their Kiwi hospitality.
For the fishermen, The Bay of Islands is famous for some of the biggest snapper and kingfish in the world. Autumn and winter will let you reel in groper and warehou, while the warmer months will put marlin, snapper and kingfish on the dinner table.
For the divers, there is White Island, New Zealand’s only active marine volcano, plus endless reefs containing prolific fish life and shipwrecks to explore.
For the snorkellers, grab a rock lobster or a few green lipped mussels for the dinner table.
The activities are endless. Sailing, water skiing, jet ski tours, speed boat rides, walking, cycling, scenic flights, dolphin and whale watching, or you can just relax on the beach and unwind.
Milford Sound
South Island’s Milford Sound was described by Kipling as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’ and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its towering peaks, dark waters, waterfalls and forested cliffs can be found in Fiordland National Park. Milford Sound is a long narrow inlet which opens out into the Tasman Sea.
There are a variety of cruises to choose from, including an overnight cruise, which allows you to experience the silence and solitude of the stunning scenery without hoards of tourists. You can also go on kayaking tours and perhaps bump into penguins or dolphins. One of the other highlights is Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory. You can get a 360 degree underwater view at a depth of over 30 meters.
For the Foodies and Wine Lovers – Marlborough – South Island
Marlborough is responsible for over two thirds of New Zealand’s wine production, with 20,000 hectares given over to the vine. A massive 80% of the wine produced here is sauvignon blanc and it’s what initially put New Zealand on the wine map. There are over 30 cellars which offer wine tasting, some of which also have excellent restaurants for those who enjoy fine dining.
For Winter Sports Enthusiasts – Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt
There are so many resorts which offer great skiing and winter sports and Coronet Peak is one of the most popular. It’s the closest resort to Queenstown which means skiers can enjoy lots of après ski fun in the town. It’s also close to beautiful Wanaka. Coronet Peak has slopes for every level of skier.
Mt Hutt has twice won New Zealand’s Best Ski Resort in the World Ski Awards. Its famous for giving skiers perfect snow conditions and offer two learner lifts, four freestyle mountain parks and ski passes for varying skills and abilities. It’s around 90 minutes from Christchurch.
You can also go to Mt Cook and try heli skiing. They drop you off from a helicopter and off you go.
For the Beach Lover – So Many to Choose From
With a coastline of 9,300 miles (15,000 kms), you are spoilt for choice when it comes to beach holidays. This is a list of TripAdvisor’s 2017 Best New Zealand Beaches, based on reviews and ratings from TripAdvisor users.