New Zealand : Discover Tour

Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand, home to almost a third of the country’s inhabitants. Featuring a rich Polynesian heritage, spectacular beaches, and a buzzing nightlife, Auckland is a world-class destination that has much to offer its visitors. The city sprawls out from the two bustling harbours dotted with super yachts and over 70000 watercrafts. Adrenaline junkies love Auckland for all the leisure activities on offer, including sky jumps, canyoning, kayaking and more. Art galleries, top-notch restaurants, shopping centres and markets add to extensive sightseeing in and around the city. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the iconic Sky Tower and take in the splendid city views.

Waiheke Island offers stunning vineyards, gorgeous olive groves and spectacular beaches, all just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. This once sleepy destination is now a holiday hotspot for New Zealand’s wealthy upper class. Waiheke boasts an impressive array of gorgeous galleries, quirky craft stores and tempting cafes. It is also the proud host to 19 high quality, boutique vineyards, many with excellent restaurants on site offering stunning views and serving a variety of culinary delights. Make sure to try New Zealand's fresh Pacific Rim cuisine, famous for its fresh, subtle or spicy dishes. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, zip-lining, clay pigeon shooting, exploring lush nature reserves, and exploring the sheltered bays with small surf making them ideal for a relaxing swim.

The city of Rotorua has been a spa town since the 1800s, thanks to the many geysers, hot springs and mud pools that can be found in what is one of the world’s most active geothermal fields. The Maori, who considered the region sacred, make up 35% of the population and a popular attraction is discovering their rich culture and traditions. Rotorua is surrounded by lakes, mountains, forests and other natural features that afford visitors the opportunity to try out a number of outdoor activities between relaxing sessions in the hot springs and pools.

Surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery at the foot of the majestic volcano, Mount Tarawera, lies the largest of the 18 magnificent lakes of the Rotorua region, Lake Tarawera. Visitors to the area spend their days: mountain biking or horse riding amidst the lush, native and exotic trees of the gorgeous Whakarewarewa Forest; exploring the fascinating living Māori village of Ohinemutu; taking scenic boat cruises to discover ancient Maori cave drawings; or relaxing at the secluded Hot Water beach, where geothermal springs warm the lake’s glistening waters. Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground with plenty of fishing, boating, and other watersports on offer. For an adventurous outdoor getaway in a spectacularly beautiful and peaceful natural environment, look no further than lovely Lake Tarawera,

Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and has stunning views of the surrounding alpine peaks. Considered by many as one of the world’s adventure capitals, it offers visitors a wide selection of adrenaline-boosting activities to choose from, such as bungee jumping, white water rafting, zip lining, skiing and skydiving. Queenstown also has a lively bar and restaurant scene, and for those who prefer the quieter things in life there are vineyards, golf courses, spas and wellness centres.

Milford sound, New Zealand’s most well-known tourist destination, is not really a sound at all but a fjord as it was created by a succession of glaciers which carved through the rocks as they gouged a track to the sea leaving in their wake the impressive rock formations visible today. Home to some diverse and particularly unusual wildlife including fur seals and crested penguins, as well as bottlenose and dusky dolphins, this geographical gem is a must-see for nature lovers. With the striking Mitre Peak towering over head, sheer rocky cliffs rise vertically out of the calm dark waters while nearby, the waters of the exquisite Bowen Falls plunge down a 520-foot drop before crashing dramatically into the fjord below. With its remarkable geographical setting and its unbelievable abundance of wildlife, it is easy to see why writer Rudyard Kipling once called Milford Sound the “eighth natural wonder of the world.”

Although it is the smaller of New Zealand’s two main islands, North Island is home to three-quarters of the country’s overall population, and the majority of its Maori population, whose rich culture and traditions can be experienced in the East Cape. Cosmopolitan hubs such as Auckland and Wellington offer modern delights, while landscapes comprising of black-sand beaches, serene lakes, island sanctuaries, active volcanoes and geothermal regions make the region a wonderland for tourists seeking natural beauty and the thrill of outdoor adventures.

The Bay of Plenty or Te Moana-a-Toi is a region in the North Island of New Zealand that covers 9,500 km² of coastal marine area and 12,200 km² of land. Here the earth is alive with geothermal activity so expect steaming hot springs, salt water pools, geysers and active volcanoes. The area attracts local and international visitors looking for a relaxed seaside holiday combined with adventure activities. It’s no wonder that Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson chose this area to as the film’s location. The region is one of the fastest growing areas in New Zealand, with the city of Tauranga its largest commercial centre.

The larger of New Zealand’s two main islands, the South Island encompasses incredible landscapes – from rainforests to snow-capped mountains, golden beaches and stunning glaciers. Many consider this the home of adventure tourism and adrenalin junkies will be spoilt for choice, with activities that include bungee jumping, kayaking and the six “Great Walks”. Although far less populated than its northern counterpart, the South Island boasts a number of towns and cities worth putting on your itinerary: visit Christchurch for its beautiful parks and gardens; pass through Dunedin to encounter penguin, albatross and seal colonies; or stop by Kaikoura for some of the best whale watching in the world