| Is it any wonder? Since Hollywood launched | | | | Fox Glacier, good bases from which to plan |
| New Zealand big time onto the world's cinema | | | | your days exploring the glaciers. |
| screens with epic block busters such as Lord | | | | |
| of The Rings, King Kong and The Chronicles of | | | | Milford Sound. Your eighth wonder of the |
| Narnia, everyone wants to visit. | | | | world? |
| | | | |
| In fact, New Zealand is one of the most | | | | Legendary writer Rudyard Kipling was a well |
| popular travel search destinations, with | | | | traveled man. He called Milford Sound the |
| almost two million online searches for | | | | "eighth wonder of the world." |
| information each year, even beating out firm | | | | |
| favorites such as Hong Kong and London. | | | | Still down South, Milford Sound lies at the |
| | | | heart of Fiordland National Park, a World |
| New Zealand consists of two main islands, | | | | Heritage area. Cruising the clear, still |
| North and South about the size of Colorado. | | | | waters of the Fiord you'll encounter |
| With a population of around 4 million and | | | | magnificent sights, such as the awe-inspiring |
| English as the main language, you can expect | | | | Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls. |
| a warm welcome and a fantastic vacation | | | | |
| experience. There is also strong, vibrant | | | | With the highest rainfall in New Zealand |
| Maori culture reflected in the easy going | | | | (think feet not inches!) so expect rain when |
| attitude of the people and pride in their | | | | you visit. However, when it pours, the water |
| heritage. | | | | falls that appear all around are simply |
| | | | amazing. Keep a lookout for wildlife such as |
| From the West Coast of the United States, a | | | | dolphins, penguins and seals often seen in |
| direct flight to New Zealand is a bearable 12 | | | | their natural habitat. Go on a scenic cruise |
| hours. Close to the Australian continent, | | | | and gasp at the moody majesty of the Fiord in |
| New Zealand shares the Australian love for | | | | your Milford Sound Red Boat.nother worthwhile |
| sport and having a good time. | | | | attraction is the Milford Deep Underwater |
| | | | Observatory Option. Descend 30 feet below the |
| Think Hawaii meets Switzerland. | | | | surface and marvel at spectacular marine |
| | | | life, with anemones, sponges, fish and rare |
| Where else can you find so many different | | | | red and black coral in their natural habitat. |
| types of scenery and breathtaking landscapes | | | | |
| in one country! From towering mountain peaks | | | | Discover Middle Earth. |
| and glaciers to volcanoes and bubbling mud | | | | |
| springs. And then there's the surprise. It's | | | | According to Oscar winner Peter Jackson, New |
| so very English too. The lush green fields | | | | Zealand was the only landscape on the planet |
| and rolling hills reminiscent of the English | | | | that could have provided the sensational |
| countryside and village life never seem that | | | | locations for Tolkien's Middle Earth. You |
| far away. | | | | can set off on your voyage of discovery and |
| | | | visit the key areas featured in the films |
| Major highlights and attractions. The Bay | | | | such as The Southern Alps and Queenstown. |
| of Islands on the North Island. | | | | Make sure you stop at Matamata, near Hamilton |
| | | | (a couple of hours drive south of Auckland) |
| An absolute must-see on your trip. A | | | | and marvel at how the landscape was |
| magnificent natural treasure for anyone who | | | | transformed into the peaceful hobbit village |
| enjoys getting out on the water. Catch a | | | | of Hobbiton. |
| ferry or charter boat and immerse yourself in | | | | |
| the unique atmosphere. Paddle a sea kayak in | | | | Auckland. The largest city. |
| and out of island nooks and inlets. If you | | | | |
| have always wanted to swim with dolphins, do | | | | Wellington is actually the capital, but |
| it here. Many operators in the region offer | | | | Auckland is where many visitors first set |
| excellent trips to spectacular Cape Brett and | | | | foot in New Zealand. |
| the 'Hole in the Rock' on Piercy Island. | | | | |
| | | | Imagine an urban environment where everyone |
| The townships of this historical bay are | | | | lives within half an hour of beautiful |
| alive with memories of the area's colorful | | | | beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanting |
| past. Take time out to see the | | | | holiday islands, that's Auckland. It's |
| well-preserved relics both Maori and | | | | located on the North Island and called the |
| European, in romantic Russell, Paihia, | | | | City of Sails. Know why? It has more boats |
| Waitangi or Kerikeri. | | | | per capita than any other city in the world. |
| | | | |
| Rotorua. What's bubbling you? | | | | Almost entirely surrounded by water and |
| | | | covered with volcanic hills, the city boasts |
| Known for its amazing geothermal earth | | | | a superb harbor and a population of 1.3 |
| forces, this fascinating region offers you | | | | million people. Add a background rhythm of |
| more than natural beauty, it's also a very | | | | Polynesian culture, a passion for outstanding |
| spiritual place. "Manaakitanga" is a | | | | food, wine and shopping - and you'll want to |
| deep-rooted concept in Maori culture. It's a | | | | stay. |
| local challenge to offer visitors the best | | | | |
| experience possible. | | | | Auckland has a pleasant subtropical climate |
| | | | with mild winters (June, July and August) and |
| Voted New Zealand's Most Beautiful City three | | | | warm, humid summers (December, January and |
| times, Rotorua's gardens, cobbled streets and | | | | February). Remember the seasons down here are |
| diverse mix of Maori and English Tudor | | | | reversed, so plan your vacation accordingly. |
| architecture, give the city a significant | | | | |
| point of difference. Beyond the urban centre, | | | | Accommodation to suit every taste. |
| a backdrop of geothermal steam, volcanic | | | | |
| mountains and huge crater lakes remind you | | | | For visitors, Auckland has all types of |
| that this region rests immediately above the | | | | accommodation. Web sites such as offer a |
| Pacific Ring of Fire. | | | | range from backpacker to budget to luxury |
| | | | international hotels. As the North Island |
| Incidentally, Rotarua's Hell's Gate Reserve | | | | attracts more visitors than the South, it |
| was where the "Black Gate of Morodor" was | | | | pays to check what's out there as you plan |
| filmed for The Lord of The Rings Trilogy. | | | | your trip. |
| | | | |
| Let off some steam. Steam escapes from | | | | Action. Adrenalin. Anticipation. |
| crevices in the ground, gardens bloom | | | | |
| alongside bubbling craters and geysers shoot | | | | Auckland is a top choice if you're interested |
| for the sky. | | | | in wide open spaces and physical activities. |
| | | | Above the ground you can go bungee jumping, |
| Spa therapy. A good wrap. 160 years after the | | | | parachuting and skydiving. On the ground |
| first Europeans arrived to 'spa' in Rotorua, | | | | you can go hiking, mountain bike riding, |
| today's visitors are still enjoying the | | | | skiing, horse riding, rock climbing, and |
| therapeutic properties of the geothermal | | | | 'zorbing'. Underground you can go surface |
| resources. Mineral pools, mud wraps and | | | | caving, cave rafting and hydro sliding; and |
| massage will leave you feeling rejuvenated | | | | on the water you can go jet-boarding, |
| and ready for more. | | | | white-water sledging, rafting, boogey |
| | | | boarding, canoeing, kayaking, surfing and |
| The thrill of chilling out in Glacier | | | | scuba diving. |
| Country. | | | | |
| | | | If there is a difficult and challenging way |
| Nowhere in the world's temperate zones are | | | | to get from one point to another you can do |
| glaciers so accessible. On the West Coast of | | | | it in New Zealand. |
| The South Island, remnants of the ice age | | | | |
| cascade from the vast snowfields of the | | | | If you're looking for some less exhilarating |
| Southern Alps to valley floors, almost 1,000 | | | | activities, such as retail therapy, many |
| feet above sea level. | | | | Auckland stores are open seven days a week. |
| | | | Bars, restaurants and nightclubs welcome |
| You can enjoy guided excursions exploring | | | | patrons well into the night. Whether you |
| stunning ice formations. Or take off on a | | | | are stopping for a week, or planning to spend |
| scenic flight and land amidst New Zealand's | | | | a month exploring everything in The Land of |
| highest peaks overlooking the glaciers. The | | | | The Long White Cloud, New Zealand will make |
| two most famous villages are Franz Josef and | | | | you feel right at home. |