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New Zealand has so many outstanding places to visit that it is difficult to choose among them. We know that
your vacation time is both brief and valuable. Our recommendations for the
best places to visit will help you find the right place for your vacation in
New Zealand.
Be sure to note that the
period of the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere is the opposite of
the Northern Hemisphere. During our summer, the Kiwis are experiencing
winter. So if you want to ski in Queenstown, July and August can be the
heart of the season. If you are not a skier, don't let the concept of winter
stop you from taking your summer vacation in New Zealand, since the snow
usually stays at the higher elevations.
A trip to New Zealand
should cover the country's two major islands, known simply as the North
Island and the South Island. Both islands are interesting, but we
recommend that you spend the majority of your time on the South Island, which,
in our opinion,
is pretty close to paradise. For you fantasy fans, significant
portions of the epic movie trilogy Lord of the Rings were filmed on the
South Island. If you are really a fan, Google "Lord of the Rings and
the South Island of New Zealand" to find the companies that offer tours of
the LOTR filming locations.
Read our sections on New Zealand
Travel Information and New Zealand
Facts to complete your basic preparation
for vacationing in New Zealand.
We have created a New Zealand travel map
to show
you the detailed locations of the Best Places to Visit in New Zealand.
The base map is a Google product overlaid with our recommendations.
The New Zealand map cannot be used to produce routings, but is does have
satellite image background if you click the satellite button on the map
display. |

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Names in Teal are regions
of the country.
Places in Bold are unusually attractive destinations.
Places in plain text are of significant interest to many travelers.
If you are interested in finding out more about
New Zealand, its people, history, economy and geography, visit our
section:
New Zealand
Country Facts
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If you plan to travel in New Zealand,
read the details you need to know about
driving, health care, and more in our section: New Zealand
Travel Information |
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South Island

The South
Island is sparsely populated and brimming with outdoor adventure. You may
see landscapes and scenery that you have not seen before, packaged in the most
beautiful and moving of environments.
One popular way to see the South
Island is a drive that starts at Christchurch, heads to Mt. Cook,
down to Queenstown, over to Fiordlands NP, up through Westland NP, and crossing
to the North Island using the ferry from Picton
to Wellington.
For information on the Interislander Ferry that connects the islands, visit this
site.
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Queenstown

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Queenstown, sited on the shore of beautiful Lake Wakatipu,
is surrounded by the luscious beauty of a mountain chain known
as the Remarkables. The town is the focal point for a large
and diverse recreational area. Queenstown is a place where you can "sit and
think" or participate in various outdoor activities, some of them quite
unique. The shopping is OK but
limited and cultural attractions are sparse.

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We doubt that you will tire of
the view of the Lake at Queenstown and suggest that you take one of the many
cruises available. We recommend a voyage on the TSS Earnslaw, an
older steamship that somehow fits the area like a comfortable glove.
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For other attractions in
Queenstown, visit the area's marketing site
for tourism
here.
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Fiordland
National Park

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Milford
Sound

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Most rental car
agreements prohibit you from driving your rental on the road to Milford
Sound. The Milford Road is subject to avalanches and landslides
and is often closed on short notice. We recommend you sign-up for
a tour and leave the driving to someone else. For information on the
conditions along the Road to Milford Sound, visit this
site.
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Te Anau
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Westland
Tai Poutini
National Park
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Fox
Glacier/Franz Joseph Glacier
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Mt. Cook
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Abel Tasman National Park
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Christchurch
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Due to its International Airport,
Christchurch is the starting point for many visits to the South Island.
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island and the second largest
in New Zealand.
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The town is moderately interesting and a pleasant place to spend some time
while rebounding from jet lag. We found a quiet walk around the town's
lush Botanic Gardens to be just the right tonic.
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Christchurch sits almost in the
center of the South Island's Canterbury region, a scenic area that includes
coastline, mountains and the scenic Canterbury Plain. There are a
number of interesting spots here and you may want to take a look at the
official website of
Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism for
a detailed list of attractions.
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If you have time, head out to the
Banks Peninsula and visit the village of
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Akaroa

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A small, colonial, coastal town, situated on a
collapsed volcanic cone that gives the area a unique and scenic setting.
The drive from Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula is a delight but you may need to slow to allow the
sheep to use the road. Look for the bakery when you enter town, the breads are
wonderful.

North Island
The North Island is the economic and
political focus of New Zealand. While it does not have scenery
comparable to the
South Island, it does offer a unique culture, interesting cities, and the Maori
Heartland at Rotorua.
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Rotorua
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Rotorua, with its geothermal
hotspots, beckons to the tourist, as it must have attracted the Maoris over
a half
millennia ago. The city is fairly touristy, but the Rotorua region is
worth a visit.


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Although not
for everyone, Ninety Mile Beach is heaven for those who like to drive along
the ocean (not to mention driving on the beach). Located at the top-end of the North Island, Ninety Mile Beach is part of
the Northland, an area of New Zealand that is compelling due to its pristine
coastal environment.
If you need information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web
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