New Zealand - Natural Wonders, Travel Information

A WEALTH OF NATURAL WONDERS...

New Zealand is an intensely beautiful small country, with a population of less than four million people. Regarded as one of the largely untouched gems of international tourism, its attractions range from the geysers in Rotorua and Lake Taupo on the North Island, to the fiords of the South Island. A wealth of natural wonders, New Zealand is full of surprises for the traveller.

Link to accommodation, cabins & bed and breakfast on the North Island of New Zealand

Remuera – Auckland’s Green Glory

Lying just south east of the city centre, the tranquil bayside suburb of Remuera makes an ideal base for an Auckland holiday. As well as its easy access to the full range of Auckland’s attractions, Remuera itself is packed with things to do.

Take in a game of rugby league at Ericsson Stadium, home base of the Auckland Warriors. Shop till you drop in some of Auckland’s smartest and trendiest areas, and don’t miss DressMart, where the latest fashions can be found at unbeatable prices. Enjoy a stroll along the beach, and take your pick from one of the many cafes along the bay.

Looking over to nearby Rangitoto Island on a fine day, you’ll see exactly why Auckland calls itself the “City of Sails”. Check out the spectacular views from One Tree Hill, one of Auckland’s most famous landmarks, visible for miles. You can climb Mt Eden, a nearby extinct volcano, or even hire a mountain bike and cycle down its crater. The Remuera Golf Club is the city’s finest, a championship course of the highest standard, with magnificent surroundings that provide a test for golfers of all levels. Visitors are welcome at the club most days throughout the week, however it is advisable to book in advance.

Link to accommodation, cabins & bed and breakfasts on the South Island of New Zealand

Thorndon – Wellington’s Past Perfected

Squeezed into the narrow ribbon of land at the foot of the sharp hills that rise above Wellington Harbour, Thorndon is New Zealand’s oldest suburb, packed with gorgeous old wooden cottages, and home to many cultural and historic treasures.

By far the best way to explore the suburb is on foot. Catch the cable car from Lambton Quay up to the Botanic Gardens, then wander down through 26 acres of gardens, native bush and lawns, to Tinakori Road, which runs through the heart of Thorndon.

The lack of suitable local stone and the earthquake of 1848 meant that timber was used almost exclusively for building in 19th-century Wellington. Most of the carpenters of this period learned their trade as cabinetmakers and shipwrights in Europe, and the sturdy houses in Tinakori Road are a tribute to their craftsmanship. Among the notable houses in the street is number 25. Katherine Beauchamp, who became famous as writer Katherine Mansfield, lived there.

Fox Glacier – Melting Moments

One of about 140 glaciers in Westland National Park on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Fox Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers on earth. The terminal face is just a short drive and a painless hike off Highway 6, the main road running along the coast.

Situated at about the same latitude as Hobart, glaciers don’t usually occur at sea level this close to the equator. The reason they do in this case is because of the huge annual snowfalls that blanket the Southern Alps, the spine of mountains that rises up to 3,500 metres within 50 kilometres of the coast. On the peaks, the crystals are compressed until they fuse into a solid mass of ice, after which gravity takes over and the frozen river slides down the mountain.

There is much to do besides admiring the glaciers. You can hike on them, ski down them, fly over them, and even make a very chilly rafting descent of the Waiho River where it emerges from beneath the base of the nearby Franz Josef Glacier.

Another local wonder is Lake Matheson. The spongy walking trail that circles the lake through forests of ferns and kamah trees is a treat at any time of the day, but Lake Matheson is at its most stunning shortly after sunrise, when its still waters mirror the frosted peaks of Mt Tasman and Mt Cook.

Hanmer Springs – Steaming Sensation

Situated just 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch, Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve is an extensive thermal complex in an alpine environment that has been attracting visitors since 1859. They come to relax, unwind, and ease their aches and pains in the soothing mineral waters.

According to Maori legend, Chief Tamatea called on the Ariki to save his party from freezing after their canoe capsized off the Otago coast. The Ariki answered by sending flames down the Wanganui River and across to Nelson, where they rose into the air, dropping a ball of fire in Hanmer Springs. The thermal waters contain a variety of minerals, including sulphur, sodium chloride, calcium, carbonates, magnesium and potassium. They are reported to offer great relief to those suffering from arthritis and similar ailments.

The reserve consists of seven open-air thermal pools – four private pools and three sulphur pools. Other facilities include sauna and steam rooms, a fresh-water heated pool, large family activity pool with waterslides, picnic area, and licensed cafe. Therapeutic massages and beauty treatments are available onsite at Health, Body and Mind.

Merivale – Shopping Christchurch-style

On the northern fringe of the Christchurch city centre, Merivale offers easy access to the city’s most upmarket shopping mall – Merivale Mall Shopping Centre.

The mall’s MacKenzie Country is the place to go for practical, hard-wearing, everyday clothing with a stylish accent, with a range of clothing and accessories from other leading brands, such as RM Williams, Backhouse, Aertex, MacJays and Yarra Trail. New Zealand-owned Max Fashions is a women’s apparel company with a commitment to style, innovative presentation and high standards of service. Detroit Clothing offers funky street fashion by hip designer labels, including Doosh, Freshjive, Stussy, Levi, Lee, Massimo and Mambo.

If your footwear is wanting, Andrea Biani stocks top designer brands, such as Molly N and Briarwood. Another hot name on the mall’s footwear scene, Robin Pierre sells nothing but imported women’s fashion footwear from some of the most distinguished names in European styling.

The mall’s Crabtree & Evelyn boutique is packed full of soaps, oils, fragrances, essences and toiletries – everything you need to bring a touch of luxury into your life. And at the Homestore, you’ll find everything you need to add style and practicality to your home.