New Zealand - overview
New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests,
amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make
it a haven for many outdoor activities, and
a great place to unwind. New Zealand society
is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural,
and the honesty, friendliness, and openness
of Kiwis will impress it’s visitors. The
great advantage of New Zealand is that all
of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic
landscapes are so close to each other!
New Zealand consists of two large islands,
North Island and South Island, plus several
smaller ones of which Stewart Island is the
largest and often referred to as 'the third
island'. North Island is volcanically active
with a central plateau. This thermal belt
contains active volcanoes - Ruapehu, Ngaruhoe
and Tongariro - and magnificent examples
of geysers, boiling mud pools, hot springs
and steam vents. In Waitomo District, the
Waitomo Caves, with their caverns, underground
rivers and glittering glowworms, are one
of the island's most popular attractions,
while up north, the historic Bay of Islands
is famous for its scenic islands and secluded
coves.
Wellington is the capital, situated on the
southern tip of North Island. The city is
compact and interesting, nestled between
a dramatic harbour and bush clad hills. Made
up of four quarters each with their own distinctive
mix of shopping, cafes, transport, and accommodation.
Places of interest include the modernist
Beehive building, the Old Government Building
(one of the largest wooden buildings in the
world) and the Katherine Mansfield Memorials.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four
season alpine and lake resort. Best known
as the “Adventure capital” and a mecca
for extreme sports enthusiasts, adrenalin-pumping
outdoor activities include bungy jumping
from either Skippers Canyon Bridge or out
of a helicopter, jet-boating on the Shotover
River, whitewater rafting, skiing, skydiving,
river surfing, and heli-skiing. |
