New Zealand is a country that offers a very diverse range of tourist attractions and adventure activities. Long and narrow, we have endless kilometres of coastline, with beaches of all kinds - long and sandy, picturesque bays over hung with our gorgeous silver green ,red flowering pohutakawas, and the stony South Island West Coast beaches, just perfect for rock hounds. Beautiful lakes dot the landscape, and fiords dent the coastline. The many rushing rivers carve their way through the hills, and magnificent mountains .
Water Sports
It is little wonder that New Zealand is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. Water sports of every kind, from the most exhilarating adrenaline pumping extreme sports, to the more sedate such as swimming with dolphins, whale watching or fishing. Whether river based sports such as white water rafting, or sea based such as surfing or kite boarding, there is a comprehensive list.
Mountains
Our mountains offer a different selection of equally nerve wracking options, along with the more usual but popular snow boarding and skiing. Heli skiing is popular with skiiers wanting to try something a little more demanding, while those chasing the dream of climbing as many peaks as they can, are drawn to our many demanding mountain challenges.
Wind
Being exposed, we have our fair share of wind! While the views for air sports are magnificent. Wind sports are numerous, and
* parasailing
* kite boarding
* hang gliding
* hot air ballooning
and all those activities requiring a sail and wind, are found in major tourist destinations, all around the country.
Bush
Our bush is unique to New Zealand, with lush, green sub tropical growth -ferns, tree ferns, and a huge range of trees native to New Zealand, many over a thousand years old. The kauri is the king of the forest. These great spreading trees form a canopy, in our many tiered bush.
Tramping and Hiking
Tramping and hiking are very popular pastimes, and there are tracks that range from a few hours to a few days to traverse, with rivers and streams, waterfalls , alpine plants, springs and magnificent mountain and coastal scenery. The most famous is the Milford Track, with several other well known tramps ( the New Zealand term for hiking) in the same area -Greenstone, Routeburn, and in the northern part of the South Island the Heaphy Track. In the North Island, the most popular day walk some suggest in the world , certainly the Southern Hemisphere, is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This 17 kilometre trek is in Lord of the Rings territory or Mt Doom!
Miscellaneous
Personally, I would not have said New Zealand was a natural for sports such as cycling. We have a lot of hills! But those who are keen, give it a go. There are many wonderful mountain biking locations. Camping, is very well catered for. Our beautifully situated golf courses attract golfers from around the world. Trout fishing, and deep sea fishing are other activities, that bring people from far and wide. The rich and famous find they can escape into the wilderness, here Down Under and often slip in and out quietly, for a break from their high profile lives.
Culture
If culture is more your thing, we have plenty to keep you intrigued. The traditional Maori culture and lifestyle, is a unique experience. They came in their canoes from Hawaiiki over 800 years ago. Rotorua, with its thermal geysers, mud pools and fascinating scenery, is the best single town to embrace all things Maori. Most traditional Maori culture is found in the North Island, where the majority lived.
History
Our historic centre is found at Waitangi in Northland. It was here New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840.New Zealand history being relatively new. Our "old" buildings are the cause of some amusement to visitors from Europe and countries where old, is older than even New Zealand when the Maori first arrived!
Museums and Art Galleries
Museums and Art and Craft Galleries are scattered around the country. New Zealander's are creative and innovative people. Perhaps this sprang from the pioneer spirit, or perhaps from our isolation. But we do many things a little differently. Which is why our fashion designers, have become well known internationally for the originality. Te Papa in Wellington is the official National Museum. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is also an excellent more traditional, museum. Maritime museums, kauri museums, technology museums, car museums - they are many, and varied, featuring different aspects of New Zealand history.
Gardens
New Zealander's love their gardens and there are many open to the public. Ranging from tropical gardens in the north to cooler climate gardens with glorious spring flowers, there is real variety. In part due to the climatic and soil variations. In spring and summer there are many annual garden tours.
Wine and Food
If you are looking for internationally acclaimed wines, New Zealand has those too. We are fortunate , with such a variable climate and soils, to have many wine areas, each tending to specialise in varieties best suited to the area. With over 400 wineries, the choices are numerous. Many New Zealand wineries also have excellent restaurants. Food and Wine - what a holiday! And I can promise, once you have become hooked on New Zealand coffee, you will suffer withdrawal symptons when you go home!
Music
New Zealand has excellent music and our local productions, and concerts are well worth experiencing. Not only are there the more traditional concert venues, but many outdoor concerts are held in vineyards, parks, and gardens. Some are sponsored by local councils and free. If you are here at the right time you may enjoy a great New Zealand musical event. Auckland has several big free concerts over the summer, where up to 200.000 people attend. So check at the Tourist Information Centres.
With scenery to thrill and excite the senses, photographers and artists have a never ending array of ever changing subjects to inspire as they record their New Zealand holiday.The New Zealand landscape is like little bits of many countries, all rolled into one ultimate treasure. It really is the ultimate holiday destination!
You will be able to read more detailed information on the many and varied activities activities that you can experience in New Zealand at http://www.holidays-in-newzealand.com
Visit : European Beach
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