New Zealand Travel

New Zealand is a land of stunning landscapes and coastline, and a unique culture.


Situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is mainly comprised of two main large islands - the North and South Islands, and one smaller island - Stewart Island, as well as numerous smaller islands including the Chatham Islands. New Zealand is known as Aotearoa meaning "Land of the long white cloud".

New Zealand is a country dominated by towering peaks, long sandy beaches, exotic natural bush, sparkling lakes, and an extraordinary array of flora and fauna because of its isolation from the rest of the world. These values make New Zealand a haven for outdoor activities as well as a great place to unwind and take it all in.

The New Zealander is also known as a "Kiwi" (named after the national bird). Kiwi's have a unique and dynamic culture with influences from it's mostly European, Maori, Asian, and Pacific inhabitants. Kiwi's are known for their friendliness, honesty and openness.

Each region of New Zealand is unique and quite different from each other in culture, landscape, and scenery. There are fourteen National Parks which protect the natural assets of the country and there are many outdoor activities available to explore the beauty and grandeur of these parks.

There are so many "must do" activities and experiences to try when traveling through New Zealand. We have listed only a small few in our New Zealand blog entries. Be sure to check out our whole Kiwiana 2006 tour here.

Here are some more links for New Zealand:
Pictures and Information about New Zealand
Bilder aus Neuseeland (German Site)


Viewing New Zealand Travel photos 1 to 42 (of 62 on 2 pages)


photo of Sailing In The Bay Of Islands New Zealand Sailing In The Bay Of Islands New Zealand
Day Sailing in the beautiful Bay of Islands from the town of Paihia in Northland, New Zealand.
Today is set aside for a sailing trip around the Bay of Islands with skipper Vanessa McKay and the...
photo of New Zealand Christmas New Zealand Christmas
Season's greetings at Christmas from New Zealand.
From a slightly cooler New Zealand than expected, we wish you all - our friends - a very Merry...
photo of Self Drive From Christchurch To Kaikoura New Zealand Self Drive From Christchurch To Kaikoura New Zealand
Rolling countryside of North Canterbury and the rugged Kaikoura Coast.
We set out from our quiet base of Oamaru and begun the second phase of our trip. We left early from...
photo of New Zealand Kiwifruit Country In Te Puke New Zealand Kiwifruit Country In Te Puke
A visit to Kiwi 360 near the town of Te Puke on the North Island of New Zealand.
We woke to the "tink tink tink" of metal on metal, and what sounded like a hammer driving in tent...
photo of Swimming At Goat Island On The Matakana Coast Swimming At Goat Island On The Matakana Coast
Snorkelling the cool waters of the Matakana Coast at Goat Island, Northland, New Zealand.
Since yesterday (March 4th) dawned so wet, we made a beeline from Whakatane to Warkworth, the...
photo of NZ Fur Seals And Lighthouses Of The Wairarapa NZ Fur Seals And Lighthouses Of The Wairarapa
A long drive from Castlepoint to Cape Palliser to view the NZ Fur Seals in the Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand.
Before leaving the town of Castlepoint, aptly named after the 162 metre high Castle Rock which sits...
photo of Resorts And Farms Of The Marlborough Sounds Resorts And Farms Of The Marlborough Sounds
Resorts in the remote Endeavour Inlet of the Queen Charlotte Sound and Camping farm style in Titirangi Bay, New Zealand.
This day dawns bright and sunny - yay!! So we leave our oceanfront property (campsite) overlooking...
photo of More Waterfalls And Penguins In The Catlins New Zealand More Waterfalls And Penguins In The Catlins New Zealand
We couldn't resist taking an extra day to explore the rugged Catlins district of New Zealand.
We made our way back to the Fossil Forest in Curio Bay and enjoyed foraging along the rock plateau...
photo of Lupins Eglinton River Valley Fiordland Lupins Eglinton River Valley Fiordland
A carpet of colour during a drive into Fiordland National Park between Te Anau and Milford Sound on the South Island.
We departed from our pristine and natural campsite on the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu and made...
photo of The Magic Of Kenepuru Sound Marlborough Sounds The Magic Of Kenepuru Sound Marlborough Sounds
Crystal clear waterways and pristine native bush in the Marlborough Sounds.
Despite the fact that the weather still isn't co-operating, we check out a short little walk only...
photo of Tractors And Gannets Of Cape Kidnappers Hawkes Bay Tractors And Gannets Of Cape Kidnappers Hawkes Bay
A trip to see the Cape Kidnappers Gannets with Gannet Beach Adventures in the Hawkes Bay.
The morning sun had heated our camper to hot sauna temperatures which was enough to wake us up and...
photo of Hectors Dolphins In The Akaroa Harbour Banks Peninsula Hectors Dolphins In The Akaroa Harbour Banks Peninsula
We take a tour to find the smallest dolphin in the world - the Hector's Dolphin in Akaroa Harbour, New Zealand.
After a peaceful sleep, we started the journey over the hilly landscape of Banks Peninsula. The...
photo of Cape Foulwind Westport Sunset Cape Foulwind Westport Sunset
Fur Seal Colony and sunset at Cape Foulwind near Westport, New Zealand.
We got into Westport and restocked the galley before heading out to Cape Foulwind - adeptly named...
photo of Hawkes Bay Winery Tour By Bike Hawkes Bay Winery Tour By Bike
Peddle power and wine on a sunny day in the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island, New Zealand.
As soon as the gannet tour was over at around 12 noon (this varys depending on the departure time...
photo of Sperm Whales Of The Kaikoura Canyon Sperm Whales Of The Kaikoura Canyon
A close encounter with the largest toothed animal on the planet, Giant Sperm Whales.
While we still have our sea legs, we continue along on the marine mammal theme and embark on...
photo of Best Thai Restaurant In Auckland Best Thai Restaurant In Auckland
We have found the best Thai Restaurant in Auckland - Thai Room in the suburb of Avondale.
After a full day of catching up with work in Auckland we took a break and had dinner at The Thai...
photo of Maitai Beach And Paihia In Northland Maitai Beach And Paihia In Northland
Roll out the lazy, hazy, sunny days of summer in hot Northland, New Zealand.
Driving the long passage back out from the Cape we saw so many buses and cars driving to Cape...
photo of Nugget Point Lighthouse For Sunset In The Catlins Nugget Point Lighthouse For Sunset In The Catlins
We had our sights set on being at Nugget Point Lighthouse for sunset in the beautiful Catlins district.
Although we were aiming to be at Nugget Point in the Catlins for sunset we stopped off for an...
photo of Skippers Canyon Near Queenstown Skippers Canyon Near Queenstown
A look at the old Gold Rush and Lord of the Rings sites in the Skippers Canyon near Queenstown.
After the disappointment of not going paragliding (after getting psyched up the night before and...
photo of Knee Deep In Sheep At The Agrodome Rotorua Knee Deep In Sheep At The Agrodome Rotorua
Farms and thermal activity of Rotorua aka the Sulphur City in the Bay of Plenty.
We finally head out of the town of Whakatane after being bound by the weather for several days. We...
photo of Geology In The Abel Tasman National Park Geology In The Abel Tasman National Park
A diverse coastline awaits exploration in the Abel Tasman National Park of New Zealand.
In the wee hours of the morning we woke and heard the familiar sound of rain on the roof of the...
photo of Climbing Mt Ruapehu A Volcano In The Tongariro National Park Climbing Mt Ruapehu A Volcano In The Tongariro National Park
From active volcanos in Tongariro National Park to the wine region of Hawkes Bay on the North Island of New Zealand.
After a slightly noisy night at Reid's Farm Campground, we head off for Tongoriro National Park in...
photo of Lakes Waterfalls And Gorges Of The South Island Lakes Waterfalls And Gorges Of The South Island
From the peaceful Nelson Lakes National Park to flying across a gorge over the Buller River.
Our morning started out peaceful enough, parked under the shade of a large tree. Our campground...
photo of Zoo Visit In Auckland Zoo Visit In Auckland
The Auckland Zoo in Western Springs - a busy place to visit during the holidays!
The weather forecast was for more rain for most of the week - boo hiss!! Regardless of the weather...
photo of New Zealand Camping Culture New Zealand Camping Culture
On the road again on phase two of our New Zealand tour and an insight into kiwi style camping.
We begin the second leg of our travels with a slight deviation towards the Southern Lakes. This is...
photo of Scenic And Diverse Catlins Landscape Scenic And Diverse Catlins Landscape
Revisiting the delightful Catlins area in the deep south of New Zealand.
If you have been following this blog - you will know that we have mostly freedom camped throughout...
photo of Mt Cook The Pinnacle Of New Zealand Mt Cook The Pinnacle Of New Zealand
A trip to view the highest peak in New Zealand Mt Cook with Lake Pukaki at its foot.
Setting out from Oamaru, we drive north briefly on State Highway 1 before heading inland at Pukeuri...
photo of Volcanic Activity And Maori Culture Volcanic Activity And Maori Culture
Walking across the steaming volcanic landscapes of Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland and Orakei Korako.
The volcanic activity around Rotorua and Taupo is quite intense with steam rising in nearly all...
photo of Arrival New Zealand Arrival New Zealand
Not quite summer yet in New Zealand.
We made it - but how?? As "usual" 2 bags were missing when we arrived in Auckland. This is now the...
photo of Christchurch City And Lyttelton Harbour Christchurch City And Lyttelton Harbour
An overnight trip to Christchurch exploring the city, the Port Hills, and Lyttelton Harbour.
An early start from Oamaru, allowed enough time to drive to Christchurch (3 hours) then check out...
photo of Kitesurfing Orewa New Zealand Kitesurfing Orewa New Zealand
A breezy day brings out Kitesurfing enthusiasts in their masses along the beach at Orewa, North Island, New Zealand.
Today dawned more on the gloomy side. We had planned to go sailing for the day in the Bay of...
photo of Cook Strait And Wellington City Cook Strait And Wellington City
A wonderful scenic cruise through the Marlborough Sounds across the Cook Strait to the windy city of Wellington.
An early start from Rarangi this morning guaranteed our arrival into Picton in time to check in for...
photo of Auckland New Zealand Auckland New Zealand
Spending the day in the big smoke - Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand.
We had several appointments which kept us pretty busy for most of the day, however we did manage to...
photo of Fruit Country In Roxburgh Central Otago Fruit Country In Roxburgh Central Otago
The fruit basket of New Zealand is roughly the region between Roxburgh and Cromwell in Central Otago, South Island.
Today we travel through one of my personal favourites - the Central Otago district with its diverse...
photo of Waterfalls And Formations Of The Waikato Waterfalls And Formations Of The Waikato
An outdoor lovers paradise, the Waikato offers caves, waterfalls, and surfing.
We made a quick stop at the Sheep Shearing Capital of the World, Te Kuiti before merging with...
photo of Quick Tour Of Auckland New Zealand Quick Tour Of Auckland New Zealand
Before heading out of Auckland, we take a short tour of the largest city in New Zealand.
With limited time in Auckland, in fact only about 3 hours, we picked out a few main things that we...
photo of West Coast Surf Beaches And Gannet Colony West Coast Surf Beaches And Gannet Colony
Driving through the Surfing town of Raglan to the restless Gannet Colony of Muriwai Beach.
Although today was mostly about driving to as close to Auckland as possible since we had...
photo of Kiwi Culture In Central Otago Kiwi Culture In Central Otago
From the rainforest of Haast Pass to Central Otago, New Zealand.
It was a full day of activity today as we drove further from the West Coast over the rainforested...
photo of Mt Egmont To The Whitecliffs Of Taranaki Mt Egmont To The Whitecliffs Of Taranaki
A day of pristine waterfalls and native flora to the rugged coastline of the Taranaki.
Happy New Year! We wish you all fresh opportunities and prosperity in the new year!

We...

photo of Glaciers And Helicopters On The West Coast Of New Zealand Glaciers And Helicopters On The West Coast Of New Zealand
An insightful helicopter flight over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and around Mt Cook.
It was a bright and sunny day, so we went flying!! We chose a 40 minute helicopter flight with...
photo of Gannets At Cape Kidnappers Hawkes Bay Gannets At Cape Kidnappers Hawkes Bay
Round two on the Gannet Beach Adventures tour to Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
With two excursions lined up for today, it was to be an early start. We were staying in the town of...
photo of Water Water Everywhere In Fiordland National Park Water Water Everywhere In Fiordland National Park
Visiting the dramatic water world of Fiordland National Park.
Soon we entered Fiordland National Park, where we were presented with fresh rivers and rugged sheer...
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