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[nztravelguide]

Major Points of Interest in New Zealand

Everybody has an opinion but what I have tried to do is point out the places that are uniquely New Zealand. I have hundreds of other "important" places I like to point out.
The biggest problem I have in creating itineraries for visitors too many want to do the whole lot in 10 days to 2 weeks. Driving in New Zealand isn't through flat ground but in minority areas. It is a country of beautiful mountains and farmland interspersed with abundant lakes, streams and vast beaches. The roads are well maintained but they usually are going up or down while going around a curve let alone the numerous one-way bridges.
This is not a place you can rush though and shouldn't want to.
We have been on the road now 24/7-365 days a year for five years and never tire of the beauty we see every day......a world of natural wonder to be savoured in passing. I have been able to be in the same areas at so many different conditions I have been able to get top photos as sooner or later we are in that spot at a perfect day for the sunshine and shadows...
Way over 10,000 images last count..........and still shooting!

If on the North Island I prefer Rotorua, Waitomo and the Bay of Islands, Taranaki.
If you have limited time when landing in Auckland I always suggest going south to Waitomo and Rotorua on through the high desert country and by the volcanoes of the Central Plateau
and on to Wellington.
Cross over to the South Island on the Bluebridge Ferry (my favourite) to Picton (a magic 3 1/2 hour trip into the Marlborough Sounds).
Then south through our major wine country to Kaikoura to visit the whales, then take the road to the West Coast stopping at Hanmer Springs, our premier hot pools and on to see the scenic West Coast, stoppin at the Pancake Rocks to the arts and crafts town of Hokitika then on th a few days in Glacier Country. On to the end of the West Coast through the Aspiting National Park stopping at Thnunder Falls and the Gates of Haast.
On to Wanaka, Queenstown, Arrowtown(don't miss it) stopping in the Kawarau Gorge at the original bungy jump and the local wine country.
From Queenstown down to Te Anau to visit the fiords then take the southern route to Invercargill and Bluff then up to Dunedin to visit the Albatross and Otago Peninsula.
On north to stop at Moeraki Boulders, the blue penguins at Oamaru then inland to the Mckenzie Country to Mt Cook then around through Geraldine and on to Christchurch and Akaroa........
Just a quickie tour..........................but best done with 3 or more weeks. Lots to do and see in between all this. Remeber the drive is the most important part of the adventure through scenery every minute......
Plenty of excellent accommodations along the way from the holiday parks, B&Bs, motels, backpackers to the DOC camps.





From the Far North to Wellington:

Cape Reinga Lighthouse at the very top
Ninety Mile Beach
The Dunes in the Far North
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Bay of Islands
Tane Mahuta(God of the Forest)
Auckland – Sky Tower, Kelly Tarlton Underwater World
Coromandel Peninsula
Waitomo Caves
Billy Black’s Woodland Park
Rotorua
Mt Taranaki
Wellington – Cuba Street

South Island:

Marlborough Sounds
West Coast (from top to bottom)**
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Glaciers**
Kaikoura Whale Watch**
Lewis Pass
Hanmer Springs
Akaroa
Arthurs Pass
Mount Cook*
Mackenzie Country
Oamaru Blue Penguins*
Moeraki Boulders
Dunedin
Milford Sound**
Queenstown*

[jacquesl]

It souinds like you are having a wonderful time of it!