A Kiwi Summer Roadtrip

About the destination: Auckland is the largest metropolitan area in both Polynesia and New Zealand and a vibrant city with multicultural influence. It is located between two natural harbours, the Waitemata Harbour and the Manukau Harbour and it is dubbed the City of Sails, since it has the highest number of boats per capita in the world. In the city center, there are many galleries, museums, theatres, trendy bars, and top class restaurants which offer an extensive range of cuisine. The Skytower dominates the city’s skyline and offers a spectacular view of the city. Queen Street, the commercial hub area, starts at Waitemata Harbour and runs for nearly three kilometres in a virtual straight line. From the city centre you can walk to the Auckland Domain and the Museum, Albert Park, Parnell, a lovely historic precinct, and up to Newmarket with its many shops. From there it is not far to Mt. Eden and its impressive crater, and to Cornwall Park which is at the foot of the famous One Tree Hill. One Tree Hill, an extinct volcano cone and ancient Maori settlement offers great panoramic views of this sprawling city. Cosmopolitan and charming, Auckland is easily accessible, beautiful, and with plenty to do. It certainly is New Zealand's most vibrant city.

About the destination: The Coromandel Peninsula (Māori: Te Tara-O-Te-Ika-A-Māui) on the North Island of New Zealand extends 85 kilometres (53 mi) north from the western end of the Bay of Plenty, forming a natural barrier protecting the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames in the west from the Pacific Ocean to the east. It is 40 kilometres (25 mi) wide at its broadest point. Almost its entire population lives on the narrow coastal strips fronting the Hauraki Gulf and the Bay of Plenty. In clear weather the peninsula is clearly visible from Auckland, the country's biggest city, which lies on the far shore of the Hauraki Gulf, 55 kilometres (34 mi) to the west. The peninsula is part of the Thames-Coromandel District of the Waikato region.

About the destination: Rotorua is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. It is the seat of the Rotorua District, a territorial authority encompassing Rotorua and several other nearby towns. The majority of the Rotorua District is in the Bay of Plenty Region, but a sizable southern section and a small western section are in the Waikato Region. Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Government Gardens is an immaculate park near the CBD, where there is also the city museum and the famous Blue Baths. • Hamurana Springs are a group of natural water springs in a beautiful reserve next to the Hamurana golf course. • The Lakes. The lakefront has a scenic promenade from where you can see Mokoia Island.

About the destination: Gisborne is a city in northeastern New Zealand and the largest settlement in the Gisborne District (or Gisborne Region). It has a population of 36,100 (June 2016). The district council has its headquarters in Whataupoko, in the central city. The settlement was originally known as Turanga and renamed Gisborne in 1870 in honour of New Zealand Colonial Secretary William Gisborne.

About the destination: Napier (/ˈneɪpiər/ nay-pi-ər; Māori: Ahuriri) is a New Zealand city with a seaport, located in Hawke's Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island. The population of Napier is about 62,100 as of the June 2016.[1] About 18 kilometres south of Napier is the inland city of Hastings. These two neighbouring cities are often called "The Bay Cities" or "The Twin Cities" of New Zealand. The total population of the Napier-Hastings Urban Area is 131,000 people, which makes it the sixth-largest urban area in New Zealand, closely followed by Dunedin (118,500), and trailing the Hamilton Urban Area (230,000), and Tauranga (134,400),. Napier is about 320 kilometres northeast of the capital city of Wellington. Napier (62,100) has a smaller population than its neighbouring city of Hastings (68,900) but is seen as the main centre due to it being closer in distance to both the seaport and the main airport that service Hawke's Bay. The City of Napier has a land area of 106 square kilometres and a population density of 540.0 per square kilometre. Napier is the nexus of the largest wool centre in the Southern Hemisphere, and it has the primary export seaport for northeastern New Zealand – which is the largest producer of apples, pears, and stone fruit in New Zealand. Napier has also become an important grape and wine production area, with the grapes grown around Hastings and Napier being sent through the Port of Napier for export. Large amounts of sheep's wool, frozen meat, wood pulp, and timber also pass through Napier annually for export. Smaller amounts of these materials are shipped via road and railway to the large metropolitan areas of New Zealand itself, such as Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton. Napier is a popular tourist city, with a unique concentration of 1930s Art Deco architecture, built after much of the city was razed in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. It also has one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country, a statue on Marine Parade called Pania of the Reef. Thousands of people flock to Napier every February for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend event, a celebration of its Art Deco heritage and history. Other notable tourist events attracting many outsiders to the region annually include F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic events, and the Mission Estate Concert at Mission Estate and Winery in the suburb of Taradale.

About the destination: Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. Wellington is a compact city as it is nestled between the magnificent Wellington Harbour and surrounding green hills. Wellington is a culturally enriched city with a high emphasis on the arts and it is considered the cultural hub of New Zealand. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the stormy Cook Strait is the reason why Wellington is dubbed the Windy City. The town itself is quite compact with most things to see within easy reach. The most important attraction in Wellington is the beautifully refurbished Parliament Buildings, located in the historic suburb of Thorndon. The complex is made up of 3 architecturally distinctive buildings: the Edwardian neo-classical Parliament House, the Victorian Gothic Parliamentary Library and the unique 1970’s style Beehive building, considered the city’s main landmark. Nearby the Parliament Buildings, visitors will find lots of good shops, cafés, Te Papa Museum and Courtenay Place for entertainment. Not too far away are the Ferry terminals and the Caketin, Wellington Stadium. Providing landscapes full of beaches, mountains, old Victorian townhouses, good lookout points, trendy clubs, parliament buildings, music, art, and so much more, Wellington really is a pleasant and beautiful destination.

About the destination: Marlborough enjoys many hours of sunshine and mild weather, so visitors can enjoy all the diversity of Marlborough throughout the season. No matter what time of year it is, there's always something to do in Marlborough.

About the destination: Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1, 180 km north of Christchurch. Kaikoura became the first local authority in the Southern Hemisphere to achieve recognition by the EarthCheck Community Standard. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Sperm Whales • Dolphins • New Zealand fur seals • Wandering Albatross

About the destination: Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-most populous urban area. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Christchurch Cathedral built between 1864 and 1904 in Cathedral Square and its replacement ""Cardboard Cathedral"", at 234 Hereford Street, an easy walk North West of its beloved forebear • Arts Centre. Gothic Revival stonework of former University campus. However, the beauty and historical significance of these building can still be appreciated by viewing them from surrounding streets such as Worcester Boulevard and Hereford Street and the excellent Canterbury Cheesemongers still operates from a modern building within its precincts. • Botanic Gardens. • Canterbury Museum. Maori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. • Ferrymead Heritage Park. A recreated Edwardian township and museum with horse and carriage, tram and train rides. Due to the voluntary nature of the historical societies managing Ferrymead, not all attractions may be running at all times. • International Antarctic Centre. A world-class Antarctic experience with simulated polar weather, Hagglund All-Terrain Vehicle ride, penguins, extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions, cafe and gift shop. • Orana Wildlife Park. New Zealand's largest wildlife sanctuary and conservation project featuring endangered animals from around the world. The park's design minimises fences and cages in favor of natural boundaries and habitats. • Willowbank Wildlife Reserve • Yaldhurst Museum. Mostly interesting for its collection of over 150 classic and vintage vehicles. • Riccarton Bush. The last remaining forest remnant on the Canterbury plains is in Christchurch city. If your time is limited in NZ, this is a great way to experience an example of the country's native forests. • Earthquake Tourism Tours of affected sites both inside and outside the ""red zone"" are available. Visitors can also make their own way to sites of particular significance such as Christchurch Cathedral; the Catholic Basilica and the construction site of the Cardboard Cathedral.

About the destination: Omarama is a small township (population 267 at 2013 census) at the junction of State Highways 8 and 83, near the southern end of the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand. Omarama is in the Waitaki District, in the southern Canterbury region. The Ahuriri River is a short distance to the north of the township. Omarama is primarily a rural service centre, providing local farmers and other residents with necessities and facilities such as grocery shopping, fuel and mechanical services, as well as a post shop. In more recent years these and similar services have expanded moderately, due to the increase in new residents and visitors, including anglers, artists, astronomers, sailplane enthusiasts, skiers and general tourists. A significant proportion of permanent village residents are employees of, or contractors to, Meridian Energy Limited, a state-owned enterprise which is responsible for the nearby dams and powerstations that are part of New Zealand's hydroelectricity generation. Omarama is Māori for "Place of Light", a reference to its extraordinarily pure and clear sky.

About the destination: Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and just above the town; Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. One of the best views is from the top of Bob's Peak reached by the Skyline Gondola. Breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks.

About the destination: Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-most populous urban area. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Christchurch Cathedral built between 1864 and 1904 in Cathedral Square and its replacement ""Cardboard Cathedral"", at 234 Hereford Street, an easy walk North West of its beloved forebear • Arts Centre. Gothic Revival stonework of former University campus. However, the beauty and historical significance of these building can still be appreciated by viewing them from surrounding streets such as Worcester Boulevard and Hereford Street and the excellent Canterbury Cheesemongers still operates from a modern building within its precincts. • Botanic Gardens. • Canterbury Museum. Maori and natural history sections, Antarctic exploration display, and visiting exhibitions. • Ferrymead Heritage Park. A recreated Edwardian township and museum with horse and carriage, tram and train rides. Due to the voluntary nature of the historical societies managing Ferrymead, not all attractions may be running at all times. • International Antarctic Centre. A world-class Antarctic experience with simulated polar weather, Hagglund All-Terrain Vehicle ride, penguins, extensive exhibits about Antarctic science missions, cafe and gift shop. • Orana Wildlife Park. New Zealand's largest wildlife sanctuary and conservation project featuring endangered animals from around the world. The park's design minimises fences and cages in favor of natural boundaries and habitats. • Willowbank Wildlife Reserve • Yaldhurst Museum. Mostly interesting for its collection of over 150 classic and vintage vehicles. • Riccarton Bush. The last remaining forest remnant on the Canterbury plains is in Christchurch city. If your time is limited in NZ, this is a great way to experience an example of the country's native forests. • Earthquake Tourism Tours of affected sites both inside and outside the ""red zone"" are available. Visitors can also make their own way to sites of particular significance such as Christchurch Cathedral; the Catholic Basilica and the construction site of the Cardboard Cathedral.