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New Zealand by Dale Nolan Beautiful New Zealand is a land covered with snowy mountains, jagged sounds, blue lakes, fiery volcanoes and countless islands and stunning bays. Set at the very edge of the Pacific Ocean, this scarcely populated country boasts some of the emptiest beaches and most awe-inspiring national parks to be found anywhere. Known by the Maoris as the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ and famous for being the setting of the ‘Lord of the Rings’, New Zealand has quickly become the adventure capital of the world attracting thrill-seeking tourists and hiking enthusiasts from across the globe. Polynesians were the first to reach the shores of New Zealand and arrived around the Tenth century on their catamaran-style canoes. Over the next several centuries, the Polynesians became known as the Maoris and they developed a sophisticated clan culture across the islands. In 1642, Dutch explorers chartered the western side of New Zealand but it wasn’t until the Eighteenth century that Britain’s Captain Cook claimed the islands for the British king. The local population were unimpressed with the arrival of the Europeans and their Anglican missionaries and several wars were fought for the country. Despite the Maori’s impressive attempts to stop British colonisation eventually British rule was achieved and a treaty signed ceding New Zealand to Britain. Today, the Kiwi nation is renowned for its bungee jumping, All Black rugby team and its impressive glaciers and Alpine scenery. From a visitor point of view the nation can be divided into the North Island and the South Island and both offer a variety of unique activities and striking attractions. Most visits to New Zealand begin on the North Island through the country’s main commercial hub of Auckland. Standing on a thin slither of land between the Tasman Sea and the Hauraki Gulf, the handsome city of Auckland is the largest in New Zealand and boasts glittering skyscrapers and a picturesque harbour setting. Known as the City of Sails, this bustling and modern city is packed with yachts, galleries and fantastic nightlife making it one of the most desirable cities in the world to live in and visit. Local attractions to see include the Auckland Art Gallery displaying charming local works, the fantastic panoramas from the top of the Sky Tower and a host of unspoilt beaches on the western coast. Trailing majestically north from Auckland is the Far North peninsula, which is pitted with spectacular harbours and bays. This glorious stretch of land is scattered with volcanic islands and was historically the landing point for the Polynesians and the site of the treaty later signed between the Maori and the British. Just like the rest of the North Island, the peninsula hosts a strong and vibrant Maori population and its diverse land is covered with thick, giant Kauri forests and many fine beaches ideal for surfing and sunbathing. The greatest attraction of the region is the tourism haven around the Bay of Islands where chartered sailing excursions and cape cruises reveal the splendid beauty of migrating dolphins and whales. The central region of North Island carries the legacy of its tumultuous, volcanic past and there are a string of active and dormant volcanoes, hot springs and pools and steam-hissing geysers to witness. Some of the best places to explore across this area include the smouldering, volcanic White Island, the sublime volcanic scenery of Tongariro National Park and the visitor-packed town of Rotorua. Lying on shores of Lake Taupo, Rotorua is an ideal spot to soak up Maori culture and there are many local demonstrations of traditional customs such as the in-your-face Haka Dance – famously performed by the All Blacks before each game. The town also boasts the awesome Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve with its spitting Pohutu geyser, some superb thermal spas, Taupo with its fishing and lake cruises and white-water rafting on the Kaituna River and Huka Falls. At the foot of North Island and overlooking the nearby shores of the South Island is the national capital of Wellington. Although nowhere near the size of Auckland this neat and relaxed city includes first class restaurants, pretty gardens and waterfront, a clutch of black sand beaches and surf spots and the celebrated Museum of Te Papa. Hamilton is also the main ferry point across to the South Island and this two-hour journey brings visitors to New Zealand’s big country. The South Island is set on a grand scale and includes a host of ski resorts, adventure centres, vast national parks and outstanding natural wonders. The best include the delicious vineyards of Marlborough, the enchanting solitude of Kahurangi National Park and Wharariki Beach, kayaking at Marlborough and Doubtful Sounds, Alpine skiing at Mounts Hutt and Cook and the cricket-loving, garden city of Christchurch. Indeed there are countless options on the South Island to take to including abseiling, hiking, caving, glacier walking and canoeing and these activities highlight New Zealand’s claim to being the home of adventure sport. However, one of the most impressive and busy draws on the South Island is the heart-pumping city of Queenstown – New Zealand’s premier tourist destination. Set on the slopes of the mirror-like Lake Wakatipu, stunning Queenstown is the thrill-seeking capital of the world and boasts a dizzying range of activities and attractions. Set by the aptly named Remarkables Mountains, this city is home to jet boating, flightseeing, rafting, heli-skiing, mountain cycling, skydiving, river sledging, paragliding, fly-by-wire and the world’s tallest and mightiest bungee jumps. Further, partying Queenstown also has some great bars and restaurants and the vistas from the top of scenic Bob’s Peak are truly unforgettable. To the south of hair-raising Queenstown lies New Zealand’s largest and most remote region, the breathtaking and World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. In scenes reminiscent of Norway’s fjords, this magnificent parkland packs stunning wilderness, rampant rivers, blue lakes and striking, arrow-edged sounds within its ample borders. The most rewarding area of the park is the captivating Milford Sound, which is an ideal base for hiking and cruising and an enduring final image of this staggering nation. New Zealand impresses with every trip and its blend of Maori traditions, active sports, pretty cities and absorbing countryside is incomparable with any other place on Earth. New Zealand remains a king of destinations and it manages to leave everywhere else flapping in its imperious wake.