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New Zealand is a spectacularly beautiful country which possesses
vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines
and lush rainforests. Since New Zealand is separated from other
land masses for more than 100 million years, has allowed many
ancient plants and animals to survive and evolve in isolation.
The land is not only proud of the unique flora and fauna it
possesses, but is also a great landscape that is full of unrivalled
variety of landforms. While exploring the beautiful confines
of New Zealand one can view everything from mountain ranges
to sandy beaches, lush rainforests, glaciers and active volcanoes.
The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is perfect as
a pleasant jumping-off point for the mountains, ocean beaches,
rivers, lakes and wide-open spaces less than an hour from the
city centre. But Christchurch is more than just a springboard.
Auckland is the best place to start exploring the North of
the country. It's a great city and offers everything one desires.
Wellington is the capital city, and is located at the extreme
southern tip of the North Island. Christchurch is the largest
city in the South Island. Many activities can be organized from
here. Trekking to Mount Cook is just one of the many things
you can do.
Major attractions
Auckland
This waterside city has a strong pulse and a nautical twinkle
in its eye. Its location on a thin stretch of the North Island,
sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, is
complemented by the lush subtropical forests of nearby hills
and the volcanic terrains of nearby islands.
With its spectacular harbour and bridge, New Zealand's largest
city ranks with the best and its districts weave their way around
a variety of bays ideal for swimming, water sports and particularly
yachting - hence the nickname 'City of Sails'.
Christchurch
The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is perfect as
a pleasant jumping-off point for the mountains, ocean beaches,
rivers, lakes and wide-open spaces less than an hour from the
city centre. But Christchurch is more than just a springboard.
Queenstown
Queenstown, on the northern shore of the serpentine Lake Wakatipu,
is the epitome of the big-budget resort town, awash with organised
tour groups. There's great skiing in winter and plenty of extreme
substitute summer pasTimes. Most activities are centred on the
lake and many nearby rivers.
Wellingtown
The Greater Wellington metropolitan area contains the Wellington
City, New Zealand's capital, which is an amazing city. The city
is ideally located on the shores of a harbour and is surrounded
by a natural stage of wooded hills and is considered New Zealand's
most desirable weekend destination. The city also presents some
of the most vibrant entertainment districts in the country,
where one can find some of the best bars, cafes, restaurants
and theatres. Wellington boasts an diverse range of shops with
a host of fashion stores and the country's premier department
store, the city presents some of New Zealand's best, if not
most affordable, shopping opportunities.
Oriental Bay : Just fifteen minutes
walk from the central city, Oriental Bay is a popular beach
for Wellingtonians. People come here to relax and some holidays
amidst the solitude of natural surroundings. Various activities
undertaken here are jogging, picnics and even swimming on warm
sunny summer days.
Museum : Wellington is the location
of New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa. It is located on
Wellington's waterfront and hosts many cultural and contemporary
exhibits.
Fact File
Official name : New Zealand
Government : Independent member
of the Commonwealth of Nations
Capital city : Wellington
Nationality : New Zealander(s)
Ethnic Group : 75% New Zealand
European (Pakeha), 10% Maori, 5% other European, 4.5% Polynesian,
5% Asian, 0.5% other
Location : New Zealand lies southeast
of Australia between latitudes 34 degrees south and 47 degrees
south.
Continent : Australia
Currency : New Zealand Dollar (NZD);
1 NZD = 30.772 INR = 0.7074 US Dollar = 0.5822 Euro (subject
to change).
Population : 4 million
Languages : English, Maori
Religion : Predominantly Christian
(75%)
Area : 268,680 sq km
Famous for : Natural scenery and
attractions
Major cities : Auckland, Wellington,
Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown
Clothing : Summers : heavy cottons
; Winters : heavy woolens
Major events : Summer City Programme
(January to February; Wellington); BMW Wine Marlborough Festival
(2nd week in February; Blenheim); New Zealand Festival (February,
even-numbered years only; Wellington), an entire month of national
and international culture; Golden Shears Sheep-Shearing Contest
(March; Masterton), and Canterbury Show Week (November; Christchurch)
Things to Buy : Bounty of Kiwi
made products including Wines, sheepskin, jade and cultural
items such as Maori carvings, while many of our world-renowned
natural products such as Manuka, can be found in the Health
Beauty section.
Things to do : Water sports, sightseeing
Cuisine : Roast Kumara (sweet patato),
Pavlova, biscuits, kiwifruit, whitebait. Maori cuisine – hangi(meat,
vegetables, puddings) ; Kaimoana(seaTime) – shellfish, crayfish,
paua, green mussels. Beverages – coffee, Lemon and Paeroa.
Visa Permit
To visit New Zealand you will need a Visitor's Visa unless you
are a visa free visitor. Find out about visas and permits, and
whether you need one. If you are stopping off at a New Zealand
airport on your way to another country you may instead need
to apply for a Transit Visa.
You don't need a visa or permit if you're:
a New Zealand citizen or you hold a New Zealand residence permit
an Australian citizen, or Australian resident who holds a current
permanent resident return visa (temporary or provisional resident
return visa holders will need a visa to enter New Zealand).
And you don't need a Visitor's Visa to
visit New Zealand if you're:
a British citizen or a traveller holding a British passport
who has the right to live in the United Kingdom. We may grant
you a Visitor's Permit for up to six months
visiting New Zealand for no more than three months and you're:
travelling on a United Nations laissez-passer
or
a citizen of a visa free country. Find out if you're a 'visa
free' visitor.
Culture
New Zealand has a very unique and dynamic culture. The culture
of its aboriginal Maori people affects the language, the arts,
and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Their place in the
South Pacific, and their love of the outdoors, sport, and the
arts make New Zealanders and their culture unique in the world.
When to Go
The warmer months (November to April) are busiest, especially
from December 20 to the end of January. Ski resort towns are
obviously busier during the winter months. The peak season is
during Christmas season. It's probably more pleasant to visit
either before or after this hectic period, when the weather
is still warm and there aren't as many other travellers around.
Climate
New Zealand has a mariTime climate, as opposed to the continental
climate of larger land masses. Climate and weather conditions
in the seas around New Zealand can cause climatic volatility.
Rain is more evenly distributed in the North Island than in
the South.
Getting There
By Air : 'Christchurch International
Airpor't, 'Wellington International Airport' and 'Auckland International
Airport' are the three international airports in the country.There
are seven airports that handle international flights namely
Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerston North,
Queenstown and Wellington.
By Sea : A few cruise ships visit
New Zealand, but there are no regular passenger ship services
and this mode of transport is a thing of the past.
Getting Around
By Air : Several smaller airlines
- Mt Cook Airline, Eagle Air and Air Nelson - are partly owned
by flagship Air New Zealand and have been grouped together as
'Air New Zealand Link'. This network provides thorough coverage
of the country.
By Bus : New Zealand also has an
extensive bus network, with the main operator being InterCity
(servicing both the North Island and South Island). The two
other major bus operators are Newmans (North Island) and Mt
Cook Landline (South Island. An alternative is to use shuttle
bus companies, which are smaller, cheaper and friendlier than
the large bus companies.
By Train : Wellington railway station,
Auckland station and Dunedin railway station are the main railway
stations in the country. Though main train routes are few, train
travel is reasonably fast.
By Sea : The Interislander ferry
(operating between Wellington in the North Island and Picton
in the South Island) provides the option to travel by boats.
How to plan your tours:
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tours. We also offer most ideal tours itineraries to explore
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period and budget to: info@easytravelindia.com
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