Here for a good time, not a long time? Don’t sweat it – in New Zealand you’re never far from buzzing city life with its killer shopping, trendy cafés and exquisite dining options; quirky country towns; lush countryside and rugged landscapes.
With 28 regions and 13 cities to explore from Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island to Bluff at the bottom of the South Island and on to the southernmost Stewart Island, there are highlights in every corner of New Zealand. Between the natural beauty of the wild West Coast, Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland and the tranquil glacial lakes of Queenstown and Lake Wanaka, Auckland’s bustling, big city metropolis, Wellington’s cosmopolitan capital of cool status, Christchurch’s exciting, post-quake rebuild vibe and Dunedin’s edgy fashion scene, you may find yourself having to play holiday roulette to fit it all in. Film buffs can relive their favourite flick by checking out the stunning locations of Taranaki (The Last Samurai), Southland (The World’s Fastest Indian), Eastland (Boy), Auckland (The Piano, Xena: Warrior Princess), Canterbury (The Frighteners, Heavenly Creatures, Z for Zachariah, Chronicles of Narnia), Wellington (King Kong) and Waikato (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit). With all this going on (and much, much more) you’ll need to pack your sense of adventure.