Auckland: Sailors paradise

On the North Island of New Zealand you’ll find Auckland, a large city set around stunning inlets and bays. Not surprisingly, most of the Auckland’s most celebrated activities are to do with water. These include dinner cruises in the harbor and swimming with dolphins.

Transport: how to get there and around:

New Zealand’s main international airport is situated in Auckland. This makes it accessible to direct flights from the US, Australia, Asia and Europe. Flights also run domestically from the South Island to Auckland.

Auckland city covers a wide area so it is recommended to get around using a bicycle or taxi. To reach other towns and attractions, there are bus and rail services.

Weather

Owing to its location in the southern hemisphere, summer in New Zealand is from November to April. In summer temperatures are around 20 C and the winter is fairly mild as it doesn’t usually freeze.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Auckland.

Attractions & Events

There are events held all year in Auckland, although the city really comes to life in the summer time.

*Sports fans can enjoy January with the Open Tennis Championships and the Captain Hobson Anniversary Day Regatta.

*In March, Western Springs holds the Pasifika Festival with Polynesian music and performances.

*Auckland Botanical Gardens have a show in November called the Ellerslie Flower Show.

Wellington: Attractive city of views

The capital city, Wellington is surrounded by hills and offers some splendid views of the Harbor. Home to the main government buildings, Wellington also has a bustling cafe and entertainment culture.

Transport: how to get there and around:

Domestic flights from Auckland and Christchurch as well as other destinations connect with Wellington airport. A ferry also makes it possible to reach the south island town of Picton.

A major bus route runs from Auckland to Wellington. To get around in and around the city itself there are local train and bus services, as well as taxi’s.

Weather

Situated on the coast, Wellington can suffer from windy weather.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Wellington.

Attractions & Events

Many sporting and cultural events take place in the capital city, here are just a few.

*During January, the city hosts Wellington Cup Week with fashion, live music and of course horse racing.

*The Arts Festival is held in January with International artists taking part.

*The Jazz festival and Fashion Festival are both during October.

Christchurch: Have fun with nature

From Christchurch you can access nature and have fun on New Zealand’s plains, lakes, mountains and beaches. Being the largest city in the Southern Island, there are always attractions for visitors such as the Antarctic Centre, wildlife showcases, gondola trips and more.

Transport: how to get there and around:

The international airport of the South Island is in Christchurch, connecting with Australia and several other destinations. Air New Zealand serves other domestic locations. Getting around is simple with the city’s cost effective bus service and reliable rail network.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Christchurch.

Attractions & Events:

*An international festival of flowers is held in Christchurch during the month os February.

*Fine music, food and wine can be enjoyed during Augusts International Jazz Festival

New Zealand’s wild, elemental beauty made it the perfect locale for filming Lord of the Rings. For this is a raw land of sheer mountains, icy glaciers, swift flowing rivers and geysers that spout from the hot earth.

Auckland:city of sails

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland sprawls scenically around a range of inlets and bays. Lapped by the waters of the Pacific, Auckland has a distinct seafaring air to it.

transport:getting there and getting around

Auckland is New Zealand’s centre for international flights. You can take direct flights from here to all Australian airports, the US west coast, many Asian destinations, and London and Frankfurt. There are also a wide range of domestic flights.

Regular bus services connect Auckland with major towns and tourist attractions. And there are morning and overnight trains to Wellington daily.

Auckland is a sprawling city so walking is not convenient. Car hire or cycling are the most convenient ways to get around.

climate

Auckland’s coastal location keep temperatures lower than the in the hinterlands. Temperatures hover in the mid-20°s in summer and it rarely freezes in winter.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Auckland Hotels

Events

Summer is the time when Auckland comes to life though there’s something happening all year round.

*In January there are the Open Tennis Championships.

*Also in January is the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, commemorating the arrival of Captain Hobson in New Zealand.

*Pasifika Festival in March celebrates Polynesian culture through music and performances at Western Springs.

*Ellerslie Flower Show at the Botanic Gardens in November showcases the city’s blooms

*The Auckland Cup is held at Ellerslie Race Course December.

Wellington

As New Zealand’s capital, Wellington is home to the imposing administrative buildings of government. It’s an attractive city with a splendid harbour and terraced hills.

transport:getting there and getting around

Air New Zealand offer direct domestic flights between Wellington airport and most major centres, including Auckland, Christchurch

Regular ferry services connect Wellington with Picton on the South Island.

Wellington is an important junction for bus travel, with buses north to Auckland and all major towns in between. Wellington has a train station, an efficient local bus system, many car-hire companies, and taxi services.

climate:

Wellington’s coastal location gives it the reputation for being windy.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Wellington hotels

events

As the nation’s capital, Wellington is the centre for a host of cultural and sporting events

* Wellington Cup Week in January features racing, live music, fashion in the field, celebrity judges.

*February New Zealand International Arts Festival

*New Zealand Festival (Biennial)

October is a busy month with Wellington Fashion Festival and Wellington International Jazz Festival.

Christchurch:springboard into nature

The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is traditionally a springboard for forays into the nearby mountains, plains, beaches and lakes. However, Christchurch has many attractions of its own to offer.

transport:getting there and getting around

Christchurch is the main international gateway to the South Island. Flights connect with Australia and a few other countries. The airport is about seven miles from the city centre. There are also trains and a cheap and efficient bus service.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Christchurch hotels

events:

*February Christchurch Festival of Flowers – an international floral celebration in the garden city.

*August Christchurch International Jazz Festival – a celebration of jazz, wine and food featuring international and local talent.