Activity Packed Tours Of New Zealand
December 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Tourists Attractions
The best way to experience the spirit of New Zealand is with one of the activity filled New Zealand tours. There are many different companies that you can book a trip through, but if you are someone who thrives on adventure and the unknown, then you definitely want to choose one that offers activities along the way. These types of New Zealand tours are especially great for young couples or a group of friends who are seeking travel adventures. Many newlyweds choose these types of New Zealand tours because they are a great way to bond while exploring the most incredible parts of the world.
There are different levels of activity for a variety of New Zealand tours, depending on how active you are looking to get on your vacation. The first decision you should make when you are looking into outdoor adventure New Zealand tours is what part of the island you want to explore the most. The North Island is the 14th largest island in the world and is home to the largest city in New Zealand, Auckland, and Wellington, which is the capital of New Zealand. The North Island is very popular among tourists and has many beaches, parks and forests to explore. The South Island is the larger of the two islands, but is less populated than the North Island. The South Island is often referred to as the mainland which is funny and ironic because only about one fourth of the entire population of New Zealand lives there.
Both the South and the North Island offer a wide variety of outdoor adventure tours so regardless of which one you choose you will have a lot of fun. There are trips that combine many different outdoor sports, but there are also tours that concentrate solely on just one activity. Some of the activities that you can expect to do on one of the outdoor adventure New Zealand tours are: snorkeling, hiking, mountain biking, scuba diving, kayaking and canoeing. There are even New Zealand tours that are designed specifically for families. This allows people with children to partake in an amazing adventure and it proves that there is something for everyone. These New Zealand tours will take you on adventures that are truly once in a lifetime experiences. A trip like this will completely revolutionize the way you want to travel in the future and it is a great way to bond and spend time with those who you love.
New Zealand Tours: Coromandel
April 20, 2009 by admin
Filed under Restaurants
When it comes to New Zealand tours, there are many options available for the intrepid travel, but few are more stunning than Coromandel. The rustic, unspoiled volcanic hills, native rainforests, and beautiful beaches have been inspiring and delighting for centuries.
The history of the Coromandel can be traced to its ancient gold mining relics, logging dams, and ancient Maori pa sites, as well as in the many historic buildings that have been preserved throughout the areas.
Coromandel was first visited by the legendary Captain James Cook in 1769, and settled by Bill Webster in the 1830s, where it served as an important trading area and ship building site. Webster employed the Maori natives to build small schooners and ready timber cargoes for shipment in the Australian market.
It was the Kauri forests, however, that truly put Coromandel on the map, so to speak. These giant trees were mined extensively from 1795 on, until it became apparent that the industry was forcing these beautiful trees to extinction. Kauri trees are now considered national treasures and protected from further deforestation.
One of the most popular Coromandel sites to see on your New Zealand tour is Cathedral Cove, a beach known for its pure white sands and beautiful native foliage, including the unique Pohutukawa trees. These large coastal evergreens are endemic to New Zealand, and are known for their brilliant red flowers and dome like spreading forms. November thorough January is the peak time to see these unique blooms, which are responsible for the trees nickname, the New Zealand Christmas tree.
While we are on the subject of unique beaches, the famous Hot Water beach is another site that is not to be missed. Located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, this beach is so named for the underground hot springs that filter through the sand between the high and low tides.
Once you have finished relaxing and taking in the sites by the waters edge, head over to the 309 road, the main thoroughfare between Whitianga and Coromandel Town. Scenic and surrounded by farmland and native plants, and bordered by the Mahakirau stream, this meandering, tranquil gravel path will lead you to Egan Park, Kauri Grove, the stunning Waiau Falls, and the historic Chiltern Reserve.
At the nearby Waiau Waterworks, adults and children alike can enjoy the hydraulic ramp pumps, waterwheels, kinetic art, and other interesting attractions, including restaurants and unique shops.
The best thing about a New Zealand tour is that each and every trip reveals unique experiences, sights, and sounds. Coromandel is just one of the many fascinating locales that await you on your New Zealand vacation.
