| New Zealand is one of the most isolated and | | | | jump site. It has also become a popular |
| beautiful countries in the world. Most people | | | | destination for skiing and winter sports. |
| think of the country as being just off the | | | | Queenstown is situated in some of the |
| coast of Australia and tend to lump the two | | | | country's most beautiful scenery, in a |
| together, in fact over 1200 miles of water | | | | country that is not exactly short on natural |
| separates the two countries. | | | | beauty. |
| | | | |
| On a visit to New Zealand, you can experience | | | | While New Zealand is undoubtedly a major |
| some of the most dramatic and unspoiled | | | | destination for outdoors enthusiasts, the |
| landscapes anywhere on earth. New Zealand | | | | country also boasts sophisticated cities and |
| boasts snow-capped mountains, deep blue | | | | a fascinating culture. New Zealand has also |
| lakes, forests, geysers and boiling pools of | | | | been recognized for its quality wines in |
| mud. The South Island contains most of the | | | | recent years. The country has six major wine |
| country's highest mountains, including Mount | | | | growing regions and it is possible to spend |
| Cook at 12,000 feet; while the North Island | | | | your entire time here simply touring |
| has more volcanic activity. | | | | vineyards. There are over 80 in the Auckland |
| | | | area alone. |
| New Zealanders do not take their beautiful | | | | |
| country for granted, many towns and cities | | | | Auckland, known as the City of Sails, is |
| have walking trails and around a third of the | | | | where most international visitors arrive. It |
| land is designated as National Park. Also, if | | | | is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in |
| some parts of New Zealand look vaguely | | | | the country and offers a wide selection of |
| familiar, the country's dramatic and | | | | shops, nightlife, galleries and restaurants. |
| unspoiled landscapes are featured in the Lord | | | | Many visitors are surprised at the quality of |
| of the Rings movie trilogy. | | | | the dining in Auckland - particularly |
| | | | recommended are those restaurants |
| One thing that you will immediately notice | | | | specializing in Asian and Pacific Rim |
| about New Zealand is that it is sparsely | | | | cuisine. |
| populated. Sheep outnumber people by about | | | | |
| ten to one. The sea has always been important | | | | The Maoris were the first inhabitants of New |
| to the people of New Zealand ever since the | | | | Zealand and it is difficult to travel through |
| Maoris settled on the two islands around 1000 | | | | the country without coming across reminders |
| years ago. No place in the country is more | | | | of their culture and influence. The Auckland |
| than about 80 miles from the sea. | | | | Museum is a great place to become familiar |
| | | | with Maori culture. For a more hands-on |
| Although the country is sparsely populated, | | | | experience, visit the reconstructed and |
| it has become increasingly cosmopolitan, | | | | authentic Maori village at Tamaki. One place |
| attracting immigrants from all over the | | | | not to be missed is the East Cape, one of the |
| world. Many New Zealanders are of British | | | | last places where the Maori language is part |
| descent; there are also many immigrants from | | | | of everyday life. |
| China, Korea and Japan. Around 23% of New | | | | |
| Zealanders were born overseas, one of the | | | | For much of the 19th century, New Zealand was |
| highest such percentages in the world. | | | | a British colony and one of the most |
| Visitors as well as residents enjoy a high | | | | noticeable things to any visitor is how much |
| standard of living in beautiful New Zealand. | | | | parts of the country feel like Britain. The |
| | | | city of Christchurch, with its squares and |
| New Zealand appeals to lovers of the great | | | | avenues and beautiful Victorian buildings, is |
| outdoors and in recent years, the country has | | | | perhaps the most “English” of New |
| become one of the main destinations for | | | | Zealand's cities, it even has a River Avon |
| so-called adventure travel. You can find it | | | | running through the center. The delightful |
| all in New Zealand, white water rafting, | | | | town of Dunedin might have been transplanted |
| skiing, hiking, (tramping as it is called | | | | from Scotland. Also, another aspect of New |
| here) sky-diving, hot air ballooning, | | | | Zealand life that is good to know, New |
| kayaking and swimming with sharks. Also, for | | | | Zealanders drive on the left. |
| the true thrill-seeker, the most extreme of | | | | |
| extreme sports, bungee jumping. | | | | Most visitors leave New Zealand with a |
| | | | favorable impression. It is a country that |
| Queenstown has become the unofficial capital | | | | really does have it all, wonderful scenery, |
| of adventure sports as well as the most | | | | vibrant cities, excellent food and wines and |
| visited destination in the country. The city | | | | a fascinating culture. |
| boasts the world's first commercial bungee | | | | |