Gannet Colony

Cape Kidnappers is the largest and most accessible mainland Gannet Colony in the world. You will se these amazing birds nesting, preening, flying and performing the fascinating recognition ritual 'Dance of the Gannets'. Travel in air-conditioned 4wd vehicles over the hill country of Cape Kidnappers Station. Stretch your legs at the brink of a cliff 100 metres above the beach and view the Hawke's Bay out to the Mahia Peninsula. No walking is required.

Napier is known as the Art Deco City. Walking tours, most conducted by the Art Deco Trust, operate daily and leave from the Marine Parade and proceed through Napier's Art Deco Quarter and a stylish retail shop. Delight in the decorative and colourful buildings – Napier is famous for its Jazz age architecture.

Home to more than 30 of the country's vineyards, this prosperous wine-producing region boasts an average of 2245 hours of sunshine annually. Cabernet sauvignon, gewurztraminer, chardonnay, merlot, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc are among the many varieties produced. The twin cities of Napier and Hastings are the main centres, with Napier famous for its art deco architecture. The city was virtually destroyed during the 1931 earthquake and rebuilt in the Art Deco and Spanish Mission styles. The 3km Marine Parade is a popular place to enjoy a stroll along the city's waterfront. The region enjoys a lively arts scene, with many art galleries and craft studios, while the annual festival, Harvest Hawke's Bay, celebrates the region's world-class wine and food.

Enjoy the expertise of local winemakers – visit several 'boutique' wineries. Travel the 'Western Plains Wine Route' and the East to the Havelock North wineries. Hawke's Bay produces some of New Zealand's best red and white wines and is probably most noted for its Merlot and Cabernet Savignon.

 A coastal city on New Zealand's North Island, Napier is set amid the renowned wine-producing region of Hawke's Bay. Rebuilt after a 1931 earthquake, the city is known for art deco landmarks like the zigzag-patterned Daily Telegraph Building. Along the tree-lined waterfront promenade the Marine Parade, the Pania of the Reef statue depicting a Maori maiden, is a symbol of the city.

Napier's city centre has the feeling of a time capsule - the seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary. One of the ways to enjoy the streetscape is on a self-guided walk - ask for a map at the information centre or at the Art Deco Trust.

The Hawke’s Bay region is a foodie’s paradise with great local flavours to sample and enjoy.  The New Zealand Wine Centre can take you on a journey to learn about how the region’s wines are made and you can grab a packaged four course lunch option to sample the fine flavours.  You can also go on a bike tour to see Napier’s stunning views and vineyards to taste the premium wines.

Hawkes's Bay Trails can offer beginner riders, keen cyclists, walkers and runners 180km of on-road and off-road trails where you will see everything from mountainous lookouts and beautiful lowland rivers to endangered wetland wildlife and the sweeping Hawkes's Bay coastline. 

Milford Sound

Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is a fiord in the south west of New Zealand's South Island, within Fiordland National Park, Piopiotahi (Milford Sound) Marine Reserve, and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. It has been judged the world's top travel destination in an international survey (the 2008 Travelers' Choice Destinations Awards by TripAdvisor) and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Rudyard Kipling had previously called it the eighth Wonder of the World. Milford Sound runs 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea at Dale Point (also named after a location close to Milford Haven in Wales) - the mouth of the fiord - and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more on either side. Among the peaks are The Elephant at 1,517 metres (4,977 ft), said to resemble an elephant's head, and The Lion, 1,302 metres (4,272 ft), in the shape of a crouching lion. Milford Sound sports two permanent waterfalls all year round, Lady Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls. After heavy rain however, many hundreds of temporary waterfalls can be seen running down the steep sided rock faces that line the fiord. They are fed by rain water drenched moss and will last a few days at most once the rain stops. Milford Sound attracts between 550,000 and 1 million visitors per year. This makes the sound one of New Zealand's most-visited tourist spots even with its remote location and long journey times from the nearest population centres. Many tourists take one of the boat tours which usually last one to two hours. They are offered by several companies, departing from the Milford Sound Visitors' Centre. Tramping, canoeing, and some other water sports are possible. A small number of companies also provide overnight boat trips. There is otherwise only limited accommodation at the sound, and only a very small percentage of tourists stay more than the day. Tourists usually stay in Te Anau or Queenstown. The Milford Discovery Centre & Underwater Observatory is located in Harrisons Cove on the north side of the fiord. Situated within the Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, the underwater observatory allows visitors to view the fiord's unique marine environment at a depth of 10 metres. Due to a natural phenomenon called 'deep water emergence,' deep-water animals such as black coral can be viewed in the shallow waters surrounding the observatory. A dark surface layer of fresh water, stained brown by tannins from the surrounding forest, along with cold water temperatures allow the black corals to grow close to the surface throughout Milford Sound and Fiordland. On rainy and stormy days tourists can admire the play of the wind with the numerous waterfalls in Milford Sound. When meeting the cliff face the powerful wind often goes upward and waterfalls with a vertical drop get caught by wind, causing the water to go upwards.

Queenstown - Overview

Queenstown is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It has an urban population of 14,300, making it the 27th largest urban area in New Zealand. The town is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin Z-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and just above the town; Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. The Queenstown-Lakes District has a land area of 8,704.97 square kilometres (3,361.01 sq mi) not counting its inland lakes Lake Hāwea, Lake Wakatipu, and Lake Wanaka. The region has an estimated resident population of 34,700. Its neighbouring towns include Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Kingston, Wanaka, Alexandra, and Cromwell. The nearest cities are Dunedin and Invercargill. Queenstown is known for its commerce-oriented tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism. A resort town, Queenstown boasts hundreds of adventure tourism activities. Skiing and snowboarding, jet boating, whitewater rafting, bungy jumping, mountain biking, skateboarding, tramping, paragliding, sky diving and fly fishing are all popular. Queenstown is a major centre for snow sports in New Zealand, with people from all over the country and many parts of the world travelling to ski at the four main mountain ski fields of Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone. Cross country skiing is also available at the Waiorau Snowfarm, near Cardrona village. Queenstown has many festivals such as the Bike Festival (March/April), Winter Festival (June), and Jazz Festival (October).

Take to the skies above Queenstown with a scenic flight or an adventurous air activity. Queenstown’s stunning scenery is ideal for helicopter flights, plane flights, private heli-tours and hang gliding. Those with an appetite for adventure might prefer an aerobatic flight, para-penting or sky diving. You'll enjoy incredible aerial views of the lakes, mountains and town as you soar, fly, float or fall from the sky above Queenstown.

Ben Lomond is a mountain located close to Queenstown. It was named after Ben Lomond in Scotland by the early shepherd Duncan McAusland. The summit lies approximately 4 km northwest of the town centre, and reaches a height of 1,748 metres (5,735 ft). Connected to Ben Lomond is Bowen Peak (1,631 m) and Bob's Peaks while nearby is the dominant feature of Queenstown Hill. There are scenic views everywhere with the very top giving a 360 degree panorama of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables Mountains, Cecil Peak and Walter Peak.

New Zealand’s South Island contains many glaciers, mostly located near the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. They are classed as mid-latitude mountain glaciers. There are eighteen small glaciers in the North Island on Mount Ruapehu. An inventory of South Island glaciers compiled in the 1980s indicated there were about 3,155 glaciers with an area of at least one hectare (2.5 acres). Approximately one sixth of these glaciers covered more than 10 hectares. These include: Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier, Hooker Glacier, Mueller Glacier, Murchison Glacier, Tasman Glacier & Volta Glacier.

Fishing options in Queenstown are vast with adventures ranging from dry fly fishing, spinning and trolling, wading, float tubing, backcountry fly fishing or for the ultimate Queenstown fishing trip, take a helicopter into the untouched wilderness, You can experience a complete angling service. During the summer months fishing tours concentrate on fly-fishing. spinning and harling. The Wakatipu Drift is wonderful for drift fishing, during the summer dry fly drift fishing is very productive with the tussock cicada and other terrestrials are prominent. This method can produce quite spectacular catch rates on the dry fly. Anglers of all abilities and ages are catered for, from the young and energetic to the more experienced senior anglers and old timers - there is fly-fishing for everybody.

For an unforgettable interactive experience, tour the park privately with a qualified keeper. See “behind the scenes”, including a private Kiwi Feeding, a face-to-face encounter with a tuatara, feeding our playful kea and more unparalleled access to our wildlife. Each tour is tailored specifically to the individual’s interests and requests, which means you get exactly the experience you want.

Authorized Harley-Davidson Tours, Rentals and Passenger Rides. Passenger rides start from 1 hour scenic trip. Queenstown is the Scenic Gateway to the South Island and as such you have easy access to the most awesome roads for motorcycle riding. Choose any direction and be awe inspired by the majestic scenery of the Southern Lakes District and beyond.

Centrally located near to other bars and attractions, Queenstown's two casinos offer a great night out, including restaurant dining, bars, gaming machines, table gaming and TAB betting opportunities. The casinos also often have live music and other events in-house, for you to enjoy.

The Shotover River is located in the Otago region. The name correctly suggests that this 75-kilometre (47 mile) long river is fast flowing, with numerous rapids. The river flows generally south from the Southern Alps on its journey running through the Skippers Canyon, draining the area between the Richardson Mountains and the Harris Mountains, before flowing into the Kawarau River east of Queenstown. Another distinctive aspect for the area is that the Shotover Jet company operates jetboats on the Shotover River which passes under the Edith Cavell bridge, that crosses the river at Arthurs Point.

Take a leap of faith with a Queenstown skydive, bungy jump, flying fox or bungy swing. Queenstown is the bungy capital of the world, and is also home to some of the world's most thrilling swinging, flying adventures. Zip through the forest at high speed on a flying fox, or try out the world's highest swing, hundreds of metres above the valley floor.

Take the journey up the Skyline Gondola to experience the new stargazing tour. Enjoy constellation and sky interpretation from an experienced stargazing guide, while using quality telescopes to look deep into the galaxy. The clear, unpolluted skies of Queenstown are the perfect setting, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Visitors access a specially-constructed area high above the Gondola, where there is no trespassing light, allowing for an unbelievably clear view of the night sky. Top-of-the line telescopes give stargazers the chance to view an amazing array of stunning sights, from the iconic Southern Cross, to nebula, planets, the Milky Way and other galaxies.

The 100-year-old twin screw coal fired steamer TSS Earnslaw traverses Lake Wakatipu. It is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Central Otago, and the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere

The region’s geography, flora and fauna are incredibly diverse and can be explored via a range of stunning hiking trails. A number of short scenic walks start right from Queenstown’s town centre whilst the iconic Fiordland and Mount Aspiring national parks are within easy reach, and home to the Routeburn and Greenstone trails. Queenstown offers a wide range of walking tracks and trails for all levels of fitness. Whether you prefer a short local, day long or even a multi-day walking adventure, a guided hike or an independent walking trip, there is a Queenstown walking or hiking option for you.

Walter Peak is a mountain located near Queenstown, with a height of 1,800 metres (5,906 ft). It is regularly visited by the TSS Earnslaw steamship, which takes passengers to the base of the mountain to visit the Walter Peak High Country Farm. The Colonel's homestead, close to the steamships destination, is also popular and serves lunch and dinner. Experience rural New Zealand on a walking tour of the farmyard. You can help feed the animals, see the sheep dogs in action and watch a sheep shearing display during the farm demonstration. There is plenty of time to stroll through the lakeside gardens to the charming Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant for morning or afternoon tea. Watch an information-filled sheep shearing demonstration, and relax with a delicious morning/afternoon tea.

Queenstown lies close to the centre of a small wine producing region, reputed to be the world's southernmost. Gaining status for its award-winning wines is The Two Paddocks vineyard, owned by local actor Sam Neill. Neighbouring historic Arrowtown features numerous restaurants and bars.

Wellington - Overview

Wellington is a picture perfect city. It is set between a magnificent harbour and rolling green hills. It is also a compact city where funky shops, exciting galleries and great restaurants are within easy walking distance. Wellington is the arts and culture capital of New Zealand. Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum is on Wellington's waterfront. The city has many other cultural attractions for visitors to discover. Wellington is great if you love being outdoors. It is surrounded by hills, a rugged coastline and one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. Adventure activities include mountain biking, sailing, bushwalking and much more. Guided tours such as Walking tours, coach tours or even helicopter tours are available to enjoy the sights. Wellington is only a short drive or ferry ride away from New Zealand’s top wine regions, Wairarapa and Marlborough.

One of the most popular tourist attractions, the cable car takes people to the lookout at Kelburn, where there is a beautiful view over the city and across the harbour. Visitors can either take a return journey or walk back down through the beautifully landscaped Botanic Gardens. At the top terminus there is the small Cable Car Museum explaining its history.

Wellington’s leading attraction and one of the world’s largest national museums, Te Papa is a tribute to all that is New Zealand; its people and history, natural environment, arts and culture. Interactive technology and superb displays bring the story to life. Motion simulators allow visitor to witness the explosive creation of pre historic New Zealnd, or to experience a virtual reality bungy jump. There is also an interactive section on volcanoes an earthquakes where the effects of an earthquake can be felt from inside a house and a volcanic eruption viewed on screen. Other attractions include a range of magnificent exhibitions featuring some of the country’s most important Maori treasures, a modern ‘marae’ or Maori meeting house, and an informative display on the Treaty of Waitangi, between the Maori chiefs and European settlers in 1840.

Welcome to Wellington. A picture perfect city, it is set between a magnificent harbour and rolling green hills. It is also a compact city keen on the coffee scene and where funky shops, exciting galleries and great restaurants are within easy walking distance. Wellington is the arts and culture capital of New Zealand. Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum is on Wellington's waterfront. The city has many other cultural attractions for visitors to discover. Wellington is great if you love being outdoors. It is surrounded by hills, a rugged coastline and one of the most beautiful harbours in the world.A great walk to do is the Red Rocks walk, which offers plenty of seals to spot and a wild coastal scene throughout - located not far from the city. Adventure activities include mountain biking, sailing, bushwalking and much more. Guided tours such as Walking tours, coach tours or even helicopter tours are available to enjoy the sights. Wellington is only a short drive or ferry ride away from New Zealand’s top wine regions, Wairarapa and Marlborough. Consider taking the old cable car up the hill for great views of the town. The Basin reserve is a great little cricket ground with grass embankments and a cricket museum. A fine way to dip into the locate culture.

Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a sunny climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping – you're beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Auckland's blend of islands, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle ranked amongst the best in the world.

Including Queen St, the Harbour Bridge, yacht marina, Mt Eden with 360 degree views' the Domain, Parnell Village, exclusive Auckland homes and the waterfront. Then out to the Waitakere Ranges and Arataki centre with spectacular views of both coasts and magnificent Maori carvings. Continue to Karekare Beach, location of the filming of 'Piano'. Return to the city via dense rainforest, gigantic tree ferns and new Zealand's famous Kauri trees.

In a subterranean world Penguins parade in a wonderland of ice and snow, while sharks, giant eels, stingrays and scores of shimmering fish swim the ocean like depths. Come and meet 'Phoebe' the stingray who is over 40 years old and 440lb.

Offers a great day out for everyone. Highly acclaimed as one of the finest maritime museums in the world, each of the 14 galleries draws you in. From the epic adventures of the first Polynesian voyagers, to our coastal traders and to the more recent achievements of our sporting heroes. Visitors are invited to enjoy the splendour of a heritage harbour cruise aboard a traditional scow.

The region has the finest maritime park in New Zealand with the 144 Islands and secluded bays. The Bay has an abundance of marine life, including the big marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species.The maritime and historic park is the original cradle of European civilization and has fine examples of Maori culture. The Bay with its pristine natural environment is the gathering place in the South Pacific for overseas sailing yachts on world cruises, international sport fishermen, golfers and marine enthusiasts.

Fully air-conditioned coach trip north to the 'Tip' of New Zealand, travel the beach one way. Visit Puketi Kauri Forest and view 1000 year old Kauri trees. Dig for shellfish or wade in the surf on 90 mile beach. Capture the beauty of Cape Reinga where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. Slide down giant sand dunes on our toboggans. Various seaside towns (Mangonui etc) enroute.

Board 'Dolphin Seeker' to experience a fantastic feeling of seeing Dolphins in the wild while cruising the beautiful Bay of Islands. Different types of whales may be seen on your way to the famous 'Hole in the Rock' and Cathedral Cove. Your captain provides an informative commentary on the history of the Bay of Islands and the marine life. You may spend some time at histories Russell upon your return.

Gifted to the nation by Lord & Lady Bledisloe, the Waitangi Treaty grounds is a unique and fascinating insight into New Zealand's historic past. Visit the Treaty House, fully carved Maori Meeting House, Maori war canoe, the award winning sound and light display in the meeting house and the magnificent park like grounds where the Treaty was signed in 1840.

Paihia is an excellent base from which to explore the Bay of Islands. It has delicious dining options and a good-sized town centre. From the wharf, you can arrange a trip to the outer islands, hook into a fishing expedition or catch the ferry to Russell.

Top local adventures include cruising to the ‘hole in the rock’ at the tip of Cape Brett, and sea kayak tours. Paihia is also just down the road from the historic Treaty House at Waitangi Treaty Grounds, which marks the beginning of New Zealand as a nation. Just west of Paihia is Haruru, where you’ll find an impressive waterfall and a boardwalk.

Those looking for water-based activities are spoiled for choice, with fast boats to the Hole in the Rock, fishing, sea kayaks, sailing, scuba diving and more. Hire your own kayaks, paddleboards, bike, and more with Bay Beach Hire. For a bird’s-eye view try parasailing, a scenic helicopter flight or for the more adventurous option, skydiving!

Visit the world famous Agrodome – a remarkable show featuring the 19 most popular breeds of New Zealand sheep 'live on stage', Sheep shearing and a dog handling exhibition. Time also to view and feed trout at arms length, see a Kiwi bird and wander through the many species of native flora and fauna at Rainbow Springs.

This beautiful resort and holiday base enjoys a scenic location on the shores of Lake Taupo, at the centre of the North Island. The town sits on a thermal belt, and visitors can see areas of boiling mud, steam and geysers north of the town at Wairakei Park and Orakei Korako. Thermal activity first attracted visitors during the 1880s, but today the town lures anglers from throughout the world with a plentiful supply of rainbow and brown trout. Lake Taupo is popular for swimming, boating, waterskiing, jetskiing, kayaking, rowing and scenic cruises, while thrillseekers can enjoy bungy jumping, tandem skydiving, jetboating and whitewater rafting. The spectacular Huka Falls and the Aratiatia Rapids lie to the north of the town, while to the south are the imposing mountains of the volcanic plateau and the skifields of Mount Ruapehu.

A chance to got 'fly fishing' with a local expert guide in world renowned rivers and streams feeding Lake Taupo, or enjoy time out on this beautiful lake aboard a luxury launch. Experience your freshly caught trout barbecued to perfection on board by your skipper. An unforgettable experience and dinner.