NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand, Māori Aotearoa, island country in the South Pacific Ocean, the

southwesternmost part of Polynesia. New Zealand is a remote land—one of the last sizable

territories suitable for habitation to be populated and settled—and lies more than 1,000

miles (1,600 km) southeast of Australia, its nearest neighbour. The country comprises two

main islands—the North and the South Island—and a number of small islands, some of them

hundreds of miles from the main group. The capital city is Wellington and the largest urban

area Auckland; both are located on the North Island. New Zealand administers the South

Pacific island group of Tokelau and claims a section of the Antarctic continent. Niue and

the Cook Islands are self-governing states in free association with New Zealand.

New Zealand is a country replete with rivers, fjords, rain forests, coastal glaciers, and snow-

capped mountains! The beauty and culture associated with this country make it one of the

best places to visit for potential educational, professional, and recreational purposes.
Bay of islands

One of the most popular New Zealand tourist attractions, Bay of Islands is a haven
for yachts and sailing boats. Pearls of 144 islands adorn the necklace of Bay of
Islands. Kayak along the coast, hike the island trails, enjoy in secluded coves, and
explore undisturbed forests. Abundant marine life including dolphins, whales, big
marlin, and penguins make for a popular fishing spot. All of these together makes
the spot an ideal tourist destination in New Zealand.

Ritz Factor: Yachting and sailing spot.

Don’t Miss: Hole in the Rock, the famous rock formation.

How to reach:

 By air: Auckland Airport is well connected with major international cities. Air

New Zealand flight operate in tandem from Auckland to Bay of Island Airport,
which is also known as Kerikeri Airport.
 By road: Bay of Islands is well connected with Auckland by road. Intercity
buses and taxis operate from Auckland to Bay of Islands. The 193 km
distance takes 3 hours to cover by state highways.

Best time to visit: February – March

Stay options near Bay of Islands: Paradise on the Strand, Sea Spray Suites,
Veronica House, and Arcadia Lodge
Location: Northland
Auckland

Two shimmering harbors, the Manukau Harbor and the Waitemata Harbor, are the
main jewels of the Auckland crown. Rainforests, wild hike trails, hidden coves,
picturesque islands, and mysterious volcanoes make this city a perfect base for
adventure lovers. Unusual black and gold beaches set the backdrop for amazing
pictures and memories. It is quite popular among top New Zealand tourist places.

Ritz Factor: Black sand beaches, gold sand beaches, and two sparkling harbors.
Don’t Miss: Sky Tower – the 328 meters high tower to zoom in on the stunning
expanse. Also, don’t even think about missing the Orbit revolving restaurant.

How to reach:

 By air: One of the major cities in the North Island, Auckland is well

connected with major international cities. Auckland is well-connected with
most of the cities of New Zealand by road

Best time to visit: June – September

Stay options: Skycity Grand, Off Broadway Motel, Warkworth Lodge, and Parklane
Motor Lodge

Location: Auckland
Sky Tower

Sky Tower is a telecommunication and observation tower located in New Zealand’s largest
city, Auckland. It is the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere at a
staggering height of 1076 feet (328 meters). Sky Tower also contributes significantly to the
iconic skyline of Auckland, offering views of the country up to 80 kilometers away!
Additionally, it also boasts stunning views of the Hauraki Gulf. Enjoy the views with a
delicious meal at Orbit’s fine-dining revolving restaurant to create an unforgettable
experience! 
Queenstown

Country’s adventure capital, Queenstown is one of the top tourist destinations of

New Zealand. Bungee jumping, white-water rafting, jet boating, rock climbing,
paragliding, hiking, downhill skiing, mountain biking; the list of adrenaline-fueled
sports is endless at this top tourist attraction in New Zealand.

Ritz Factor: Loads and loads of adventure sports.

Don’t Miss: Explore gold mining towns and landscapes of snow-clad peaks of
Remarkables Range.

How to reach:

 By air: Queenstown International Airport on the South Island is well

connected with other major cities across the globe.
 By road: Intercity buses from Christchurch (354 km) and Auckland (1028
km) commute to Queenstown at regular intervals. Drive down to the city to
enjoy one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand.

Best time to visit: June – August

Stay options: The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments, Heritage Queenstown,

Coronation Lodge, and Adventure Queenstown Hostel

Location: South Island, New Zealand

Napier In Hawke’s Bay

Gourmet food and Art Deco – These two things define the Napier region, one of the
best places to visit in New Zealand to take a peek in the Maori World. Spanish
Mission style architecture and Art Deco design buildings line this city. Some of them
are even adorned with Maori motifs. Also, gourmet restaurants in this place are to
die for. Unique procedures and equally unique recipes, make even the regular dishes
worthwhile.

Ritz Factor: Gourmet dining scenes and Art Deco architecture.

Don’t Miss: Yearly Art Deco weekend in February. Also, the Gannet colony at Cape
Kidnappers is a must visit among the famous New Zealand tourist attractions.

How to reach:

 By air: Napier’s Hawkes Bay Airport is almost 450 km from Auckland Airport,

the international airport well connected with major airports across the world.
Napier’s Hawkes Bay can be reached by local flights from Air New Zealand. By
road it’s 5-hour drive.
 By road: Overnight inter city buses operate from Auckland to Napier and
take 6 to 8 hours usually.

Best time to visit: July – August

Stay options: The Country Hotel Napier, The Crown Hotel Napier, Art Deco Masonic
Hotel, and Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Location: Hawke’s Bay

Padang Kota Lama is located in one of the oldest section of George Town and was
among the earliest part of town to be cleared. When Francis Light landed at the cape in
1786, he found that this part of the island was uninhabited (there were small Malay and
Acehnese riverine settlements along Sungai Pinang) and densely forested. The land was
flat but overgrown with hardwood trees such as the Penaga Laut (ironwood). The
northern shore was sandy while the eastern shore was covered with mangrove swamp.
Light was said to have blasted silver coins into the forest to induce the workers to clear
the land. These coins would have landed in the area where Padang Kota Lama is located
today.

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Padang Kota is an area in the city of George Town. It is located within the Tanjung
parliament area, Padang Kota is divided into two parts, Padang Kota Old and Padang
Kota Baru. Here some important events are always held such as Independences Day
celebrations, New Year celebrations, and other relaxing events.
Padang Kota faces the sea. From Padang Kota, visitors can clearly see the Penang Bridge
that connects the island area to the mainland and also the Penang ferries carrying
passengers and vehicles from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim to Pangkalan Raja Tun
Uda. In Padang Old City, there is a historical building known as Fort Cornwalls . The
defense fort was built in Padang Old City and some of the cannons here can still be
clearly seen. Although the British are no longer administrators in Penang, but the British
legacy can be clearly seen around Padang Kota.