Song playing is called a land down under. That's where NZ is.

North Island Tour

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

New Zealand is in a region of the pacific Ocean where earthquakes are common. Its postition in the belt of westerly winds gives New Zealand a climate to that of the northwest coast of north America.   The summers are mild. The winters are cool and rather stormy.

New Zealand has four large cities of more than 100,000 people. Thirteen other cities each have more than 25,000 people

Auckland


 

























Auckland is the largest  urban city in New Zealand. Located near the top of the North Island, it has an ever increasing population with a growth rate of 25,000 per year. The population of Auckland is almost 1 million. Because Auckland is the northern most city it is the first and the last port of call for many ships abroad.Auckland City has vast areas of suburbia due to the large size properties surrounding many of the houses here. The city is very
spread out and this makes Auckland one of the biggest cities in the world in area.
The city extends from the east to west coast on the narrowest part of the North Island.

One in 3 New Zealanders live in Auckland and it is the fastest growing city in New Zealand.
Auckland is similar in appearance to Sydney as both cities have  a superb harbour complete with beautiful beaches, a
harbour bridge, and there is even a North Shore on the other side of the bridge. But Auckland is unique in many respects. One
of the main geographical features in Auckland are the 40 or so volcanic cones that are dotted in and around the city's suburbs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The most famous of these volcanic cones is "One Tree Hill".
 
 




Auckland is a thriving, bustling city. With plenty of shopping malls, and entertainment venues. it is a "must see" when you come to New Zealand.the city has two harbours, Waitemata on the pacific side, and Manukau on the Tasman sea.
Auckland  water front by night


 














Auckland is made up of many extinct volcano cones which rise above the waterfront and shopping district. One of these volcanoes, is considered by the Maori people to be sacred. They have planted a tree on the hill, and named it one tree hill.
 
 














It has New Zealands main International airport which brings many international travellers to our country.

Auckland Harbour bridge.
A bridge spans Waitemata harbour, connecting the main city with suburbs on the northern shore.

This picture is taken from the ferry which travels to the north shore suburbs. The view is looking at Auckland central business district and the sky tower casino ( the tall pointy thing)  in the background.

Russell


 














From Auckland, Paihia and Russell in the Bay of Islands are only a 3-hour drive or 50-minute flight. Key attractions are the west coast kauri forests, the Bay of Islands, Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand.
The town of Russell is one of the main gateways to the Bay of Islands situated in New Zealands sub tropical north. The other
main gateway to the Bay of Islands is the town of Paihia. There are many boats that will take you on a tour but the mainland is a good enough destination in itself even if you don't take a tour of the many islands in the area.
The Bay of Islands is one of New Zealands major tourist attractions, but is not crowded and there are plenty of relatively
secluded beaches in the area. Its hard to believe you are in New Zealand when travelling through Northland. 
The region is subtropical and usually experiences hot summers and cool winters. This area  is also known as the winterless north and because the area doesn't experience frost. Many temperate and tropical fruits are grown here. The main attraction are the many superb and relatively isolated beaches. On the westcoast is the famous 90 mile beach and on the east are many smaller white sandy beaches and coves. Further south is one of New Zealands most popular tourist attractions The Bay of Islands. The other major attraction in this region are the kauri forests. These mighty trees rate amongst some of the oldest and biggest trees inthe world.
 
 




Hamilton


 














Hamilton, heart of the mighty Waikato, is at the centre of one of the richest agricultural and pastoral areas in the world, and is the largest inland city in New Zealand.
A major commercial and industrial centre with a population of around 103'000, Hamilton can draw on 1.6 million people from within  a radius of 150 kilometres. The Waikato Region, in 1996, had a  population of 350,125.  Hamilton is strategically located on four major highways, and has  the biggest railway junction in New Zealand, serving the country's two busiest railway lines -- the North Island Main Trunk line and the East Coast Main Trunk. The city's huge export markets are serviced by two major ports, at Auckland and Tauranga.
 The modern airport facility is currently being extended to international standard.
While the wealth of the Waikato indisputably comes from its primary produce, Hamilton places a strong
emphasis on manufacturing. This ensures new companies can maintain their equipment, purchase supplies,
and receive expert advice and assistance of the highest standard.
Drawcards to fuel visitor numbers are such events as the national agricultural NZ Fieldays 1998, held at Hamilton's Mystery Creek every year. A major international world-class agricultural exhibition, it is the largest of its type in the southern hemisphere. Annually, around 30 Hot Air Balloons come from all over the world for the city's BalloonFest, and at times the sight is quite a traffic stopper!
 
 




Coromandel


 














The Coromandel is an extremely scenic peninsula that sits out to the east of Auckland City. It is not to far if you sail from Auckland but it takes a hour and a half drive as you have to head south then back north. The Coromandel has some of New Zealand's most scenic beaches and coastline, there is even a thermal beach here called Hot Water Beach, which has volcanic heat rising through the ground. All you have to do is dig a small hole and wait for it to fill up with water and presto you have your own spa pool.
Inland the area has many extinct volcanoes and large areas of temperate rainforest ideal for tramping.
The main town here is Thames and there are also many smaller towns which cater for travellers, there are also many hippy
communities in the region. 
 Historic places and museums with relics of the gold mining days are readily found, with art galleries, potters' studios and many interesting craft outlets scattered throughout the towns and highways. Waihi has tours through a workinggold mine.Bush walks, tramping and guided treks are just some of the activities that the holiday maker can pursue. The quiet watersof bush streams, the rushing and excitement of white water rafting, the thrill of the mountain top conquered, or the  pleasant stroll on a sandy beach, can be experienced by a good walker.Game fishing, rock fishing and scuba diving are widely catered for and the crayfish, scallops, snapper and marlin tempt seafood gourmets cooked on acamp fire or served at the best restaurants. Semi-precious stones are found on the Peninsula, and rock-hounders can collect good specimens of quartz, carnelian and petrified wood in stream beds or whereareas have been mined for gold and silver. Vineyards and orchards of kiwifruit, citrus and pipfruit bear testament to the mild and sunny climate. The native bush that covers many acres of the Peninsula is accessible. Many majestic trees and virgin bush have been protected  and can be seen from highways or walking tracks.Mineral pools stemming from the deep-seated circulation of groundwaters located on old fault-lines are a popular attraction for  pleasure and as health spas and these springs are found in their natural state as well as in commercial swimming pools. The wild untamed beauty of the forests, the sweeping beaches and the quiet secluded coves, the towering mountains and craggy peaks that thrust upwards from the forest floor, unite to form this unique finger of land pointing north into the Pacific Ocean. Largely unspoiled, the Coromandel Peninsula which is one of the most popular regions in the North Island, beckons to the visitor offering sandy bays, crashing surf and rock strewn shorelines shaded by huge knarled pohutukawa trees decked in their scarlet blossoms during December. There is something for everyone, in this land of yesterday with gold mining, gum digging and timber milling contributing in no small part to the region's history. Today, the bustling town of Thames bids welcome and provides the gateway to the Peninsula's treasure trove of seaside settlements and larger resort towns. The land is rich with Maori History - pa sites, evidence of moa hunting and the establishment of coastal settlements, over a thousand years ago, according to archeological research.
 

CLICK HERE  to continue the tour
 
North Island Tour Te Puke - Gisborne Napier - Rotorua Wairakei -Taupo Wellington
South Island Tour Wanaka-West coast Westcoast Christchurch Picton

 Learn some Kiwi slang

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