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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.
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