By Betsy Bender
New Zealand Sightseeing Tours
Pictured in the "Lord of the Rings" films, the majestic lands of New Zealand feature a wide range of scenic geography, including mountains, volcanoes, lush green countryside and pristine sandy
beaches. Whether you are visiting the largest city of Auckland in the north, the capital city of Wellington in the south or any of the villages in between, one of the best ways to learn more about New Zealand is to take a sightseeing tour lead by one of the local experts. With friendly residents who welcome tourists as old friends, a visit to New Zealand may be the vacation of a lifetime.
Winery Tours
Winery tours are a popular sightseeing activity and can be found in Auckland, Queenstown, Hawkes Bay and Marlborough. If you are visiting Queenstown, the Appellation Central Wine Tours offers daily tours that take groups of fewer than 10 people to visit several wineries in Gibbston Valley, Cromwell and Bannockburn regions in the Central Otago wine country.
Appellation Central Wine Tours
Rapid 46, Rutherford Road
Queenstown
011 (+64) 2 442 0246
http://www.appellationcentral.co.nz
Cultural Tours
Sightseeing tours of cultural and heritage attractions are available throughout New Zealand. Christchurch visitors can learn more about the history and customs of Kaikoura Maori while exploring a bush walkway, singing tribal songs, and learning how to use local trees and plants as food and medicine.
Maori Tours Kaikoura
10 Churchill St.
Kaikoura
011 (+64) 3 3195 567
http://www.maoritours.co.nz
Wildlife Attractions
If bird-watching appeals to you, there are tours in Marlborough, Auckland, Steward Island, Christchurch, Wellington and Southland. Witness the unique yellow-eyed penguins living in the protected Blue Penguin Reserve or sign up for Sam's Peninsula Off Road Tours to ride in a Land Rover across Dunedin farmland as you watch wild sea birds, seals, sea lions and wild penguins in their natural habitat.
Sam's Peninsula Off Road Tours
Allan's beach
No 2 R.D.
Dunedin
011 (+64) 3 4780 878
http://www.samsoffroadtours.com
Snorkeling, Scuba Diving and Whale Watching
For a more interactive experience, participate in the swim with the dolphins program offered in Whakatane. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also great ways to enjoy marine life. The Dive White Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty and the Tawaki Adventures in Te Anau in Fiordland are considered to be two of the best diving tours in New Zealand. If you prefer to stay above water, Whakatane and Milford offer several nature, dolphin and whale-watching cruises.
Swim with Dolphins
35G Douglas St.
Whakatane
011 (+64) 7 3085 896
http://www.whaleislandtours.com
Water Sightseeing Tours
Should you find yourself in New Zealand's capital, the Museum of Wellington offers the unique Ship & Chip Tour in which visitors spend the first half of a day on a boat cruise learning about the history of Wellington's harbor; the second half of the day is spent on land learning about the past and current state of the city. If you prefer your water tours to be a little more active, try one of the sailing sightseeing tours available in the Bay of Plenty and Nelson. Fresh-water fishing and boating tours are offered in Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Lake Wanaka, Queenstown or Auckland. Coromandel and Northland tours feature saltwater fishing, kayaking or kite fishing.
Ship & Chip Tour
Museum of Wellington
Queens Wharf
Wellington
011 (+64) 04 472 8904
http://www.museumofwellington.co.nz
Active Land Tours
Whether you are interested in climbing, mountain biking, hiking or simply a casual walking tour, active sightseeing tours are available for every fitness level. Lake Wanaka, Northland and Southland feature scenic horseback tours that may include treks through forests, across beaches and even views of a volcano. If exploring underground appeals to you, try one of the cave tours in Fiorland, Waikato and Westport, and if you are lucky, you might even see the famous glowworms.
Te Anau Glowworm Caves
Real Journeys
Real Journeys Visitor Centre
Lakefront, Te Anau
011 (+64) 3 249 7416
http://www.realjourneys.co.nz
Resources
About the Author:
Betsy Bender is a media consultant with experience in publishing, event management, media relations, digital media and television production. Specializing in entertainment, travel and sports, Bender has worked with high-profile personalities, facilitated publicity campaigns for network television programs and traveled to more than 100 cities in eight countries, including Russia and Australia.
Photo Credits:
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