By Jada Cash
New Zealand consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island. The New Zealand board of tourism divides the country into 25 different regions, each with distinct geological highlights and activities. If you visit there, you'll find a country rich in Maori (native New Zealanders) and European heritage. You'll also find a place of great natural beauty, with landscapes ranging from volcanic to coastal to rain forests and everything in between.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step 1
Leap into adventure. New Zealand is known as a bungee jumping destination. Action junkies also will enjoy paragliding in New Zealand near Queenstown and Wanaka. Other action-packed activities include diving the Poor Knights Islands and windsurfing and surfing at the Mahia Peninsula, in Palliser Bay and at Raglan. Other popular New Zealand adventures include white-water rafting, sailing, skiing and fishing.
Step 2
Admire the scenery. Observe the natural flora, fauna and geography of New Zealand. Swim with dolphins in the Bay of Islands, the Coromandel Peninsula, Kaikoura and Whakatane and whale-watch on the eastern coast of South Island. Hike though a forest preserve on one of New Zealand's popular tracks, including the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the Lake Waikaremoana Track and the Milford Track.
Step 3
Take a breather. Relax while relishing the local food and drink, New Zealand's Hawke's Bay is a growing wine region with more than 70 wineries. The Dunedin Whiskey Distillery on the South Island is said to be the world's southernmost distillery. You also can savor local cuisine such as kumara--a type of sweet potato--in Auckland, Feijoa fruit and Zespri Gold kiwifruit in the Bay of Plenty and fish and chips in Gisborne.
Step 4
Book a cruise to visit several different areas in a short time. Most New Zealand cruises depart from Australia, so you'll have to travel there first. Cruises typically last at least a week, some as many as three weeks, and stop at ports such as Fjordland National Park, Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland.
Step 5
Rent a car. Visitors can drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months with a valid driver's license from their home country. You can find maps, road information and a time and distance calculator at NewZealand.com.
Step 6
Leave the driving to them. Rail is another popular way to get around and see the scenic countryside in the process. Learn about rail transport options on both islands on New Zealand's tourist website. To travel from one island to another, ferries and charter boat services are available. Air New Zealand also flies within the country.
Step 7
Book your flight and accommodations. Packages are often the cheapest way to go, with some great deals to be had when you bundle airfare and hotel. Air New Zealand's website allows you to search for flights, hotels and packages and also features deals of the month and Internet specials. Before you purchase a package, compare prices by using a site such as Priceline.com or Travelzoo.com to ensure you are getting the best deal.
Step 8
Book your activities in advance. By using a booking agent, you can save money and hassle. These experts know how to cut costs on transportation and activities. For example, you can purchase a New Zealand Flexi-Pass ahead of time and receive discounts on sightseeing, bus and boat transportation.
Resources
About the Author:
Jada Cash is a copywriter at a business-to-business marketing agency in Chicago where she develops print and online marketing materials. Cash has been published in Entrepreneur magazine, and has ghost written articles for clients for publications such as Banking Technology, Restaurant Hospitality and many more. Cash has a bachelor's degree in mass communications and Spanish from Arizona State University.
