"Aotearoa ? The Land of the Long White Cloud" New Zealand by carteki

New Zealand Travel Guide: 14,440 reviews and 36,340 photos

New Zealand got its name from a Polynesian chief who, having been disorientated from a storm, followed a whale for 3 days until in the distance he saw a Long White Cloud and when he got there named the land Aotearoa.
This cloud is created by the hot winds that blow off the Australian continent, across the Tasmin Sea and suddenly come face to face with the New Zealand Alps - a ridge of mountains that runs the length of the south island, dipping down into the Cook strait and up about 1/2 the length of the north island. This heavy, moisture laded air cools as it rises and drops about 7m of rain on the western slopes of the southern alps each year, creating a rainforest environment south of the tropic of capricorn. As the air rises it cools and the remaining moisture in the air condenses and creates the cloud.

Ngauruhoe Summit Tongariro National park

I spent an amazing 3 weeks traveling from Auckland to Christchurch via Queenstown. I have come home with 500+ pictures to sort out and label (what I'd do without my digital camera I don't know) and enough memories to last a lifetime - and I only scratched the surface of the main tourist trail, let alone the other hidden wonders the country has to offer.
From climbing volcanoes, to visiting the Te papa museum in Wellington and experiencing a pseudo earthquake, to hiking on a glacier and horseriding on a beach. Taking a boat ride through the Milford Sound and hiking along a golden beach in the Abel Tasmen National Park. New Zealand was everything I expected and more.

View of Antartica on the trip home

Details of my trip:
Day 1-3: Auckland with friends. I didn't do too much sightseeing, but did climb to the top of the crater on Rangitoto. Well worth it.
Day 2: Traveled to Rotoroua via Waitimo. The glowworm caves are a definite MUST see. Went to dinner at a traditional maori village in the evening.
Day 3: Traveled to Taupo. Worst waste of time on the trip. It took 6 hours to do 100kms due to tons of stop off's (most were not necessary).
Day 4: Completed the Tongariro crossing. A definite must. The views are spetacular, but watch out for weather changes.
Day 5: Went gliding in Taupo in the morning (see Things to do) and traveled to Wellington in the evening. First sighting of the NZ Alps.
Day 6: Visited Te Papa museum - another must not miss - and caught the ferry to Picton in the evening.
Day 7: Traveled to Nelson
Day 8: Abel Tasmin National Park - don't miss once again...
Day 9-11: Traveled to Westport and stayed with a friend
Day 11: Overnighted at Greymouth
Day 12 - 14: Frans Joseph glacier. I did a heli-hike which was amazing, but I found a bit of a stroll, rather than a hike. Quite heavy rain, but managed to catch up on my emailing etc.
Day 15: Climbed to the top of Iron Mountain at Wanaka and watched a movie at Cinema Paradiso
Day 16: Queenstown
Day 17: Took a bus trip to Milford Sound. An amazing experience. Do NOT MISS!
Day 18: Hired a car and drove to Mount Cook. Clear blue skies and bright sunshine all the way.
Day 19: Drove to Christchurch
Day 20: Visited Antartic centre in Christchurch - don't miss
Day 21: Flew home. Because of weather conditions the flight was routed down south over Antartica, rather than up to the equator. A fitting end to an amazing holiday...

I am slowly adding my tips, so please be patient! Where the tip relates to a specific place I have put it under the specific town, even if there is nothing on the homepage.

Pros and Cons

Pros:An amazingly beautiful country
Cons:Can be expensive

Last visit to New Zealand: Nov 2005
Intro Updated Jun 8, 2006
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Written Oct 23, 2006

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Gliding in New Zealand

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Comments (7)

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craic May 24, 2009 at 7:37 AM

oh yes nz can be expensive
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angiebabe Dec 17, 2008 at 9:39 PM

nice write up and lovely photos to show lovely NZ - but only 500+ photos!!?Hope youre enjoying Singapore!
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imstress Sep 30, 2007 at 7:05 PM

I am missing the amazing sceneries in South Island :)
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SLLiew Sep 14, 2006 at 10:33 PM

Kim, Thanks! Have emailed Daniel. Nice writeup and tips on NZ. I was on the Kiwi Explorer Bus. Did not sky dive or bungee, just whale and dolphin watch.
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ChristinaNest Sep 14, 2006 at 11:12 AM

Nice photos of NZ and Cape Town too! Great intro pic of Table Mountain on your HP! Hope to get to Sounth Africa one day.. greetings from Sofia
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tiabunna Jun 8, 2006 at 2:30 AM

That really is a great intro page, so I'm also looking forward to seeing more tips and more of those 500+ photos!
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vtveen May 16, 2006 at 2:57 AM

Nice intro page of New Zealand; looking forward to more tips and pics. Jaap