Travel Planner for stubbz

The second largest city in Canterbury, Timaru sits about midway between Christchurch and Dunedin. It has everything you need for a pleasant stopover. Caroline Bay has a safe swimming beach, a maze, a landscaped piazza and walks. A collection of restaurants and cafés links the beach to the main shopping area. If you’re thirsty, consider a tour of the local brewery. The city’s excellent museum has moa-hunter artefacts and all kinds of whaling relics; the art gallery holds the third largest public art collection in the South Island. Timaru has many grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings, constructed in local volcanic bluestone.
Functional facts: Approx. population 27,350, i-SITE Visitor Centre, wide range of shops and services.

The city of Dunedin was built with the riches of the gold rush, consequently it has one of the best collections of Edwardian and Victorian architecture in the southern hemisphere. Gothic church spires, ornate mansions, swathes of native forest and magnificent views of the harbour make Dunedin very memorable. Around the city you can visit historic homes, dip into the chocolate factory and browse the excellent museums. Take a drive along Otago Peninsula to discover Larnach Castle and a choice of wildlife encounters – there are penguin, albatross and seal colonies here. The resident student population keeps Dunedin lively.
Functional facts: Approx. population 107,000, i-SITE Visitor Centre, domestic and international airport.

Milford Sound the settlement exists solely to look after travellers who come to see Milford Sound the fiord. Facilities and services are limited - you’ll find a café and a tavern. Most activity is centred around the wharf, because cruises on Milford Sound are hugely popular (food is available on board). Flightseeing and sea kayaking are two other ways to immerse yourself in the grandeur of huge peaks, waterfalls and sheer rock faces. At the underwater observatory, you can enjoy the unusual scenery than exists below the water. The Milford Track, which begins at the northern end of Lake Te Anau, finishes with a ferry trip from Sandfly Point to the Milford Sound wharf.
Functional facts: Approx. population 140, one backpacker accommodation provider, airport.

The resort town of Queenstown is sophisticated and fantastically scenic. Its lake and mountain landscape is suited to almost any kind of adventure; but Queenstown is just as well known as a place for indulgence. The area’s history is intertwined with gold. In 1862, two sheep shearers struck it rich at the edge of the Shotover River. The ensuing gold rush town was named Queenstown because '...it was fit for Queen Victoria'. Adventure activities include snow sports, bungy jumping, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting. Indulgent experiences include exceptional food and wine, lake cruises, spa treatments, boutique shopping and leisurely games of golf.
Functional facts: Approx. population 7500, i-SITE Visitor Centre, domestic airport.

Franz Josef Glacier was first explored in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier is five kilometres from the town of the same name, and a 20 minute walk will take you to its terminal face. From the glacier car park, you can hike to a choice of lookout points for a bigger view of this awesome river of rice. If you want to actually make contact with the glacier, take a guided ice walk or a heli-hike. Aerial sightseeing is another option. In the town you’ll find plenty of places to stay and eat. At nearby Lake Mapourika there are kayaks for hire.
Functional facts: Approx. population 320, Department of Conservation Visitor Centre, fuel.

Situated at the western end of State Highway 60, Collingwood is a quiet town, but there’s plenty to do if you love nature. From here you can launch yourself onto the Heaphy Track in the Kahurangi National Park or catch an eco-tour to the bird sanctuary of Farewell Spit. It’s easy to rent a mountain bike to explore beautiful Aorere Valley, or a kayak to paddle around Ruataniwha Inlet. Other local activities include caving at Te Anaroa Caves, studying minerals at Rockville and horse treks along Wharariki Beach, where there’s a seal colony. Perched as it is on the edge of Golden Bay, Collingwood is a place to enjoy scallops.
Functional facts: Approx. population 250, limited accommodation, fuel.

Napier’s misfortune in 1931, when it was almost levelled by an earthquake, has led to the city’s world famous point of difference. Today Napier has one of the most outstanding collections of 1930s architecture in the world. Walking around the city, you’ll see wonderful examples of Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical design. Napier’s other special attractions include the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers and the many vineyards that make good use of the region’s alluvial soils. On Saturday morning, the Napier farmers’ market is a chance to shop for artisan foods and fresh produce.
Functional facts: Approx. population 55,000, i-SITE Visitor Centre, extensive shopping, wide range of cafés and restaurants, domestic airport.

Beautiful Lake Taupo is actually a huge volcano with a fiery history. Its most recent eruption, in 181 AD, was large enough to change the sky as far away as Europe and China. According to Maori legend, the lake is the pulsating heart of Maui's fish (New Zealand's North Island). The lakeside town of Taupo provides a base for visitors who love to fish for trout, ski Mount Ruapehu and explore the local geothermal phenomena. Popular Taupo experiences include Huka Falls, geothermal walks, a prawn farm, lake cruises and guided kayak expeditions to see the rock carvings at Mine Bay. Most Taupo accommodation comes complete with a naturally heated spa pool.
Functional facts: Approx. population 21,040, i-SITE Visitor Centre, domestic airport.

Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of the city’s past and present. The city is also the tribal home of the Te Arawa people, who settled in lakeside geothermal areas more than 600 years ago. Entertaining in any weather, and at any time of the year, Rotorua promises to keep you captivated with geothermal phenomena and special cultural experiences. Geysers, boiling mud pools, marae stays, hangi feasts, an authentic pre-European Maori village and indulgent spa therapies will provide plenty of content for your emails home. Rotorua also has a well-developed adventure culture – everything from sky diving to zorbing.
Functional facts: Approx. population 76,000, i-SITE Visitor Centre, domestic airport.

The surf town of Raglan is relaxed and arty. Watched over by Mount Karioi, the colourful community goes about the business of surfing, creating artworks and enjoying the fantastic coastal environment. Manu Bay to the west is world famous for its perfect left-hand break; two kilometres further on is Whale Bay, known for its terrific tubes. For those who don’t surf (or don’t want to take surfing lessons) there are safe swimming beaches, hiking tracks and kayaks for hire. Or follow the arts and crafts trail to meet some of the local creatives. Expect great cafés and all kinds of accommodation – from upmarket lodges to basic backpackers.
Functional facts: Approx. population 2700, information centre, basic shopping.

In recent years, Matamata has attracted Lord of the Rings enthusiasts who want to see the relics of the Hobbiton set. On a local farm, there’s enough remaining of the Hobbit village for you to imagine life in Middle-earth. Matamata’s other attractions include tandem sky diving and geothermal hot pools. For an understanding of local history, the historic Firth Tower is filled with Maori and pioneering artefacts. Visitors also come here to admire the horse flesh – the area is known for its thoroughbred stud farms. East from Matamata is Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall in the North Island. The falls drop over the active Okauia fault.
Functional facts: Approx. population 7800, i-SITE Visitor Centre, good range of shops and services.

The historic township of Russell can be accessed by road, but it’s easier to get there by catching a ferry in Paihia. During the time of whalers and traders, Russell was known as ‘the hell hole of the Pacific’; later it became the first capital of New Zealand. Today it’s a holiday town, with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. To learn more about Russell’s colourful past, visit Pompallier House and the museum. Christ Church still bears battle scars from the Maori wars. At the wharf you can catch a game fishing boat to hunt for marlin, tuna, broad bill and shark. Nearby Long Beach is a nice place for a swim.
Functional facts: Approx. population 1140, information centre, ferry service to/from Paihia, vehicular ferry to/from Opua.

Auckland, New Zealand’s largest population centre, is poised between two enormous harbours and dotted with extinct volcanic cones. The region is a fusion of four cities – Auckland, Manukau, North Shore and Waitakere – with cultural elements that span from Polynesia and Asia to the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe. While Auckland acts as a gateway to New Zealand, it’s also a destination in its own right. Visitors can explore the islands of the Hauraki Gulf by ferry or charter boat, walk the forest tracks of the Waitakere Ranges, follow wine trails and enjoy the relaxing pleasures of urban life by the sea.
Functional facts: Approx. population 1.3 million, international airport, cruise ship port, several i-SITE visitor centres.