Nature Lovers

Whether you are a peaceful nature lover, happy to commune with the beauty, or an active person preferring to challenge the natural forces, Wellington has lots of options for you. Spend the day at the Nga Manu Nature Reserve where you can spot kiwis, tuataras and kakas, and even feed birds and eels at specific times. Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience is an exciting sanctuary that houses some of New Zealand’s rarest species of birds and animals. Go for walks at the Belmont or Kaitoke Regional Parks which have some amazing trails through forests, over bridges and past waterfalls. Try mountain biking at Mount Victoria where the bike routes range from flat to hilly and even downright craggy and windy! To get your adrenaline pumping go kayaking, rappelling and rafting at Waiohine Gorge. Finish your nature trip by sunning at the Scorching Bay beach, surfing at Lyall Bay or scuba diving off Island Bay.

City Excitements

Those interested in architecture must visit Old St. Paul’s Cathedral to admire its resplendent timbers and stained glass windows. The stories and legends surrounding the cathedral make the trip even more enthralling. Art enthusiasts can check out ongoing exhibitions at the City Gallery and Bowen Galleries. Movie buffs should surely make it a point to visit the Weta Caves which stores props and memorabilia from the sets of Lord of the Rings and other Peter Jackson movies. Those in a literary mood should visit the Wellington Writer’s Walk to read quotations from the works of writers who had been based in New Zealand. Round off the day by fuelling up at the coffee shops in Cuba Street. Treat your taste-buds with Kedgeree (a rice dish), Beef Wellington and curly fries. You might also want to get in a bit of shopping while there. A holiday in Wellington is bound to be culturally, gastronomically and adventurously captivating.

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Auckland City Centre

Auckland city centre is packed full of interesting and exciting museums, exhibits, shopping complexes and entertainment centres, so there is never a dull moment. Some of the most popular attractions in the centre are the museums such as the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which despite the name is actually the top historical and cultural museum in the country. It contains a host of fascinating exhibits including many historical Polynesian arts and crafts artefacts. Other popular venues in the centre include the Sky Tower, Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens, Otara Flea Market and the StarDome Observatory, which is also home to a children’s play area and a Maori archaeological site.

Out and About

The surrounding countryside is just as big a draw to those looking for a great summer holiday destination as it offers adventure, excitement and beauty in abundance. A trip to the Waitakere Ranges should be on any summer holiday to-do list as it is a fabulous region of natural waterfalls and rugged beaches. Many people visit the region during the summer in order to take advantage of the huge range of water sports and extreme sports activities that are on offer. The sea plays a key role in Auckland life, and no trip would be complete without a boat cruise of the coastal inlets. For those looking for a little more action, a sea kayak adventure may be the perfect day out. For a fun packed day for all the family, a trip to Rainbow’s End theme park could be just the ticket.

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North Island Road Trip

The North Island of New Zealand lends itself slightly better to road access, making it the most popular place for road trips. Auckland is a great place to commence the journey from as it is located on the northern peninsular and is the largest city in the country. There are some fantastic museums and cultural sites to visit in Auckland and learning a little about the culture will be useful for the rest of your travels. Form here, many road trippers head south to the Waikato region to explore the countryside, often making a stop at the Matamata village, which is the real life ‘hobbit’ village from Lord of the Rings.
If you are looking to experience some of New Zealand’s famous hot volcanic springs, then head west from Waikato to Rotorua as this is home to some of the most spectacular geothermal parks in the world. Next, head south through the centre of the island stopping off at Lake Taupo along the way. The lake is situated in some of the most amazing natural forests imaginable, and the entire region is a dream for those who love the outdoors.

Foxton and Wellington

Towards the end of the journey, there are some more fantastic places to visit, two of which are Foxton and Wellington. If you are interested in learning about Maori history and culture, Foxton is a must see location. There are workshops in Maori art, carving, tattooing, and language for those who are keen to get involved, and plenty of authentic cultural shows to keep you entertained.
The final destination on this epic road trip will take you to the southern tip of the North Island, and the capital city of Wellington. Surrounded by the mountains and sea, this picturesque city is a great place to let your hair down and party for a few days before heading on home.

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Discover Hobbiton

Middle Earth, the world conceptualized in the movie, has been maintained in New Zealand, offering fans a chance to walk through the little hobbit world in reality. The set includes a recreation of Hobbiton itself, the adorable hobbit populated village full of, lush greenery and cave like dwellings. Set in a real New Zealand farm, this particular set offers stunning views of the landscape, as well as a fantastic realisation of the same set that was used to film the movie.

Visit Middle Earth

The Southern Lakes of New Zealand have been dubbed the centre of Middle Earth. This area is home to several epic scenes from the movie, as the fellowship trail along their journey in a quest to fight evil. There are a number of professional tours available in this area, which come with experienced and very knowledgeable guides who will show visitors precise locations and even tell anecdotes about filming. These also come with options of accommodation, dining, boat tours and re-enactments for a truly memorable experience that will satisfy even the most hardcore Lord of the Rings fans.

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Your winter holidays, of course, coincide with Auckland’s summer, so be sure to take your swimming attire and sunhat so you can enjoy Auckland’s many beaches straight away when you get there. After dark you’ll have access to all the sophisticated attractions of New Zealand’s largest city. The UK’s winter months are also the best time to find family accommodation in Auckland, as Aucklanders tend to flood from the city during what is their summer holidays to enjoy their holiday homes and favourite holiday campsites in more remote locations.

Camping

One of the Kiwis’ favourite types of family accommodation, in Auckland and elsewhere, is family campgrounds and holiday parks, many of which are located right on or next to beaches. These typically offer a choice of such accommodations as cabins, caravans, and family-sized tents, and such amenities as swimming pools, children’s playgrounds, barbecues, kitchens, and spas.

The City of Sails

If yachting’s your thing, you couldn’t want a better type of family accommodation in Auckland than to hire or charter a yacht. Situated on an isthmus between two harbours, Auckland’s nickname of The City of Sails is well earned. You’ll have a choice of a large number of charter firms offering a wide range of yachts and charter types – from sail-it-yourself to fully crewed. However long your holiday you’ll never tire of exploring the Auckland area’s coastline and the diverse islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

Island Life

Although a ferry trip of less than an hour from downtown Auckland and a part of the City of Auckland, Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf is a world apart. It has numerous beaches, even more vineyards, and a wide range of family accommodation. One excellent family activity on Waiheke is to hire bicycles and tour its winding hillside roads. Other family activities include boating, fishing, canoeing, and tramping. The island’s population has a disproportionately large number of artists, actors, musicians, writers, scientists, academics who commute to Auckland’s universities, and general eccentrics, who give it a certain offbeat ambience that you can particularly enjoy at the weekly Saturday market in the village of Ostend.

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New Zealand is an extremely popular tourist destination for visitors from around the world. It offers adventure, tranquility, culture and natural beauty, while it is commonly said to be one of the friendliest places on earth. The only obstacle that potential holiday makers have to overcome before experiencing this wonderful island is getting the necessary travel documentation arranged before travelling. Entry to New Zealand is strictly controlled, meaning that you require specific travel documentation such as visas and permits in order to enter the country.

Traveling without a visa for UK Citizens

If you are a UK citizen, with a valid British passport, you do not require a visa to enter New Zealand for six months or less on a holiday. A Certificate of entitlement to the Right of Abode is required to go along with the passport for those wishing to stay for up to six months, and a British Endorsed passport to stay for up to three months. Those planning to work in the country have to apply to do so and different regulations apply.

Travel Documentation

Although a visa is not required for UK citizens to visit New Zealand for a holiday, there are still some supporting documents that are required in order to gain entry. You must have a return / outward bound ticket and supporting documentation before you enter the country. As well as this, you must be able to provide proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your holiday. The expected price for expenses is NZD 1,000 per week, although if you have already paid for your accommodation this price will be closer to NZD 400. Your passport should have at least six months validity after the end of your stay to avoid any complications with immigration officials.

These regulations are correct as of today, however they are subject to alterations depending on circumstances. This means that it is always advisable to check with the official government website before arranging travel. New Zealand has a lot to offer its tourists, and these additional immigration checks are in place to protect the environment, economy and communities alike.

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