CAPITAL WELLINGTON - POPULATION 4.4 MILLION - AREA 268,021 SQ KM - OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ENGLISH, MAORI
The Land of the Long White Cloud (Aotearoa) has been topping travellers' must-see lists since well before the Lord of the Rings, for its variety: whale-watching, wineries, hiking and, not forgetting, bungee jumping. It's a natural destination for sustainable tourism, with ecotours and low-impact hiking, and there's a renewed interest in experiencing Maori culture beyond a staged performance. Taking an indigenousled cycling tour, visiting a marae with elders or getting the inside word with a local-history walk are just some of the ways tourists are getting a deeper look at Kiwi culture.
QUEENSTOWN & SOUTHERN LAKES, NEW ZEALAND
There’s just so much going on
There isn't a bad time to turn up in the world's top adventure playground. There's nonstop outdoor activities year-round in the resort towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau, as well as the surrounding mountains, lakes and national parks.
It's not just the unbelievable alpine scenery. Where else can you ski in the morning and golf or water-ski in the afternoon? Head out hiking and drink water from mountain streams… then down more potent liquids in vibrant resort nightlife when the sun goes down. Raft down white-water rapids, tandem paraglide from craggy peaks or hike world-class trails such as the Milford, Routeburn and Hollyford tracks. View magnificent Milford Sound from the sky or on the water, jetboat up pristine rivers deep into snow-capped mountains, pull a rainbow trout out of a crystal-clear lake or pan for gold in secluded creeks. Add excellent wineries and superb restaurants, and what more is there to say?
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