Did you think Australia was the end of the world? Not really. Located 2 km southwest in the Southern Ocean, the discovery of nature is the charm of a trip to "The land of the long white cloud". This name was given to New Zealand by its first inhabitants, the Maori, whose culture still influences every visit and discovery today.
Take your time to travel
Discovered not even 400 years ago by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, New Zealand is a very large territory (1 km from North to South), composed of two main islands as well as many small islands. The northern one, the Fumante Island, with its volcanoes and subtropical forests, and the southern one, the Jade Island, with its snow-capped peaks. Due to the very long distances to travel New Zealand, stays there are generally quite long, between two and three weeks. Why not take the opportunity to go Slow Travel?
The fabulous landscapes of New Zealand
Why is the Haka legendary in New Zealand?
Although English settlers brought western culture, New Zealand has now achieved a good synthesis between its Maori origins and its colonial influences. A famous example, the Haka, performed by the “All Blacks”, the local rugby team, which recalls the warlike origins of New Zealanders.
This mixture of culture is also found in gastronomy, originally English. Fish'n chips and other mint lambs are often revisited in restaurants.
Auckland, the modern city
Located in the North and served by airports around the world, Auckland is the ideal starting point for a trip to New Zealand. Although not the capital - it is Wellington - Auckland is the country's largest metropolitan area and major economic hub. It is a modern city, where we find the main attributes of a European capital: leisure, shopping, large hotels ...
Auckland
Dense volcanic activity
The Fumante Island takes its name from the region of Roturoa, which concentrates still very intense volcanic activity. Spectacular. Therapeutic baths have been in vogue since the time of the settlers in the 20th century and the site of Whakarewarewa concentrates sources of hot viscous sludge, solfataras (cracks in the ground from which water vapor is released containing sulfur. ) and of course geysers. The largest squirts over 14 m high, between 26 and XNUMX times a day. The smell is ... special and the colors supernatural.
Rotorua
The Fjords, movie sets
The other remarkable site in New Zealand is at the southern end of the South Island, where the spectacular takes on a grandiose aspect: the Fjords region, which can be approached by boat or kayak. Peter Jackson was not mistaken in filming certain scenes of his trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" in the Fjordland, the immensity of the landscapes is breathtaking!
Milford Sound
Attractive hotels and rates
New Zealand has a significant advantage when it comes to accommodation: a high density of hotels and motels throughout the territory, at attractive rates. This is useful when you change rooms every two or three days.
As is customary, it is better not to book your hotel at the last minute in the areas most popular with tourists in high season - during the southern summer. Likewise, booking online well in advance of departure often allows you to find cheap hotel rooms.
Pratical information
- Saint-Martin Tourist Office : visit the official tourist site of New Zealand
- Money and change : the currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZ $).
Transport
- Getting to New Zealand : Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch on the South Island, welcome international flights from Europe. The airports are located on the outskirts of the cities but shuttles or taxis allow you to reach the center of the agglomerations.
- Getting around New Zealand : Due to the very large distances between the North and the South of the country, the plane is practical for travel. The country is also well served by domestic flights. Otherwise, renting a car allows you to be free to move around.
