New Zealand - attractions - Countries Guide

Auckland Museum
Situated on The Domain, an extensive central city parkland on one of Auckland's extinct volcanic hills, the Auckland Museum overlooks the city and the attractive Waitemata Harbour. It is one of the most visited attractions in the city, housing a remarkable collection of Maori and Pacific Island artefacts and cultural displays. Originally built as a World War I Memorial in 1929, the building was dedicated to the memory of New Zealand victims in both World War I and II. The 'New Zealand at War' exhibition has since been joined by extensive displays about the people and the country, its cultures, art and natural history. There is a Children's Discovery Centre on the middle floor. For many, a highlight of a visit to the museum, is the three times daily Maori cultural performance of song and dance, providing an entertaining insight into Maori mythology and history.
Telephone: (0)9 309 0443 or (0)9 306 7067
Website: www.aucklandmuseum.com
Transport: City tour buses, the Link bus and public services 645 and 655 stop on Parnell Road, five minutes walk away
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 5pm. Closed on 25 December and 25 April

Sky Tower
The Sky Tower, at 1,076ft (328m), is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere and has unforgettable views over the city, the harbour and the gulf islands. It is part of the Sky City Entertainment Complex, with a casino, theatre, hotel and conference centre. Visitors to the tower can splash out on dinner in the revolving restaurant, or admire the view from one of the four circular observation decks, reached by a glass lift. There is an outdoor deck, glass floor panels, an audio visual guide and touch computer screens providing geographical information. The Sky Deck is the highest viewing level with spectacular 360-degree views.
Telephone: (0)9 363 6000
Website: www.skycity.co.nz
Transport:
Opening times: Daily from 8.30am to 11pm (12pm on weekends)

Te Papa Museum
Wellington's leading attraction and one of the world's largest national museums, Te Papa is a tribute to all that is New Zealand; its people and history, natural environment, arts and culture. Interactive technology and superb displays bring the story to life. Motion simulators allow visitors to witness the explosive creation of pre-historic New Zealand, or to experience a virtual reality bungee jump. There is also an interactive section on volcanoes and earthquakes where the effects of an earthquake can be felt from inside a house and a volcanic eruption viewed on screen. Other attractions include a range of magnificent exhibitions featuring some of the country's most important Maori treasures, a modern 'marae' or Maori meeting house, and an informative display on the Treaty of Waitangi, between the Maori chiefs and European settlers in 1840. The natural world is also explored, featuring all the natural inhabitants of the country.
Telephone: (0)4 381 7000
Website: www.tepapa.govt.nz
Transport: Museum is within easy walking distance of railway station and bus district
Opening times: Daily from 10am to 6pm, Thursdays until 9pm

. Cable Car
One of the most popular tourist attractions, the cable car takes people to the lookout at Kelburn, where there is a beautiful view over the city and across the harbour. Visitors can either take a return journey or walk back down through the beautifully landscaped Botanic Gardens. At the top terminus there is the small Cable Car Museum explaining its history.
Telephone: (0)4 472 2199
Website: www.WellingtonNZ.com/cablecar
Transport:
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 7am to 10pm, Saturday 8.30am to 10pm, Sunday and Public Holidays from 9am to 10pm

Cathedral Square
Cathedral Square is the hub of the city centre and is dominated by the city's landmark, Christchurch Cathedral, a grand Gothic structure with a tall spire, and a cool and spacious interior with marvellous acoustics. It is possible to climb the narrow staircase to the bell tower for a splendid panoramic view of the city. In front of the cathedral, the city's most quirky character, fondly known as 'The Wizard', performs his daily eccentric routine for the crowd from atop a ladder, ranting about all things from politics and politicians to religion, love and bureaucracy. Nearby the giant chessboard painted on the square attracts avid players and spectators, with enormous pieces to be shifted during strategic moves, as challengers pit their skills against one another.
Telephone: (0)3 366 0046
Website: www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz
Transport: The cathedral is accessible on foot as it is situated in the heart of the CBD
Opening times: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 7.30am to 5pm

Christchurch Tramway
Trams were part of the city's transport system until 1954 and today these heritage trams have been beautifully restored, offering visitors a unique experience that takes one on a two-mile (3km) loop of many of the city's best features and main attractions. The drivers, who offer insight on the history, architecture, activities and points of interest, supply informative and entertaining commentary. Visitors can hop on and off at any of the stops to further explore the attractions at leisure.

The most interesting sights include Cathedral Square, the Aquarium of Discovery, punting on the Avon River, the exquisite Botanic Gardens on the banks of the river, New Regent Street with its pretty Spanish mission-style architecture, the magnificent Gothic buildings of the Arts Centre, and Canterbury Museum, with an excellent Antarctic exhibition.
Telephone: (0)3 366 7830
Website: www.tram.co.nz
Transport:
Opening times: Daily from 9am to 9pm (1 November to 31 March), 9am to 6pm (1 April to 31 October)

. Skyline Gondola
The gondola takes visitors to Bob's Peak, the hill above the town and has incredible views over Queenstown, the lake and of the Remarkables Range. At the top of the gondola is the Luge offering three-wheel cart rides for all different ages and abilities, or there are numerous walks on the mountain with beautiful views of the area. At the bottom terminal is the Kiwi and Birdlife Park featuring nocturnal kiwi houses and other endangered species of New Zealand.
Telephone: (0)3 441 0101
Website: www.skyline.co.nz
Transport: Five minutes walk from the town centre
Opening times: The gondola is open daily from 9am until late

Milford Sound
The 14-mile (22km) long fjord of Milford Sound is the most famous attraction in the Fjordland National Park. Hemmed in by towering granite cliffs and dominated by Mitre Peak, the calm deep waters reflect ice-covered mountain tops, waterfalls plummet from the cliff tops to the water below and Bottlenose dolphins play in the foaming wakes of the boats. Its grandeur was carved out during the ice ages and a close up or aerial view of the awesome scenery is a must. A variety of boat cruises or popular kayaking trips are offered and these provide opportunities to see the fur seals, crested penguins and dolphins that inhabit the sound, while scenic flights give a unique perspective on the area. The road to Milford Sound is one of the finest alpine drives in the world with many points of interest along the way and view points to admire the sheer scale of the dramatic landscape. Travelling towards the sound, the road approaches a seemingly impenetrable wall of rock, and the tiny entrance of Homer Tunnel, unlit and roughly hewn out of the cliff face, suddenly appears as the way through, emerging again at the top of the stunning Cleddau Canyon before dropping into the valley below. Milford is synonymous with rain, and although the mountaintops might not be visible through the clouds, the streams of water and waterfalls coursing down the sheer rocky cliffs is a magnificent sight not otherwise seen in dry weather. Tiny biting sandflies are the menace of the Fjordlands, although optimists say the rain tends to keep them away.

Whether raining or fine it is impossible to ignore the powerful sense of beauty and grandeur that the landscape evokes.
Telephone:
Website:
Transport: Buses go from Te Anau (2-hour journey) and scenic flights can be taken from Te Anau or Queenstown
Opening times:

. Cities & Regions: North Island | Auckland | Wellington | South Island | Christchurch | Queenstown | Fjordland