Viewing New Zealand
Features
Essence
Time Line
Peace & Quiet
Famous People
Weekend Flea-markets
Most cities now have a Saturday or Sunday flea-market where small traders sell fresh fruit and vegetables, crafts and sundry products. You can meet New Zealanders at their most casual. For starters, try Christ church's Arts Centre, Nelson's Montgomery parking lot, Auckland's Otara Markets, and Avondale Racecourse.
The scenic beauty of New Zealand is well known. In many places the landscape is a dramatic mixture of mountains, glaciers, fiords, and turbulent rivers, yet, in contrast, there are also gentle fields of grass, evergreen forests, and quiet lakes. While for many visitors touring the countryside in a car or long-distance bus, or admiring the views through a window, glass in hand, is pleasure enough, over the past 20 years or so New Zealand has also become established as a destination for action, renowned for "soft" adventure and for more spectacular thrill experiences. Concern for the environment and a yearning for healthy pursuits has increased worldwide, making unspoilt New Zealand a popular destination for enjoying a host of outdoor activities.
The 10 Essentials
If you only have a short time to visit New Zealand, or would like to get a really complete picture of the country, here are the essentials:
Take a bush walk - there are many options ranging from 10-minute strolls in the native bush (indigenous forest) to one-week treks.
Visit a museum - notable museums can be found in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, plus many other smaller towns.
Stroll along a beach - West coast beaches can be wild at any season; safe swimming beaches abound in the rest of the country.
Climb a mountain - choose alpine ranges, bush-clad hills, active volcanoes or suburban viewpoints.
Inspect a thermal area - marvel at bubbling mud and spouting geysers, or swim in hot water pools. There are thermal spas in many parts of the North Island and two in the South.
Watch a Maori concert - be charmed by the dances and songs of the indigenous Maori people. And maybe follow it with a hangi.
Ride a jet-boat - fast rides on rivers and lakes are just one of the country's many thrilling adventures.
Watch a rugby match, or go horse-racing - both exemplify the sporting passion of New Zealanders.
Drink the local wine or beer - try a chilled white wine, or an ice-cold beer: there are plenty of award-winning labels to choose from, and plenty of places to try them!
Eat a New Zealand delicacy - special dishes include Bluff oysters, Nelson scallops, West Coast whitebait, Canterbury lamb and pavlova dessert.
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