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The Bay of Islands, New Zealand

You will find few places in the world that are more beautiful than the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. It is a pristine place, and is still very much a secret to which much of the outside world is not privy. No trip to New Zealand should be considered complete without a trip to the Islands. In fact, you can find so much to do in the Bay of Islands that you could end up spending your entire trip there. You will never be without activities.

You can cruise the islands in a variety of sailing vessels, check out the whales, and even swim with the dolphins. If you enjoy fishing, there are great trips from the islands to go sport fishing for snapper, martin, tuna, sharks, and more. You will also likely want to try kayaking and scuba diving. If you want to add a bit of speed and thrills, you can rent a jet ski and skim the blue waters or even parasail above them.

Although the Bay of Islands has some of the best water activities in the world, you can find just as much to do while on the land. You can take a horseback ride, explore the islands on foot, and even play a round of golf. If relaxation is what you’re looking for, then simply relax on one of the many beaches and soak up the sunshine.

Another activity that you might want to do while in the Bay of Islands is to learn some of the history and culture of both the Maori and European settlers. It is truly fascinating.

No matter what you’re into, quiet relaxation or adrenalin inducing adventure, you will find plenty to keep you occupied whilst in the Bay of Islands.

5 Great Things to do While Visiting Auckland

Auckland is one of the most popular vacation destinations in New Zealand. In fact, it was named as one of the best lifestyle cities in the world. From a bustling urban center and nightlife to heart pounding adventure, Auckland has something wonderful in store for every vacationer.

The following are five of the things that you won’t want to miss on your vacation to Auckland.

Get a taste of history by visiting the Howick Historical Village. You can experience life as it was for some of the first settlers in New Zealand, from 1840 to 1880. A guide will take you through more than thirty different buildings based on European as well as Maori design.

Next, you might want to stop by the Auckland Museum, where you can see artifacts from the Maori, as well as see live cultural performances. It is a great place to learn about the history and culture of all New Zealanders, not only the Maori.

Following your trip to the museum, you might be in the mood for some adventure. You can take a ride with Balloon Safari, the oldest balloon company in New Zealand. They will take you on a scenic hot air balloon ride over Auckland and its beautiful surroundings.

If you really want to give yourself an adrenalin pump, go ahead and take a SkyWalk at the Sky Tower. You actually get to walk the tiny ledge on the Sky Tower, suspended by a tether hundreds of feet above the ground. This is something that is not for the faint of heart.

After some of those high-flying adventures, you might want to chill out at the coolest bar in Auckland. Minus-5 is made entirely of ice – the walls, floors, and even the seats. It is a great way to end the day.

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