Question about New Zealand?

Question

Is the North island as beautiful as the South?
We have just returned from a holiday in and around Queenstown.
What is there to see and do on the North, that is different. Is it worth a trip?

Answer 1

Kia Ora, absolutely but it does depend on what you are looking for. The North Island is different to the South. Yes the Bay of Islands are stunning but there are also many other places worth a visit. It definitely does not smell like sulphur all over!, that's the thermal area around Rotorua which is well worth visiting too. Maori culture is unique in the world so if you are looking for a different experience then I believe the North Island has the best on offer in showing Maori customs and history.
I think a great advantage is that in New Zealand you do not have to travel far to find a change in scenery from snow and/or bush covered mountains to rolling hills, beaches, native NZ bush, cool rivers, thermal activity, small friendly towns, farmland. Make sure you see the Kauris in Northland if you are interested in nature, also make the most of high places, views all over the Island are breathtaking. Even Auckland city is beautiful from Mount Eden lookout or other high places. Actually Auckland is a great city.
Thats just the NZ scenery.. there is beautiful fresh food, skiing, horse riding,wine tasting,water activities, great fishing and diving,I could go on..But our greatest asset are the people. Find a kiwi and get to know them, it's not hard we are very friendly. Expect to enjoy yourself and you will.. catch you over here!!

Answer 2

Hmm... sounds like some people have been to the Bay of Islands and Rotorua, and think that's all there is to the North Island!

Try these websites:
http://www.aatravel.co.nz
http://www.tourism.net.nz
http://www.newzealand.com
http://www.nz.com
http://www.greatnewzealand.co.nz
http://www.mercurybay.co.nz/activities/hotwaterbeach.php
http://www.kawhiaharbour.co.nz/
http://www.kiwihouse.org.nz/

The Coromandel Peninsula (both east and west coast) is stunningly beautiful - great beaches, awesome scenery. Hot Water Beach has hot water seeping out of the sand - take your spade at low tide to dig your very own hot pool.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty, East Cape, and the East Coast down to Poverty and Hawke's Bays are wildly beautiful - Lake Waikaremoana is worth the short, unsealed, windy drive from Wairoa on the East Coast (avoid the drive from the other end of the road at Murupara - very long and hair-raising!).
See kiwis at the Otorohanga Kiwi House - you probably won't see them in the wild.
Drive up the west coast of Northland to see Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere; giant, ancient kauri trees in the Waipoua Forest.
As has been observed, the Bay of Islands is worth the trip - go to Paihia for a choice of boat trips on the bay, most of which take in the Hole in the Rock (named Piercy Island by Captain Cook; really!) The Cream Trip is about 5 hours, so if you're a bit iffy about being on the water, the 3 hour Hole in the Rock Cruise might be more your style - it was mine!
Wellington is a beautiful little city - but don't wear a hat or get out your umbrella, as it deserves its nickname Windy Wellington. You can visit the Houses of Parliament there, and discover just how inane politicians can be!

All that's just off the top of my head, so check the websites above - you're bound to find something that interests you.

(And I haven't even mentioned Auckland, even though I live here...)

Haere mai (usually translated as “welcome”, also means “come here”) and kia ora (often used in greeting, conveys wishes of good health).

Answer 3

I have visited New Zealand and believe the Bay of Islands on the northern tip of the north island is quite beautiful. You can take a boat ride called the "Milk Run" and get a great feel for the region. You can also visit some amazing sheep ranches around Kerikeri, the oldest city in New Zealand.

Answer 4

There are nice places in the North of the North island ( bay of Islands) The rest is volcanic and the aroma of Sulfur gets nauseous after awhile. You only want to see so much Volcanic mud and geysers and Maori ceremonies.
The South Island is Gob smacking beautiful, with snow capped mountains and beautiful clear rivers and streams. Fly fishing and ocean or beach fishing abounds. Bungee jump para sail Ski bike ride or drive its all top class. Visit Lake Wannaka in the center its stunning! I liken it to a Paradise. If you visited Tasmania NZ is 100 times More beautiful If you haven't done Tassie do it first and get it over with before going to NZ otherwise you might be disappointed

Answer 5

Did a tour of both islands and too my way of thinking the last bit was the best.Bay of Islands is great how they managed to get the boat we were on through the hole in the rock is beyond me.Talk to either islands inhabitants and they claim their island is best.Both are great but the bay of islands & the trip in the duck from Pahia too Russell island & the view from the top great.come to think of it,it was all great and will definatly be going back.To answer your question definately worth the trip.

Answer 6

My best friend is a Maori and says that the North Island is just as beautiful as the South

Answer 7

properly, technically "previous Zealand" is in Holland. whilst the Dutch landed in New Zealand, Tasman categorised the islands on his map as Staten Landt after the States-familiar of the Netherlands. It exchange into later replaced by utilising Dutch cartographers to Nova Zeelandia (in Latin), from Nieuw Zeeland, after the Dutch province of Zeeland. After slightly greater suitable than one hundred years, Europeans got here visiting and Captain James prepare dinner "britishized" it by utilising calling it New Zealand.