North or South Island that is the question in New Zealand
New Zealand, made up of the North and South Islands, offers visitors a wealth of urban chic, lush forests, memorable rail journeys and some truly breathtaking natural landscapes to explore. Here we take you through our top picks of the country’s unique North and South Islands, so that you can design the perfect itinerary on your next trip to New Zealand. When you are ready to go, contact Brightsun Travel about a range of New Zealand flights from UK with some of the world’s leading airlines.
North
Auckland & Waiheke Island
Start your tour of the North Island in the largest of New Zealand’s cities, Auckland, and tour trendy neighbourhoods and an impressive food and art scene. Take a ferry to Waiheke Island and spot dolphins and whales from pristine beaches, and kick back in world-class vineyards overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. Go a little further you will find New Zealand’s tourist headliners – the Bay of Islands and the Bay of Plenty.
Bay of Islands & Bay of Plenty
From Auckland you can reach the Bay of Islands and the Bay of Plenty, some of the most visited and impressive landscapes in New Zealand. The Bay of Islands is an area with 150 islands to discover, surrounded by turquoise waters full of marine life, plus some spectacular beaches. Alternatively, head to the Bay of Plenty and enjoy sunny climates and islands where you can explore hot springs and volcanoes.
Around Wellington
Wellington offers the perfect place for short city break in New Zealand owing to its dramatic food scene. The city is also a gateway to a more adventurous New Zealand tour. From Wellington you can take a ferry across the Cook Strait to the South Island, to reach New Zealand’s famous wine territory. Here you can also visit the lush forests of Able Tasman National Park, which boast spectacular beaches and the famous Great Walk through the core of the park.
South
Mountains
Onto the South Island, probably most famously known for skiing sites in the mountains surrounding Queenstown, where tourists flock for sporting adventures and simply to gaze at mountainous landscapes from the heart of the city. The Southern Alps surrounding Queenstown are picturesque and perfectly snow capped. From the heart of Queenstown you can bungee jump to a mountain backdrop or hike through the serene Mount Aspiring National Park.
Milford Sounds
Not far from Queenstown is the quaint gold mining town of Arrowtown where you can access Milford Sounds by car, via one of the most scenic drives on earth. From Arrowtown you can tour through stunning rivers, including Glenorchy, and mountainous scenery, to reach Milford Sounds, where sheer cliffs meet dark waters, and a place where you can go on magical treks. The area is so dramatic that it attracts about half a million visitors a year.
TranzAlpine Railway
Christchurch is an exciting city in the South Island that’s experiencing an epic rebuild after an earthquake in 2011. Here you can take the incredibly scenic TranzAlpine Railway, through the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Passage. The TranzAlpine Railway cuts across the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth, and offers easy access to some truly breathtaking views of New Zealand’s famous landscapes.
Getting there
Brightsun Travel offers cheap air tickets to New Zealand all year round, to take you into cities across the North and South Islands, where you can have a holiday of a lifetime.
Author Bio:
Brightsun Travel can arrange all of your travel needs, from flights, short haul to long haul holidays, world tours and memorable life adventures! For more information on Cheap airfares to New Zealand, please visit us at brightsun.co.uk