Table Of ContentAbout This Book
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Sights
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Symbols used in our listings:
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Price
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Golf facilities
Fodor’s Recommendations
Everything in this guide is worth doing—we don’t cover what isn’t—but our
favorite places are designated Fodor’sChoice to indicate our highest
recommendation.
Sights and Activities
We look high and low to find the most interesting things for you to see and do.
For attractions, we always list adult admission fees; additional discounts are
usually available for children, students, and seniors.
Restaurants
Unless we state otherwise, restaurants are open for lunch and dinner daily. We
classify every restaurant with a price category as well as listing the average cost
of a main course at dinner (or if dinner is not served, at lunch). For more detailed
restaurant reviews, visit Fodors.com.
Hotels
While we like all the hotels we recommend, we promise to always give you both
the pros and cons. Unless otherwise specified, you can expect private bath,
phone, and TV in your room. We classify every hotel with a price category as
well as listing the average cost of a double room in high season. For more
detailed hotel reviews, visit Fodors.com.
Credit Cards
Assume all establishments we recommend take credit cards unless we say
otherwise.
Write to Us
We value your opinion and want to know when you think we’re right and also
when we’ve missed the mark. Want to recommend a new find or an old favorite?
Write to us: [email protected].
EUGENE FODOR
Hungarian-born Eugene Fodor (1905–91) began his travel career as an
interpreter on a French cruise ship. The experience inspired him to write
On the Continent (1936), the first guidebook to receive annual updates
and discuss a country’s way of life as well as its sights. Fodor later joined
the U.S. Army and worked for the OSS in World War II. After the war, he
kept up his intelligence work while expanding his guidebook series.
During the Cold War, many guides were written by fellow agents who
understood the value of insider information. Today’s guides continue
Fodor’s legacy by providing travelers with timely coverage, insider tips,
and cultural context.
Welcome to New Zealand
From the Bay of Islands’ pristine beaches in the north to the soaring pinnacles of
Milford Sound in the south, New Zealand is a stunner. Glaciated mountains,
steaming volcanoes, and lush forests give adventurers a vast array of ecological
playgrounds to explore. While hikers retreat to 14 national parks, bird-watchers
find their bliss on peaceful Stewart Island. But it’s not all parks and rec. Māori
enclaves display deep native heritage, idyllic vineyards produce world-class
wines, and vibrant dining and arts scenes thrive in cities like Auckland and
Wellington. As you plan your upcoming travels to New Zealand, please confirm
that places are still open and let us know when we need to make updates by
writing to us at this address: [email protected].
TOP REASONS TO GO
Superb Wine: Hawkes Bay’s Bordeaux blends, Marlborough’s sauvignon blancs, and
more.
Hobbits: Lord of the Rings tours in Glenorchy and Matamata take fans to Middle-earth.
Water Sports: Incredible sailing, surfing, rafting, kayaking, and diving.
Māori Culture: Native traditions are shared in craft workshops and ceremonial feasts.
The Great Walks: Ten famous trails, including the Milford Track, entice hikers.
Contents
Cover
About This Book
Welcome to New Zealand
New Zealand Images
1 EXPERIENCE NEW ZEALAND
25 Ultimate Experiences
What’s Where
New Zealand Today
What to Eat and Drink
What to Buy
Best National Park Adventures
Best Wineries
Best Beaches
New Zealand History
Best Tours in New Zealand
What to Read and Watch Before You Go
2 TRAVEL SMART
Know Before You Go
Getting Here and Around
Essentials
Speak Like a Local
Great Itineraries
Contacts
3 AUCKLAND
Welcome to Auckland
Planning
City Center and Parnell
Ponsonby
Western Springs
Devonport
Hauraki Gulf Islands
Greater Auckland
4 NORTHLAND AND THE BAY OF ISLANDS
Welcome to Northland and the Bay of Islands
Planning
Warkworth
Whangarei
Hokianga and the Kauri Coast
Paihia and Waitangi
Russell
Kerikeri
5 COROMANDEL AND THE BAY OF PLENTY
Welcome to Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty
Planning
Thames
Tapu–Coroglen Road
Coromandel Town
Colville and Vicinity
Whitianga
Hahei
Tairua
Whangamata
Waihi to Paeroa
Katikati
Tauranga
Whakatane
Whakaari (White) Island
6 EAST COAST AND THE VOLCANIC ZONE
Welcome to East Coast and the Volcanic Zone
Planning
Rotorua
Rotorua Environs
Taupo
Tongariro National Park
Napier
Hawke’s Bay
Gisborne
Te Urewera National Park
7 NORTH ISLAND’S WEST COAST
Welcome to North Island’s West Coast
Planning
Raglan
Waitomo
New Plymouth
Egmont National Park
Stratford
Whanganui
Whanganui National Park
Palmerston North
8 WELLINGTON AND THE WAIRARAPA
Welcome to Wellington and the Wairarapa
Planning
Wellington
Greater Wellington
Akatarawa Valley
Kapiti Coast
Kapiti Island
Martinborough
Palliser Bay and Cape Palliser
Masterton and Environs
9 UPPER SOUTH ISLAND AND THE WEST COAST
Welcome to Upper South Island and the West Coast
Planning
Kaikoura
Blenheim
Picton
Havelock
Nelson
Māpua
Motueka
Abel Tasman National Park
Golden Bay and Tākaka
Farewell Spit
Kahurangi National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park
Murchison
Westport
Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park
Greymouth
Hokitika
Ōkārito
Westland/Tai Poutini National Park
10 CHRISTCHURCH AND CANTERBURY
Welcome to Christchurch and Canterbury
Planning
Christchurch
Greater Christchurch
Lyttelton
Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula
Arthur’s Pass National Park
Waipara Valley
Hanmer Springs
Methven
Geraldine
11 THE SOUTHERN ALPS AND FIORDLAND
Welcome to the Southern Alps and Fiordland
Planning
Mackenzie Country and Lake Tekapo
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Twizel
Mount Aspiring National Park
Wanaka
Queenstown
Arrowtown
Te Anau
Milford Sound
Lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound
12 OTAGO, INVERCARGILL, AND STEWART ISLAND
Welcome to Otago, Invercargill, and Stewart Island
Planning
Dunedin
Oamaru
Otago Peninsula
Invercargill
Stewart Island
INDEX
ABOUT OUR WRITERS
MAPS
City Center, Parnell, and Ponsonby
Devonport and Western Springs
Hauraki Gulf Islands
Greater Auckland
The Bay of Islands
The Coromandel
The Bay of Plenty
Rotorua and Environs
Tongariro National Park
Napier
Hawke’s Bay
Around Mt. Taranaki
Wellington
Greater Wellington
Blenheim
Nelson
Around Nelson
Abel Tasman National Park
The West Coast
Christchurch
Greater Christchurch
Lyttelton, Akaroa, and the Banks Peninsula
Canterbury
Southern Alps
Queenstown
Fiordland
Dunedin
Otago Peninsula
Stewart Island
