10 Reasons to Visit Auckland

Auckland is a city of sails and metropolitan city has something for everyone from beaches to food to sports. Recently Auckland has voted 5th best city in the world for quality of life. Auckland is a home for around 1.5 million Kiwis.

Check out the 10 top reasons to visit Auckland, 

1) Auckland Sky Tower:
Auckland sky tower is a favourite tourist attraction. At 328 metres tallest man made structure in New Zealand offers breathtaking views of beautiful Auckland city. Auckland celebrated New Years Eve in 2015 with a giant clock display on the sky tower with amazing view of fireworks.

2) Rangitoto Island:

Rangitoto Island is located in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland. Rangitoto Island is a home for largest pohutukawa forest, and some pleasant plantlife. To reach the island, catch the ferry from Auckland and reach there just in 25 minutes.

3) The Unique wildlife:
Auckland is a wildlife lover’s paradise. Auckland zoos, wildlife park and aquariums are the perfect holiday destination for family. Explore the beautiful dolphin, whale, butterfly creek or lions at Auckland zoo.

4) Auckland beaches:

Auckland has top 10 beautiful beaches to visit. You can find black sand surf beaches to sheltered golden bays. If you like to visit Piha beach, you will get excellent view from a top Lion Rock. Have your family barbeque, picnic, swimming or surfing, choice is yours at any of the Auckland beaches.

5) Hobitton day trip:

If you will drive a two hour south of Auckland, visit the Hobitton movie set used in the Lord of the Rings movies.

6) Auckland Museum:

Auckland war memorial museum is one of New Zealand’s most important museums to visit. Museum has extra ordinary stories of New Zealand original Maori people, military history and more.

7) Auckland Bungy:
Cosmopolitan city Auckland has adrenalin pumping activities. From 47 meters off the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge experience bungy jumping or have scenic helicopter rides.

8) Bularangi Motorbikes:
See the New Zealand very different way with your own personal driver. You just sit on the back of motorbike and explore amazing sight scene from Harley Davidson passenger tour.

9) Museum of Transport & Technology:
MOTAT is Auckland’s museum of transport and technology. You can experience the history and development of New Zealand transport, technology and Kiwi ingenuity.

10) Hauraki Blue Cruises:
Why not discover beautiful Auckland with Hauraki Blue Cruises? You will find an overnight, lunch or multi day cruises, around the island of Hauraki Gulf which has accommodation of 60 people. Enjoy the eye catching view of the Waitamata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf. You can also arrange business conferences, meetings and weddings at Hasuraki.
 
Visit New Zealand Travel Blog for more information

If you are planing your tours to New Zealand, check out the best Auckland Tours, you can even contact at kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Photo Credits to - Bob-McCree, Sara-Orme & respected owners....

Auckland Activities and Attractions

Auckland New Zealand has various activities & tourist attractions to visit while going on holiday to New Zealand. Below are the famous places in Auckland.


1. Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo is situated next to Springs Park, not very far from Auckland Business. Auckland Zoo is a home to large number of native and exotic New Zealand Animals.

2. Auckland Bridge Climb

Climb to the Harbour Bridge with a professional guide and see spectacular views of Waitemata Harbour, Sky Tower and share informative commentary about Auckland. If you thinking to see best scenery with 360 degree views from summit then Auckland Bridge Climb Activity is for you only.

3. One Tree Hill
The park is renowned for its landscape design and wide variety of mature trees. It is centred on a volcanic cone, One Tree Hill, with many interesting geological features.

4. Tamaki Drive
Tamaki Drive curves along the waterfront from downtown to St. Heliers Bay offering a superb outlook over the sparking Waitemata Harbour.

5. Muriwai Beach
Some folk come for a stroll on the beach, others to surf or swim or fish. One of the greatest attractions at Muriwai Beach is the Gannet Colony.

6. Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium
Set on the waterfront of Auckland City on Okahu Bay, Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium is one of top visitor attraction. Where you can visit 30 exhibits, more than 80 different species, and 8 new themed zones.

7. Shopping at Auckland

How can we complete our Holidays in New Zealand without Shopping, right girls? If you are looking for New Zealand’s designer, International labels or Fashion boutiques visit high street stores or city’s famous malls. To buy some Kiwi fresh produce and gourmet goodies lets visit Local Farmer’s Markets.

Visit New Zealand Travel Agency - Freedom Tourism blog for more information on Things to do in Auckland

Photo Credits to - aucklandzoo.co.nz, A J Hackett Bungy New Zealand, Fraser Clements, Chris Cameron

Kiwi - The National Bird of New Zealand

Have you ever seen Kiwi? Maybe you are confused what is Kiwi, Is it a fruit? Or is it a bird? Yes, we are talking about KIWI Bird. The National Bird of New Zealand . The Kiwi evolved 70 million years ago from a flightless ancestor from the great southern continent of Gondawana. Kiwi represents New Zealand, the word Kiwi came from Maori Language. Kiwi has given his name to New Zealanders and now New Zealanders known as Kiwis in the world over. There are about approx. 70,000 Kiwis left in New Zealand. It can often seen in daylight.

If we talk about Kiwi size, it grows as a size of little chicken. A flightless bird has coarse, bristly, hair like feathers. Brown Kiwis can be found in forested areas in the North Island. Spotted Kiwis are found on offshore islands. Kiwi is a unique bird, it cannot fly. Kiwi loose hair like feathers and little Kiwi has no tail.

Types of Kiwi Birds:

Brown Kiwis

The Little Spotted Kiwi

Great Spotted Kiwi

Activities:

Kiwi Birdlife Park, Queenstown

Hours:

9am to 5pm (Winter)

9am to 6pm (Summer)

Watch out more tourist activities in New Zealand

Photo Credit @ Tourism New Zealand

South Island Cities, Locations & Attractions

South Island is the larger than the North Island, it has Cook Strait to the north, Tasman Sea to the west, Pacific Ocean to the south & east, 23% of New Zealand's 4.5 million inhabitants live in the South Island.

Largest city is Christchurch & know as 'Garden City'.

South Island offers wide varieties of tourist attractions in New Zealand for family vacations & couples for their honeymoon.

Main Cities are:

• Christchurch
• Dunedin
• Fox Glacier
• Franz Josef
• Greymouth
• Hanmer Springs
• Kaikoura
• Lake Tekapo
• Milford Sound
• Mount Cook
• Queenstown
• Wanaka

For more information about places to visit in South Island, do visit Freedom Tourism website

Click here for family holiday packages for South Island, New Zealand

Explore Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo lies in New Zealand's central South Island & the heart of the Mackenzie Country. 

Lake Tekapo is the second-largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north–south. Lake Tekapo gets its intense milky-turquoise colour from the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) which is suspended in the water.

Church of Good Shepherd

The Church was built in 1935 as a place of worship for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie country. Located on the shores of Lake Tekapo, this church always attracts a crowd of tourists keen to capture this historic church


Glacier Boat Tour

The only tour of its kind in New Zealand. A memorable and amazing encounter on the terminal lake of New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. View icebergs of all shapes and sizes that periodically tear away from the glacier face.


Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking

The Mackenzie Country's Lake Tekapo contains some of New Zealand's most picturesque and natural scenery. Teal blue lake water and chiselled mountains are amongst the Mackenzie's jewels.


Mt John Observatory

Stargazing and astrophotography with Earth and Sky in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. We provide guided day and night sky tours at Mt John Observatory and Cowan's Hill.


Tekapo Springs Hot Pools

Tekapo Springs is a recreation facility set in the stunning setting of Mt John in Lake Tekapo. Tekapo Springs is dedicated to providing the ultimate experience for the whole family and to lift your spirits.

Explore Lake Tekapo for more details at Freedom Tourism

Sightseeing in Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington city is Nestled between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills, it is a capital city of New Zealand & famous for its arts, heritage, culture and native beauty. A creative, cosmopolitan city, Wellington combines the sophistication of a capital with the warmth and personality of a village.

Wellington was recently named "the coolest little capital in the world" by Lonely Planet.

Wellington has number of places to visit, here are few of them,

Museum Of Te Papa

The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington.








Old Saint Pauls Cathedral

Welcome to Wellington Cathedral, in the Anglican Diocese of Wellington. Situated within the parliamentary precinct of New Zealand's capital city,














Moutn Victoria Summit

Watch the Cook Strait ferries sail into the harbour and the planes go in and out of the airport. Mount Victoria's original Maori name is Tangi Te Keo.











Zealandia

Zealandia is a must-see eco-attraction and groundbreaking restoration project: a nature lover's paradise and a sanctuary by the city! See some of New Zealand's rarest birds, reptiles and insects living wild in their natural environment, including hihi, tuatara, saddleback, kākā and (at night) little spotted kiwi.







There are number of restaurants with different tasty Indian food items & cuisines available for food lovers,

For more information do visit - Wellington New Zealand

For Holiday tour packages & customize tour plan with self drive contact -  kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Hamilton City - New Zealand

Hamilton is New Zealand's largest inland city, located on the banks of the Waikato River, which is the country's longest river. Hamilton city has a rich history & contrasting splendors.

Hamilton city has spectacular tourist attractions & activities for travelers, ranging from Gardens, Villages & Air Balloon ride.

Lets find out few of them,

Hamilton Gardens

Explore the stunning Paradise Garden Collection, visit Te Parapara - New Zealand's first traditional Maori garden, picnic with the family or catch one of the many exciting events staged here each year.


Hobbiton Village

Discover the real Middle-Earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand. On the most picturesque private farmland you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies in a fascinating two-hour guided tour.


Hot Air Ballooning

A hot air balloon ride over Waikato NZ is a most tranquil and sublime experience! Breathe in the still, crisp early morning air as your hot air balloon gently rises above sleepy Hamilton and then drifts out to the green pastures of the Waikato.

Find out more details about Hamilton New Zealand

Contact for New Zealand tour packages from India at kiwi@freedomtourism.com

Note: Images are copyright by their respective owners.

Dunedin Tourist Attractions

Dunedin is the principal city of the Otago region of New Zealand. Dunedin is the largest city in the South Island and sits on the hills and valleys surrounding the head of Otago Harbour.

Dunedin is a region of unique landscapes and fascinating cultural history.

List of tourist attractions in Dunedin

Lanarch Castle 

Lanarch Castle is known for its exciting, scandalous and tragic history, magnificient carved ceilings. Min. 2 years required to visit this place


Chinese Gardens

The design of the garden evolved over a period of 8 years. Garden is in the traditional YUANLIN style. Min. 1 hr required to visit this place


Cadbury World

Much like our products, the Cadbury story in New Zealand, Min. 2 hrs required to visit this place

For more information please do visit - Tourist Attractions in Dunedin

Create your Holiday Route Plan with Freedom Tourism

Freedom Holiday got a great tool where you can customize your holidays and create a route plan for your family vacation. As name suggest 'FREEDOM', you have complete freedom to choose your places & destinations where you can enjoy your vacation. Once you create your route plan Freedom Tourism team will come in to action and according to your route plan suggest possible changes where you can save time and money.

It has very simple process where you can create custom Trip planning for your New Zealand holidays.

1. Go to http://www.freedomtourism.com/select/city

Select your desire cities where you want to travel & Click on NEXT

2. You will have Hotel category options, select hotel category you want to stay & Click on NEXT

3. You will have food options, select your food options & Click on NEXT

4. Transport options are available, select what type of transport facility you need & Click on NEXT

5. List of activities are there, select activities and places you want to visit based on your earlier city selection & Click on Finish

6. Your Trip plan is ready

After this trip plan creation, Freedom Team will work on that plan and get in touch with you to explain & give you complete tour itinerary

See how simple is this? So what you waiting for you Plan your holidays and create your holiday trip to New Zealand.

Contact Freedom Tourism Today!

Visit the available New Zealand vacation packages

Things to Do in Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest & main city in the Canterbury region in the South Island of New Zealand. Also known as "The Garden City".

There are many things to do in Christchurch, below are the top places to visit while you are in Christchurch

International Antarctic Centre

One of New Zealand's best tourist attractions, the International Antarctic Centre provides visitors of all ages with an interactive, fun and exciting experience of Antarctica.

Orana Wildlife Park

Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo. Orana specialises in providing unique animal encounters in an open range setting.


Tranz Alpine Kiwi Rail Scenic Journey

Climb aboard one of the world’s most famous train journeys, between Christchurch and Greymouth. Cross the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, and enjoy thrilling vistas over deep gorges as you travel alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River.


Hagley Park

Hagley Park has been at the heart of Christchurch since the 1850s and is today the most significant central city park. It offers a diverse range of entertainment and recreational facilities close to the city centre.

Cashmere Hills

Cashmere is a highly desirable southern suburb of Christchurch City, New Zealand. Cashmere is nestled into the northern side of the Port Hills, overlooking Christchurch City, New Zealand.

Addington Raceway

Addington Raceway or The Met is the home of the Metropolitan Trotting Club in Addington, Christchurch in New Zealand. The venue consists of a trotting track, a greyhound track conference centre and restaurants.

Air Force Museum

The Air Force Museum of New Zealand holds the national collection of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The Museum’s role is to preserve and present the history of New Zealand’s military aviation through its collection.

For more details about Christchurch kindly visit - Things to do in Christchurch

Top 5 Things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown is one of  the top travel destination in New Zealand. It is world famous for iconic scenery, friendly people, golf courses, wineries & smorgasbord of outdoor activities, you’ll never be short of things to do in Queenstown.

Here are the Top 5 Things to do for Queenstown, NZ




Skydive - It takes a certain kind of person to skydive from 15,000ft. It takes courage. You step out of that aircraft door and for some 60 seconds you freefall at 200km/hour. Queenstown is the birthplace of Tandem Skydiving in New Zealand, also known as the 'Adventure Capital of the World'.


Bungy Jumping - Bungy jumping, a term that screams adventure and craziness to some, and creates
pure fear in others. All began in november 1988, when two great mates had a crazy idea to throw themselves off the kawarau bridge, (queenstown, nz) attached only by a bungy cord.

Go Skiing – During the winter months, the mountains here provide some of the best skiing (or snowboarding) in New Zealand. The trails range from easy to difficult and there are many options here for experts. (Remember the NZ winter is during the North American summer!)

Ride the Shotover Jet – This ultrafast speedboat whips around the local rivers at neck-breaking speed. Sometimes the water is shallow you think you are going to crash. It’s quite the rush!

Go off-Roading – There are a few tour operators in the area that offer half-day off-roading adventures in 4WD vehicles. These tours take you through the canyons and across the rivers, so prepare for a lot of fun and don’t worry if you get a bit wet. Expect to pay between $75-125 NZD.

For more details about Queenstown things to do & activities go to - Things to do in Queenstown page at Freedom Tourism website