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Nelson Lakes National Park © Alex Siale

Discover New Zealand

From popular destinations to hidden gems, we've picked some great spots to consider when planning your next trip...

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Activities

Your Kiwi winter survival guide

Winter doesn’t have to be synonymous with hibernation in New Zealand. Sure, it can be a bit chilly out there, but we’ve picked some ideas that will keep you out of the cold.   Read the story . . . 

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Natural attractions

Southern stars: see the rare but spectacular Aurora Australis

See the rare but spectacular Aurora Australis from the 4300-square-kilometre UNESCO Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Read the story . . . 

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Activities

Night skiing at Coronet Peak

Few people find themselves out in the mountains at night, so quite apart from the skiing, just being on the slopes under the stars is an unusual and affecting experience. Read the story . . . 

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Activities

Central Otago: good curling to ye

No one really knows where the peculiar sport of curling originated, but there’s no doubt it was the Scots who took it to heart. Read the story . . . 

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Road trips

Southern Scenic Route: a different way of life

The Southern Scenic Route is a drive of unparalleled beauty and an almost contradictory mix of dense woodlands and wild, open southern coast. Read the story . . . 

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Activities

Adventure time: Franz Josef heli hike

While there are short walks that take you to the base of Franz Josef Glacier, the only way to actually set foot on the ice is via helicopter.  Read the story . . . 

Check out some of New Zealand's coolest geology...

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Natural attractions > Family fun

Moeraki Boulders: those mysterious spheres

On a sandy beach, just south of Ōamaru, is a collection of perfectly round boulders – some smooth-skinned, others fractured along veins of quartz, some eroded away to piles of rubble. Read the story . . . 

Natural attractions > Events and festivals

Castlepoint: a seaside adventure

Most of New Zealand’s special coastal spots are marked by lighthouses. Castlepoint, one of the wilder stretches of the North Island coast, is no exception.   Read the story . . . 

Natural attractions

Punakāiki Pancake Rocks: geological marvel

Funny that Māori should have had a word that sounded so much like the English word for ‘pancakes’. Read the story . . . 

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