Auckland (658 km north of Wellington)
On the shores of the Waitemata and Manukau harbours, Auckland is surrounded by water and covered in volcanic hills. It has a population of around one million - over a quarter of all New Zealanders - and is also the big city for the Polynesian islands of the SouthPacific. All these foreign influences help to give Auckland a much more cosmopolitan atmosphere than other cities in New Zealand.

Mount Maunganui / Tauranga (220 km south of Auckland)
Tauranga is the principal city of the Bay of Plenty, and it's port - one of the largest export ports in New Zealand - ships out the produce from the rich sourrounding region. Tauranga is indeed a pleasant place to live, but it's tourist attractions are limited mostly to the beaches and headland of Mount Maunganui across a bridge spanning the Tauranga Harbour.

Hamilton (129 km south of Auckland)
New Zealand's largest inland city and fifth-largest overall, Hamilton (population 105.000) was built on the banks of the Waikato river. It is the Waikatos region's major centre, and in the past few decades the city has undergone spectacular growth.

Rotorua (239 km south of Auckland)
Rotorua is the most popular tourist area of the North Island, if not of New Zealand. Nicknamed "Sulphur City", it has the most energetic thermal activity in the country with bubbling mud pools, gushing geysers and evil smells. All around the city, steam drifts up from behind bushes, out of road drains and around rocks. A strong smell of rotten eggs prevades the town, but after a couple of hours the smell isn't noticed anymore.

Taupo (325 km south of Auckland)
Taupo (population 19,000 lies on the northeast corner of Lake Taupo with scenic views stretching across the lake to the volcanic peaks of the Tongariro National Park. This relaxed resort is the main town of the area and makes a good base to explore its attractions. Many activities can be done in Taupo, ranging from fishing and boating on the lake to adrenaline-pumping bungy jumping and skydiving.

Napier (423 km south of Auckland)
Lying on sweeping Hawke Bay, Napier (population 52.100) is a fascinating city, architecturally rich, blessed with a mediterean-type climate, fine coastal position, attractive Marine Parade, good reataurants and a friendly population. It is a great city to visit but try to avoid domestic holidays when it becomes crowded.

Wellington (655 km south of Auckland)
Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand is situated on a beautiful harbour at the southern tip of the North Island. Approaching it from the north you will pass the Kapiti Coast on the West Side or the Wairapapa on the East Side of the the North Island, before you enter the heavily populated Hutt Valley or the city itself.

Nelson (424 km north of Christchurch)
The Nelson region is one of the top destinations for travellers to New Zealand. In addition to it's moderate climate, it is home to some of the best and most popular national parks in the country - Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and the Abel Tasman. the city of Nelson and the towns of Motueka, Takaka and Collingwood are geat places to 'lay back' for a while.

Christchurch (352 km south of Picton)
Christchurch is the focal point of Canterbury, centrally located on the coast midway between Kaikoura and Timaru. It is a large, ordered city with a population of 300.000. To the west, beyond the extensive alluvial plain are the imposing Southern Alps and Arthur's Pass National Park; to the north, beyond the rolling hills, are Hammer and more forest parks; and to the south-east is the absorbing Banks Peninsula.