New Zealand's Fun and Fascinating Cities
Many travelers come to New Zealand to experience its natural beauty and engage in outdoor activities. However, New Zealand's cities, many of which combine striking natural settings with exciting urban attractions, make interesting destinations in their own right. Plus, the cities can be good places to visit during New Zealand's winter, from June through September, when cold weather puts a damper on many outdoor activities. Read on to discover the highlights of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
Auckland
New Zealand's largest city, with a population of 1.5 million in its greater metropolitan area, is home to roughly one out of every three Kiwis. Auckland's diversity gives it a vibrant multicultural flavor, with significant portions of the population hailing from places such as the South Pacific, China and India. This diversity results in a broad range of cultural offerings. For example, the Pasifika festival, held every March, features dancing, musical performances and food from all over Polynesia. The Lantern Festival, usually occurring in February around the time of the Chinese New Year, is a three-day celebration of Chinese and other Asian cultures.
Auckland is also an excellent place for active pursuits. Built on dozens of mostly extinct volcanoes, the hilly city is a hiker's paradise, with several city parks offering walking trails that lead to panoramic views. Auckland's two harbors are popular for boating. If you don't have your own boat, many of the nearby islands in the Hauraki Gulf can be reached by a short ferry ride and make popular day trip destinations. Go hiking on Rangitoto, an island formed from an extinct volcano, or tour a winery or two on Waiheke Island.
Wellington
Although it's much smaller than Auckland, with a population of around 400,000, New Zealand's capital, Wellington, boasts a superlative cultural scene. Its many art galleries, theaters, livemusic venues, boutiques and museums warrant a visit of several days, if not longer. Foodies enjoy Wellington's plethora of excellent restaurants, bars and coffee houses, with price ranges to suit every budget. Consider timing your visit to Wellington to take in one of its many festivals, such as Fringe NZ, which features experimental art, music and theater, or the NZ International Comedy Festival. Other popular Wellington festivals include the Wellington Jazz Festival, Wellington on a Plate festival and the New Zealand International Film Festival.
Wellington's windy, mercurial weather shouldn't deter you from outdoor pursuits. Top outdoor activities in Wellington include taking the scenic cable car ride up to the Wellington Botanic Gardens, walking or driving to the city's Mount Victoria Lookout, or water sports such as kayaking, windsurfing or sailing. The Zealandia wildlife reserve, two kilometers west of the city, offers hiking trails and glimpses of native birds.
Christchurch
Traditionally, Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, with a population of approximately 388,000, has had a more European feel than New Zealand's two other large cities. Its Englishstyle gardens gave Christchurch the nickname the "Garden City." Although many of its historic buildings were destroyed in the catastrophic 2011 earthquake that killed 186 people, there are still several reasons to put Christchurch on your itinerary.
One of Christchurch's top attractions is the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, which are especially beautiful in the spring, when the gardens fill with flowers in bloom. To gain perspective on the 2011 earthquake, visit Cathedral Square at the heart of the city, where you can view the ruined ChristChurch Cathedral and other heritage buildings that were destroyed in the earthquake. Then, go to Quake City, a museum dedicated to educating the public about the disastrous earthquake.
If you're a skier and you happen to visit Christchurch in the winter, make an excursion to one of the area's excellent ski fields. Another popular expedition from Christchurch is a journey on the TranzAlpine train, regularly rated as one of the world's most scenic train rides. The trip from Christchurch to Greymouth takes 4.5 hours and features dramatic scenery, including river valleys, lakes and mountain passes.
Each of New Zealand's three largest cities has something special to offer visitors. Whether you want to experience the international atmosphere of Auckland, the arts scene of Wellington, or the traditional English heritage of Christchurch, plus the myriad outdoor activities on offer in each of these places, you'll find plenty of adventures.
