New Zealand is an Antipodean land which attracts lovers of vast spaces and wild nature. Though it is mostly mountainous, the country has a diverse range of landscapes and environments: icy summits, plains with mirror-like lakes, wild coastline licked by the Pacific waters... The nature here is absolutely majestic. And fortunately ecology takes pride of place here.

New Zealand, an intense natural paradise

A lively town, surrounded by dozens of volcanoes and black sand beaches.

Oceania

Welcome to the New Zealand travel pages. In this faraway country, you can expect a harmonious mixture of lakes, mountainous and volcanic landscapes, and tropical vegetation... New Zealand is isolated in the middle of the ocean and is located halfway between the South Pole and the Equator. Even though it’s small in area (about the size of the UK), it has extremely diverse flora and fauna. Nature lovers are in paradise here. But this paradise is earned: you’ll have to spend long hours on an airplane to get here, and you can count on having 10 to 12 hours of jet lag once you arrive, depending on the season... But this land, which the Maori first called “Aotearoa,” the land of the long white cloud, is really worth the trip: abundant and diverse nature, beautiful landscapes, and outdoor activities… It’s all convenient for travellers: one of the advantages of this destination is the small size of the country, which makes all this beauty accessible, starting from your first trip to New Zealand. Your hunger for the great outdoors and desire for peace and serenity will be satisfied.

New Zealand

Auckland

Sitting by a lake in a region steeped in Maori culture, this town is a hive of geothermal activity.

Rotorua

Taupo is a small, lively town best known for its lake, which bears the same name and is the largest in New Zealand.

Taupo

With three active volcanoes, the Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park is a must for any hiking fan or visitors interested in exploring a volcanic landscape.

Tongariro National Park

Situated in the north of New Zealand, Bay of Islands is a mini-paradise, perfect for sun lovers and vacationers looking to unwind.

Bay of Islands

Samoa

Fiji

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Middle East

Set in Northland, Bay of Islands is famous for its beaches, which makes it a popular <a href="/new-zealand/">New Zealand destination</a>, particularly during the summer. The town of Paihia is full of restaurants and coffee shops, many of which have outdoor terraces for when the weather is good. It's a laid back place and I quickly felt at home. A short boat crossing got me to Russell, a town with several museums that has kept its colonial architecture and where one of the exhibitions showcases Maori art. Several trails lead off from this market town, which gave me the chance to explore its amazing coastline. My first walk took me to an isolated bay, accessible at low tide and which has a panoramic view of Paihia. Along the way I spied a baby Kiwi looking for food, which is, apparently, a very rare sight. These native, iconic New Zealand birds are nocturnal, so hard to spot. One local couple told me that I'd had the chance to witness something that 4.5 million residents had not! The second trail led to Tapeka Point, on which a lighthouse sits looking across the sea. And likewise, the view of the coast was breathtaking.

Situated in the north of New Zealand, Bay of Islands is a mini-paradise, perfect for sun lovers and vacationers looking to unwind.

Bay of Islands Vacations

Bay of Islands: How to get there?

Bay of Islands: See when to go ?

Bay of Islands: For how long?

Bay of Islands: What to see nearby?

New Zealand: our articles for your vacations