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

Green and richly diverse, The Catlins is full of unforgettable surprises. 

Catlins Coast

Samoa

Fiji

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Middle East

The Southern Scenic Route gave me the chance to discover the southern parts of <a href="/new-zealand/">South Island in New Zealand</a>, most notably of all the incredible Catlins region. I came across so many interesting sights that it'll be hard to list them all here... Leaving the main road, I headed towards Nugget Point, which stretches out to sea. Numerous reefs poke out of the water and disappear into the horizon. It's an ideal place to spot fur seals, sea lions and, if you're lucky, yellow-eyed penguins. At the furthest point of The Catlins, three places caught my eye. The first was Slope Point, the southern tip of South Island. After having crossed fields and herds of sheep, I reached steep cliffs with waves crashing at their feet. I then went on to Curio Bay. At low tide, when the sea is far out, you can see fossilized trees amongst the rocks - a mystical and mysterious sight. And after this (what was in many ways an emotional experience), I stumbled upon a little restaurant called 'Niagara Falls Cafe', named after waterfalls found nearby. They serve locally sourced, fresh food and your taste buds will have a field day.

Green and richly diverse, The Catlins is full of unforgettable surprises.

Catlins Coast Vacations

Catlins Coast: How to get there?

Catlins Coast: See when to go ?

Catlins Coast: For how long?

Catlins Coast: What to see nearby?

New Zealand: our articles for your vacations