Auckland
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, and is the primary international gateway into New Zealand. Auckland is the world's 4th most diverse city - New York City, London, and Toronto are the top 3.
Mount Eden is a dormant volcano whose summit is the highest natural point in Auckland. Climbing Mount Eden is walking a long slope. Vehicles are no longer allowed to go near the summit, so pedestrians and cyclists have the summit to themselves.
Walking tour around Auckland's central business district, as well as the viaduct.
Queenstown
Queenstown is a popular base for exploring New Zealand's mountains and parks.
Flying into Queenstown provides many scenic opportunities, especially if the airplane flies along the west coast of South New Zealand, like my flight did.
Queenstown sits along Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by mountains, including the Remarkables.
Kiwi Birdlife Park, a park established to protect New Zealand's birds and native plants. It consists of a garden trail to showcase New Zealand's various birds, including the Kiwi which is only found in New Zealand. Kiwis are nighttime birds, sleeping during the day and eating at night. Because of this it is difficult to spot kiwis while exploring New Zealand during the daytime. The Park has its kiwis in dark rooms with minimal light, to allow the kiwis to be active. The pictures below are: tuatara (New Zealand's living dinosaur) and a morepork (type of owl)
Lord of Rings Tour
Flightseeing Tour
Traveling Queenstown to Milford Sound by airplane. Great way to see the extraordinary beauty of New Zealand, especially on a clear day.
Flight path; Diamond Lake at Paradise
Shotover River; rainfall in New Zealand creates lakes on top of mountains; in winter mountain top lakes can freeze
Flying over Milford Sound and Tasman Sea; ariel view of Milford Sound harbor; arrived Milford Sound airport
Another mountain top lake with a small waterfall; Lake Te Anau; Walter Peak among a sheep farm
Milford Sound Cruise
Relaxing cruise in the fiord of Milford Sound. It was a sunny, windy, and chilly cruise. Great views of Mitre Peak. Lots of dramatic waterfalls. The boat got close to a few of the waterfalls, close enough to feel a sprinkle. We also spotted a New Zealand seal sleeping on the rocks.
