Our route. 5 weeks (December '01 - January '02)

( 1 ) Auckland: pop 1'100'000. auckland is a beautiful waterside city with a magnificent harbour. homepage
( 2 ) Christchurch: pop 331'400. often described as the most english of NZ's cities. homepage
( 3 ) Kaikoura: pop 3'850. kaikoura is the mecca for wildlife enthusiasts. homepage
( 4 ) Nelson: pop 52'300. pleasant, bright & active city. fine beaches around and lots of sunshine. homepage
( 5 ) Takaka: pop 1'230. a hip little community - lots of woodstock-children have settled here. no official homepage...
( 6 ) Farewell Spit: on the 26km beach run there are huge crescent-shaped sand dunes. lovely to walk! homepage
( 7 ) Westport: pop 4'230. major town at the northern end of the west coast. homepage
( 8 ) Greymouth: pop 13'500. largest town on west coast. phenomenal seascapes. no official homepage...
( 9 ) Franz Josef Glacier: nowhere else in the world, at this latitude, have glaciers advanced so close to the sea. homepage
(9a) Wanaka: pop 3'500. fine living and an overdose on scenery and the outdoors. very pretty! homepage
(10) Queenstown: pop 7'500. one of the most scenic spots. lots of activities, restaurants & nightlife. homepage
(11) Milford Sound: pop 170. 22km-long fjord is dominated by the 1695m-high mitre peak. homepage
(12) Invercargill: pop 49'300. this city has missed out on the tourism wealth. homepage
(13) Dunedin: pop 110'800. cultured, graceful and lively for its size. 18'000 students. homepage
(14) Wellington: pop 205'500. NZ's capital has a beautiful harbour. cafes, restaurants, nightlife,... homepage
(15) Napier: pop 55'000. fine coastal position, attractive marine parade, good restaurants & friendly population. homepage
(16) Gisborne: pop 32'700. 'the city of bridges' also has many parks. maori is often spoken here. homepage
(17) Rotorua: pop 56'900. energetic thermal activity: bubbling mud pools, hot springs, evil smells. homepage