NEw ZeaLAND

New Zealand is home to sperm whales and dolphins. And boasts an incredibly diverse and spectacular landscape.

Photo: Oliver Dirr / Whaletrips

whales: New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to observe sperm whales all year round. There are also many different species of dolphin living here – occasionally even orcas and other large whales can be seen.

Whale watching has a long tradition in New Zealand; tours have been offered here since the 1990s – mostly on the South Island, but increasingly also on the North Island. With around 500,000 whale watchers per year, New Zealand is one of the most visited whale watching destinations in the whole world. For some years now, research has also been conducted into the extent to which whales are affected by commercial whale watching.

The most important areas on the North Island are the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland, the Bay of Islands in the north and the Bay of Plenty in the east, where many different species of dolphin can be seen all year round. Bryde's whales can also be seen in the Hauraki Gulf all year round. Occasionally you can even see orcas around the North Island.

A sperm whale is resting at the surface for the next long dive. Sperm whales can be seen here all year round. Photo: Oliver Dirr / Whaletrips

However, the real whale-watching destination in New Zealand is the South Island, where whales and dolphins can be observed in several places. Kaikoura and Akaroa are the best known, with a good 40 per cent of all New Zealand whale-watching tours taking place here.

In Kaikoura, you will mainly find sperm whales, who live here in stable pods all year round. They can be observed by boat and also from above – by helicopter or microlight aircraft. Dolphins, including the 1.50 metre Hector's dolphin, which only lives in New Zealand, can be found off Akaroa.

One of the main attractions in New Zealand is Fjordland in the far south with its spectacular fjords. There is hardly any explicit whale watching here, but dolphins can be observed on most boat tours.

The same applies to boat tours in the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman Bay in the north of the South Island. Orcas are also occasionally seen here. Due to the rapidly changing weather in New Zealand, you should always plan a few days in reserve.

Photo: Oliver Dirr / Whaletrips

TO DO: New Zealand

Picturesque fjords, mighty glaciers, active volcanoes, huge geysers, endless rainforest and tropical beaches – New Zealand offers a huge variety on a very small area. It is also home to some of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world.

The north of New Zealand is winterless and has a mild climate all year round, making the North Island more suitable for a visit in the off-season season.

In the far north of New Zealand, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet at Cape Reinga. The Cape Reinga Coastal Track is a five-hour hike along this rugged coastline. To the east are the Bay of Islands and Matauri Bay with their many secluded subtropical beaches. In the west, the Waipoua Kauri Forest is New Zealand's version of the redwood forests.

The country's most important cities are Auckland and Wellington. Wellington is the political and cultural capital, while Auckland has a strong Polynesian influence and is a real melting pot. The city was built on more than 50 volcanoes, not all of which are extinct. The Coast to Coast Walkway runs from the Tasman Sea right through the city to the Pacific coast.

To the east of Auckland, there is a sea of small islands in the Hauraki Gulf – the most famous of which is Waiheke Island – and to the west, two world-famous black sand beaches, Karekare and Piha.

“Kaikoura is located in the east of the South Island. In addition to whales and dolphins, you can also observe penguins, fur seals and albatrosses there.”

In the interior of the North Island you'll find Tongariro National Park with the country's largest lake (Lake Taupo) and three active volcanoes (highest mountain on the island: Mt Ruapehu, 2,797m). The ski season lasts until October. The hike along the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is considered the most beautiful day hike in the country (18 km, medium difficulty). Rotorua, a little further north, is home to the most famous thermal springs (Te Puia and Pohutu) and ten metre high geysers.

You can reach the South Island by ferry from Wellington via the Cook Strait. The Marlborough Sounds in the north of the South Island are one of the sunniest and most beautiful areas in the country. From Picton, you can go on numerous tours into Queen Charlotte Sound, also by kayak. The Queen Charlotte Track is a popular 70-kilometre hiking trail, with partial sections also possible, transfer is by boat.

From October to April, you can hike anywhere in New Zealand, but the best time is in summer between December and March. There are nine Great Walks on the North and South Island, which are the most popular and most accessible routes; newzealand.com offers a good overview including reviews. A ticket must be booked in advance for all Great Walks, overnight stays in the huts are included.

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The most popular and beautiful route is considered to be the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, which runs between secluded beaches and bays in the north-west of the South Island, starting in Marahau. The entire route is 54 kilometres long (three to five days, easy to moderately difficult), with partial routes and guided tours by sea kayak also possible.

Kaikoura is located in the east of the South Island. In addition to whales and dolphins, you can also spot penguins, fur seals and albatrosses there. The Kaikoura Coast Track is an easy, three-day hiking trail (approx. 40 kilometres) along the spectacular coastline. The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, a three- to four-hour circular walk past several fur seal colonies, starts directly from the town.

Incidentally, there is only one dangerous animal in New Zealand, an extremely rare spider – unlike in Australia, for example, there are no other poisonous or otherwise dangerous animals here.

The highlight of the South Island is Milford Sound in the very south of the country: a breathtaking fjord landscape that is in no way inferior to the Norwegian or Canadian fjords and inlets. The Milford Track is considered one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world.