What to see and do in New Zealand

For those who want to escape city noise, high-rise buildings and the daily grind of big city life, the southern part of New Zealand is the ideal place to visit. Its rugged, unspoiled landscape is a fertile place of green farmland and forest, laced with sparkling clean waters and small towns. Dunedin is the capital of a sparsely settled region that once swarmed with gold prospectors. These prospectors made it the largest New Zealand city in the mid-Victorian era. Dunedin is a city of culture and learning, distinguished by libraries, museums and galleries. It has cultural diversity, many churches, and a statue of Robert Burns in the city's central Octagon, which is a reminder of the city's Scottish heritage. Dunedin is rich in history, which can be seen in its museums, churches, historic buildings and stately homes. The Waitaki region is known for its lakes and hydroelectric dams, rolling farmland, exquisite Oamaru stone, the rare yellow-eyed and blue penguins, and fishing. From the mountains to the sea, Waitaki is rich in natural beauty, including the clay cliffs at Omarama, which are a short drive off the main road. The east coast at Moeraki is teeming with wildlife including penguins, seals, fish and dolphins. Southland's largest urban centre is Invercargill, a city memorable for its elegant buildings, gardens and landscaped parks. Tranquil waterways through this region attract fly fishing enthusiasts in search of brown trout. Key attractions include Stewart Island, and the Catlins Coast where visitors will find the best of every world - rivers, waterfalls, beaches and wildlife encounters. The Clutha River has great fishing and boating. Balclutha, on its banks, is the main town of this productive agricultural area of South Otago. In the far south of New Zealand, the rich farming country of Southland contrasts with the natural wonders of Fiordland, where there are deep rainforests and high alpine lakes, thick bush and rare, elusive birds.