New Zealand’s blockbuster 2013   23 Dec 2013

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Seals bask in shallow pools on Kaikoura's rocky coast

A balcony view and BBQ at Eagles Nest

Huka Lodge on the banks of the Waikato River

The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs overlooks Matauri Bay

International awards, blockbuster movies and outstanding Kiwis have all put New Zealand on the world stage during 2013.  Incredibly varied landscapes, people and culture helped New Zealand earn the title of ‘favourite country’ for the second year running in The Telegraph travel awards.

The UK broadsheet described New Zealand as a "mix of old-fashioned Englishness, stunning alpine scenery [and] vibrant Polynesian culture" before adding that New Zealand’s biggest tourism asset is "surely its people".

Other cities, regions and activities around New Zealand were also highlighted by one of the world’s most trusted travel bibles - The Lonely Planet.

The cultural-melting pot of Auckland, on the North Island, was named one of the top cities to visit in 2014. Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most cosmopolitan city was recognised for its food, culture and coastline with black-sand west coast beaches, regenerated city hotspots like the Wynyard Quarter and Britomart and the ‘coastal hinterland’ all receiving a big thumbs up.

Cool West Coast 
The West Coast on New Zealand’s South Island, or ‘Mother Nature’s playground’ as it is often called, was named as a Top 10 region to visit in 2014 by Lonely Planet, owing to its diverse natural attractions, historic significance and thrilling outdoor activities, ranging from walking, hiking, cycling and exploring the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers - two of the most accessible glaciers in the world.

Tourist mecca Queenstown, a luxury year-round resort town and adventure-lovers’ paradise, made the Lonely Planet list of best honeymoon locations for 2014.

"Adrenaline is as important for bonding as the love drug oxytocin and there's no better place to get it pumping than New Zealand's South Island," the guide said.

Closer to nature 
Nature and New Zealand are intrinsically linked which is one of the reasons why the country was voted ‘Best Destination for Nature’ by readers at the inaugural Lonely Planet Traveller Thailand Destination Awards. The variety of experiences allowing visitors to get closer to nature also saw two New Zealand tourism ventures win big.

Seal Swim Kaikoura was named one of Lonely Planet’s ‘Best Marine Encounters’. The family-run eco-tourism wildlife experience allows visitors to swim with New Zealand fur seals in the clear Kaikoura waters.

Further south, Black Cat Cruises operating in Akaroa Harbour - an ancient volcanic crater on Banks Peninsula - celebrated the top 10 inclusion of their dolphin swimming tour that takes small groups out on the water to swim with diminutive and rare Hector’s dolphins.

Love of adventure 
New Zealand’s love of adventure and extreme sports was highlighted as it won the Lonely Planet Magazine India travel award for adventure for the second year running.

But it is perhaps the county’s growing affinity with the finer things in life that is starting to gainer increasing attention.

Lap of luxury 
New Zealand was named the ‘World’s Best Luxury Destination’ for affluent Chinese travellers by the influential Shanghai Travelers Club in 2013.

The country’s developing network of boutique lodges and luxury accommodation fanning out from the top of the North to the bottom of the South Island also won big on the world stage.

The exclusive Eagles Nest retreat won world acclaim after being named the ‘World’s Leading Boutique Villa Resort’ at the 2013 World Travel Awards in Doha.

The multi-award-winning private retreat, styled as "somewhere between seven stars and heaven", is located within 27 hectares (75 acres) of lush estate near the historic seaside village of Russell, in the Bay of Islands and is a favourite with Hollywood celebrities and high-end business clientele.

World of awards 
Set on 6,000 acres of lush the Northland golfers’ haven of Kauri Cliffs came in joint first place out of 100 on the Condé Nast Traveler 2013 Readers Choice Awards, while Eichardt's Private Hotel in Queenstown took out the World Luxury Hotel Award as the global winner in the ‘Best Luxury Ski Hotel’ field, followed by the title of ‘New Zealand Best Ski Boutique Hotel’.

Huka Lodge, famed for its location of great natural beauty, within 17-acres of grounds listed as a Garden of National Significance, was chosen as second runner up in ‘The Greatest Outdoors’ category of the inaugural Smith Hotel Awards.

Perfect wine climate 
New Zealand’s favourable wine growing climate has seen the awards continue to flow for many of the region’s wineries. Two Central Otago wineries won Champion in Class trophies in the Wine of the Year Awards from leading Australian publication Winestate.

Stoneleigh Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 wine wowed judges at Asia’s largest wine competition, where it took home the Sauvignon Blanc International Trophy - the competition’s top honour - at the Decanter Asia Wine Awards 2013.

Middle-earth magic 
The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy director Sir Peter Jackson has continued to plant the diverse vistas of New Zealand firmly in the minds of the movie-going public. New Zealand was given a touch of Hollywood glamour with sets and locations from the second film in the Trilogy - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug brought to LA for the Book of New Zealand.

Middle-earth it seems is the gift that keeps on giving as thousands of visitors continue to flock to the country in search of their own Middle-earth adventures.

Source: TNZ

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