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Home »New Zealand Travel »Scenic Highlights »History & Culture

New Zealand Historical and Cultural Highlights

The people and places you'll encounter in New Zealand all have stories to tell. Some date back centuries. The great Polynesian navigator Kupe first found his way here around 1000 AD, then Captain Cook's arrival in 1769 unleashed a sea of change for the land and its inhabitants. You can trace the emergence of modern New Zealand by exploring the events of the past.

Shaky Bridge, Manuherikia River - Central Otago

Do you dare to walk over Shaky Bridge? Historical suspension bridge built for the early gold rush.

The Old Bridge Piers, Clutha River - Central Otago

The Old Bridge Piers are the remains of the original Alexandra Bridge, which was completed in 1882.

Bendigo Goldfields - Deserted Gold Towns - Central Otago

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. St Bathans manmade lake, Central Otago, New Zealand

St Bathans, Central Otago
Photographer: Gareth Eyres
(www.exposure.co.nz)

Power, Gold and Sport - Lake Roxburgh and Roxburgh Dam provide excellent opportunties for each.

St Bathans - Haunted Pub - Central Otago

The historical gold mining town of St Bathans, a haunted hotel and the Blue Lake.

Teviot Woolshed - Central Otago

Unusual attractions - A whopping great woolshed and two lonely graves.

Clyde Township - Historical - Central Otago

Charming and historical Clyde Township; once the dominant town of the Central Otago area.

Nevis Valley - Original Goldfield - Central Otago

Nevis Valley; a former bustling gold mining site, now remains largely untouched.

Old Cromwell Town - Central Otago

Old Cromwell Town; wander through historical buildings that reflect the town's gold mining and pioneering past.

Ranfurly - Art Deco Oasis - Central Otago

Discover the unexpected Art Deco Oasis of Ranfurly. The Ranfurly Rural Art Deco Weekend is held in February each year.

Christchurch Tramway Tour - Heritage of Trams - Christchurch

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Christchurch Tram, Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch Tram
Photographer: Kieran Scott
(www.kieranscott.co.nz)

Christchurch Tramway is an inner city tour experience that combines the heritage of the trams, attractions and historical buildings with the culture of the Garden City.

Olveston Historic Mansion - Dunedin & Coastal Otago

Olveston offers visitors a glimpse of the lifestyle of a well-to-do New Zealand family at the time of the Great War.

Dunedin Railway Station - Dunedin & Coastal Otago

The size, architecture and rich embellishments of Dunedin Railway station have earned it fame as a "Gingerbread House".

Golden Point Historic Reserve - Dunedin & Coastal Otago

Golden Point Historic Reserve, Macraes Flat. Historic gold mining site, machinery and miners' cottages.

Captain Cook's Landing Site - Eastland

Young Nick's Head, Eastland/Gisborne New Zealand, Captain Cook's first landing site.

Napier - Art Deco Architecture - Hawke's Bay

Image Source: Hawke's Bay Tourism. Napier City's 1930's Art Deco architecture, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Napier City's 1930's Art Deco
architecture
Image Source: Hawke's Bay Tourism
(www.hawkesbaynz.com)

Beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture in Napier, rebuilt in the early 1930s following a massive earthquake.

Waitangi - Northland

Waitangi, Northland, New Zealand. A 'must see' for any visitor interested in New Zealand's history and culture.

Skippers Canyon - Gold Mining History - Queenstown

Skippers Canyon; home to the AJ Hackett bungy, the Pipeline Bungy, Skippers Flying Fox, Winky's Museum, Nomad Safaris, Skippers Canyon Jet and the Pipeline Walkway.