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, New Zealand Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. St Bathans manmade lake, Central Otago, New Zealand](https://tourism.net.nz/images/new-zealand/nz-regions/otago/man-made-st-bathans-lake.jpg)
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 Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Christchurch Tram, Christchurch, New Zealand](https://tourism.net.nz/images/new-zealand/nz-regions/christchurch/christchurch-tram.jpg)
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 Image Source: Hawke's Bay Tourism. Napier City's 1930's Art Deco architecture, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand](https://tourism.net.nz/images/new-zealand/nz-regions/hawkes-bay/art-deco-napier.jpg)
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.
Historic Arrowtown - Queenstown
Soak up Arrowtown's unique gold mining history. Lakes District Museum and charming historical buildings.
Cardrona Valley - Gold Mining History - Wanaka
Cardrona Valley, old gold rush fame and now home to world class Cardrona Ski Area. Waiorau Snow Farm, New Zealand's only Nordic ski area.
Pipiriki Village - Wanganui
The Wanganui area is rich in history. Explore the nearby villages of Pipiriki and Jerusalem.
Striking Architecture- Old Government Buildings - Wellington
![Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Wellington Waterfront, Wellington, New Zealand Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Wellington Waterfront, Wellington, New Zealand](https://tourism.net.nz/images/new-zealand/nz-regions/wellington/the-beehive-sm.jpg)
Wellington City
Photographer: Kieran Scott
(www.kieranscott.co.nz)
Enjoy the variety of Wellington's architecture with a visit to the Old Government buildings.
Jackson's Bay - Fishing Village - West Coast
Jackson's Bay, an historic fishing village set deep in southern West Coast.
Shantytown - West Coast
Situated amid beautiful native bush, Shantytown is a replica pioneering gold-mining town.