The first thing that strikes those traveling around New Zealand, especially in the South Island, is how sparsely populated it is. Despite being slightly bigger than the UK in terms of land mass, it only has a population of around 10% of England. So a trip around the country offers a peaceful and tranquil journey.
Many tourists will focus on this element of New Zealand—with many of its most breathtaking features free to explore. The likes of Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo are free to visit and are among some of the most picturesque natural destinations anywhere on the planet. New Zealand’s impressive structural designs are a different type of tourist experience, but there are still some great gems to look out for. This article will cover a few notable highlights, stretching across both islands, including some of the old mixed in with the new.
1. Sky Tower, Auckland
Although Auckland is the most populated city in New Zealand, it is not the country’s capital—that distinction goes to another city in the North Island, Wellington. The Sky Tower in Auckland lingers over the city like an all-seeing javelin. It is an architectural marvel. Not only is it the country’s biggest structure, but it is also the second-largest freestanding building anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
It’s also the one-stop shop for nightlife in Auckland, with theatres, restaurants, bars, and a casino. Gambling in New Zealand is a big market, with many Kiwis opting to play blackjack and other classic games online. While a blackjack table online offers the same gambling avenues, having a destination in the centre of the biggest city that encompasses all things entertainment injects a lot of vibrancy into Auckland’s nightlife and economy.
The restaurants, bars, and trips up the Sky Tower to view the city from its highest point make it a notable architectural marvel. The Shakey Isles is an apt name for NZ, as it’s a country prone to earthquakes. Another wondrous feature of the Sky Tower is that it is built to withstand an 8.0 earthquake within a 20km radius.
2. Dunedin Railway Station
The gateway to Dunedin provides a fascinating insight into some of the historical architecture that makes New Zealand a unique destination for many. While travellers may explore the island by road, it’s crucial to maintain safe winter driving practices, especially on the South Island. The railway station used to see over 100 trains daily, but this number has begun to dwindle.
From an architectural perspective, the station has a beautiful mosaic floor interior, and many Dunedins believe it is the most photographed building in the country. This is open to speculation and hard to measure accurately, but it is one of the most visited architectural locations in New Zealand and is quintessentially Flemish Renaissance-style architecture.
The distance from Dunedin to Auckland encompasses the entirety of New Zealand—for travellers looking to tun this into a multi-month trip, as some people do, they should check out both tips of the country to experience everything that this magical destination has in store.
3. The Beehive, Wellington
Situated in the national capital, The Beehive gets its name from the structure and shape of the building it is designed for. It’s also the meeting point for New Zealand’s parliament and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in the 1970s.
Its Category 1 heritage status means it’s among the country’s most revered pieces of architecture. Wellington is a must-see destination anyway, so The Beehive is worth checking out. It also comes with a guided tour for those who want to see what the interior offers.
Like the Sky Tower, The Beehive has been built to withstand powerful earthquakes. This is even more important in Wellington than Auckland, as it is far more susceptible to earthquakes, the likes of which the parliament building has felt over recent years.
Final thoughts
Given the isolated nature of New Zealand and Australia, many travellers will spend a few weeks savoring everything that the island nations offer. The majority of travellers who visit New Zealand have the Southern Alps and the natural scenery on their radar more than the architectural marvels that can be found dotted throughout the country.
While the natural beauty of NZ is definitely its most impressive feature, it’s the focus on the country’s great wilderness that means some of the more impressive building design feats can fly under the radar. The beauty of travel is that visitors can spend time exploring multiple facets of the spectacular island nation.
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