Far North sights key in new campaign

The Hole in the Rock in the Bay of Islands, is one of the images being used to get Australians to take a road trip around Northland.

Several Far North sights are being used to lure Australians to come here on road trips.

Road trips showing off large parts of the central and upper North Island are the latest adventures to tempt Australians across the ditch.

A partnership between Tourism New Zealand, regional tourism organisations and key trade partners has produced sample itineraries highlighting the attractions centred on and around four main routes.

The eight-week North Island touring campaign started last week and will feature across digital channels and include extensive Australian media placements, with advertising at outdoor spots including bus sides and train stations in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Tourism is worth more than $1 billion a year to Northland, with much of that in the Far North.

This is about encouraging Australians to explore more of the North Island, to see different places and to travel in the off-peak months ...

Tony Saunders, Tourism New Zealand's Manager, Australia

The Northland road trip (www.newzealand.com/au/feature/twin-coast-discovery-in-northland) follows the twin Coast Discovery route and the marketing includes images of Waipoua Forest, Bay of Islands, including the Hole in the Rock, Opononi, Ahipara, Cape Reinga, Doubtless Bay and Kerikeri.

"This is about encouraging Australians to explore more of the North Island, to see different places and to travel in the off-peak months, away from the crowds," Tony Saunders, Tourism New Zealand's Manager, Australia says.

"It's a perfect time to enjoy outdoor holiday experiences.

"Australians don't have the depth of understanding of New Zealand to know the differences between the regions so we have done a lot of the work for them developing sample itineraries to help them plan their journey.

"We want to show that although New Zealand is just on their doorstep and they can visit any time, there is more to see and do than they think, with activities and experiences that are different to their everyday life."

The four routes promoted include Twin Coast Discovery Highway between Auckland and Northland, the Pacific Coast Highway taking in the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty, the Thermal Explorer Highway through Rotorua, Hamilton and Waikato and the Volcanic Loop around Ruapehu and Lake Taupo.