AusLeisure

North Island coastal gem Taranaki has been announced as New Zealand's number one destination to experience following a trans-Tasman consumer poll conducted by leading travel experience provider Experience Oz and NZ.

Based on more than 2,000 votes cast by both New Zealand and Australian consumers, Taranaki beat out destinations including The Coromandel and Queenstown to take out top honours.

The absence of major cities Auckland and Christchurch from the top ten shows that visitors are keen to head off the beaten track and immerse themselves more in the land and culture of regional New Zealand.

Also making the New Zealand Top 10 Destinations to Experience list were Nelson, Bay of Islands, Milford Sound, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Ruapehu and West Coast.

Venture Taranaki Chief Executive Stuart Trundle said that he pleased but not surprised by the region winning the top spot.

Trundle explained "of course it will come as no surprise to the locals that Taranaki has been voted the number one destination to experience in New Zealand.

"The region offers a huge array of activities that make the most of our legendary landscape and energetic locals, all with a backdrop of our magnificent mountain.

"I'd encourage anyone who didn't vote for Taranaki to come and see what they're missing and what all their friends are talking about in this and many other consumer polls and social channels."

The initial shortlist of 20 New Zealand destinations featured the best cities, natural icons, adventure capitals and local favourites including Auckland, Dunedin, Hawkes Bay, Nelson, Stewart Island, Wellington and plenty more, with regional tourism offices really getting involved and encouraging their local communities to vote.

Experience Oz and NZ Business Development Manager Michelle Woodroff said the New Zealand Top Ten Destinations to Experience consumer poll is a great opportunity to identify the best destinations in New Zealand for the local, regional and international tourism market to visit.

Woodroff added "with Australians accounting for almost half of all visitors and therefore New Zealand's largest inbound tourism market, the results show what they believe to be the best experiences, and also what the New Zealand locals believe to be the hidden gems of their homeland.

"Sitting beneath the peak of Mt Taranaki and offering picturesque views, culture, rugged coastline and experiences that spread across land, water and air, it is no surprise that the Taranaki region has been crowned as the top destination to experience in New Zealand.

"We have more than 2000 experiences available for people to browse through from sky diving, to jet boating, to wine tours and hiking trips. We want to encourage people to step outside of their region and explore these beautiful destinations."

Experience Oz and NZ offers a 'best price' guarantee on tours, attractions and activities with no booking or credit card fees and unbiased reviews all on a secure online booking site.

Over 2,000 products including theme park tickets, attraction tickets, day tours, hot air ballooning, jet boating, whale watching and great dinner and show packages are all on offer at Experience Oz and NZ with customers able to skip the queues at most attractions and save valuable holiday time.

New Zealand's Top 10 Destinations to Experience:

1. Taranaki
2. The Coromandel
3. Queenstown
4. Nelson
5. Bay of Islands
6. Milford Sound
7. Rotorua
8. Bay of Plenty
9. Ruapehu
10. West Coast

Full list of nominated destinations:

Auckland
Bay of Islands
Bay of Plenty
Christchurch
Doubtful Sound
Dunedin
Hawkes Bay
Marlborough
Mt Cook
Milford Sound
Nelson
Queenstown
Rotorua
Ruapehu
Stewart Island
Taranaki
Taupo
The Coromandel
Wellington
West Coast

For more information go to www.experienceoz.com.au/nz-top-10 

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