HAMILTON

The gateway to the Central North Island, Hamilton is New Zealand’s largest inland city, straddling the superb Waikato River. With a young, smart and innovative population, Hamilton's warm and welcoming spirit, rich history and contrasting splendours ensure visitors are spoilt for choice for places to relax, enjoy and do business. From magnificent parks and gardens to a thriving cultural precinct, the city offers a vibrant combination of fine dining and nightlife options as well as an eclectic mix of leisure, lifestyle and activity choices.

Fast facts

• NZ's largest inland city.
• NZ's longest river, the Waikato, flows for 16 kilometres through the city.
• Hamilton's population ranks fourth in the 67 districts in NZ.
• Has a youthful population - around half of residents are less than 30 years old.
• NZ European make up three quarters of the population and Maori 19 per cent.
• The city is home to more than 80 ethnic groups.
• Mild climate and moderate year round rainfall keep the city and surrounding area very green.
• 145 parks and gardens and 63 sports areas.
• The city has more than 1,000 hectares of open space.
• Three international sports venues – the multi-purpose FMG Stadium Waikato, the boutique international cricket ground Seddon Park, and indoor sport venue Claudelands.

Tourist Information: Visit Hamilton

HALIFAX

Halifax is Nova Scotia's capital city and the business, educational and cultural centre of maritime Canada. Located on a rounded peninsula bordered on the east by ten-mile-long Halifax harbour (second largest in the world), and a slender arm of the sea, the city of 120,000 offers a perfect blend of old and new - 19-th century buildings mix with concrete and glass office towers; town criers introduce jazz festivals; there's both a formal Victorian garden and an astro-turfed football field. The heart and soul of the city is its magnificent spoon-shaped harbour. Halifax today is the location of Canada's east coast navy, a busy shipping port, a cruise ship port of call and popular vacation destination for tourists, honeymooners and conventioneers.

DISCOVER HALIFAX
NOVA SCOTIA TOURISM

EAU CLAIRE

Located at the junction of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers, the city of Eau Claire was one of the state's busiest lumber towns in the 1800s. Local museums explore the area's heritage, which includes ties to the Woodland Indian culture. Bike trails offer breathtaking views to both walkers and cyclist in summer and snowmobilers in winter. Eau Claire is an ideal base for day trips to surrounding communities (Augusta includes an Amish settlement of more than 150 families).

For more information, log on to visiteauclaire.com

PIETERMARITZBURG

Natal's capital city, Pietermaritzburg is a thriving modern city of charm and dignity, at her loveliest in spring when masses of azaleas burst into bloom. The slogan of 'Heritage City' for the capital of Natal is most appreciate. The heart of the city retains a distinct character and charm, due largely to its well-preserved Victorian and Edwardian red-brick buildings, dignified schools and civic buildings and 31 national monuments. It has a small but busy airport, and residential townships have swept over the surroundings hills. Today, the city enjoys modern lifestyle, boasting top quality shops, hotels and restaurants. 

City Hall. The ornate red brick building which has aptly been called a tribute to Victorian design, features a 47-m high clock tower, a 12-bell carillon, domed rooftops, stone carvings and beautiful stained glass windows. Declared a national monument in 1969. Recognised as the largest all-brick buildings in the southern hemisphere, the hall was built in 1900.

Old Supreme Court. A fine example of colonial architecture which formed the centre of the capital's defensive system during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. A major attraction today is the Tatham Art Gallery which houses a collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century paintings as well as exhibits of china, glassware and clocks. It housed the SA Supreme Court until 1983.

MANITOWOC

Known as Wisconsin's "Maritime Capital", Manitowoc celebrates its past and its present as a ship-building center with fascinating attractions. The largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes is here, with displays of everything from wooden sailing ships to a World War II-era submarine. The city is also the homeport of the largest carferry on the Great Lakes carrying cars and passengers from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan and back. The downtown includes a classic candy store with an antique soda fountain.

For more information, visit manitovoc.info

DERRY

Often called the "Cockpit of The Troubles" and Stroke City. A seminal event of the Troubles known as "Bloody Sunday" occurred in Derry on January 30, 1972, when British troops shot dead 13 Catholics during a civil rights march. Yet despite being a microcosm of Northern Ireland in its poverty and threatened violence, in its resilience, optimism, humor and joie de vivre, Derry is charming. In terms of conventional sightseeing, the city's top attraction is its 17th-century walls, some of the most complete in Europe. The city center within the walls contains old-fashioned shops and bars, as well as the spruce Derry Craft Village where you can buy crystal, linen T-towels and other local products.

The 17th-century Protestant St. Columb's Cathedral holds relics of the siege and Cecil Alexander, who wrote the famous hymn that begins, "There is a green hill far away/without a city wall" inspired by Derry's settings.

Visitor Info: Visit Derry

DAWSON CITY

For a brief and romantic period at the turn of the century, Dawson was the largest city west of Winnipeg and north of San Francisco, boasting a population of 30,000. Though the gold rush momentum was spent within a few years, the impact of the world's last great gold rush lives on today. Many of Dawson's original buildings have been restored to their earlier splendour and authentic attractions have been created to bring the Klondike alive for today's visitor. It's not surprise that more and more people are discovering the magic and the mystery of Dawson. There's a voyage of discovery waiting for you - be sure to pack your dreams!

  

Visitor Information: Dawson City Yukon

DEVONPORT

Named after the county of Devon in England, the state’s third-largest city is strategically sited as a river and sea port. It lies at the junction of the Mersey River and the Bass Strait, on the north coast. As the terminal for a vehicular ferry from Melbourne, Devonport has become a busy industrial and agricultural-export town, as well as a major tourist centre. Devonport has its own airport, and is ideally suited as a visitor base  for seeing scenic northern Tasmania.
It is the southern terminus for the Spirit of Tasmania ferries operating between Devonport and Melbourne.

MILWAUKEE

Wisconsin's largest city boasts big attractions such as the Harley-Davidson Museum and MillerCoors Brewery. Must-see neighborhoods include Old World Third Street and the Historic Third Street, Brandy Street and the Historic Third Ward-home to the Milwakee Public Market. The 75-acre waterfront park hosts the world's largest musical festival, Summerfest, and more than a dozen major ethnic fests. Steps from the city, a recreational paradise includes parks, nature centers, bike trails and Lake Michigan shoreline.
Milwaukee is a city that cherishes its roots, but it is also a city that's growing and changing.

 

For more information log on to visitmilwakee.org

LAND'S END

Land’s End, the westernmost tip of Britain, known for its savage land- and seascapes and panoramic views. Each year over one million visitors journey to Land's End, mainland Britain's south-west tip. Come at sunset or in clear weather, when you can spot the offshore lighthouses or maybe even the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles out to sea. Don't worry about the crowds or the insensitivity of a theme park being sited here: you can leave them all behind on a short walk along the cliffs. The scenic grandeur of Land’s End remains undiminished.

Received from Thomas Goatherd