The 2011 Rugby World Cup will take place in eleven cities spread across the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Below is an overview of the host cities.

Whangarei is the capital city of the Northland region and is also the largest city in the region. Nearby attractions include Mount Parihaka, a volcanic dome with a height of 241 meters, and the Whangarei Falls, which are located 6 kilometers north of the city.

With 438,000 inhabitants, Auckland is New Zealand’s largest and most famous city. The Auckland metropolitan area is home to 1.4 million residents of more than 100 ethnicities. Top sights include Auckland Domain and Mount Eden, a volcanic mountain. Hop in your caravan or rental car and head to the next location.

Hamilton is located 130 km south of Auckland and is the center of the country’s dairy industry and a key export hub. Hamilton Gardens is the city’s most popular attraction, attracting some 600,000 visitors each year.

Rotorua is popular with tourists from other parts of New Zealand, as well as those from other cities. Due to its geothermal activity, Rotorua is home to many geysers and hot mud pools.

New Plymouth is primarily a farming community that also has many public gardens. Its most popular attraction is the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, known for its unique shape and spectacular view.

Napier is known for its art deco buildings, many of which were built after an earthquake leveled much of the city in 1931. Napier’s unique spin on art deco attracts architecture enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

Palmerston North is an inland North Island town nicknamed “Student Town” as a third of its residents are between the ages of 15 and 30. It is home to Massey University, the Universal College of Learning, and International Pacific College.

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, also known for its vibrant cultural community, made popular by filmmaker Peter Jackson. Wellington also has a thriving nightlife, particularly along Quartenay Place.

Nelson is located at the top of the South Island. A center for arts and crafts, Nelson hosts the popular Nelson Festival of the Arts each year. During the Saturday Market in Nelson, visitors can buy directly from local artists.

Hop in your rental campervan and head to Church, the largest city in the South Island, and nicknamed the Garden City due to its many parks and gardens. Your world could shake when you go to Christchurch, which was rocked by a r7.0 earthquake in August 2010.

Dunedin is best known as a center for higher education. The oldest university in New Zealand, the University of Otago, is located there. The city’s main art collection is housed in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

At the base of the South Island, Invercargill sits amongst rich farmland and is home to New Zealand’s only indoor velodrome. The Southland Museum and Art Gallery is the largest cultural and heritage institution in the region.