The Non Fiction Author - What You Need to Know Before You Travel to New Zealand: New Zealand Travelers Guide to Make the Most Out of Your Trip

What You Need to Know Before You Travel to New Zealand

New Zealand Travelers Guide to Make the Most Out of Your Trip

By The Non Fiction Author

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Copyright 2017 by The Non Fiction Author

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. All pictures are held by commercial license and may not be duplicated by anyone without express permission.

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Table Contents

Introduction: Are you ready for a Trip to New Zealand?

New Zealand revels in its role as natures amphitheater, the country redefining notions of the sublime and the surreal. Every turn seems to unveil a new panorama, a new aesthetic seemingly lost in time. New Zealand is unspoiled and untamed. Its status as home of fictionalized Middle Earth is well publicized, but theres far more to the landscape than hobbit holes and orcas hiding in trees. There is bounty to be discovered everywhere and almost every visitor is won over with fresh impressions of natural splendor. With more sheep than people and more solitude than city, New Zealand is a place for getting lost in the midst of the planets most spectacular landscapes.

New Zealand essentially consists of a series of islands in the Pacific, each distinct and celebrating its difference. Two large islands dominate this definition. The volcanic North Island, full of rolling green pastures and kaleidoscopic color. And the mountainous South Island, home to glaciers, Fiords, and dramatic geological features. While the land provides an omnipresent highlight, theres more to New Zealand than a journey through lakes, mountains, ocean, and forests dancing with phantasmal intrigue.

The country runs on an indelibly laid-back rhythm, one that negates the use of a watch and helps you easily slip into the natural spell. You could travel a hundred miles without seeing another person and most settlements still retain the unpopulated charm of yesteryear. Such rurality inevitably supports a famed local friendliness. Everyone has time to say hello and greet a stranger and rushing around is a serious no. Stress, it seems, disappears the moment you land in the country. Even a journey that traverses the whole of New Zealand will be defined by serenity.

This guidebook has a very New Zealand approach at heart. It likes to keep things simple and tranquil, preferring not to dampen the journey with layer after layer of purposeless information. This is a country that must be discovered. We would prefer to leave enough for you to discover when you arrive. At the same time, the helping hand of a local guide is essential for navigating the best the country has to offer. So think of this guidebook as the friendly locals you meet in New Zealand, full of tips and ideas but always leaving the final decision to you. In this guidebook we detail all the iconic and unmissable experience, as well as all the hidden and off the beaten track ideas that should be considered.

This complete planning guide presents destinations from a visitors perspective. Rather than use local administrative regions, the guidebook is split into key routes and regions that are easy to explore from a single base. Using this approach enables a clear overview of whats possible when you visit New Zealand, and which destinations are effortlessly combined in an itinerary.

What this guidebook doesnt do, is fill two pages with hotels and restaurants with less than complimentary descriptions. If its good and worth experiencing then its in this guidebook. If its not then it didnt make the cut. Theres more than enough enchantment and quality to find in New Zealand, why dilute it with the mundane? So jump forward and jump in to a country that captures the imagination and stirs the intrepidness in every soul. Welcome to New Zealand and welcome to a country that always leaves a lasting impression.

Chapter 1: New Zealand at a Glance

A few hidden islands aside, New Zealand can be thought about as a North and South Island. Cast adrift in the South Pacific, both these islands imbue impressions of trademark natural beauty and tranquility. Theyre similarly sized, small enough to cross in a single day (albeit a long one) yet big enough to spend two months exploring and not get close to experiencing it all. Both are equally attractive for slightly different reasons. Some visitors prefer to concentrate on one or the other, exploring in more depth and fully soaking up the experience on offer. Other visitors will find additional beauty in the contrast, choosing instead to pick a handful of destinations across both islands.

The North Island has a volcanic history and the lava still spills out of its active domes. Its a green and peculiar landscape, marked by rolls and curves and pastures. Nothing is flat until you reach the coast and dozens of miles of beach roll into the Pacific. The South Island geology is more dramatic; mountains rise in rugged triangles, Fiords and glaciers are dappled by white, and theres even less flat space. Naturally, its colder here and less green. But thats compensated by panoramas that are difficult to rival anywhere else on the planet.

While the atmosphere is one of quaint backwater, this is a developed Western nation with a sophisticated tourist infrastructure. Moving between islands and destinations is easy and straight-forward. Roads are in excellent condition (and almost completely devoid of traffic), airlines connect major destinations and towns, and hundreds of tour companies can provide a safe adventure into ethereal landscapes. Hotels harmoniously blend with their surroundings and always provide space (no cramped hovels here) and medical facilities are amongst the best in the world. In short, theres no limit to the adventure on offer, other than your own spirit. Here are a few experiences to get you excited...

Iconic Experiences

• Most journeys will have your eyes lost in a mystical haze and this feeling of incredulity is epitomized by Milford Sound, a narrow fjord surrounded by dramatic mountains that empties into the Tasman Sea. Its part of the Fiordland National Park, which in turn is one of seven national parks that cover the West Coast of the South Island.
• New Zealand is Middle Earth and parts of the whole country formed part of Peter Jacksons Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie themed reverie is showcased at Hobbiton and hundreds of other sites across the country. However, its also easy to discover your own Middle Earth, especially with one of the countrys three cross island rail journeys.
• Indigenous Maoris staunchly defended their land and helped preserve the country from colonial pillagers. Their culture is best found on the North Island and Rotorua, a place of exploding geysers, authentic war dances, and effervescent traditions.
• All across New Zealand youll find lakes, each of them fringed by bucolic landscapes and providing the base for both relaxing and adventure. Losing a few days on the lakeshore is part of the local experience, as is kayaking or jet boating across one.