Posts Tagged ‘Zealand’

Travel to New Zealand for an Amazing Adventure

New Zealand is the perfect destination for those who enjoy travelling alone. The country is small enough to easily find your way around and lodging is affordable and the people welcoming and affable. Organizing your own itinerary and travel arrangements can be fun and liberating; you choose where to go, when and for how long! New Zealand is about free choice and independence with its spectacular mountains and when you see its mountains and landscape that is exactly what you will feel, free.

The main cities in New Zealand are Auckland and Christchurch, and Wellington the capital. Other cities of interest include Napier and Nelson, Tauranga and Rotorua. Queenstown should definitely be on your list as one of the top destinations to visit in this fascinating and unique country. The scenery in New Zealand is magnificent and as diverse as you can imagine. The North and South Islands are completely different to each other but both have rivers, fiords, glaciers, mountains and dramatic beaches.

People come to New Zealand for adventure; they are not looking for the norm but seeking something really unique. And that is exactly what they get. Water based activities can be experienced on one of the numerous lakes, in a swiftly-flowing river or in the seas, try anything from surfing and deep sea diving to kayaking, parasailing or fishing.

If it is the ultimate excitement you are after there are plenty of opportunities for white or black water rafting, jet boating or four wheel drive practice. The Bridge walk is one you will never forget as you climb the Auckland Harbour Bridge experiencing the best views of Auckland with fully trained bridge guides. If you have come to New Zealand for bungee jumping then head to the 192m Auckland Sky Tower and make a sky jump from the top, falling at 75kph to a target at the bottom. There’s no greater thrill. You can find cheap accommodation online. You can find cheap Auckland accommodation online.

For those who like to keep their feet on land then experience a bush walk or take off to the mountains for a hike, snowboarding or skiing. If you are interested in cheap hotels, online accommodation is easy to book.

Whale watching is possible in Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island. This is the main centre for whale watching and one of the only places in the world where you can see sperm whales. These whales can grow to more than 15m long. Orca Whales are also spotted between December to March, and humpback whales in June and July.

Penguins are an amusing species as on land waddle along upright and in the water dive and swoop like other birds do in the air. Around New Zealand there are 3 three species of penguin, the Korora is the world’s smallest at only 25cm tall and can be seen at The Marlborough Sounds, Oamaru, Akaroa Harbour, and Stewart Island. The rare hoiho, has a striking yellow eye band sweeping back from each yellow eye and can be spotted at the Otago Peninsula, and along the South Otago Coast. And the Fiordland crested penguin is one of the worlds rarest found in Fiordland and Stewart Island. Book your cheap hotels online NZ before you travel to avoid disappointment as you don’t want to miss these beautiful creatures.

New Zealand’s bird population is pretty impressive and sure to keep you occupied for hours. There are over 80 types of seabird breed found on the country’s shoreline, some only found within New Zealand whilst others migrate here from thousands of miles away. Uncommon national species can be seen at various locations including Tiritiri Matangi Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, Motuara Island in the Marlborough Sounds, and Kapiti Island.

There is a broad range of lodging choices to suit your price range, whether you can afford luxury or want to keep to a budget. Finding cheap hotels in New Zealand as you tour the country is an easy process and there are generous pickings for the free thinking traveller. Whether you need a Sydney hotel with all possible amenities, cheap accommodation in Rotorua or budget Taupo hotels, have a look online for affordable rates.

Motorhome Hire New Zealand – How To Be A Careful Camper & Have The Best Start Possible For Your NZ Holiday Adventure

10 helpful tips on how to be a careful camper while visiting NZ in your Motor home.
Knowledge provided from experts with many years of experience and also from valuable customer feedback.

1. Arrival and Pick Up After And Before Long Haul Flights
It is highly recommended that you stay in a NZ Hotel or Motel for your first and last night of your New Zealand visit to avoid being overtired and to start your NZ holiday relaxed and refreshed. Be sure to book into a Hotel or Motel near Auckland or Christchurch Airport in advance.

2. For Peak Travel Over Christmas and New Year – Pre Book Your Holiday Park In New Zealand
We strongly recommend that you pre-book your campsite in advance to avoid later disappointment. Most NZ Holiday parks are equipped to please a wide range of people for a minimal cost. Within an attractive landscaped setting (often beside a beach or lake) they provide sites for tents, caravans and campervans. If you’re setting up camp or parking a Motor Home, you can choose to stay on a powered or non-powered site.

3. Freedom Camping
Each district in New Zealand has different rules in regards to freedom camping (and parking of campervans). We suggest that you contact the nearest Visitor Centre in the region you visit, to find out about camping in a particular location. The impact of freedom camping on the environment can be a strain to the environment – New Zealand Tourism does not recommend freedom camping in New Zealand.

In certain Areas in New Zealand it is forbidden to free camp – for example National Parks etc. If you do freedom camp it is very important to remember to not to leave any rubbish behind or any traces of your stay. Please consider the environment when you do free camp and be a careful visitor – leave only footprints! When you hire a Motor home in NZ, most if not all NZ motor home companies provide you with a list of Holiday Parks containing the contact details and many more ideas on where to camp.

4. Battery Power of Your NZ Motorhome
It is not always necessary to go to a campground each night but it is recommended to do this every third or forth night to empty toilet and waste water tanks and to get plenty of fresh water. You can camp on the side of the road or anywhere else as long as there are no signs indicating NO CAMPING or PARKING overnight.

5. Toilets on board your NZ Motor home
On board toilets from Motor homes can only be legally emptied into so called Dump stations. These are normally found in holiday parks.

6. Ferry Crossing North to South or South to North Island, NZ
Many visitors ask if they can exchange their Motor home at the ferry terminals in Wellington (North Island) or in Picton on the South Island.
Most campervan companies do not have any facilities or depots in those areas and the vehicle has to go onto the Cook Strait Ferry with you.

7. Peak Season Travel on Interislander or Bluebridge Ferry NZ
During peak season travel (especially during the Christmas and New Year period and during School holidays – availability for motor vehicles can be restricted and it is highly recommended that you pre- book the passage in advance to avoid waiting in long queues at the respective terminals or have to wait for the next day to get on a ship.
A daytime sailing is highly recommended as the journey of about 3 hours is very scenic and often Dolphins swim alongside the ship and make this trip a memorable one.

8. Manual vs. Automatic Transmission
Why are most NZ Motor homes equipped with manual gear shift and not automatic transmission?
Many visitors ask for a campervan or motor home with automatic transmission.
The reason why bigger NZ motor homes are equipped with mainly manual transmission is due to the way roads are built in New Zealand – many hills and mountains which means a vehicle with manual gear shift drives much easier in such conditions.

9. NZ Road Restrictions
There are a handful of road restrictions in place from most if not all NZ motor home and campervan companies – if you drive on any of the following roads – all insurances in place will be voided and you will be in breach of the rental agreement.

North Island:
Ninety Mile Beach – Northland
North of Colville Township – Coromandel

South Island:
Skippers Canyon – Queenstown
Ball Hutt Road – Mt Cook

North and South Island:
Any roads closed by Traffic Police or other authority.

10. Fuel Costs in NZ
Because of constantly changing world oil prices, fuel costs in New Zealand are not easy to predict. Current information will be available upon request from vehicle providers.

There are 1000 or more ways to improve your planning for a successful camper van holiday in New Zealand – we hope that you have found these 9 hints for your campervan hire useful and informative.

4 weeks in New Zealand

an edited version of video of my visit in 2002

New Zealand Population is of European Descent

New Zealand is a country in the south western Pacific Ocean comprising two large islands. The North Island and the South Island and numerous smaller islands.

It is notable for its geographic isolation, being separated from Australia to the northwest by the Tasman Sea, approximately one thousand and fifty miles across. Its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga.

The population is mostly of European descent.

Political power is held by the democratically elected Parliament under the leadership of the Prime Minister who is the Head of Government. Elizabeth II, is the Queen and the Head of State and is represented in her absence, by a non partisan Governor General. The Queen reigns but does not rule, so she has no real political influence. Political power is held by the democratically elected Parliament under the leadership of the Prime Minister who is the Head of Government.

The minority Labour Party government will remain in power, despite the expulsion from the party of one of its members of parliament. However, popular support is shifting towards the reinvigorated opposition National Party, whose leader, John Key, is confronting Labour on a range of social issues.

Mr Key is tackling the government on social policy issues traditionally seen as safe ground for Labour and is winning over some Labour supporters. However, it remains to be seen whether he can convert either broad statements into credible policies or apparent support into votes.

The first New Zealand settlers were Eastern Polynesians who came to New Zealand, probably in a series of migrations, sometime between around eight hundred and 1300 AD. Over the next few centuries these settlers developed into a distinct culture now known as Maori.

New Zealand became wealthy following World War II.

It enjoyed a high standard of living with stable commodity exports based not the least on a strong relationship with the United Kingdom. In 1973, the United Kingdom joined the European Community and began to adhere to its trade policy and at the same time other factors such as the oil crises undermined the viability of the New Zealand economy.

Popular sports include cricket, netball, basketball, lawn bowling, soccer, football, rugby league, golf, tennis, cycling, field hockey, skiing, snowboarding, softball and a variety of water sports, particularly surfing, sailing, white water kayaking, surf lifesaving skills and rowing. It is a sport nation.

A place to visit any time of year.

New Zealand – A Country With Something For Everybody

Planning a vacation in New Zealand can be as exciting or as quiet as you choose; within the country is an unbelievable quantity of activities, entertainment and sights. The country is perfect for families, couples, independent travelers and groups. It is also a popular destination for newlyweds due to the exotic nature and supreme beauty.

The natives of New Zealand have arrived from all over; from the time when Captain James Cook arrived here many cultures have moved here to live amongst the Maori population, residents themselves for more than 1000 years. Visiting the country today there is plenty of evidence of the Maori culture, and to further spice up the pot, other ethnic groups have arrived from Polynesia, China, Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam.

Two islands make up New Zealand, North and South, and are separated by the narrow Cook Strait. The North Island is the location of Auckland and Wellington, the country’s main cities, but each island offers a broad variety of appeal to visitors.

New Zealand isn’t normally chosen for a beach holiday by holiday-makers, people are also searching for a bit of adventure and something truly different from the ‘normal’ package tour holiday. The country can definitely supply this with a choice of snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. If you are looking for a prearranged tour many involve adventure based activities intended for groups, families or individuals. Cheap hotels can be booked by carrying out a hotel search online.

New Zealand is prominent for its stunning vista and tourists arrive here from around the globe to explore it. Unlike any other country the beaches are pristine, the ocean blue and the wildlife offers some unusual reptiles, exotic birds, bats, tropical frogs and gecko due to being cut off from the rest of the world for millions of years. A native bird of New Zealand, the Kiwi is now facing extinction as it is defenseless against predators.

Guided tours are always a good plan as you are guaranteed to see all the best parts of the city or area. If you are interested in the history and culture of the country then this is a great way to learn about the inhabitants and observe them and their country.

Making up part of North Island is the Pacific’s ‘Ring of Fire’ where volcanoes are still active although Ruapehu hasn’t erupted since 1995; visit the geothermal areas of Taupo and Rotorua where they have hot springs and geysers. Fishing is also good here and the rivers and lakes are clean and pollution free, trout, salmon and perch are abundant in the rivers and the fly fishing is said to be unbeatable.

There is a broad selection of accommodation and lodging available across New Zealand, anything from luxury hotels offering the highest international standards to clean and pleasant backpacker hostels. Motels and lodges typically offer self contained units frequently with full cooking facilities. You can easily find cheap hotels online if you prefer to book before you go.

Accommodation and lodging is competitive in New Zealand, whether you have the funds for something luxurious or just a clean and basic hostel. New Zealand has verdant forests, hot springs and geysers, vineyards, lakes and fiords, imposing mountains, ski fields and open grasslands. With no need to go anywhere else, search for cheap hotels Asia online. Go online and find hotels in New Zealand as well as Montreal hotels and accommodation in Las Vegas or anywhere else in the world at reasonable rates.