So New Zealand is your chosen holiday destination. Congratulations! You have made a great choice. You have probably come to this site because your preference is for independent travel. Like you, I enjoy the fun and flexibility of deciding my own itinerary and activities. Organized group tours are for other people.

Born and bred here, I know my country inside out……… and love it! I am here to share with you my knowledge and experiences, of the diverse treasures and pleasures New Zealand has to offer. Best accommodation options, how to get around, recommended places to eat, and an extensive list of things to do, see and experience. Including a wealth of information and tips that will help you have a better holiday or vacation in a country you are new to. I will ensure you have all the necessary tourist information you require for a dream holiday, at your fingertips.

Whether you prefer indoor or outdoor pursuits, action packed days or more sedate travels, a romantic honeymoon in a quiet, away from it all spot, - whatever your choice of vacation, we have something for everyone.

Apart from the two gateway cities Auckland and Christchurch , you will want to see at least some of our other cities with special features. Our capital city, Wellington, along with Tauranga, Rotorua, Napier, Nelson, Hokitika – these all have interest for tourists. Queenstown being the jewel having been selected as one of the Top 10 places in the world to visit for 2008.

New Zealand scenery is spectacular and varied. The North and South Islands are very different. With mountains and rivers, lush bush and lakes, fiords and glaciers, stunning beaches and surf, islands and forests, to name just some of the natural delights.

CHOOSE A THEME AND PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY!

There is a huge list of water based activities to choose from, whether it is in the sea, on a lake or down a river. A small selection -

* swimming

* surfing

* boogey boarding

* snorkelling

* kayaking

* deep sea diving

* windsurfing

* fishing

The list goes on.......... ........................ ............ ......and on............AND ON !

Land based activities include hundreds of hiking tracks and bush walks. Be sure to check the level of fitness required, and hiking and tramping tips!

New Zealand mountains offer superb snowboarding, skiing, and climbing in winter, with many popular hikes in summer.

Whale watching, or visiting the gannet, albatross or penguin colonies is a heart warming experience. My favourite are the kotuku ( white herons) on the West Coast of the South Island.

Our many thermal pools offer a warming experience of a different kind. For pure luxury and relaxation, you could go for a total spa rejuvenation. For those of you intent on an adventure filled adrenaline rush you might want to try :

*White or black water rafting

* Parasailing

* Hang gliding

* Jet boating

* Four wheel drive

* Quad bikes

* Hot air ballooning

* The luge

* The Bridge walk

* Hanging from a rope off the Auckland Sky Tower .........you get the picture?

These are but a few of the activities to enjoy in the land where bungee jumping was born.

With a range of golf courses, some in spectacular cliff top locations, golfers might be planning around some golf.

Perhaps you are a wine buff? Enjoy a wine themed holiday, sampling at the many wineries throughout the country.

This usually goes hand in hand with sampling some of our incredibly fresh and delicious food. New Zealand is a foodies paradise with our own special Kiwi fusion style. With many migrants, we also have cuisine from many cultures to choose from.

If you are a culture vulture, you will be wanting to visit the variety of excellent museums, including our national museum found in Wellington, Te Papa, meaning “our place”.

Art galleries, crafts, design. We are good at these. From film to fashion design, New Zealand is recognized internationally. And yes, you can see some of the locations where " Lord of the Rings" was filmed.

Maori culture is fascinating.For a truly New Zealand cultural experience, Rotorua has a unique Maori flavour, both scenic and cultural. Here you can try a hangi (a Maori meal cooked traditionally), and watch a show demonstrating their beautiful singing, unusual poi dance, stick games, and the famous haka. The historic center of our country is found in the Bay of Islands at Waitangi, where you can learn something of the history of New Zealand.

Every city has beautiful parks and gardens, while many private gardens are open to the public. We are a gardening nation and you could travel the length of New Zealand viewing quite different gardens, influenced by our varied climate, soils and terrain.

Here on a business trip? Combine this with some sightseeing close to the cities. Car rentals in New Zealand are numerous. Or perhaps you prefer to relax and take a day tour, or harbour cruise?

Travelling with children? Check out the many wonderful experiences for children.

For most of you, your independent New Zealand tour will no doubt include a mix of activities. Have fun choosing from the suggestions in these pages.

You will find a wide range of possible accommodation suggestions to suit all pockets – from luxurious to budget. Touring New Zealand in a hired campervan is a popular choice for many independent travellers.

I will cover where, when and how to find these activities and services in the pages within. Offer travel tips , recommendations, and specialized information such as annual festivals and events. I will endeavor to give you all the information you require, to make your trip to New Zealand a memorable holiday of a lifetime.

Note : I will be building and adding to this site frequently. So please bookmark it and come back often to get additional information.

Extra Note: New Zealand spelling is in line with the UK, so may differ from what you are used to. See if you can spot the differences.