"The most beautiful country in the world" Top 5 Page for this destination New Zealand by martin_nl

New Zealand Travel Guide: 14,447 reviews and 36,446 photos

Aotearoa, Nieuw Zeeland, or New Zealand as it is called nowadays in english, is a country of many diversities. The country has mountains, volcanoes, geysers, plains, 2 main islands, sheep, gardens, beaches and numerous national parks with some of the greatest tramps in the world. In short New Zealand is the country that has something on offer for everyone.

A bit about NZ

New Zealand has quite some history, though a lot of it, especially about Maori history and what was before them, is not 100% known. I will not get into it too deep, since history wasn't my best nor my favourite subject, but here goes.... Once there were the native inhabitants of New Zealand and then came the Maori's. The first white man to get to NZ is the good old dutchman Abel Tasman. He named the country Nieuw Zeeland, after the Dutch province of Zeeland. He didn't claim the land and it took some time before another European, James Cook got here, and when he did he claimed the land and changed the name to something the english could of course actually pronounce.... And that's how Nieuw Zeeland got transformed into New Zealand. The Maori's call the land Aotearoa, which means 'Land of the Long White Cloud'.

Anchorage Bay in Abel Tasman at rush hour

My travels in Aotearoa

I have travelled around New Zealand with the Kiwi Experience bus, which was very convenient. It took me to most of the places I wanted to go without any hassles, and it was easy to get onto activities.

I started my trip in Christchurch where I stayed for a few days and met up with Rosie (rozehill). She showed me around some of the good stuff in the surroundings of Christchurch. The I went north, crossed the water to the North Island and all the way of to Cape Reinga. After a few weeks in which I boogie boarded down huge sanddunes, farted my way around Rotorua, skydyved back down to Taupo and found my way out of Tongariro NP it was time again to go back to the South Island.

I did the grand loop around that island in which I kayaked the Abel Tasman NP, froze my a$$ off on the Franz Josef glacier, stood 'on top of the world' on the Ben Lomond in Queenstown, got almost washed away on the Milford Track, but had to wear sunnies in Milford Sound the day after, got hailed on at the southern most point of the country and white water rafted my way back to Christchurch.

Sunset over Rangitata River near Geraldine

A bit about this page

To follow my trails I suggest you do the following:

Take a look at the Must See tips and that will take you around New Zealand too in the same way as I went through it, though only virtual of course ;-)

In the Accommodation tips I have listed my favourite hostel as well as all the backpackers chains you will come across in NZ.

In Nightlife I have put some of my favourite nighlife towns in the country.

In Local Customs I've put up some tips about the Maori culture that might be both useful and interesting to know.

And in Sports I have listed the activities I have done while touring around both the North and the South Island.

Finally after reading this page I hope you feel the need to go to New Zealand too, because well... simply said... it's the most diverse and beautiful country in the world!!!

Pros and Cons

Pros:The nature is among the most beautiful and varied in the world.
Cons:The weather is too unpredictable.
In a nutshell:Where God's lips touched the face of the earth.

Last visit to New Zealand: Mar 2004
Intro Updated Oct 20, 2004
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Reviews (59)

Enjoying the view with a glass of wine or beer - New Zealand

Auckland Harbour Nightlife (3)

Settle yourself on the terrace of Danny Doolan's in the harbour of Auckland and you're in for a great time. The rpices... more travel advice

Crazy party in the Poo Pub - New Zealand

Theme party nights Nightlife (3)

This is one of the best party pubs in the whole of New Zealand. The Kiwi Experience bus stops at Lake Mahinapua's Poo... more travel advice

On top of Ben Lomond (1750 metres) in Queenstown - New Zealand

Tramping??? Sports & Outdoors (8)

Yep tramping they call it over here, rather than hiking. Nevertheless it i the same activity. This is by far the best... more travel advice

Above Lake Taupo. Damn this is amaaaaaaaaaazing!!! - New Zealand

Skydiving Sports & Outdoors (8)

There are many places in New Zealand where you can do a skydive. Where will you do the skydive? Above the glaciers?... more travel advice

Favorites (2)
See All National Parks
Local Customs (4)
See All Tamaki Village
Hotels (5)
See All My favourite hostel in New Zealand

Travelogues (2)

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Comments (49)

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shawnT Feb 27, 2009 at 4:45 PM

Awesome skydiving picture !
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elpariente Aug 5, 2008 at 11:17 AM

Your very good and interesting pages are helping me to prepare our next trip to NZ Thank you !!! Gracias !!!!
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staindesign Nov 13, 2007 at 10:12 AM

Simply a fantastic page on NZ! I'm planning for a trip there next May 08', thanks for all of the outdoor adventure info! I'll definitely use your page as a resource!!!
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IceBear7 Aug 6, 2007 at 11:53 AM

this is one of the best NZ pages on VT, thank you for the tips and stories!
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ShermLA Jun 23, 2007 at 7:36 AM

My wife and I opted for Doubtful Sound and we sprung for the overnignt cruise. At one point the captain turned off every motor on the boat and the passengers respectfully took in the pure sounds of water, wind and birdsong.
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TuJane May 8, 2007 at 8:03 AM

hi Martin, just to check, if you have three weeks in NZ from Mid June to early July, is it enough to see both island. and what would you recommend the places that cannot missed? thanks, Jane
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juliewong Apr 9, 2007 at 8:35 AM

Wow, very informational. Enjoyed reading your stories.
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Fudge Nov 10, 2006 at 12:56 AM

I was reading your NZ page and must have crossed wires that you're there! This means you're a good travel story writer :) Convinced me man! When is best time to come to Netherlands?
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Cristian_Uluru Oct 7, 2006 at 4:57 AM

Wonderful opening page! I'll read it soon!
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volopolo Oct 3, 2006 at 6:43 AM

Lovely page, Nikos