You asked for highlights around New Zealand. How difficult, since there is a highlight at every twist and turn. However, as I was born there and lived an exciting childhood until the age of twenty in the green pastures and softly rolling hills of Hawkes Bay, I am an authority on the charm that picturesque county offers. My home town of Havelock North – forty years ago a small village – is just such an idyllic and the starting point for me. No visit to Hawkes Bay would be complete without a trip to the pretty outlying beach Waimarama. It is long, sandy and quite delightful. The surf will keep you on your toes and needs respecting, and there’s an island not far out to sea which only adds to the mystery of the place. These east coast beaches were the first points on the globe to see the dawning of the new millenium. Drive out of Havelock North along Te Mata Road – Te Mata being the name of the handsome high peak behind the town – and don’t deviate from this road. It will take you out of town through an ever decreasing residential area until you feel the gentle pull of those lovely rolling hills. After about four miles it’s decision time – a crossroads! – so turn right here, and prepare to be enthralled. A river valley on one side and the rugged Te Mata Peak on the other captivates driver and passengers for several more miles. Vineyards and infrequent sumptous houses add interest, but the emphasis is on scenery. At a bridge after the four mile mark you should watch for Maraetotara Road – turn right here, and this is the very best way to drive to Waimarama, following the route of the Maraetotara River. It is an easy drive taking in native bush, old rustic woolsheds, and if you know where to look, a waterfall. Just when you think the route couldn’t get any better, there ahead is the blue water of Waimarama beach, the golden sands, and magical Bare Island. From the centre of Havelock North to this great beach, the drive will have taken you no more than thirty minutes. Kathy Maclean, Rochester, Kent
It's fantastic. I ran out of adjectives and felt inclined to write poetry to try to encapsulate the views on the South Island. Stay in Backpacker Hostels. You meet lots of interesting people. They are very clean and insanely cheap. You are going at the right time of year because you get to be a tourist without the hordes. Reading all these suggestions makes me want to return to do all the things we missed. Have fun - Vila Alma, Seaham, Durham
I have been living in New Zealand for six months. I certainly feel that the South Island is the most impressive of the two. One of the highlights is going down the Marlborough Sounds on the inter islander ferry. I would then stop in Nelson and drive down the West Coast. The drive between Greymouth and Hasst has to be one of the classic drives – the scenery is amazing. Going up the East coast going through Mackenzie Country and Lake Tekapo the scenery is amazing but very different from the West Coat. Christchurch is probably the best of the New Zealand towns – not that is saying a lot! - Mark de Fleury, Wellington, NZ
We spent March, 2005, travelling round NZ in a hired campervan and covered 3500 miles. This is a highly recommended way to meet people and share travelling tips, as well as seeing the country. We had many very sociable evenings round the camp BBQs with a few cold beers, but we had our favorite evening in Rotorua. Visit TE PUIA for the geothermal tour followed by the culture show and diner. Also, eat steak and cheese pies with L & P to drink, followed by hokie pokie ice cream as often as possible. Yummy - Peter Howard, Wantage, Oxfordshire
I would strongly recommend kayaking on the Marlborough Sounds - at least two days if you can, camping on the islands and hopefully having dolphins playing around your boat - and also a wine tour round Marlborough, including Cloudy Bay. Go with a small tour company as it's much more personal. Taupo was a cool town on North Island - went to a fantastic restaurant called, I think, Peninsular there, and also went on the Huka jet, best jetboat option on north island. If you at all fit explore Waitomo caves on one of the adventurous tours - abseiling, tubing, etc - you interact with the caves so much more and they are very well run. Finally, the beaches on the Coromandel pensinsular are gorgeous and away from Hot Water beach there are virtually no non-New Zealanders (we were staying with a local family) - Helen Bray, Hounslow, Greater London
Having lived in the UK & Australia for the last 20 years, I have discovered NZ for the first time & its not bad at all. I drove from Auckland to Napier via Mahia Peninsula, which is spectacular. The East Coast is stunning & then to my home town Wellington and here I lay, as it has grown not only in population but in every other way the cafe's, the cultural pursuits & the harbour is fantastic... As for the South Island everything has been said - Rich Caldwell, Wellington, NZ
I recently spent two months in NZ and can say, without question, that it is the most stunning beautiful and scenically diverse country I have ever seen. There are countless highlights but I would recommend the following: the wild and rugged west coast of the south island, stunning Lake Wanaka and the pretty town of Kaikoura for unbelievable scenery and whales & dolphins galore. As for the North Island, Cape Reinga is not to be missed. Take a drive along 90-mile beach for fabulous views of Cape Brett ("hole in the rock") and then spend time at the Cape Reinga lighthouse at the very tip of NZ - an area of huge spiritual importance to the Maori and the place where the green of the Tasman Sea meets the blue of the Pacific Ocean. The best scuba diving can be found in the spectacular Poor Knights Islands off Whangarei - Nic Dunleavy, London
I would agree totally with most, if not all, of the suggestions made and would add a possible trip to Romantic Russell on North Island. When there, have dinner at Sally's. I also have fond memories of wine tasting at both Cloudy Bay and Mills Reef - Brian Mallaghan, Newtonards, Northern Ireland
The South Island is one of the most gorgeous places on Earth. In addition to the places already mentioned, add Fleur's Restaurant in Moereki and a tour of the Cadbury factory in Dunedin (try "Nova" on the Octagon for great cappucinos and "lamb's fry". "The Best Cafe" on lower Stuart Street is appropriately named! Great fried fish that is lightly battered.) Be sure to wander the streets of Oamaru to soak up the history of the area and see the rare yellow-eyed penguins come ashore at dusk. The vineyards outside of Queenstown have not only wonderful wines, but many have delicious cafes. Take the antique steam ship across the lake to the sheep herder's station for a tour and lunch. Arrowtown will show you the country's gold rush past. And the "Southern Alps" are magnificent. Hope you have a great trip! - Ross Jennie, Dallas, Texas
I just got back from NZ and January is a great time to start your travelling. Some things you absolutely must do: - Bungeejump at the Nevis in Queenstown! absolutely amazing! Go winetasting. NZ has got some superb wines and it is worth your time to go to a vineyard. As mentioned before; do a half a day walking tour at the Franz Josef Glacier (do pray for good weather LOL). Instead of paying way to much money for a guided trip to see wales or dolphins, hire a boat in Havelock and go fishing on the Malborough Sound and you'll probably see dolphins and killerwales! (I did!) - Have a dinner at FiNZ in Queenstown, it's an excellent seafood restaurant! - Thijs Haitjema, Zwolle, The Netherlands
St Faith's Maori church in Rotorua is a must. It has superb decorations on the walls and an etched glass window looking over the Lake of Christ walking on the water. If you go to see the Albatross on the Otago peninsula, book for the additional tour to see the fortifications and Armstrong 'disappearing' gun. We were the only couple who had booked and got a personalized tour! There is plenty of time to get to Penguin Place to be taken at dusk to watch the Yellow eyed penguins wade ashore and into the sand dunes from carefully camouflaged hides joined by tunnels. Golden Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park is a good place to stay to enjoy the walking. The Moeraki boulders are well worth visiting as I've never seen anything like them. I only knew about them because my dentist had a picture on his wall! Hanmer Hot Springs is great and really cheap- worth a detour - Helen Cole, Somersham, Cambs
Having spent two weeks touring the South Island and one week the North Island, my favourite experience was walking Queen Charlotte's Trail. It was far less crowded than Abel Tasman, and had stunning scenery. Take a water taxi from Picton to the start of the trail, then your luggage will be transferred each day, while you hike about five hours to the next lodge. Take the Tranz Alpine Train journey from Greymouth up to Arthur's Pass, then stop off to hike in the mountains and see the views. In the North Island, Hahei is a stunning beach on the Coromandel Peninsula, with Hot Water Beach & Cathedral Cove. A fascinating Christmas was spent on a deer farm just outside Rotorua, where the owner takes you on a guided walk around the farm explaining the farming methods and there is venison for dinner in the farmhouse. Napier with its Art Deco architecture and interesting art museum is also worth a visit - Marilyn Levi, Wheathamstead, Herts
