New Zealand is located to the Southeast of Australia, a spectacularly beautiful country of diverse landscape, with over 15 thousands miles of coastline, glacial mountains, fast flowing rivers, geysers, sub-tropical rainforests and deep lakes. Made up of 2 main islands, simply named the North and South Island. Quite amazingly no part of New Zealand is more than 79 miles from the sea.

Mountain rages dominate the landscape ranges that run almost the full length of the South island (Southern Alps), whilst rolling green hills and volcanoes in the North, and beaches with both black and white sand run the length of the islands. The whole country covers an area roughly equivalent to the size of Great Britain.

An almost overwhelmingly friendly people greet you and welcome you to their very special form of paradise. Wellington the capital is situated on the far Southern tip of the northern island and as such sits directly between two mountain ranges, consequently catching the wind as it whips between the two ranges. A modern city the spectacular setting of the city is even said by some to rival Sydney! The North island is hone to the majority of New Zealanders.

Auckland is New Zealand largest city and the most cosmopolitan, bursting with energy, a plethora of outdoor activities and many historical and beautiful sights. Over 60 volcanic cones dominate the panorama and if you get the chance to look over the city from the top of one you can gain stunning views. The North Island boasts a ninety mile beach down the West coast of he island, whilst on the East there are many scattered small bays and coves filled with fine white sand.

Queenstown is one of the Southern Islands busiest tourist destinations. The South Island is more wild, majestic and exhilarating than the North and is the place to go if you are looking for adventure.

In short New Zealand is a fantastic place to visit, and many peple plan their next trip whilst they are still there. Such is the attraction of this diverse and exciting country called New Zealand, so many miles away.

The seasons are the reverse of those in the UK (Northern Hemisphere), however the weather is always relatively good so there is no off-peak season as such. The warmest months are November to April. Winter runs from June to August. During winter the winds in Wellington can be gale force due to its location between the mountain ranges and there is snow on both islands, creating fantastic skiing higher up the mountains / volcanoes on both islands.

Rainfall differs on the two islands because of their differing geology. On the South Island there is a wet climate to the west and dry to the east, whilst on the North Island it is spread more evenly.

Temperatures are a couple of degrees lower on the South Island and please note that because the weather is maritime rather than continental the weather can change rapidly.

New Zealand is one of the activity sports Mecca's of the world, throughout New Zealand you can enjoy and of the following activities;

Skydiving, White water rafting, skiing, bungy jumping, jetboating, zorbing, luge riding, kayaking, rap jumping, parasailing, tramping, schussing down icy rapids in jet boats, plunging from helicopters, paragliding, deep sea fishing, swimming with dolphins and sheep herding/ shearing!

The Botanical Gardens in Nelson are well worth a look as is the entire town of Christchurch, said to be as close to English style as any outside of the UK, the cathedral and the International Antarctic Centre being the two most popular.

Take the ferry to Stewart Island, the 3^rd largest island in New Zealand, with only approx. 500 residents who live in 1 town the rest of the island is untouched paradise with many rare birds living there.

Mt Cook national Park, the country's highest point and a place of great beauty, wildlife and fauna.

The Early Settlers museum and Dunedin Public Art Gallery in the 'Scottish' town of Dunedin are worth a visit if you are in the area. However more unique is the view from nearby Taiaroa Head, one of the few places in the world where you can see a Royal Albatross, usually at the end of the day when the winds have picked up.

Golden Terrace Mining Village near Queenstown recreates a mining village of the 1860's orpan for actual gold in Skippers Canyon

Take the Tairei Gorge Train trip from Dunedin to see some of the local rugged terrain and appreciate all its beauty.

Take a boat trip from the South of this island to The Bay of Islands, a subtropical assortment of small islands.

Top diving at Knights Islands Marine Reserve

The Papa National in Wellington is the ideal way too observe the New Zealand's cultural history in an exciting and interactive format from prehistoric times through to the future!

Cape Kidnappers is the spectacular nesting place of 15,000 gannets between October and April

Hawke's Bay is home to New Zealand's only Marine land as well as Hawke's Bay Museum where actual footage of the Napier earthquake can be seen.

Visit the mud pools and geysers in Rotorua in the centre of the North Island.

Game fishing at the Bay of Islands

Tongariro National Park includes the North Islands highest point, the active volcano, Mount Ruapehu.

Lonely Planet: New Zealand - Jeff Williams, Christine Niven. (Paperback 6 November, 2000)

The Rough Guide to New Zealand - Laura Harper, et al. (Paperback 26 October, 2000)

Living and Working in New Zealand - M Hempshell, Jim Watson (Illustrator). (Paperback 1 November, 1998)

Globetrotter Travel Guide: New Zealand - Graeme Lay. (Paperback 18 January, 2001)

Mid January in Auckland every year the 'Big Day Out' Music festival kicks off.

End of Feb to the end of March the bi-annual New Zealand Festival rocks Wellington with music dance and theatre, a huge jamboree. The next one is due in 2002

1st Saturday of March in Taupo, The Air New Zealand Ironman competition flexes its muscles for all to see.

The normally quiet town of Queensland hosts an annual winter festival mid-July

Mid July every year the Auckland International film festival shows film from around the world in this non-profit making event. There is a travelling version of the film festival that visits, Napier, Tauranga, Masterson, Nelson, Palmerston North and Hamilton.

On the 3rd Friday of every September New Zealand hosts the FIA World Rally Championship (round 10) near Auckland.

Mid September every year Nelson sports stadium is turned into a huge fashion stage for the Montana New Zealand Wearable Arts Awards.

On the final Saturday in November Lake Taupo is the venue for one of the world's largest fun bicycle rides, over 5,000 people turning up every year and growing…

£180 per night will get you a 1 bed apartment in the internationally renowned Nugget Point Hotel in Queensland, whilst £300 an executive suite with river view, including fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a spacious living area. If your wallet doesn't stretch quire that far, New Zealand is home to many good medium class hotels and budget accommodation and if not looking for top class hotels accommodation is cheap and varied (being almost as popular as Australia for students and back-packers).

Hostels can be found from £5 per night with shared accommodation for example Auckland City YHA at £8pppn for a double £13 singles or for standard traveller (probably like you and I) expect to pay between £50-£100 per double room for a 3-4* hotel in good location. Such as The Quality Inn, Oriental Bay in Wellingtons harbour at approx. £50pppn for a standard double room

VISAS AND INNOCULATIONS

British citizens and other holders of British passports who have the right to live permanently in the United Kingdom may be given on arrival a visitor's permit for six months, you must have sufficient funds to support you during your stay and your passport must be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival. Longer stays and working trips require a visa. Requirements may change from time to time, so be sure to check fully with an Australian embassy or consulate or with your travel agent who should know current requirements.

There are no recommended vaccinations for visitors to New Zealand at the time of writing, however, please seek professional advice. If you have not previously been immunised against diphtheria, polio or tetanus this is an ideal opportunity to have the immunisations carried out.

Take care against dehydration and over exposure to the sun, by drinking lots of water and use high factor sun creams when appropriate.