The outdoors truly is a way of life on the Land of the Long White Cloud, as New Zealand is also known. New Zealand spans 1,600 kilometers from north to south and offers everything from sub-tropic ambience to near the sub-arctic temperatures, hissing geysers to glacial valleys. Spend one day walking across sandy beaches, the next, trekking through volcanic moonscapes, or alpine passes.
Adventure tourism has boomed as Kiwis and visitors alike realize the potential of this strung-out land. Trekking — known as tramping in New Zealand — is an international draw, but mountain biking, sea kayaking, volcano climbing, river rafting, deep-sea fishing, back-country skiing and more, are also on the cards. One third of its land is managed for conservation purposes. In fact, the nation's first national park-Tongariro National Park-was just the fourth in the world, when it was created
in 1894.
Just as the landscape is notorious for its varied and rugged beauty, so New Zealanders are famed for their friendliness. There are plenty of places to pick up local tips, with nearly everyone willing to chip in anecdotes of their best adventures, point the way, or offer a lift to
the start.
First-time visitors are often tempted to link a trip to New Zealand with one to Australia —Don't be one of them. You need at least three weeks to really explore the islands. New Zealand's natural offerings, friendly residents and vagaries of the islands' weather make a long trip a must.
Not sure where to start? Jump into GORP's Top 20 for the skinny on New Zealand's top adventures.
from Away.com
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