New Zealand- a holiday made in heaven

The country from North to South is one continuous highlight. No matter what your taste in holiday--adventure, laid-back, exploring, walking and hiking, relaxed touring--the country has it all. Auckland, Milford Sound, Christhchurch, whale-watching, Te Anau, geysers, lakes and mountains, legend and folklore, Wellington, Napier, the Catlins, the Transalpine Express, Te Papa--I could go on. New Zealand is the stuff of dreams.

Quick Tips:

Fly direct--it's cheaper from the UK, and you don't lose any holiday time in NZ. The best way to see NZ is by car, and hiring is cheap, fuel is cheaper, and roads are empty (especially on the South Island). Bus and trains will get you to most parts of the both islands but are often restricted to one journey per day.

It is cheaper to eat out than order food in, so search out the lunchtime bargains and enjoy.

If nothing else, respect and friendly welcomes are New Zealand's trademarks-- return the compliment, and you've got friends for life.

Best Way To Get Around:

Aspen House is a functional, clean, and renovated hotel about 5 minutes from Auckland’s main Queen Street and a short walk to the harbour front and ferry terminals. It is located in a very quiet corner of central Auckland, yet so convenient to all that central Auckland has to offer.

A bright red-fronted brick building with 24-hour reception, it has been recently refurbished to a high standard. Expect frills and extravagance and you will be disappointed, but each room has a TV and hair dryer. Breakfast is provided in the cost, and there are laundry facilities at a small cost. The staff we met was helpful and friendly, and the hotel plays host to people of all ages.

The airport shuttle will drop you off and pick you up outside the hotel’s front doors, which is great (for $14 per person, sold at the hotel reception).

It is an ideal, relatively cheap way to stay in central Auckland. Be aware, though, that it is within a small red light district, which may offend some people. (I have to say that we found it to not be a problem.)

Sky Tower dominates Auckland’s skyline whether you enter by road or sea. New Zealand’s tallest man-made structure at 328m, the views from the two viewing centres are both stunning and panoramic.

The bottom three floors accommodate shops, banks, and a casino, which are free to enter. An escalator will take you down to the Sky Tower ticket booth for a $15 ticket to the lower viewing platform (an extra $3 will take you to the second viewing platform).

The view from either platform demonstrates the urban sprawl that is Auckland, low rise and vast. The views of the harbour front, Devonport, Bayswater, the 46 (count them) volcanoes, and Auckland’s parks are incredible and worth the visit.

Should anyone feel suitably insane, you can hurl yourself off a higher outside platform in a freefall adrenaline rush before your descent is suddenly halted about 10m above the ground. Cost is $99, but only for the decidedly mad.

A visit here is a must whether you're passing through or staying a few days

Devonport was the first European settlement in Auckland and many of the original buildings still stand today. The whole suburb is a mix of one- and two-story Victorian wooden buidlings, churches, and tree-lined avenues.

The suburb is demoniated by the volcanic Mt Victoria, and a brisk 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal will see you basking in the most amazing views of Auckland.

The tourist information office will provide you with a map of "Old Devonport" and following their route will ensure you spend a very happy 2-3 hours exploring the whole peninsula without gettign lost.

A sprinkling of cafes and coffee bars line the main street, should you wish to revive yourself, but Devonport is worth a morning's visit and, for $7, is a bargain--history, walking, and scenery all in one go.

A $7 15-minute ferry ride from the harbour front gets you to Devonport.

Hamilton is New Zealand’s largest inland city with a population of over 100,000 and approximately 110km south of Auckland. It has a reputation of being industrious, working class (blue collar), and slightly characterless.

This is somewhat harsh. Hidden on the road from Cambridge is a park of stunning beauty and charm - Hamilton Gardens.

The gardens are split into several categories, market garden (fruit and veggie), natural, and herb for example. However, the highlight is the recreation of garden styles from around the world and through the ages.

You will find a medieval renaissance garden, a roman villa, a Persian aromatic garden, a 15th-century Japanese garden, and a Chinese garden to name but a few. We were there in autumn, and the colours were astonishing, the aromas overpowering, and the ambience one of relaxation and calm.

A good 2 to 3 hours will allow you to see all there is, and a restaurant provides meals and drinks if you wish to refresh yourself after the walk.

Arrive early, especially on a Sunday, as the nearest parking spaces fill up very quickly. This spot seems very popular with local Hamiltonians and can be recommended to anyone who likes a few hours of chill time to unwind and relax.