Famed for its natural beauty, New Zealand is a country of contrasting landscapes, encompassing rainforest, rugged alpine heights, golden beaches and grassy valleys. All of this makes it the perfect destination for a walking holiday (and isn’t as expesive as you might think – check http://www.dialaflight.com/flights/newzealand, and the country has many designated walking tours to choose from.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is part of the Abel Tasman National Park. This 51km track will take you along the eastern boundary of the park, taking 3 to five days to complete. Perfect for those who want a walking holiday with some time for sunbathing on the beach, the track takes you through a myriad of beautiful coves and glittering golden beaches right along the New Zealand coast.

The Lake Waikaremoana Track is a 46km trail that takes you through some of the finest New Zealand rainforests. Taking 3 to 4 days to complete, this hike is located within the grounds of the Te Urewera National Park. Following the shores of the great Lake you will take in the scented forests, wetlands and herbfields.

The Milford Track is the most famous walk in all of New Zealand. At 51km and located in the Fiordland National Park, the walk takes you over suspension bridges, along mountain paths and reveals wonders such as the Sutherland Falls – the highest waterfall in New Zealand.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit is a dramatic 3 to 4 day 41km hike encircling Mount Ngauruhoe, an active volcano in the Tongariro National Park. This unique walk, with its lava flows, steam vents and unusual landscape will have you feeling like you are walking through an alien world.

The Rakiura Track forms part of the Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island. The island has barely changed over the centuries, making for an idyllic and peaceful paradise. A fabulous walk for nature lovers, you will find birdlife and wildlife all around you that is unique to this particular island. The track is 36km in total, making for a 3 day walk.

The New Zealand Department of Conservation has some tips for those taking walking tours of the country. As well as making sure you have warm and waterproof clothing to ensure you are ready for all weathers, a first aid kit, high-energy foods and emergency communication equipment are essential.

For travellers whose budget can’t quite stretch to posh hotels campervaning is the perfect way to get around this wonderful country as you have your travel, accommodation and a place to cook (as many campervans have kitchens) all sorted, as well as having the flexibility to decide when and where you want to go. Types of campervans vary in size and features but most will be big enough for two to sleep comfortably.

Petrol is cheaper than in the UK and in New Zealand they also drive on the left side of the road, so getting around is straight forward.

Whether you fly into Christchurch on the South Island or Auckland in the North, there are plenty of companies that do campervan hire.

The best option to see as much of New Zealand as possible is to pick up at one of these cities and drop off in the other, but remember you will have to pay for a ferry between the two islands.
New Zealand is by no means a large country and it only takes two or three hours to get from one destination to another.

As long as there are no signs saying otherwise, you can pull up and stay in a location over night for free or use one of the Department of Conservation (DOC) sites dotted around the country.
These may charge four or five NZ dollars but most have toilet facilities.

Obviously there are hundreds of private campsites to choose from which will offer a range of services including electricity, toilets, washing machines and those blessed hot showers.

Getting round by campervan allows you to be flexible with your time in New Zealand and gives you the freedom to explore this stunning land how you want to do it.

New Zealand is a great ski destination, and both the South and North Islands offer skiing options. There is a variety of accommodation close to the skiing areas, but most ski fields are reached by bus services which will take you for a day on the slopes and return you to your accommodation at the end of the day. Be sure to take out ski insurance to ensure that any mishaps on the slopes do not incur expensive medical bills which could ruin your holiday.

You have the option of seeing New Zealand in your campervan with the added benefits of these camping grounds or to get away from it all and travel into the tranquil and remote areas of New Zealand. Department of Conservation (DOC) camps can be found throughout New Zealand and provide beautiful camp settings although they offer no facilities like showers, toilets or cooking areas. Travellers from the UK should consider Gatwick Airport parking for convenient access to their flights and to ensure their car is on hand after their return journey.

The Historic Places Trust lists 24 buildings worthy of permanent protection, including the Municipal Chambers, the railway station, St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, the Law Courts and Otago Girls High School. The ornate stonework of New Zealand’s first university campus (The University of Otago Clocktower) is home to thousands of students who give the city its lively atmosphere while providing a great pub scene.If touring stately homes such as the Jacobean-styled Olveston or Glenfalloch hold no appeal, perhaps Dunedin’s stately railway station will. Not only is this stunning building a fascinating example of Edwardian architecture, complete with stained glass windows and Royal Doulton tiled floors, but it is the departure point for one of this country’s most spectacular rail journeys on the “Taieri Gorge Railway”. This unique experience lets you marvel at the tale of human endeavour which unfolds as you travel over the stone and iron lattice bridges that span the viaducts and rugged terrain.

As well as gaining an insight into the region’s Maori and European history, its geology, flora and fauna you’ll view stunning scenery which simply can’t be seen by any other means.The Otago Museum which specialises in natural history and Maori and Polynesian heritage and the Otago Early Settlers’ Museum are also worth a visit.There is plenty of Dunedin accommodation for all tastes and budgets, including apartments, bed and breakfasts, backpackers, hotels, motels, and lodges.

Oneroa, Onetangi and Palm Beach to name but a few all offer gorgeous stretches of sandy coastline just waiting to be stretched out on for a day of total relaxation.But there’s more to the island than just beaches. Waiheke is home to a plethora of art and craft studios, cafes and restaurants and shops as well as a number of quality wineries.A good idea is to hire a car, scooter or bicycle to explore the island at your leisure and stop off at some of the interesting points en route. Alternatively there are buses from the Ferry terminal at Matiatia Bay which will to take you on various tours of the island including an excellent wine tour.Waiheke is home to an ever increasing variety of boutique vineyards. Not having the availability of extensive tracts of land, winemakers on the island have concentrated on quality rather than quantity. Often the only way to get a vintage wine is by being on the vineyard’s mailing list.Its not just the wines that provide the attraction but also the wineries themselves.

Waiheke’s pleasant climate lends itself well to spending an afternoon on the verandah or terrace of a winery overlooking the olive trees and vineyards and letting the flavours of the wine paint your thoughts.Stonyridge Vineyard is a perfect example of such a winery and also offers self contained accommodation with panoramic views of the vineyard.The Mudbrick Vineyard Restaurant in Church Bay combines spectacular views of the Gulf with interesting architecture. The restaurant is one of several buildings on the island that is, as the name suggests, made from mud bricks. These richly coloured bricks are not fired in a kiln but baked by Waiheke’s plentiful sun. It offers quality cuisine incorporating home grown produce, a six acre vineyard and surrounding native bush are additional reasons to visit this popular Waiheke attraction.Some of the many other the activities available on Waiheke include Kayaking, golf, and fishing. There’s also a wide range of Waiheke Island accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.

For a different view of the Coromandel Peninsula coastline, board one of the many full or part day cruises from Whitianga. There are many options for fishing and diving if that’s more your thing.The region’s beauty has been a source of inspiration for many local artists and craftspeople. Art galleries and craft trails exist here in abundance. Often, even the smallest of villages has an art studio or pottery. You’ll also find sculptures, hand blown glass and hand crafted local timber, as well as Maori crafts including carved bone, woven flax and ceramic work.Coromandel accommodation is available though out the region, and includes a range of bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, lodges, holiday houses, and resorts.

The Pacific Coast Highway begins in the twin harboured city of Auckland, the main arrival point for international visitors. It links such regions as The Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Whakatane and Eastland in the north, and Hawke’s Bay in the south, offering activities as diverse, as they are enjoyable. Whale watching and swimming with dolphins, walking on an active volcano, deep sea and fresh water fishing, scuba diving, golf, wine trails and whitewater rafting. These are just some of the many activities you can enjoy as you travel this fascinating route.An advantage of the Pacific Coast Highway is that the journey can be whatever you would like it to be. Whether a romantic step back in time, a culinary adventure, a journey into a natural wilderness, or simply the most fun-filled vacation you’ve ever had, you can be assured of a journey you will always remember.One thing is certain, whatever you choose to do and see, you are about to embark on one of life’s great journey’s, New Zealand’s Pacific Coast Highway.

The Maori, who were believed to be present at the formation of the island, named it “Bleeding Sky” due to the stunning effects of sunrise and sunset on the ash filled sky. Although Rangitoto has a violent past scientists do not believe that it will blow again.Incredibly, amongst the harshness of this environment, flora has adapted and today flourishes with excellent examples of Pohutukawa (New Zealand’s native “Christmas Tree”), orchids, ferns and mosses. Although not abundant, birdlife, mainly sea birds, does exist on the island with a notable colony of Black Back Gulls on the western shore.Today Rangitoto Island is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Gulf and facilities have developed to keep pace with this popularity. Excellent walking tracks exists over much of the island although, especially on hot summer days, the climb can be challenging. The return trip to the summit takes around 2 hours.A recent development on the island has been the introduction of a guided safari by tractor driven carriage. This trip takes some of the leg work out of the journey to the summit and allows you to enjoy panoramic 360 degree views of the mainland, the city of Auckland, the North Shore, Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the outer islands in the Gulf.

Auckland is the main point for departures to the island although a ferry service does operate from the Coromandel Peninsula.Great Barrier Island was originally home to a large Maori population, however few remained after European settlers arrived to farm the land, mine gold and mill the wood of the Kauri tree. Vast tracts of land were cleared of native bush to make way for pasture and it is only today, after extensive efforts by the Department of Conservation, that the native bush is regenerating. Now over 60% of the island is under the Department’s protection.For relaxation the Great Barrier Island is hard to beat. Seclusion, tranquility, miles of empty beaches. Many people come here to spend their entire vacation doing nothing more strenuous than reading their favourite book whilst sipping on a long, cool drink. Great Barrier is perfect for this and there are literally hundreds of spots where you can slip away to be by yourself.The enjoyment of the natural environment can take many forms. Walking on one of the many tracks that dissect the island and take in large tracts of native bush is a popular pastime and can be undertaken either independently or with the services of a local guide.

The services of a guide are especially recommended if your time is limited and you don’t want to spend it wandering around the less interesting parts of the island.The local tour guides will show you the best spots on the island as well as impart a bit of local knowledge in the process. They are well versed in island history and I’m sure will have many stories about some of the islands more colourful past residents.The best beaches on the island are generally found on the “outer” or eastern side facing the Pacific Ocean. Medlands, Kaitoke and Whangapoua Beaches are just three “picture-postcard” beaches, consisting of seemingly endless golden sand and crystal clear waters. Walks abound with over 100 kilometres of well maintained tracks through dense native forest, amongst native birdlife, along picturesque streams and waterfalls and around tree lined bays and inlets. Great Barrier Island accommodation is available on the island, and includes a range of holiday houses, lodges, and motels. You will be sure to find accommodation which is suitable.

Russell in the Bay of Islands was New Zealand’s first capital and many of its Victorian buildings have been well preserved. Christ Church built in 1836 is the country’s oldest surviving church, Pompalier House was built in 1842 from mud and clay for use as a Roman Catholic mission and the recently revamped Duke of Marlborough was New Zealand’s first pub.Paihia, a picturesque seaside resort offers good access to the many islands in the Bay of Islands. There’s a wide range of accommodation, from backpackers’ hostels and camping grounds to luxurious retreats and an almost endless choice of restaurants specialising in fresh seafood. Activities available here include windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and big game fishing as well as cruises to the islands.The Waitangi National Reserve offers the chance to learn more about the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, a treaty between the Maori and the (British) Crown. The Treaty house is now a national museum.

Kerikeri is an ideal base for backpackers wanting to explore the far north of New Zealand. There is a good range of Kerikeri accommodation to stay at for a few nights, including shops and other services. A visit to the Stone Store is a must.Ninety Mile Beach (actually about 90 kilometres long) doubles as a road and it’s possible to travel along its sands aboard a specially designed coach bound for Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northern most point. According to Maori belief Cape Reinga is the departure point for spirits of the recently deceased. Here you can see where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea turbulently meet, walk to the famous lighthouse and send a postcard from the country’s northern most post box.Having reached the northern most point there’s no need to see it all again as you head back south. Why not return to Auckland via the west coast. This part of Northland is sometimes referred to as the Kauri Coast, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is it home to the country’s oldest and largest trees, but you’ll also find a number of interesting kauri buildings such as the Pouto Lighthouse. You can learn more about these giant trees and their fascinating history at the Matakohe Kauri Museum near Dargaville. Don’t miss the emerald-blue Kai Iwi Lakes and the Kaipara harbour, New Zealand’s largest.