Frommer's^® New Zealand , 2nd Edition

by Adrienne Rewi

• ISBN13: 9780764565519
• ISBN10: 0764565516
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-03-01
• Publisher: Frommers

Summary

You2ll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer2s. It2s like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they2ve done the legwork for you, and they2re not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer2s Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You2d be lost without us! Written by a New Zealand resident, and full of personal insights and opinions, this brand-new guide takes you to one of the world2s most exciting eco-tourism destinations! It2s much more complete and indepth than its major competition. Whether you2re dreaming of hiking along the Marlborough Sound, trout fishing in Lake Rotorua, driving the Milford Road, or feasting on sumptuous green-lipped mussels or succulent lamb, this detailed guide will help you plan the trip of a lifetime. You2ll also find the latest on nightlife in Auckland and Wellington and the best places to lay your head after an adventure-filled day.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	ix
What's New in New Zealand	1	(2)
The Best of New Zealand	3	(13)
The Best Beaches	4	(1)
The Best Active Vacations	4	(1)
The Best of Natural New Zealand	5	(1)
The Best Tramps	6	(1)
The Best Offbeat Travel Experiences	6	(1)
The Best Views	7	(1)
The Best Drives	8	(1)
The Best Gardens	9	(1)
The Best Museums	10	(1)
The Best Maori Experiences	11	(1)
The Best Bed-and-Breakfasts	11	(1)
The Best luxury Accommodations	12	(1)
The Best Moderately Priced Accommodations	13	(1)
The Best Restaurants	14	(1)
The Best Shopping	14	(2)
Planning Your Trip to New Zealand	16	(36)
The Regions in Brief	16	(5)
Visitor Information	21	(1)
Entry Requirements & Customs	21	(2)
Money	23	(1)
The New Zealand Dollar, the U.S. Dollar & the British Pound	23	(1)
When to Go	24	(5)
New Zealand Calendar of Events	26	(3)
Health & Insurance	29	(1)
Tips for Travelers with Special Needs	30	(3)
Getting There	33	(5)
Principal Airlines with Service to New Zealand	34	(1)
What You Can Carry On-and What You Can't	35	(2)
Flying with film & Video	37	(1)
Getting Around	38	(5)
Tips on Accommodations	43	(3)
Start Packing!	45	(1)
Itineraries	46	(6)
Fast Facts: New Zealand	49	(3)
The Active Vacation Planner	52	(18)
Tramping (Hiking)	52	(9)
Safety in the Great Outdoors	54	(7)
Fishing	61	(1)
Boating & Other Watersports	62	(2)
Golf	64	(1)
Skiing & Snowboarding	65	(2)
Bicycling	67	(1)
Other Guided Tours, Outfitters & Package Deals	68	(2)
Auckland	70	(51)
Orientation	70	(6)
Neighborhoods in Brief	75	(1)
Getting Around	76	(4)
Fast facts: Auckland	78	(1)
Suggested Itineraries	79	(1)
Where to Stay	80	(12)
Where to Dine	92	(7)
A Cheap feed at the Food Halls	94	(5)
Exploring Auckland	99	(9)
Outdoor Pursuits & Spectator Sports	108	(2)
Shopping	110	(3)
The Markets	112	(1)
Auckland After Dark	113	(2)
Placing Your Bets: A Night at the Casino	115	(1)
A Side Trip to Waiheke Island	115	(6)
Northland & Coromandel	121	(26)
Bay of Islands & the Far North	121	(14)
Backpacker Paradise	130	(5)
Whangarei & Beyond	135	(3)
Into the Deep Blue Sea	136	(2)
The Coromandel Peninsula	138	(9)
Waikato & Bay of Plenty	147	(12)
Hamilton & the Waikato	147	(7)
Underworld Adventures	151	(3)
Tauranga & Bay of Plenty	154	(5)
Rotorua, Taupo & Tongariro National Park	159	(36)
Rotorua	159	(21)
Suggested Itineraries	162	(6)
Bubble Bubble, Toil & Trouble: The Geothermal Attractions	168	(12)
Taupo	180	(10)
Tongariro National Park	190	(5)
Gisborne & Hawkes Bay	195	(22)
Gisborne & the East Cape	195	(9)
Hawkes Bay	204	(13)
A Taste of the Wineries	208	(3)
Especially for Kids	211	(6)
Taranaki & Wanganui	217	(13)
New Plymouth: Gateway to Egmont National Park	217	(6)
Dawson Falls	221	(2)
Wanganui	223	(7)
Wellington	230	(37)
Orientation	230	(6)
Neighborhoods in Brief	235	(1)
Getting Around	236	(3)
Fast facts: Wellington	237	(1)
Suggested Itineraries	238	(1)
Where to Stay	239	(5)
Where to Dine	244	(5)
Exploring Wellington	249	(5)
Wellington for Free	252	(2)
Especially for Kids	254	(1)
Outdoor Pursuits	254	(2)
Shopping	256	(2)
Wellington After Dark	258	(2)
A Side Trip to Wairarapa	260	(7)
For Antiques Hounds	263	(4)
Marlborough & Nelson	267	(26)
Picton & Blenheim	267	(8)
Sleeping Among the Grapes	272	(3)
Nelson, Richmond & Motueka	275	(13)
Abel Tasman National Park & Golden Bay	288	(5)
Christchurch & Canterbury	293	(40)
Orientation	293	(5)
Neighborhoods in Brief	297	(1)
Getting Around	298	(2)
Fast Facts: Christchurch	299	(1)
Where to Stay	300	(6)
Where to Dine	306	(5)
Exploring Christchurch	311	(8)
Wine Tours	311	(8)
An Unforgettable Train Trip	319	(1)
Outdoor Pursuits	319	(4)
Taking to the Slopes	322	(1)
Shopping	323	(1)
Christchurch After Dark	324	(2)
Hedging Your Bets	325	(1)
Side Trips from Christchurch	326	(7)
Not & Steamy	329	(2)
Marine Experiences in Kaikoura	331	(2)
West Coast & the Glaciers	333	(24)
Westport & Karamea	333	(7)
Greymouth & lake Brunner	340	(5)
Hokitika: Greenstone, Glowworms & Gold	345	(4)
Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers	349	(8)
Lake Matheson & Lake Mapourika	352	(5)
Queenstown & Environs	357	(46)
Wanaka: Gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park	357	(7)
Mount Cook	364	(2)
Queenstown	366	(27)
Fast Fact: Queenstown	369	(1)
Suggested Itineraries	370	(2)
Especially for Kids	372	(21)
Te Anau	393	(7)
Milford Sound	400	(3)
Dunedin, Southland & Stewart Island	403	(40)
Dunedin	403	(24)
Fast Facts: Dunedin	408	(1)
Suggested Itineraries	408	(9)
A Train Trip to Taieri Gorge	417	(10)
Invercargill	427	(8)
Suggested Itineraries	428	(7)
Stewart Island	435	(8)
Making a Date with a Kiwi	440	(3)
Appendix A: New Zealand in Depth	443	(9)
1 The Natural Environment	443	(1)
2 New Zealand Today	444	(1)
3 History 101	445	(3)
Dateline	445	(3)
4 Maori Language & Culture	448	(2)
Maori for Beginners	449	(1)
5 A Taste of New Zealand	450	(1)
6 Wine, Wine & More Wine	450	(1)
7 Fashion, Film & Books	451	(1)
Appendix B: A Glossary of Useful Terms	452	(3)
1 Kiwi/Yankee Terms	452	(1)
2 Menu Terms	453	(2)
Index	455