Although we are currently living in Hamilton on the North island, by far the best scenery can be found on the South island. the guidebook starts by profiling New Zealand's history, culture, indigenous people, and environment. Written by quite a diverse bunch authors, including American Tony Horwitz who writes about Captain James Cook, this section provides an extensive introduction to life in New Zealand.
The rest of the book, written by three seasoned Lonely Planet writers, is location specific and focuses on all the South Island has to offer. Well, almost. For some reason, known only to the team at Lonely Planet, the location-specific section starts in Wellington, yes that's right I'm scratching my head too! This does seem a tad bizarre. If this guidebook is all about New Zealand's South Island, why in the world does its opening chapters focus in great detail on the capital city of Wellington, which, as far as I know, is still in the North Island?
Whatever the reason, it means except for a dozen pages discussing 'Active South Island' in the profile section, you will be a third of the way through the book before they've even reach the South Island. But believe you me, it's worth the wait (or read) because the rest of the book is absolutely jam-packed full of South Island goodness, ranging from where to find the cheapest crayfish in Kaikoura to how to bike your way around the wineries of Marlborough, from bone carving in Hokitika to glacier climbing the Franz Joseph and anything and everything in between.
This is an essential read for any would be traveller to New Zealand's South Island!
The rest of the book, written by three seasoned Lonely Planet writers, is location specific and focuses on all the South Island has to offer. Well, almost. For some reason, known only to the team at Lonely Planet, the location-specific section starts in Wellington, yes that's right I'm scratching my head too! This does seem a tad bizarre. If this guidebook is all about New Zealand's South Island, why in the world does its opening chapters focus in great detail on the capital city of Wellington, which, as far as I know, is still in the North Island?
Whatever the reason, it means except for a dozen pages discussing 'Active South Island' in the profile section, you will be a third of the way through the book before they've even reach the South Island. But believe you me, it's worth the wait (or read) because the rest of the book is absolutely jam-packed full of South Island goodness, ranging from where to find the cheapest crayfish in Kaikoura to how to bike your way around the wineries of Marlborough, from bone carving in Hokitika to glacier climbing the Franz Joseph and anything and everything in between.
This is an essential read for any would be traveller to New Zealand's South Island!
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