Lonely Planet's tips from famous Kiwis
16 Sep 2010
Famous Kiwis have chipped in to help paint a picture of their country for prospective tourists, by exposing their favourite haunts in the latest edition of 'Lonely Planet'.
It’s the first time the guide book has included comments from prominent locals, and an eight page section of the 15th edition of Lonely Planet New Zealand has been devoted to personal highlights from 14 well-known New Zealanders.
Singer Hayley Westenra, comedian Rhys Darby (Flight of the Conchords), film director Jane Campion (The Piano), cartoonist Murray Ball, chef Peter Gordon, cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee, Peter Hillary (son of Sir Edmund), and All Black Tana Umaga are among the group of well-known New Zealanders who’ve revealed an intimate insight into their home country.
Personal favourites
Some list isolated hideaways such as writer Keri Hulme’s windswept Colac Bay at the bottom of the South Island, and others pick famous spots like Waiheke Island - favourite of Hollywood stuntwoman Zoe Bell.
Bell says the beautiful weather remains the same as do the "phenomenal vistas, lush bush and native birds ... Waiheke was and remains like nowhere else on the planet".
Rhys Darby chooses Golden Bay in Tasman, at the northern tip of the South Island. He warns of being chased by wild seals at the area’s dramatic Wharariki Beach, and recommends a hearty meal of wild boar pie at the Naked Possum Cafe.
Mountaineer Peter Hillary picks the Hillary Trail in the Waitakere Ranges, west of Auckland, named after his father, Sir Edmund Hillary - and a favourite family haunt. He says his family has walked, explored and lived out there for nearly a century.
Jane Campion chooses Rees Valley, near Queenstown, and says "everyone who has visited me there is infected by the ready magic of the landscape and the sensation of worldly troubles dissolving".
Warmth of New Zealanders
The new NZ guide released today (16.09.2010) salutes the welcoming warmth of New Zealanders - even in the face of economic and sporting challenges.
"Despite the country’s growing profile on the international stage, there’s one dimension of a trip to NZ that you probably haven’t counted on: the extent to which the average Kiwi will genuinely want you to have a really, really good time," says the guide book.
In typical frankness, the news is not all positive and the book concedes that not everyone "wanders around with Prozac grins, hugging trees. A short drive on Auckland’s motorways will quickly dispel that notion."
The new edition also recognises the country’s less-than-festive economic situation: "New Zealanders, like the rest of the world, are still struggling to shrug off the gloom of the global economic crisis, which pushed the economy into recession and sent unemployment soaring."
Rugby World Cup
New Zealand’s obsession with rugby also gets a mention as does next year’s Rugby World Cup: "In 2011, NZ will play host to the Rugby World Cup (RWC) and chances are, whether you travel before, during or after the tournament, you’ll be thoroughly sick of hearing about rugby by the end of your stay."
For anyone planning a visit in spring 2011, the guide warns: "if NZ dips out of the RWC in the finals rounds for the fifth consecutive time ... come armed with enough tissues to console a nation, but expect mass hysteria in the event of a victory."
Another addition to the new guidebook is the inclusion of a bonus pull-out touring map - ideal for the two-thirds of travellers who rent a car or van during their New Zealand visit.
Honesty and opinion
The guide contains the trademark honesty and opinion for which Lonely Planet is renowned. While it says Auckland "can justifiably respond to its detractors, ‘Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful’ ", it also points out that "while geography has been kind, city planning has been less so."
Christchurch, now recovering from the 4 September earthquake, is recognised for "embracing the increasingly multicultural nature of urban NZ society," while Wellington is hailed as "the city that’ll blow the cobwebs away," despite being "infamous for its weather ... And negotiating the inner-city one-way system is like the Krypton Factor on acid."
New Zealand (15th edition) is the first of four new guidebooks to NZ that Lonely Planet is releasing in 2010. New Zealand’s North Island (1st edition) and New Zealand’s South Island (2nd edition) will be available in October, with Discover New Zealand (1st edition) following in November.
Lonely Planet also publishes Cycling New Zealand, Tramping in New Zealand and an Auckland City Guide for iPhone.
What Lonely Planet New Zealand says about …
Auckland: "the rest of the country loves to hate it, tut-tutting about its traffic snarls and the supposed self-obsession of the quarter of the country’s population that call it home. With its many riches, Auckland can justifiably respond to its detractors, ‘Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful’." (p.93)
Christchurch: "Christchurch is now embracing the increasingly multicultural nature of urban NZ society. Change is coming through more diverse immigration, and a cosmopolitan tinge is being added to the city’s earlier conservatism." (p. 519)
Dunedin: "long credited as New Zealand’s indie-music heartland and definitive student party town. With a plateful of fabulous restaurants and cafes, it’s also a great place to lay off the two-minute noodles and indulge your stomach." (p. 572)
Gisborne: "a pretty thing and increasingly self-confident. Squeezed between surf beaches and a sea of chardonnay, most Kiwis would describe the lifestyle here as ‘not bad’ - meaning, of course, bloody brilliant." (p. 365)
Hamilton: "Perhaps it’s a sign of the rising fortunes of Waikato farmers that the city’s main street has sprouted a sophisticated and vibrant stretch of bars and eateries around Hood and Victoria Sts that - on the weekend at least - leave Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour for dead in the boozy fun stakes." (p. 225)
Hastings: "apart from the architecture, Hastings itself isn’t especially enthralling. It’s in the surrounding district that epicurean dreams come true." (p. 385)
Invercargill: "It’s worth taking some time to investigate the town’s arty bits, some good restaurants, and a great little microbrewery." (p. 660)
Napier: "a charismatic, sunny, composed city with the air of an affluent English seaside resort about it." (p. 378)
Nelson: "Dishing up a winning combination of great weather, beautiful surroundings, popular arts events, and a high number of charming wooden houses." (p. 456)
New Plymouth: "has a thriving arts scene and an outdoorsy focus, with good beaches both in and around it and Egmont National Park just a short drive away." (p. 253)
Palmerston North: "a town of two peoples: tough-talkin’ country fast-foodies in hotted-up cars and caffeinated Massey University literati, coexisting with none of Cambridge’s ‘Town vs Gown’ sabre-rattling. During the semester the cafes jump and pubs overflow with students." (p. 268)
Rotorua: "with more motels than nights in November, the urban fabric of ‘RotoVegas’ is far from appealing … but still, where else can you see a 30m geothermal geyser!" (p. 320)
Tauranga: "the place to fulfil all your watery dreams: with marinas chock-a-block with beautiful boats, sandy surf beaches and water sports aplenty, this is about as Riviera as NZ gets." (p. 338)
Wellington: "Wellingtonians lay passionate claim to the crown of ‘cultural capital’, and the mantle is surely theirs. Suited-up civil servants there are, but the city also supports a significant population of creative types who foster an admirably active and accessible arts scene. It’s a proud, tight-knit town, where the citizenry are convinced they’re living in the world’s best-kept secret." (p. 394)
Wanganui: "isn’t all peaches-and-cream: gang violence makes occasional headlines, but visitors really needn’t lose any sleep." (p. 270)
Whangarei: "On the pretty-to-ugly continuum Whangarei sits somewhere in the middle. But beauty is never far away and there are plenty of attractive natural and artistic things to keep you distracted in Northland’s gateway." (p. 155)
For more information
Lonely Planet increases New Zealand focus
New Zealand’s latest Lonely Planet travel award
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