Australia

by Roff Martin Smith

Published 5 October 1999
A travellers' guide in the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLERS series which includes detailed maps, interesting driving and walking tours of sights of special interest, and information on accommodation, eating out and entertainment.

The National Geographic Traveler guidebooks are in tune with the growing trend toward experiential travel. Each book provides inspiring photography, insider tips, and expert advice for a more authentic, enriching experience of the destination. These books serve a readership of active, discerning travelers, and supply information, historical context, and cultural interpretation not available online.

The spectacular variety of landscapes that make Australia a unique continent attracts a growing number of visitors every year. With the invaluable experience of Roff Smith, award winning journalist and writer, they can enjoy the most significant and authentic experiences. His profound knowledge of the Australian Outback makes him the ideal guide to accompany the reader from Sydney's famous Bondi Beach to Ayer's Rock, through the desert hinterland all the way to Western Australia and towards the colorful underwater scenery of the Great Barrier Reef. With its 175 photos and 30 detailed maps, the guide provides all the necessary tools to plan a trip to such a unique destination on the other side of the world. It takes readers to every corner of the country with information on Australia's history, food and culture. Roff Smith relies on the suggestions of local experts who recommend hotels and restaurants in all parts of the country and for all budgets. This guide offers all the information a traveler needs to have an unforgettable trip with unique experiences like dolphin watching off the western coast, hiking in the Outback desert, and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

Active travelers trust National Geographic to deliver what they want in a guidebook: expert advice, insider tips, and the cultural feel of each destination not easily found online. These guides are pitch-perfect for today's experiential travel enthusiasts who want an authentic, enriching immersion. From famous Bondi beach in Sydney to massive Ayers Rock in the remote desert outback, from rough-and-tumble gold-mining towns in Australia's Far West to the incredible underwater vistas of the Great Barrier Reef, Oz expert Roff Smith guides you through the incredibly varied land- and cityscapes that are modern Australia. Illustrated with 175 vivid photographs and nearly 30 detailed, full-color maps, this guide gives you every tool you need to plan a trip to the unique land on the other side of the world. Special sidebars give detailed information on many topics such as Australian wine, cricket, bush fires, aborginal art, and the many cultural festivals of southern Australia.

New Zealand

by Peter Turner

Published 17 February 2009
From the fjords of Milford Sound and towering Mt. Cook on the South Island to the beauty of the Bay of Islands and the bubbling sulfur springs of Rotorua in the North, Australian native and frequent Kiwi visitor Peter Turner guides you through the incredibly varied land- and cityscapes that is today's New Zealand. Illustrated with more than 120 vivid photographs and 18 detailed, full-colour maps, this guide gives you every tool you need to plan a trip to this unique land on the other side of the world. Starting with a detailed introduction to New Zealand's history, food, land, and culture - factors that have clearly shaped the progressive character of the Kiwis - the book explores every corner of the country, starting with Auckland, the bustling cosmopolitan jewel in the north.Turner takes readers down the islands to such magical places as Kiakoura, where you can swim with wild dolphins; stately Wellington, the proud and lively capital; Westland National Park, with its incredible gleaming glaciers; and charming Christchurch, whose gardens and parks give it a distinctly British feel.Special sidebars give detailed information on many topics such as the Maori, the national obsession of Rugby, and the many adventure activities (like bungy jumping, which originated outside Queenstown) that people often associate with the country.
Experiential sidebars abound, including one on how to live and work on an organic farm, one on the hidden corners of the country where you can spot a real Kiwi bird, and another on places to learn to surf. In addition, the book features guided drives and hikes through some of the land's most spectacular natural scenery, and guided walks into the heart of both Auckland and Christchurch. A thorough Travelwise section recommends hotels and restaurants throughout the country in all price ranges. Whether you're speed-boating in the lakes around Queenstown, checking out the subterranean glowworms at Waitomo Caves, or trekking along the famous Milford Track, this guide has everything you need for a memorable trip.