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Thumbnail to cover of North Island 4WD Vol 1

4WD North Island; 102 Off Road Adventures, Volume One (revised) by Andy Cockroft. Published by Shoal Bay Press. ISBN 1877251178. Recommended retail price $24.95.

 

 

 


4WD North Island; 91 Back Country Adventures, Volume Two by Andy Cockroft. Published by Shoal Bay Press. ISBN 0908704933. Recommended retail price $24.95. THIS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

The first volume of 4WD North Island opened up a whole new world of four-wheel driving to thousands of New Zealanders. It helped drivers of all ages and levels of ability to experience the magic of New Zealand's back country, and readers' enthusiastic feedback tells us it did so with extremely reliable, practical and interesting information in a user-friendly form.

Some staunch 4WD enthusiasts are interested in one extreme of four-wheel driving only; the rougher and tougher the better. But that is not the only way to go, and there are many who prefer to use their vehicle to get them to magical, out-of-the-way places without risking serious injury to person or vehicle. They want to get away from it all, but not to bush-bash all the way through dense gorse and sticky mud. This new collection of North Island tracks is specially compiled to offer simple and safe routes - trips that are more gentle but no less spectacular than those in Volume 1, and ideal for single-vehicle, family-type adventures.

Every route in this volume has something special about it. Some are places neglected or long overlooked. Magnificent bush and pastureland, historic sites, shady picnic spots, breath-taking scenery are all there in abundance, easily accessible along back-country roads and tracks. There is little opportunity to get stuck on these routes, little chance of getting into a dangerous situation. There is, however, much enjoyment to be had exploring back-country New Zealand in a vehicle designed so admirably for the purpose.

The routes are described in the same meticulous detail as in the first volume and, as before, each comes with a map and all the information needed to ensure that every journey is a fascinating - and safe - adventure. As well, the plain-English guide to competent off-road driving in Part One has been expanded and updated.

Keep a copy of this book in your glovebox; there are wonderful adventures to be had in New Zealand's beautiful back country - and you never know when the urge, or the opportunity, to get off the beaten track is going to strike! Soft cover and spiral bound, 208 pages. Published in 2000.


(58k)

4WD South Island; 107 Off Road Adventures, Volume One (revised) by Ken Sibly & Mark Wilson. Published by Shoal Bay Press. ISBN 1877251062. Recommended retail price $24.95. THIS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

This is a completely revised edition of the original South Island off-road guidebook, 4WD South Island: 77 Off Road Adventures, which hit the bookshops in 1996. Thousands of copies of that book, and of the second volume, 4WD South Island: 93 New Off Road Adventures, are in thousands of gloveboxes, and from your feedback we know they are getting plenty of use.

As well as re-traveling and revising the original 77 routes, the authors have now included 30 new ones from all over the South Island. The tracks move though farmland and bush valleys, climb to the crater rims of Banks Peninsula, follow historic stagecoach or stock routes, wind through beech forests and ancient rainforests, across the blasted, treeless tussock lands of Otago and up and down Canterbury's braided rivers. Some of them will challenge even the most intrepid adventurer, while others will serve as an introduction for the newcomer to the wonderful world of four-wheel-driving.

For those new to the series, this book is for those of you who own a 4WD or are planning to buy or rent one and are itching to put it to the test greater than the battle of the supermarket parking lot. It will tell you not only how to get to some of the South Island's finest 'wild places', but more important, how to get home again safely.

The guide to competent off-road driving in Park One, which has been expanded and updated, covers everything you will need to know about your vehicle, driving techniques for difficult terrain, recovering a vehicle in trouble - and it offers lots more down-to-earth and practical advice.

Get off the beaten track - and see the best of the beautiful South Island. Soft cover and spiral bound, 276 pages. Published in 2000.


(66k)

4WD South Island: 93 New Off Road Adventures, Volume Two by Ken Sibly & Mark Wilson. Published by Shoal Bay Press. ISBN 0908704925. Recommended retail price $24.95. THIS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

The first volume of 4WD South Island sold over 12,000 copies in its first two years of publication. This was not surprising; the book opened up a whole new world of four-wheel driving to thousands of New Zealanders. It helped drivers of all ages and levels of ability to experience the magic of New Zealand's back country, and readers' enthusiastic feedback tells us it did so with extremely reliable, practical and interesting information in a user-friendly form.

This volume introduces 93 new 4WD roads and tracks throughout the South Island, described in the same meticulous detail as in the first volume. Some are on public land, some on private land where owners are prepared to share their environment with recreational four-wheel-drivers. Full contact information is supplied. Among the routes are several longer trips for the serious off-roader, as well as a number of easily accessible expeditions for the day-tripper.

As before, each route description comes with a map and all the information needed to ensure that every journey is an exciting - and safe - adventure.

The plain-English guide to competent off-road driving in Part One has been expanded and updated. Of course in your enthusiasm and excitement about hitting the dirt tracks of the back country, you may not read all the information about getting to know your vehicle, essential and optional extras, preparing for a trip, driving techniques for difficult terrain, recovering a vehicle in trouble - and all the other basic down-to-earth advice the authors provide. We recommend you do, and furthermore, we guarantee that you'll be very grateful to have a copy of this book in your glovebox next time you are stranded in river gravel or have sunk to your axles in some good South Island mud and don't know what to do next!

As the authors say in their introduction: happy driving. Soft cover and spiral bound, 256 pages. Published in 1999.


(49k)

AA Guide to Day Tours in New Zealand. ISBN 1-875410-17-1. Recommended retail price $14.95.

AA Guide to Day Tours in New Zealand has been produced to allow visitors and New Zealanders alike to enjoy a variety of day trips to places of interest throughout New Zealand. Glimpses of history, breathtaking landscapes and get away from it all places throughout the beautiful country are just some of the rewards that await the day-touring adventurer.

Information has been taken from the magnificent AA Atlas and Touring Guide of New Zealand for this handy, durable, glove box guide. More than 150 super color photographs are packed into this book and for each tour a comprehensive map accompanies a thorough breakdown of points of interest along the route.

This authoritative AA publication is a must for all.

Softcover with dust jacket. 190 pages. Published in 1991 but still up to date.


AA 2007 New Zealand Bed & Breakfast Guide.  ISBN 9781877326738.  Recommended retail price $12.95.

Wherever you are in New Zealand, if you choose to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation you can be assured of a warm welcome.  Renowned for their friendliness, New Zealanders are natural hosts – open, generous and eager to share the wealth of their local knowledge with you.

In this guide we offer you a wide range of Bed & Breakfast options – the categories are explained individually, including Bed & Breakfast, homestay, countrystay, farmstay, guest house, boutique accommodation, luxury accommodation and self-contained accommodation.  The guide is divided into the regions of New Zealand, with editorial information detailing each area’s highlights and climate.  Maps of each region are included to assist in the planning and enjoyment of your holiday. Soft cover, 224 pages. Published in 2006.    


(28k)

Auckland by Christine Niven. Recommended retail price $14.95, our price $14.

Auckland, the City of Sails, is built around one of the world’s best natural harbors. While the city itself is considered ugly by most of the rest of New Zealand it still has much to offer. Within a very short drive of this metropolis of over a million people are secluded beaches, bush clad forests, and wild life reserves. Auckland is built on both dormant and extinct volcanoes so your visit could be an interesting one. Author Christine Niven currently lives in Auckland and so writes with authority. A typically thorough Lonely Planet Guide. Soft cover, 192 pages.


(61k)

Auckland and Beyond by Graeme Lay. Published by New Holland Publishers. ISBN 186436470X. Recommnded retail price $24.95.

New Zealand's largest city sprawls across the Tamaki isthmus, the North Island's narrowest point. The sparkling waters of the Waitemata Harbour lap at the city's front doorstep, those of the Manukau at its back door. There are few more photogenic locations in New Zealand than Auckland and its surrounding harbors, forests and mountain ranges.

In Auckland and Beyond internationally renowned photographer Holger Leue and prominent local writer Graeme Lay combine their talents fruitfully to capture the physical and human characteristics of Greater Auckland; its cultural heritage, its cityscapes, its cosmopolitan population, its stunning coastlines and the water-borne recreational activities which have justifiably earned it the sobriquet, City of Sails.

Auckland and Beyond also brilliantly depicts Auckland's natural hinterlands; the pristine beaches and regenerating forests of the Coromandel Peninsula and the region's ruggedly beautiful west coast. Hard cover, 128pages. Published in 1998.


(47k)

Bed and Breakfast Directory of New Zealand, 2004 . ISBN 0958230507. Recommended retail price $12.95

The B&B Directory of New Zealand is a compilation of accommodation that will surprise and delight you.

The Directory covers an increasingly diverse range of accommodation throughout New Zealand’s North and South Islands. From lodges or homestays reflecting the warmth of their hosts’ hospitality, to self-contained cottages, you will encounter special properties – each and every one with its own particular style. Soft cover, 164 pages.


(61k)

Boutique Lodgings of New Zealand; An Essential Guide to Memorable Accommodation. ISBN 0473094088.  Recommended retail price $24.95

An extensive selection of quality bed & breakfasts, self-contained cottages, boutique hotels, rural retreats and lodges throughout New Zealand. This conveniently sized user-friendly handbook is ideal to travel with. Experience independently assessed and star rated lodgings; an easy-to-follow bar graph and star rating system; reviews of over 200 special places to stay.

Discover the exceptional style, comfort and personality of these unique and boutique places to stay. Soft cover, 240 pages. Published in 2003.


(66k)

Charming Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand (2004 edition). Published by Travelwise. ISBN 0958209448. Recommended retail price $17.95

With this excellent guide you can confidently select and book charming places to stay throughout New Zealand - being assured of quality accommodation and exceptional hospitality.

Selected for those who enjoy the good things in life and value the experience of meeting new people.

Charming Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand has been designed to make it easy and enjoyable for you to find your ideal Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Information is presented in a clear and stylish manner. The unique "at a glance" system enables you to quickly access and compare key information.

What is a 'Farmstay', 'Homestay', 'Countrystay'? This Guide answers all your questions. It also provides practical travel information in English, German, Japanese and Mandarin.

"Simply the best B&B guide I've come across anywhere. Superb choice of places, so easy to use, a delightful book. I eagerly recommend it to all travelers to New Zealand."
G. Wallis, Hampton, England

"Superb! … independent travelers, whether from overseas or locals, should never travel New Zealand without a copy of this guide…" Colin Moore, NZ Herald

Soft cover, 524 pages. Published in 2003.


(51k)

Charming Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand (2002 edition). Published by Travelwise Publications. ISBN 0958209421. Recommended retail price $14.95 ... now selling for $9.95

Welcome to the charming world of Hosted Accommodation in New Zealand. And what a rich choice it is - from cottage to castles, from budget accommodation to luxurious lodges. You will stay with hosts ranging from those who simply love meeting people to those who have taken hospitality to great entrepreneurial heights. Under the umbrella of Bed & Breakfast you will find: Homestays, Farmstays, Guest Houses, Inns, Lodges, Boutique Accommodation, Countrystays. Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand, where you can get to know the real New Zealand - its people. Stay with teachers, farmers, retired professionals, orchardists, artists, healers and writers. Share the same interests, hobbies or professional background as your hosts. Enjoy unique Bed & Breakfast experiences at a fishing lodge or a high country sheep farm, or at a riding or weaving school, or just find a "home away from home" in town or country. While both hosts and styles of accommodation vary widely, they all reflect the genuine warmth and friendly hospitality that New Zealanders are known for. Wherever you stay, you will be a welcome guest and your stay a pleasant and memorable one. Enjoy the world's finest hospitality.

Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand has been designed to make it easy and enjoyable for you to find your ideal Bed & Breakfast accommodation. Information is presented in a clear and stylish manner. The unique "at a glance" system enables you to quickly access and compare key information. What is a 'Farmstay,' 'Homestay,' 'Countrystay'? This Guide answers all your questions. It also provides practical travel information in English, German, Japanese and Mandarin.

"Superb!…independent travellers, whether from overseas or locals, should never travel New Zealand without a copy of this guide - unless you like cooking breakfast." Colin Moore, New Zealand Herald. Soft cover, 336 pages. Published in 2001.


Thumbnail of Driving Scenic New Zealand

Driving Scenic New Zealand by Dave Chowdhury. Published by Craig Potton Publishing. ISBN 1-877333-24-7. Recommended retail price $

The essential companion to exploring New Zealand by road.

This book combines 52 colour road maps, covering all of New Zealand's best scenic driving routes, with essential and interesting information that travellers actually need when they are on the road. All the highlights are covered inlcudin

 

Spiral bound, 142 pages. First published in 2004.


(35k)

Fiordland National Park Map published by New Zealand Department of Survey and Land Information. Recommended retail price $8.95, our price $8.00.

This is a superbly produced 1:250,000-scale map of New Zealand’s most remote and biggest National Park. Even if you only intend to take a tour bus to Milford Sound, this is the map for you. Comes in its own clear plastic slip case so it won’t get covered with coffee stains and take away food.

 


2007 Friars' Guide to New Zealand Accommodation for the Discerning Traveller by John and Lois Allen.   ISBN 9781869710637. Recommended retail price   $34.95.

This 12th edition of Friars Guide to New Zealand Accommodation for the Discerning Traveller showcases hundreds of top-class accommodation venues throughout thje North and South Islands.  Each of these special properties have been personally inspected and recommended by the authors; they meet at least three of the following criteria:

Unique locations: Urban, rural, coastal or alpine, there is something exceptional and idyllic about the property’s setting.

Distinctive building:  Heritage or contemporary, converted or purpose-built, all of our hosts’ properties have character.

Excellent services and amenities:  Luxury lodge, hosted accommodation, or self-contained cottage or apartment, all venues have 5-star amenities and quality service.

Delightful hosting:  Generous and charming, our hosts share their way of life and often their home; they strive to help travelers have the best experience possible.

Soft cover, 414 pages. Published in 2006, 414 pages.


(51k)

Heart of Gold ... the people and places of Otago by Ian Dougherty. Recommended retail price $19.95, our price $18.

This, the second in Exisle Publishing's "Behind the Post Cards" series celebrates the rugged beauty of Otago and the culture that drives this, the most Scots of the New Zealand provinces. The book is lavishly illustrated with over 180 superb photographs. Author Ian Dougherty, a fifth generation Otago lad, eloquently describes the delights and foibles of his home region. 120 pages, soft cover.

Click here for reviews


(52k)

Magic of New Zealand, The by Graeme Lay with photographs by Holger Leue. Published by New Holland Kowhai. ISBN 1-877246-37-9. Recommended retail price $24.95.

This is essentially a picture book. The man's photographing on "my turf" what do you expect me to say? Okay ... the photos are good. Happy? Seriously this is a fine compilation of photographs complemented with captions by Graeme Lay. It covers New Zealand from north to south and would make a fine coffee table souvenir of a visit to NZ. Hard cover, 128 pages, published (this edition) 2000.

(54k)

New Zealand by Charles Burfitt. Published by Little Hills Press. ISBN1-86315-114-1. Recommended retail price $13.95.

The Little Hills Press guide to New Zealand covering over 350 towns, settlements and significant locations contains all that is needed to get the most out of this spectacular destination. Full information on:

¨ Accommodation
¨ Entertainment
¨ How to get around
¨ National Parks
¨ Restaurants
¨ Sightseeing
¨ Shopping
¨ Sports and Outdoor Activities
¨ Tours

Soft cover, 304 pages. Published in 1999.


Click here for New Zealand Travel and Local Guides 2


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Last modified on Wednesday, March 24, 2010