This handbook includes a special feature on natural history and wildlife, full coverage of adventure activities - sailing, trekking, white water rafting and bungee jumping - comprehensive region-by-region coverage of both the North and South islands, recommendations on what and where to eat, plus listings for all budgets and tastes.
I was born in Scotland in the sixties and the points on my life's compass were not so much chosen, as innate. To varying degrees, wildlife, photography, travel writing and art have always been my chosen destinations, my all-encompassing North, East, South and West.
It has been a mighty voyage and my boat is...well, let's just say far more the tall ship 'Endeavour' than the cruise liner 'Star Princess'.
Plying the oceans it has weighed anchor in paradise, survived financial doldrums and been cannonballed through some perfect publishing storms.
But regardless, with my eye firmly on those compass points, I have managed to keep her voyaging and for almost three decades have even made a living doing so - and for this creative, nature loving journeyman that is perhaps the greatest achievement.
After gaining a 4-year degree in Wildlife Illustration and Photography in Wales in 1986, I took up the position of assistant manager at a purpose-built wildlife rehabilitation centre in Fife, Scotland. This unusual work provided numerous unique art and photographic opportunities and also took me to some far-flung places, including Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War Eco-disaster in 1991 and eventually to New Zealand, where I emigrated in 1992.
In New Zealand I acted initially as an oiled wildlife response consultant to the government before altering course to pursue a long-held dream. That dream was realized in 1996 with the publication of my first book 'Creatures' -an account of my wildlife encounters, using the unusual combination of all three disciplines of writing, art and photography. It was published in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
I became a New Zealand citizen in 1997, but the nagging desire to experience Australia's wonderful scenery and wildlife inevitably took me across the Tasman Sea and to Sydney in 1998.
Since 2000 I have worked as a freelance travel writer and photographer predominantly for Footprint Travel Guides (one of the top five international travel guide publishers), all of which has resulted in a highly unconventional and peripatetic lifestyle.
I am what you could call a 'veteran' Footprint author and photographer having been responsible for the New Zealand guide since its inception in 2001. I also maintain the East Coast Australia guide, wrote the Sydney Pocket Guide and co-authored the Australia Handbook.
In 2008 I wrote and illustrated the new Thomas Cook East Coast Australia and South East Australia including Tasmania. I also served as principal contributor for the AA Key Guide New Zealand, 2005.
In 2010 the Footprint 'New Zealand Colour Guide' including Best Photo Locations was added to the list.
To view Darroch's Australasian imagery and for travel photography tips log on to www.darrochdonald.com.
When asked where I live I can only offer a vague description of a thousand places, motor parks and campsites particularly in the wilderness regions of Australasia with a jalopy, plenty of porridge, a well-worn bag of well-worn camera gear and very little else. That said, at the present time, operations base is Daylesford, Victoria, Australia.
Oh, and my advice for budding travel writers, photographers and artists?...
Dare to be different, but never just for the sake of it. If you are amongst sheep, paint yourself black and depart the flock, being sure-metaphorically speaking- to escape the knackers yard and retain your testicals!
Vision, patience and passion; integrity, humour, good luck and determination are everything; the 'system', modern technology, and sales, are not. Also, before embarking on that journey, be aware (very aware), that a mortgage, the fast reliable car, the silk tie, prime sirloin steak, two kids and a dog named 'Boon' are probably not an option.
