Customer Reviews

New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I usually love the Eyewitness guides - they're a consistently high standard, and beautifully presented. Full-colour photos on glossy pages, jam-packed with information on places to visit, images that leap off the page to tempt you: this is the guidebook that will really get your feet itching to go (if they're not already, of course!)

I was so tempted to give this five stars, but I really think it's lacking when it comes to information on getting around, accommodation, and eating places. Sure, there's a fair bit, but nowhere near as much as you'd get in Lonely Planet, for example. I found this was especially the case for budget travellers like myself. Eyewitness lists only three hostel/backpacker places out of the two dozen or so that are in Auckland's city centre; the ratio is about the same for other locations throughout New Zealand. The same applies to eating places, where the researchers of the book seem to have a very different idea as to what constitutes 'cheap' - up to $25 for one meal (the '$' category) is more than what most backpackers would allow for food for an entire day! There are also very few prices listed throughout for things like entrance fees to attractions and activities. I realise that these things change often, but it would be nice to have at least some idea.

These are small criticisms, really, in what is an otherwise excellent travel guide. I read most of the section on the North Island before I went, and frequently referred to it during my trip as well. This one is definitely worth a look if you're heading to New Zealand, but bear in mind that it doesn't really cater to budget travellers. Those needing to watch their spending will probably need to supplement this book with Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, or similar to make their dollar go further.

Overall the Eyewitness series is the best travel guide collection being published, not only for the fact that it is fun to look through and read in its own right, because of the way it shows the sites in beautiful color illustrations, but also because of the wealth of information and the well-thought-out selections its editors include. These books are comprehensive and interesting and great to own, whether one is planning a trip abroad or simply wants to see the sites in foreign places. This '03 edition has been a big help to me in planning my trip to New Zealand, and the '06 edition, due in August, is something I can't wait to get.

This is a beautifully produced book, full of photographs on quality paper. (As a result, it is a surprisingly heavy book at 1 1/2 lb.; those who like to travel light may prefer a different book.) It is very comprehensive, listing most cities and sights, and has a color-coded organization that's easy to use. Its weakness is that it lists fewer accommodations and restaurants than a mostly-text guide such as Lonely Planet would give. We used this book on our 5-week trip and it was a pleasure to use, and is now a great reminder since it has photos of virtually everyplace we went.

Hi all -

I note that people have mentioned this guide is short on accomodation listings. The New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) and a company called Jasons both provide very detailed accomodation guides which you can pick up in NZ when you arrive. I think both of these are actually free too.

Hopefully useful information from a resident Kiwi ... enjoy your travels!

On an August trip to see family in NZ's Northland, I brought this along and was glad I did. The trouble with visiting Kiwi relatives (and with the Kiwi husband) is that they don't always think of the "attraction" things that are between two points, and this helped break up some of the driving with good side trips and information.

Light enough to carry along, detailed enough, good pictures and format. I liked it a lot and will take it down on the next trip!

This guide was recommended by friends with family now living in NZ.
I am interested in facts, not scenic views and this one seems to be a good compromise.

North island on one side, South Island on the other, in scale of 1:1,000,000. Elevations are color coded and roads clearly indicated as expressways, highways or major roads. There are enlarged inserts of Aukland, Wellington, and Christchurch. I haven't used it yet because we take our trip later this year. However, I have inspected it and it appears to have everything I consider useful in a map.

This is my favorite style travel book "Eyewitness Travel Guides". I purchased this same style for Greece last year and this one for New Zealand. I love that you can see colored pictures of the different areas and scenery, etc. It is much more pleasant to actually see where you will be vs. reading detailed text, etc.