Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island (Te Waipounamu)

Like with all their guides, Lonely Planet is hitting the road to visit the places they write about, and in this new guide, there are even more local writers than before.

In this guide, there is a section about how to plan your trip, and then the guide splits the South Island into the following regions: Christchurch & Canterbury, Marlborough & Nelson, The West Coast, Queenstown, Wanaka and Central Otago, Dunedin, Waitaki & the Caitlins, Fiordland & Southland.

I am going to be going to Dunedin soon, so I eagerly turned to this section to get some guidance. So after reading the many activities and places to visit on offer, I’m going to be sure to revisit the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, the Dunedin Railway Station, the Albatross colony and Larnach Castle. We have decided to stay at St. Clair on the Esplanade, near some excellent cafes. It was all so easy after reading the recommendations.

In addition to detailed information on each place, including insider tips, a Toolkit is also provided, which will be invaluable for overseas visitors, offering practical information on money, types of accommodation, health and safety, and getting around. And there is a new ‘Storybook’ section with essays by Kiwi authors that provide more in-depth information for those who are interested, such as “Why Kiwis Love Kiwis” by Naomi Arnold, and “A Biking Boom” by Craig Maclachan.

Lonely Planet New Zealand’s South Island is easy to use, packed with photos and maps, making it an invaluable guide for both visitors and locals.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Lonely Planet