I love New Zealand. It's such a wonderfully diverse and compact country that we can go from rugged snowy mountain peaks, to lush bush, remote rivers, sandy beaches and then stop off for a handle at the local on the way home all in a day.

Now I'm a proud Southern lad through and through, as I've no doubt I've let many of you know. I love New Zealand, but for me the South is home and there is no beating the Milford highway, Preservation Inlet, the view from Roy Peak, the Crown Range, new Years in Queenstown / Wanaka / Hawea, Jacksons Bay, the Waitoto River mouth, University of Otago campus, State Highway 6, Lake Monowai.

However I'm a reasonable sort of chap. So much so that I'm willing to give you all the chance to convince me otherwise. So in February I'm going to leave you all for a while on my bike and see what this North Island of yours has to offer. I'm giving you the chance to put forward your absolute must see destinations to sway my thoughts. So what are your favourite camp sites? Which towns are the best for an idle latte? What beaches always come to mind when you think of long summer days? Which views bring a tear to your eye every time you see them? What makes you proud to be a kiwi?

Destinations, views, campsites etc that measure up will earn the first person to suggest them a prize of sorts. These could range from beer, chocolate, hugs, free trips, eternal gratitude, gorgeous photos and the simple but always effective "Thank you" and more...

So post away here, or email me if you prefer to keep your special places quiet. Thanks all for helping me to plan a really great trip.

A few people have mentioned they may be keen to join me on some legs of the trip. If you think you might be keen let me know along with either the dates you're free or the parts of the Island you would like to see.

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Jason
021804196
activnz@gmail.com

I'd definitely recommend the East Cape - there's some great rugged country and a very different feel to the rest of NZ.  It does get quire warm at that time of year...  There's an awesome campsite somewhere north of Tolaga Bay - I'll see if I can find a name or a dot on the map.

the proper south coast - down past lake wairarapa to Ngawi is pretty awsome too. My favourite non mountain/climbing place!

yeah ngawi and cape palasa are super cool.  also right up north is great, past kaitaia.  I went biking up there and loved it.  biking down 90 mile beach didn't do my bike any favours, but there was a cool little free camping spot half way down.  pushing your bike through the river at te paki is also interesting, but great.  i took a trip to waitangi too, which was informitive, and then ferried over to russel and biked around the coast to whangarei. very up and down, but very beautiful

s 

Hmmmm... You have to check out Whanganui bay and Te Kuiti! (Both climbing places, but if you don't have any gear Whanganui bay is a beautifull place anyway, right on the lake with a lovely beach and bush and clifts, Te Kuiti might not be quite as much fun without be able to climb anything, but if you have gear it is AWSOME!

 Also got to go snorkling or diving at Goat Island Marine Reserve (North of Auckland). The fish are so friendly and so BIG :) And when you up that way check out the Kauri trees and give them a big hug for me :) (yes I am unashamably a tree hugger :)

 Terra :)

 (please forgive me if I spelt these place names wrong!)

activnz:

Now I'm a proud Southern lad through and through,....

 ...Which towns are the best for an idle latte?

Something is not adding up there... i believe you meant either speights or sheep?

Ollie:

activnz:

Now I'm a proud Southern lad through and through,....

 ...Which towns are the best for an idle latte?

Something is not adding up there... i believe you meant either speights or sheep?

I'll have you know ollie that we from the south do have better taste in beer than advertising would suggest.  And as it turns out, not everyone is a sheep lover either....

:)

s 

Sheep??? What on earth would I want to stop for an idle sheep for!?!?! Unless you're talking about a good ol' kiwi meat pie. And of course I mean a quiet Speights, I'm just trying to use your North Island lingo...

Also a big thanks to everyone who's made suggestions so far. Keep them coming people.

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Jason
021804196
activnz@gmail.com

My three picks are:

East Coast; Coromandel, and Raglan/Kawhia (on West Coast of Waikato/King Country type area).

 Northland is pretty nice as well though.  Especially Paerengarenga(??) Harbour, way up North.

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Richie