Destination: New Zealand

New Zealand has a reputation for being the home of extreme adventures, but there's plenty to do there if you're not that courageous. Take a trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud and enjoy the stunning scenery and outdoors lifestyle without the fear factor

Holidaying in New Zealand is right up there on most people's wishlist - it's one of our favourite long-haul destinations. And while throwing yourself off a bridge tied to a piece of elastic might sound like fun to many intrepid travellers, I was after less terrifying adventures, and still found plenty to make this a holiday of a lifetime.

Picture perfect
The stunning scenery around New Zealand will be familiar to film buffs - The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed here and the windswept, desolate beach from Jane Campion's The Piano is as captivating in real life as it was on celluloid. Everywhere you go you'll be dazzled by the beauty, so make sure you're armed with plenty of memory cards as you're sure to get trigger happy with the camera.

There are heaps of opportunities to walk in New Zealand. Walking, or tramping, trails are clearly marked and well maintained, but I recommend doing at least one guided walk during your stay. A knowledgeable guide will point out plants and animals that you might otherwise miss, as well as being able to give you instant snapshots of the history and any local characters of the area.

The Abel Tasman National Park, at the top of South Island, is a great place to explore. There's a 51km coastal path which gives great opportunities to get closer to nature. You can walk the whole of the track or just part of it depending on time and inclination. I did a two-day trip with Wilson's which included a cruise up to Totaranui, guided walks along the coast, an overnight stay at the Meadowbank homestead - a replica of the Wilson's original family home - and kayaking. Wilson's have trips of longer or shorter duration, and the whole experience was one of my personal highlights.