Top travel writers choose New Zealand among best

Paragliding is rated best in the Queenstown area. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Writers for the travel bible Lonely Planet revealed this week they have picked New Zealand as one of the top 10 countries to visit next year.

New Zealand features frequently in its annual Best in Travel guide, with several activities for some amazing experiences listed among what the writers reckon are the world's best.

But the world-beating sights aren't reserved for overseas tourists, so here are four of the highlights selected by the travel expert from New Zealand's "spine-tingling vistas" and "spectacular landscapes".

OTAGO PENINSULA

Lonely Planet describes the peninsula as a "near-compulsory excursion" with the royal albatross colony and one of the world's rarest penguins, the yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho.

The peninsula features in the Best in Travel book in the Super Cycling Routes section for having "one of the best day rides in the country" and in the Top 10 for Twitchers section for the bird-watching at Taiaroa Head - "the world's only mainland royal albatross breeding ground, where you can observe the incredible spectacle of soaring albatrosses, with up to 3m wingspans, coming into land like a succession of 747s".

The "photogenic" peninsula gets yet another mention in the Top 10 Places to Walk Your Dog section of dog-friendly walking trails.

* The Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head is open daily and offers various tours and colony viewing. Bookings are essential.

Contact: (03) 478-0499 or albatross.org.nz

Prices: One-hour tours start from $40 (children $20).The best time to visit is between December and February.

TONGARIRO CROSSING

Writers recommend the crossing as one of New Zealand's life-changing experiences: "Explore the pulsating volcanic landscape of the Tongariro National Park and tackle the Tongariro Crossing, rated as the world's finest day hike.

"Reputedly the best one-day walk in NZ, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing traverses spectacular volcanic geography, from an active crater to steaming vents and beautiful coloured lakes."

It warns the tramp is exhausting and should not be taken lightly because weather can change without warning.

Click here for prices

Contact: Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre (07) 892-3729 or visit tongarirocrossing.org.nz

PARAGLIDING IN QUEENSTOWN

Best in Travel recommends the South Island's adventure hotspot, which is where the sport took off in New Zealand in the mid-1980s.

"For the ultimate heart-stopper take a helicopter to Bowen Peak before leaping from its 1800m-high summit."

It also lists hang-gliding among the activities to get your adrenaline going by air.

Writer Brett Atkinson describes his experience:

"When you're surrounded by some of the world's most spectacular scenery, does it really make sense to experience it in a brief burst of a few terror-stricken seconds? ... [But] a few seconds after take-off I know I've made the right decision ... and yes, it really does feel like you're flying."

* Paragliding prices start from $165 and writers recommend G Force Paragliding, which flies from the Skyline Gondola above Queenstown.

Contact: (0800) 759-688 or nzgforce.com or Flight Park Tandems who fly from Coronet Peak.

Contact: (0800) 467-325 or tandemparagliding.com

For hang gliding, the guide book recommends Skytrek Hang Gliding, flying off from Coronet Peak or the Remarkables.

Contact: 0800 759 873 or skytrek.co.nz

KAYAKING IN THE ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK

The country's most visited national park also features as a life-changing experience.

"Kayaking around the blissfully desolate beaches, coves and bays of Abel Tasman National Park; sleep under canvas for the ultimate escapist adventure."

* Visitors need a Great Walks Pass (per person sites/huts $12/30 Oct-April) - children free.

Contact: Abel Tasman Park Helpdesk (03) 5468210. Peak season is November to April. abeltasmannationalpark.co.nz