'Lonely Planet' increases New Zealand focus

They’re the most widely read travel guides in the world and now 'Lonely Planet' is upping the focus on New Zealand as a destination, by producing four new books due out in the next few months.

As well as the 15th edition of Lonely Planet’s New Zealand Country Guide, and a second edition of the ‘South Island’ guide, the company has added two new titles to its range - a ‘North Island’ guide and a Discover New Zealand edition.

Lonely Planet says the four books cover New Zealand comprehensively - "no matter what kind of trip or what kind of traveller" - and are in response to what readers have been asking for.

New Zealand range expansion
Errol Hunt, Lonely Planet’s Australia-Pacific commissioning editor says the expansion of the New Zealand range reflects how important the country is to Lonely Planet.

"We've been doing the NZ country guidebook for 33 years now, and we know the country really well. We also wanted to find better ways to get that information to different groups of travellers.

"The two single-island guides, for example, are a response to a need that our readers identified for us, particularly Australian travellers. A number of travellers pick one of the two islands and then stay there, which allows them time to explore off the beaten track a lot more - so an in-depth guidebook is perfect for them."

Hunt said Lonely Planet had a great reaction to the ‘South Island’ guide released last year which has prompted the ‘North Island’ edition.

And the new ‘Discover’ series is a full-colour, highlights-based guidebook that focuses on the best a country has to offer.

"Discover New Zealand is aimed at those travellers who don’t want to miss out on any of the highlights, but who still want to get to the heart of a place," said Hunt.

New Zealand Country Guide
The world’s top selling guidebook to New Zealand is the Lonely Planet New Zealand Country Guide, and the 15th edition will be released in September 2010.

The publisher says that a team of authors working on the latest edition, which has 748 pages and 156 maps, is aimed at the traveller who wants to explore every aspect of the country.

Authors said they "island-hopped the Bay of Islands, immersed themselves in Rotorua’s proud Maori culture, kayaked Abel Tasman’s pristine bays and cruised the magnificent Milford Sound" - in order to produce the latest edition and provide the key to the best possible Kiwi experience.

New Zealand’s North Island
For travellers who want to focus on the North Island and don’t need the large country guide, Lonely Planet has produced a new title - Lonely Planet New Zealand’s North Island, which will be on bookshelves in October.

The new guide is devoted exclusively to the North Island - "Northland’s best beaches, Rotorua’s steamiest thermal pools, Wellington’s hippest cafés - and all the highlights and back-road escapes in between," according to the Lonely Planet team.

Second 'South Island' edition
Also due out in October is the second edition of the ‘South Island’ guide - which Lonely Planet says covers the best of New Zealand’s South Island in one easy package - "the most breathtaking mountain roads, quietest off-the-beaten-track escapes and best city experiences".

The book has 444 pages with 86 maps, and covers all the key South Island destinations and experiences.

Discover New Zealand
A new title, Lonely Planet Discover New Zealand, is aimed at travellers who "want to get straight to the country’s unmissable highlights".

Lonely Planet says the new book, to be published in November, will feature must-see attractions and unbeatable experiences; suggested itineraries organised by region, theme and length of trip; recommendations from local experts; and easy-to-use trip planning tools.

Guidebook research
Lonely Planet says the authors who worked on the New Zealand books are all passionate, dedicated travellers - who don’t take freebies in exchange for positive coverage so travellers can be sure the advice they’re given is impartial.

In compiling guides for all countries, the authors travel widely to all the popular spots, and off the beaten track - rather than just researching by internet or phone.

They personally visit thousands of hotels, restaurants, trails, galleries, and tourist operations as well as speaking with locals every day to make sure travellers get the right kind of insider knowledge.

Lonely Planet says five expert authors worked across all four guides to New Zealand - Brett Atkinson, Sarah Bennett, Peter Dragicevich, Scott Kennedy, and Charles Rawlings-Way, who is the only non-Kiwi.

He said Lonely Planet also produced a ‘Cycling NZ’ guide, a ‘Tramping NZ’ guide, and an Auckland iPhone application.

New Zealand a winner
New Zealand has won a number of international awards in recent years - featuring on Lonely Planet’s 'Top 10 countries to visit' in the Best of Travel publication for 2010, as well as Condé Nast’s most popular destinations in the world.

This year Lonely Planet ran its first ever awards having surveyed 3500 travellers to unearth experiences that made a trip unique, from food and culture to journeys and activities.

Again New Zealand fared well - being named as the place people would most like to set down roots forever, aside from their home.

Travellers also said their second greatest sporting experience was the Rugby World Cup - the next tournament is to be held in New Zealand in September/October 2011.

And the recent television show that had most inspired people to travel was the BBC’s Last Chance to See. The programme, which was filmed in New Zealand in 2009, featured a rare kakapo named Sirocco trying to mate with presenter Mark Cawardine’s head.

Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet, which was founded in 1973 and recently printed its 100-millionth book, has more than 350 authors - many of whom are residents in the destinations they write about.

The guidebooks cover every country in the world, with around 500 titles in English.

While it began as a guide aimed at backpackers and budget travellers, Lonely Planet has evolved and now has a range of digital and print products aimed at travellers of all ages, budgets and interests.

More information

New Zealand in Lonely Planet Top 10
Kaikoura in Lonely Planet’s top thrills