For about $24 you'd get a guided tour in the cave for a brief moment (

Jacksons Bay is a very small bay at the end of the road in glorious South Westland. You should spend at least a day here discovering the many walks and nature delights. A must is stopping at the 'Cray Pot' for your evening meal and order the 'Fisherman's Basket', white fish and shellfish - enjoyed even more with the setting sun and the glow of the snow-capped mountains turning pink.

At the end of the road is Milford and the wonderful Milford Sound (a fiord). The approach there is via one of the most scenic road trips in the world. Once out of the Homer Tunnel, you can almost believe that you are in Wonderland. Lots of trickling waterfalls spill over rockfaces and mist galore. The boat trips are numerous and a good one to go on to avoid all the "bus tours" is the smaller 60-person trip. As I just went this winter, there were around 25 of us which made it ....

Very pleasant day out realxing in the hot springs. Ten different pools of varying temperature and size plus water slide. All day ticket a bargain at NZ$10.

We went on Ulva's Tour of Ulva Island, off Stewart Island at the very south of New Zealand. It was excellent. We went by water taxi to a small island off Stewart Island and Ulva, a local Maori woman, gave us a fascinating, informative and friendly introduction to the ecology and conservation of Stewart Island native flora and fauna. It was one of the highlights of our trip and well worth it. Excellent tour and superb guide - a gifted teacher!!!

If you're exploring NZ don't miss thew Far North. Stay at Houhora. Visit the Wagener Museum (there is a backpackers & camping ground there). Great value resteraunt. Travel the 90 mile beach. Expore the surf/ocean beaches and enjoy the people there.

Awesome NW trip for the budget traveller. Camping trip with daily options of cycling and hiking. I did the full 27 day trip with them this year but there are shorter trips.

Kapiti Island is a sanctuary for native birds. Birds like Kaka, Tui and Bellbird are numerous but rare birds like the Whitehead, Saddleback or flightless Takahe can be seen too. Take the coastal track to the north of the island or walk to the summit. See http://www.nzbirds.com/Kaptiisland.html and http://www.kapititours.co.nz/kapiti.htm

There is an easy walking track between Marahau and Totaranui that can be done in four or five days. You can stay in huts provided for $12-15 a night but they can be booked up over summer. The other option is to camp which is done on a first in bases and costs $3-4 a night. You must carry in all your own food but there is one Resturant in Awaroa that offers a welcome beer! Other options are to hire a Sea Kayak or you can catch the watertaxi if you are feeling tired or lazy.

Wanaka is a beautiful town located on the Shores of lake Wanaka in the heart of the Southern lakes. In winter it offers some of the best skiing in the Southern Hemisphere and is one of the largest ski resorts in New Zealand with loads on offer apart from skiing. In Summer there is a wide variety of adventure sports, walking, cycling, swimming, and sightseeing. If that's not enough Stuart Landsborough's Puzzling World offers a huge 3D maze to get lost in. I managed to complete it in a l....