New Zealand Travel Blog

 

Welcome to our New Zealand Travel Blog DownsideUP

This blog is dedicated to inform and inspire you on all things to do with New Zealand..

Actually we write posts on anything that’s of interest in the South Pacific (our home) DownsideUP was started in 2008, to help people just like you, with planning the perfect NZ Self Driving experience.  

New Zealand Giant Weta - Contender for Worlds Biggest Bug Status
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
Mark Moffett, a former park ranger and nature lover recently revealed how he spent two days tracking down this giant Weta on Little Barrier Island - an uninhabited nature reserve north in the Hauraki Gulf. Mark originally from Colorado, discovered the weta up a tree after walked the trails of the small island for two nights. "This became all the more amazing when I realized that this was the largest insect recorded."
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Lazy Hazy Days-Summer in the South Pacific 2012
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

For those planning a holiday in the South Pacific between December 2011 and March 2012 it’s going to be a great time to be here for a summer holiday.

A long, hot, dry summer is on the way thanks to a returning La Nina weather pattern. Scientists say this year's La Nina is weaker than last year's so temperatures may not quite reach the highs of last summer which is probably a good thing….

In New Zealand Last summer was a record-breaker with heatwaves creating the hottest February on record for Auckland and Nelson.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

The Biggest Party in New Zealand – Ever!
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Firstly an apology.... For those who visited our fine land during September and October you probably experienced something  rather unusual - MASS HYSTERIA, GROWN MEN CRYING, TRIBES OF PEOPLE WITH PAINTED HEADS - you are probably looking for an explanation.

Well, New Zealand has just hosted the seventh Rugby World Cup and this was the largest sporting event ever to be held in New Zealand, attracting over 85,000 international visitors and WE WON!!!!

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Psychedelic Jumping Australian has nothing but Eyes For You!
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Meet the Peacock spider - this 5mm Long showoff; raises his abdomen vertically, expands his flaps and displays them like a peacock's tail. But the brilliant colouring is not just for decoration.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Great Barrier Reef to be named as one of the Natural Wonders – Well Maybe.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

A four-year long competition to name the seven wonders of the natural world winners will be announced at 11.11am on Friday, the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011…Well its 11.11pm on Friday night, the 11th day of the 11th month in 2011 Down here and we’re still waiting for the Northern Hemisphere to get out of bed!

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

3 Things You Didn’t Know, You Didn’t Know
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

PAYING by PLASTIC in NEW ZEALAND - There is plenty of advice on exchange fee’s, effective concealment when on the road etc… But here are three situations that can really derail your holiday and leave you up that proverbial creek or billabong.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Chancellor Dome Overnight Hike – Fox Glacier
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

One of the most stunning natural wonders in New Zealand has to be Fox Glacier. At 13kms, Fox Glacier (Te Moeka o Tuawe) is the longest of the awe-inspiring West Coast glaciers, and its 36 square km neve is bigger than the size of Christchurch city!  But to really experience what it has to offer you need to get near its head – and that’s a two-day trip.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Darwin’s “Cage of Death” - Face to Face with a Fully Grown Salty
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

This attraction at Crocosaurus Cove in the heart of the city of Darwin in the Northern Territory has been given high marks by adrenaline-junkies. The “Cage of Death” allows the participant to get up close and personal with a fully-grown Saltwater Crocodiles. Read on and Have a Look at How Close these Croc's actually get!

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Decoding the "kay-weay eksent"
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Being one of the younger countries, its understandable that New Zealand spoken English has taken on its its own unique dialect.  A conglomeration of accents including sprinklings of English, Irish, Scottish, Maori and dare I say it - Australian (probably because the first settlers to New Zealand other than the Maori were seal hunters "from across that ditch") and can make it hard for the untrained ear to decipher.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Considered Fine Art in New Zealand: Blenheim artist Terry Stewart displays the rugby ball sculpture he created from spider web.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
Essential reading for those planning a trip to New Zealand, the following ‘Rugby Trivia’ allows one to easily engage into a conversation with the natives. 
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

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