New Zealand Travel Blog

Downside Up New Zealand 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.  

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

Arthur's Pass Monster Sighting – Could a photo prove it still exists?
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
Scotland has Nessie, America - Sasquatch and the British have their Big Cats. Not to be outdone, little old New Zealand has a Bigfoot too … But this one is a lot taller and has feathers not hair – and we have a full skeleton! The tallest and heaviest bird that ever lived was the Emu-like Moa of New Zealand, which grew to a dizzying height of 12-14 ft and weighed in at 600 pounds. It was thought to have been hunted to extinction by 1400 AD. But some recent evidence suggests otherwise....
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

The Bull Sharks of Beqa - Shark Diving Fiji with no cage!
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
It was a balmy 29 degrees, last Saturday afternoon on Fiji’s Coral Coast. We hadn’t been in the dive boat for more then 20 minutes when we arrived at the site. This was my third attempt to dive with the famous Bull sharks of Beqa Lagoon; last years efforts were foiled by foul weather and bad visibility. Now that we were kitted up and on the water there was no turning back. I (Brent) must admit, for a nanosecond, a flood of doubt surged through my mind - “OMG! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ABOUT TO DO!” 
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Slow Down and Experience Australia's Great Ocean Road
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Often rushed, the Great Ocean Road should be the Destination not the Journey. The Great Ocean Road is an Australian National Heritage listed 243-kilometre (151 miles) stretch of road that hugs the contours of Victoria's rugged south west coast winding between hillsides and beach, through rainforest and past the Twelve Apostles. It is one the 20 coastal area in Australia to have a heritage listing and is arguably one of Australia's greatest and most spectacular coastal drives.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

A Whale of a Time
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
New Zealand is considered one of the cetacean (whales, dolphins and porpoises) watching hot-spots in the world. Given that at least 35 of the 80-odd different species can be found here, it is no wonder it has earned such a reputation.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Hey that’s Swell, a Surf Fiji "Surfing Decree” means Freedom for all Surfers.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
Fiji’s premium waves are open to everyone, even those on a budget to Surf Fiji! This legislation allows public admission to world-class waves that were previously only accessible through private resorts.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Surfing the Southern Edge - Surfing New Zealand
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
New Zealand can pick up swell from just about anywhere. Waves can be generated from the south, the east, the west and the north. This is why New Zealand has so many diverse surf spots, spread over the coastline of the two islands. Conditions vary and there are wave sizes to keep any surfer happy surfing New Zealand.                      
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Worth a Thousand Words – The 2010 Australian Meteorological Calander
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia runs a photographic competition each year. The winning pictures go into a calendar. The calendar showcases a carefully selected portfolio of images representing the diversity of Australia's highly variable weather and climate. The calendar, now in its 28th year, is published by the Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society.   

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Darwin “City of Monsters” Now Named as one of Worlds Best!
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

In days gone by it was easy to dismiss Darwin as a frontier town full of brawling fishermen, longhaired hippies and red neck truckers - crawling with monster crocodiles. The locals were considered genuine, open and friendly. They spoke their mind and knew how to drink a lot of beer... hey, give them a break - it does get hot in Darwin... (Can’t say it sounded all that bad)

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Kiwi Aussie Banter
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
The British poke fun at the Welsh and the Americans give it to the Canadians - and so on and so forth… The Trans-Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand has never been stronger - Australians are the butt of Kiwi humour and vice versa, but when all is said and done its fair to say we…err…. um … are moderately fond of each other.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

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