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.  

Kava – More than just a Tonic for the People
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Cultivated and consumed by humans for well over 3000 years, Kava is still used today by a wide range of Pacific societies for medicinal, spiritual, and recreational purposes. The feelings of camaraderie that Kava drinking evokes have made it a symbol for peace and friendship in many island nations of the Pacific.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

We’ve Got Neds Head! - Thats Ned Kelly
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Nothing fuels the flames of the New Zealand and Australian ‘Trans Tasman Rivalry’ more than the Aussies taking claim to Kiwi icons. The Kiwi's gripe list is large and ranges from the pavlova (a desert), Phar Lap (a Horse), Split Enz (a Band) to the more recent icons of Russell Crowe and Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes. But now a great-granny from New Zealand may just have the ultimate bargaining chip to get them all back, because she says she's in possession of one of Australia's most sought after relics: Ned Kelly's skull. 

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Devils, Death Adders, Crocodiles and Tarantula... A Great Place for you and the Kids
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Looking for something interesting for the family to do while in Sydney? Just north of the city is a place worthy of a mention. Housing New South Wales largest crocodile, some ferocious Tasmanian devils, the continent’s most venomous snakes and lets not forget the Goliath bird-eating spiders - The Australian Reptile Park maybe of interest.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Tourism or Tucker – The Plight of the Australian Camel.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

The Egyptians may have cornered the market on pyramids, but it is Australia that remains home to the world’s largest population of wild camels. In Western Australia these ‘ships of the desert’ roam the outback in herds up to 100-strong and the Australian Camel are reaching plague proportions.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

No Bubbles in the Bath ... Diving Australias Great Barrier Reef - The Alternatives
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Superlatives, Superlatives and more Superlatives! Yes we all know the Great Barrier Reef has nice diving, however it’s certainly not the be all and end all of diving in Australia.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

The Hollyford Man made of 'Whipcord and Horseshoe Nails' - a True New Zealand Hero.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
The history of the making of New Zealand's Holyford Track. Most Kiwi's would stare at you blankly if asked who Davey Gunn of the Hollyford Valley was, but folk in New Zealand's deep south would look you hard in the eye and give you a slow nod.
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Fox Glacier
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
Nearly 2 decades of feedback has given us a list of the New Zealand's WoW! wilderness adventures. They are not in any particular order - there is not a number '1'.  We actually have enough material to list another 20 cracker adventures - so lets call this part 1 of possibly 2 or 3 posts of top New Zealand Adventures.  Apart from taking place in areas of exceptional natural beauty and offering various outdoor challenges, these adventures all have one thing in common -  our guests have repeatedly absolutely RAVED about each and every one of them. Here you go... 
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

The Old Boys
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

Who are we…

Lost in the Sahara and low on water, arrested in Zaire for spying (Long Story) or unashamedly stuck in an unpronounceable airport with not a penny to thy name. The industry can put you in some interesting situations and teach you a trick or two, including the power of a bit of local knowledge. We have owned and operated an African safaris company, set up a dive training school in the in the Middle East and founded an adventure centre in the UK.

Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

First Light Travel's Environmental Policy
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey
New Zealand has been described by National Geographic as a 'world in miniature'. New Zealand is a land of incredible natural wonders with a unique ecosystem featuring many species found only on these islands - and we want to keep it that way!
Brent Narbey
By
Brent Narbey

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