Product Description

Many of us dream of escaping from everyday life, tossing a few possessions in a backpack and travelling light in far-off lands. Andrew Stevenson did more than dream: he packed his rucksack and went.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26159 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Lonely Planet has a reputation for publishing knowlegeable, quirky and enthralling travel literature, looking at familiar destinations in a new light. Their approach is different from more mainstream publications, focusing on the very essence and experience of travelling as much as the countries themselves.

New Zealand is the stated subject of Andrew Stevenson's Kiwi Tracks but his inner emotions, life history and candid backpacking experiences interweave to form an engaging subtext. Stevenson spent four months on the road, two months on South Island and two on North Island. He bypassed the urban centres as often as he could to walk through the National Parks, Fiordland and stroll along Ninety Mile Beach. In search of the spirit of the places, he talks to fellow travellers and locals, immersing himself in the "generosity and hospitality of Kiwis".

Stevenson's beautiful, prosaic style expertly captures the country's sense of space and isolation, from the ancient forests of Gondwanaland to the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. He peppers his book with personal, sometimes painful experiences and in his quest to discover the true beauty of New Zealand's varied landscape, Maori heritage and culture, he reaches a truer understanding of himself and his need to travel. -- Anna Hornsey

Customer Reviews

Why a lot of us will head back.....
Essential reading for all (including New Zealanders), at home or away.

Andrews writing uses humour as he portrays the Aussie - Kiwi rivalry through meetings, trys to pick up the NZ accent, and provides some interesting views on the continual battle of the Treaty. All along, as he hikes a number of tracks from South to North, he highlights why New Zealand is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth. Although, I did find that Andrew came across a little negative anytime his journey crosses the path of civilisation.

Definite read if interested in NZ in anyway. Easy to read - which is important to me!

gives you a sense of what to expect
"Kiwi Tracks" is an easy read and yet by the end of it, you feel as if you know New Zealand, and the author. I picked up a copy at the local library and it reminded me of my own trip through the length and breadth of New Zealand. For anyone about to go, or for those who have been, it's an excellent read about one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Makes me want to go take the next plane back to NZ.

Everyone should read it!
Its amazing how accurately Andrew Stevenson depicts New Zealand and the ease as to which the reader is drawn in by the descriptive passages and shared experiences. I went to NZ for the first time in April, and reading Kiwi Tracks just takes me back - just small coincidences mentioned by the author make make me chuckle, like the glow worms in Te Anau - I know where he was! Everyone should pick up this book, and I am sure they wouldn't be able to put it down... its a journey that should be shared by those alike who have trampled his tracks and those who would like to know more about, in my opinion, the most beautiful country in the world.